Garage Find: 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo 383 V8

Disclosure: This site may receive compensation from some link clicks and purchases.

Chevrolet joined the ranks of other automobile manufacturers by fielding the Monte Carlo as a personal luxury car. Launched in 1970, it was based on the same platform as the Pontiac Grand Prix, but with touches of the mid-size Chevy Chevelle thrown in. In 1970-72, it may have had the longest hood on any car coming out of Detroit. Sales would grow year by year, reaching a peak of 400,000 copies a year by 1977. This first-year Monte has been sitting for ages but upgraded previously to a 383 cubic inch V8. From Orr’s Island, Maine, this older refreshed Chevy has layers of dust to show for its hibernation. It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for  $10,000, Our thanks to Barn Finder RichardinMaine for this tip!

Borrowing its name from the city in Monaco, the Monte Carlo was only offered as a 2-door hardtop. The concept for the Monte Carlo was full steam ahead in 1968, getting ready for a debut in the Fall of 1969. First-year sales were hindered by a labor strike at GM, so demand for the car exceeded supply in the early part of 1970. A 350 cubic inch V8 was standard fare on the MC. For 1970 and 1971, an SS 454 version of the car was offered but disappeared with the 1973 redesign.

We’re told this Chevy is a one-owner car and has been garaged much of its life. The paint and vinyl top were redone in the 1990s and the vehicle has been mostly idle since. The engine was replaced at some point with headers and dual exhaust added. The seller retained the original 350 engine, and it comes with the car. The Monte has a TH-350 automatic transmission.

All the photos are from inside a dark garage, supporting the fact that the car does not run. Otherwise, why not bring it out in the daylight for everyone to see? The odometer reads just 68,000 miles, so we assume the engine swap was made to gain more power, not because the original engine was flawed. There’s no indication of what it might take to get the car running or if the body/paint has suffered any damage as a result of being off the road for so many years.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. JCAMember

    The ad says sold at the top

    Like 9
    • Don ZBOROWSKI

      My oldest brother bought one of those and his wife taught me much about driving in it. I also took my driving test with it. Beautiful car, sleek an fast. Don Z.

      Like 7
      • Randall

        And so it was.

        Wonderful of you to share those memories Don. The magic of yesteryear.

        Like 1
    • Nostromo

      So be it.

      Like 2
    • Todd P Beaulieu

      I saw it rolling down the road an hour ago.

      Like 0
      • Todd P Beaulieu

        It was on a wrecker, rolling on rear wheels. Strange they didn’t put it on a car carrier.

        Like 0
  2. KC JohnMember

    I remember being a kid and my father test drove this same combo as part of the biannual new car buying process. We ended up in another in a series of four door Mopar products. Memory still strong after 50 plus years. Thanks Dad. Good thing this isn’t closer. Nostalgia can be intoxicating.

    Like 12
    • Buzz Moody

      I have a 1972 Monte Carlo my parents bought new, and I love it as much as thy did..

      Like 10
  3. Jay Martell

    70 Monte,,one of two cars sold at the lot I worked at within four years,that got sold three separate times because of repo,traded back in,or both.Nice with a brighter shade of Red.The other car was a gold Buick Apollo.

    Like 3
  4. Ron Pulaski

    It was a great place to go for a decent Friday fish fry. Then the new owners took it over and it just wasn’t the same.

    Like 0
  5. Marco

    I had the ’70 454 SS Model. Great car but pretty heavy in the front for the shocks and springs with that big motor. Except for the dual exhaust and small SS script on the rockers, few red light dragsters knew what was lurking under the hood and it was fun to dust them when the light turned green!

    Like 7
    • Willis Lee Roberts

      I am the original owner of an ss454 monte carlo. I bought it new in Feb 1971

      Like 1
  6. Marshall Belcher

    No.1 I like how the big pice of whatever laying all way down side the driver side. Should be damaged. Some animal has been passing in the front seat. I’ll pass.

    Like 0
  7. Bob

    I had several 1st gen Montes Best one was a 71 ss454 had every option on it even rear seat shoulder harness
    seat belts best thing about these cars was I could put all 3 of my kids in the back seat when we went out for ice cream

    Like 4
  8. Jack

    Is this one for sale or does anyone know of one that might be for sale. Was my first car got stolen but I am looking for another.

    Like 0
  9. Larry E

    G! Released them September 18, 1969 and I ordered a Forest Green, no vinyl top, SB 350, Turbo Hydramatic, AC, Stereo AM/FM, rear widow defogger and G70 tires. Loved that car but sold it to one of my best friends because I did not want to make car payments

    Like 1
  10. RoadDog

    No engine pics? Hard pass.

    Like 1
  11. Mike Lambert

    I owned a 1974 and a 1975 Monte Carlo back in the day. Those cars sure rode, looked and ran good!

    Like 0
  12. ThisGuy

    Just like to point out, there is no such thing as a Monte Carlo SS 454. There were actually no SS Monte Carlos before the ’80s.
    Reading is Fundamental.

    Like 0
  13. Eric Gifford

    There was in 70, 71 and 72 SS 454

    Like 0
    • ThisGuy

      Show me the factory literature.

      Like 0
  14. Bob

    There was a 70/71 ss pkg but in 72 no ss pkg but you could get 402 engine option they called a custom on trim outside of car

    Like 0
  15. Eric Gifford

    True, not an SS in 72 but you could still get the 454 until 75

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Barn Finds