By the time Chevy’s second generation Monte Carlo hit the showrooms, the glory days of the classic muscle car era had waned. Horsepower took a back seat as rising gas prices and choking smog drove Detroit to balance consumers’ calls for better fuel economy with the government’s demand for cleaner tailpipe emissions. Motorheads hadn’t evaporated though, and Chevy still offered the mighty 454 cubic inch engine in various models like this 1974 Monte Carlo in Delta, Colorado. Seeking a new owner here on craigslist in Denver, Colorado, it could be yours for $5,300. Thanks to Ikey H. for spotting this running, driving big-block coupe.
After covering some 89,000 miles in 44 years the Monte Carlo’s original paint is about shot, but overall the car looks straight and solid. The seller includes pictures showing solid metal floorboards. Shiny bumpers and dent-free sheet metal attest to decades of crunch-free motoring.
New carpet provided the opportunity for the optimistic floor pan photos and completes the all-red color scheme. Other new parts include a battery and headliner. Original equipment includes functioning power seat and AM/FM/8-track, tilt wheel, and tachometer. Factory air conditioning and cruise control will need some attention, along with the sun-cracked dashboard.
This Monte Carlo’s incredibly original condition continues to the engine bay where the original air-cleaner, air pump, exhaust manifolds, and other factory parts accompany the original 454 cubic inch V8. Built during an era when sub-10-second 0-to-60 times were “sporty” and 16 second times were not unheard of, this 7.4-liter monster made 235 HP (net). However, its 360 lb-ft of torque made the real difference, helping propel this 4325 lb coupe to 60 in 9.1 seconds, about one second slower than the 350-powered ’74 Corvette (thanks to automobile-catalog.com for some details). While the 454 “runs well” and should have no problem roasting $5 junk-yard snow-tires as a daily exercise, it would be interesting to refurbish this Monte mechanically including a budget performance rebuild of the 454. Most car enthusiasts with memories of the mid-’70s will assume this Chevy has the emissions-neutered 350. Young owners of 21-st Century performance cars will be too busy texting to consider that this faded “Grandpa-Mobile” might lay down two strips of rubber every time you got an itch in your right foot. It’s hard to put a price on that kind of fun, but how about $5,300?
This was my first hay barn find, my was a 73 brown w/white cloth interior ( never got it cleaned, thank goodness for JC Whitney)& a white vinyl landau top. It also had a 454 (vividly remember difficult time putting Hedman headers on it constantly having to tighten the bolts & losing exhaust pipes).
Story was it was grams car, after she past they shoved it in the corner of the barn ( real farmers don’t drive cars) & stacked hay on it ??? paint was toast! But as a 16yr old I had a three yr old car for little money. Had enough money left over to put air shocks and 60’s on the rear. Pooping in high cotton!
Also I learned how expensive new tire cost,as this car could smoke um!
Gee, could this be the worst car color ever? I think so. Cool marketing guys sat around and congratulated themselves by calling it something like “Dusty Rose”.
When in reality it is “Cirrhosis Liver Pink”. Just sayin’……
This is a better representation of what the color looked like when new. It looks period correct to me.
Where have I seen this car before…?
Ditto
Saw this same car early this year with Colorado plate on it for sale!
I thought I recognized it…
Interestingly enough the $5300 asking price is most likely at or near the price of the original sticker as it was optioned. Suprised that it was not equipped with the optional bucket seats and console floor shifter considering the 454 under the hood.
Stillrunners- I thought that I saw this car before as well. This is the 3rd time that this car has been featured on Barn Finds, by three different writers. Once in December 2017 and https://barnfinds.com/faded-glory-1974-chevrolet-monte-carlo-ls4-454/.
Herein lies the problem with Craigslist. Articles can be completely dishonest, but there’s no public way to call them out on it. The statement “first time ever offered for sale since Dec. 1973” is confirmably false.
Todd that budget big block rebuild article is over eight years old now. I’m sure that there are much better cylinder heads, camshafts and intake manifolds available from the aftermarket now.
You can see that chalky finish will buff back to life with a professional polishing. Why can’t the seller also see this? This GM color was very popular throughout the 70s and almost always faded out. Take a buffer to that car!
This is one of the most comfortable cars iver ever owned(1973) you get used to the heavy doors. Solid as a rock at 130mph, my thoughts are the big block is pribably tired, real tired, then again all the big blocks i got were well used by the time i got them. This bench is super comfortable. I like the color of the exterior, i have a problem with the red gut on any car, seems i never get over how RED it is, black is normal white is nice too
Nice car with a big engine for effortless highway cruising and running power accessories. Classic Monte Carlo style too! Will need some time and money to fix defects(air/cruise/dash and paint fade) but definitely a good solid find.
These MCs are great (if you like big fenders and rube goldberg engineering). Mine’s got a console shifter and swivel buckets, and its been tweaked a bit: LQ4; 4L80E; 4.10 gears. Great highway ride and a blast in the 1/4, but slow down for corners!
235 net horsepower isn’t that bad if you converted it to gross. Also, 0 to 60 in 9.1 seconds for a car of that era is pretty good.
yes. you can drop a second on the 0-60 time cheap. another for just a few bucks. you could get it down to the 7 seconds with less than 1500 bucks if the engine is ok. makes for a great improvement bang for the buck
My second car in 1980 was just like this one, but had the swivel buckets and a 400 small block. Sweet car, rode like you were on a cloud. Polished Ansen Sprints and Mohawk M-60-14s on the back. Did a lot of Burt Reynolds E-brake power slides. Good memories