Once upon a time, the Monte Carlo was a desirable model that fell between the muscle cars of the day and the luxo-cruisers. What was great about it? It was a personal luxury car that said that the person (dare we say “man”?) who drove it had sophistication and didn’t care for practicalities like four doors. Most of these cars had appointments like accent badging and vinyl tops that set them into the “I’ve made it” category for those who drove them. This 1970 Monte Carlo is that, and more.
There are two primary things that make this car, available at a current bid of $14K with a long six days to go in the auction, stand above its peers. First, there are pieces of paperwork, including the original owner’s manual, warranty booklet, and two build sheets complete with the impressions of the seat springs that held them tight all these years. Why does that matter? Because the paperwork shows the care the car has been lavished with but also because the docs authenticate it. And, they form a connection to the past that hints at a story, and that’s somewhat rare with a half-century-old car.
Second, this one is no barge-cruiser automatic-transmission boat. It’s a genuine four-speed from the factory. That fun stick backs up a factory-installed L48 350-CID V8. Grocery getting has never been this fun. The car has also been recommissioned in terms of the fuel tank being replaced along with other parts that come into contact with or contain fluids. That suggests that you could drive it to Thanksgiving without worry about it, although you are cautioned by the seller to do the brakes. How sound is this engine? That’s a huge mystery. There is no claim made about its usability, and the mileage is listed as 026168. But the odo can’t read that—there’s no sixth digit. So is the seller trying to get you to think it’s 26K? More likely 126,168, with the “1” not appearing on the readout.
In truth, there’s a possible further downside. The paint. It’s not just a bit on the worn-out side but also unfamiliar looking, at least to me, as part of the era’s Chevrolet livery. Doesn’t it seem too much blue is mixed into the silver, or is that just the light? You marque experts can weigh in on the question of whether you could have gotten one painted like this in 1970. Maybe a potential buyer doesn’t care, though, or maybe the thought of slamming through four speeds is a huge draw. That thrill can be yours if you can get prevail in the bidding here on ebay and then find a way to get yourself to Winnetka, CA to pick the car up, or drop into the luxe driver’s seat, and head for the open road home.
a 1970 factory 4 speed Monte Carlo, now that’s something you seldom see! I think in all the years I’ve only seen one in person.
Yes sir it’s rare and special. Never saw one. But seen a monte convertible made from a chevelle once
Happy to see this hasn’t been turned into a low rider like most.
It’s nice seeing one of these that is not a lowrider !!!
Great car and hardly seen never mind survived. Buy it drive it with a big smile 😃
Best to the buyer and seller
The car left the factory Silver w/dark blue vinyl top and dark blue interior. 300hp 350 + M20 4 speed. That is one cool Monte Carlo, that you will never see a duplicate of anywhere. If the original owner would’ve checked the boxes for gauge package and bucket seats this car would be perfect……….
Could you get 3 on the tree with this gen Monte or even 4 wheel drum brakes?
Or manual brakes or manual steering? Maybe not for any of them.
How many Montes back then got loud mufflers – like this one? I would say – few if any.
When these were cycling through the Pick Your Part wrecking yards in the mid-80’s through early-90’s we’d check every Monte Carlo for disc brakes, they were a quick and easy $100 every time you found a set. You did find drum brake equipped Monte Carlo’s though they weren’t common. We never bothered checking for 3spd column shifts, but always checked for a 12 bolt, which seemed to be under every equipped with a 4bbl.
Steve R
When I was in h.s (’74-’76) a customer had one of these with a 3-on-the-tree manual trans. It was pretty beat up back then, so I’m sure it’s gone now.
One of my cousins bought a 4 speed 350 Monte Carlo new in 1970. A dealer in Philadelphia actually had it in stock. He’d had a 68 Corvette, but after a year and a half with it he’d gotten so many tickets, not to mention wrecking it once, he couldn’t get or afford insurance for it anymore. An SS or any other performance model was going to be the same situation, but the 4 speed Monte was just nondescript enough to fly under the insurance company’s radar.
Sold with a high bid of $20,000. Good price if the car is as nice in person as it looks in the ads.
Steve R