Ever since ogling the Monte Carlo in the Denzel Washington film Training Day, I’ve had a soft spot for Chevy’s iconic coupe. This generation only, though, as those mournful headlights are what give this generation its distinctive look. The seller says this 1978 model was part of a recent estate sale clean-out, and it was last inspected in 2004. Find it here on eBay with bidding just over $1K and no reserve.
While many of you would likely find this generation of the Monte the least desirable for its shorter proportions and disappointing drivetrain options, I actually liked the more compact dimensions, and lighter weight is never a bad thing. The interiors in models like this one were spartan affairs, but for a cruiser, all you need is a column shift and a bench seat. The interior is dirty and the dash is cracked, but overall, it’s a cockpit you can clean up and live with.
This example wears pretty green paint and retains its original hubcaps. The body shows faded paint but no obvious signs of damage, and glass and trim all look good. One of my favorite details is the rear end that slopes to the ground; it worked particularly well when Denzel was showing off the hydraulic capabilities of his Monte Carlo in Training Day. Speaking of, although it’s not my scene, these cars do like pretty tight lowered on some Daytons.
Bear with me! I’m not suggesting to put this car on “donks” or whatever they’re calling that nonsense now. Since it was rolled out in the height of the oil embargo, the thirsty engines were retired and this one comes with a Buick-sourced 231CI V6. It’s certainly not a sexy engine and was effectively a workhorse, but if this Monte Carlo is speaking to you like it is to me, building the ultimate boulevard cruiser doesn’t require tons of horsepower.
I remember how hideous those plastic chrome strips looked as they aged; that is, if they weren’t totally missing! The front end (IMO) looked a little goofy, but improved in the next model years. :-)
yes..I agree completely. I loved especially when they turned yellow. That was cool.
Nice car. One of the few cars that survived downsizing with grace. It still looks like a Monte Carlo. Might be collectible someday, it’s close, but for now, be a nice Monte Carlo driver. It’s refreshing to see an affordable classic for once.
I had this year/model Monte. Mine was beautiful burgundy w matching cloth interior, column shift, bench seats, t-tops, 305 2bbl. Nice cruiser, dependable, decent mileage. Yes, the faux chrome (plastic) strips in the bumpers cracked, peeled, and came out of the grooves.
Cloth was nice but nothing like velour.
Yes, it actually was velour. I couldn’t think of the name for it. The only thing that came to mind was crushed velvet, lol.
Crushed velvet indeed. lol!
Always always always loved these bodies. Their brethren, the Cutlass Supreme, and wasn’t there another? Anyway, cars of the 70s now are the way to go. They look good today and parts are cheap and easy to come by. And by golly they were so smooth and quiet
Ok I’ll add the Gran Prix and Riviera. There will never be personal luxury like this again. Caddy Eldorado, Cougar X-R-7.
I think the “other” is the Buick Regal.
Yep. The Regal. I had an ’82 MC which looked a lot like this one. I LOVED that generation of GM coupes. My high school parking lot was stuffed w/all 4 variants!
Thank you. I couldn’t think of the Regal.
Despite the fact this came from the dark ages of US auto production, I too love this version of the Monte Carlo. With all the goodies on the shelf these days there’s no reason for these to remain the anemic sloths they where when they left the factory.
First new car my mother bought with a/c and all of the other toys. Hers was baby blue inside and out. A bit of a baby blue overdose. Not a bad car overall.
The ’78 – ’80 always looked like they were tweaking the front and rears to arrive at the ’81 which was more presentable. That 231 V6 was a pile of crap but so were all of the engine options. I can’t imagine shopping for a car in ’78 everything was crap, but you needed to get around. There was no real hope of better quality coming from American manufacturers another 10 years or so.
not true, ever heard of a Trans AM o Z-28? How bout a Can Am or AMX?
There were cool options from every make in 78 that we all see here now on BF.
Traded in my original 72MC on an 83 MC. Nice looking car that rode nice with decent lines. But going from the V8 to the 6 was a big difference. Especially with the AC on in the summer.
To my tastes the 1977 Monte Carlo was the most attractive of the bunch. Far classier than this generation. I’d a nice 77 over this any day.
As a 1st Generation MC owner. I’m partial to 70-72 as having the best looks. The 77’s run a close 2nd.
Yep, I had a 72 MC, a 78 as mentioned above, and later on a 84’SS. I’m just a Monte Carlo guy!
This was the last car my grandfather had before he passed. His was beige. Great memories of him in this car. Not a bad ride for the era.
Had one years back. V8, 4spd, buckets, aluminum hood, and aluminum trunk lid. Not a bad car but not great either.
Most cars around this time were pretty meh. Camaros and Firebirds were okay. I liked the full size Chevy coupes as long it had a 350. The early 305s were boat anchors.
typical car flip. Yet this car with the 305 and funky body style need to be flushed down into the trash compactor.
Donks and lowriders on wires are two completely different scenes.
IMO this car looks good as-is. I’ve always been fond of the early models of this generation..
i prefer the luxury sport versions in the mid 80s, but these do make sweet lowriders
Traded an 83MC in on a new 86 MC Luxury Sport. Great Car. Owned it for 10 years with no problems.
I’d be concerned by that quarter-sized dark spot in the center of the driver’s seat cushion. Wheelcovers I believe were sourced from the 1963-64 full size Buicks. This Monte is priced well, but one can find these cars all over the tote the note lots and in better condition. My parents had a black Regal and a black Gran Prix in this body style. The Regal had T Tops, maroon velour seats and no air…total rattle trap. The Gran Prix was the best car my family ever had throughout the 1980s. Solid, luxurious, nicely appointed.
This MC Body style is squatty and bug eyed, it’s as if Chevy didn’t know what to do with it after they abandoned the 73-77 body style.
I think they should have just shrunk the 73 77 style a bit for a year or two then moved onto the next generation
This has the same ugly problem as att the downsized GM’s from this era. Look at that poor dash! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one more than 5 yrs old that didn’t have at least one big crack. I had a 78 Malibu that I was waiting for the whole thing to collapse onto the seats on the next bump. Still loved the car though. I do think they got better looking with the squared up body of 1981.
This was the ‘baddies’ car in the 1988 film ‘The Dead Pool’s. Has a reasonable car chase scene too.
Ok looking cars with hot rod potential but the rearends are made from glass!
SOLD for $1350! A great bargain for a decent daily driver and possible future collectible.