Introduced in 1970, the new Chevy Monte Carlo was sometimes referred to as a “Gentlemen’s Chevelle” but it was really based on the Pontiac Grand Prix platform. It was quite successful and remained in the GM portfolio through 2007 (with a break from 1989 to 1994). This ’71 edition looks like a nice survivor, one that belonged to the seller’s grandmother from the day it was new. Since they’re only original once, you could drive the car as-is for years to come or give it a cosmetic makeover (tired paint and front seat). Located in Redondo Beach, California, this beauty is available here on craigslist for $17,995. Pat L. comes through with another nifty tip!
Though a big seller, the Monte Carlo received two blows early-on in both the 1970 and 1971 model years. Two labor strikes (one local and the other corporate-wide) caused production to be a trickle in the beginning. But Chevy was still able to crank out 159,000 copies in ’70 and another 128,000 units in ’71 for what was basically an unchanged car. The 350 cubic inch V8 was standard in both years with the only difference being a slightly reduced horsepower output was a result of lowering compression ratios to run on a broader range of fuels, including unleaded. “Grandma” bought this Monte Carlo new in SoCal in 1970 and loads of documentation have also survived.
The odometer reads under 52,000 miles and that appears to be accurate. As a result – and due to good care – the car runs and drives well with a TH-350 automatic transmission. The mechanics of the automobile appear to be stock although Grandma may have been “cool” as there are chrome valve covers on the 350 V8 (245 or 270 hp version?). When the car found its way into the seller’s hands as the machine’s executor/curator, it was driven just occasionally on weekends. A restoration was intended, but life has gotten in the way.
There is no rust on the Chevy, but the paint is faded/hazing due to being exposed to the Sun and smog over the past 52 years (Grandma kept the Monte outside, while the seller has retained it indoors). The car has a new battery and newer tires, so no immediate attention is needed. But the driver’s side of the bench seat could stand to be repaired or replaced if you can match the back seat, which is in great shape along with the rest of the interior. If you’re looking for an original Chevrolet from this era, it could take more searching to find one that compares to this vehicle.
The chrome valve covers are good for 5hp. Flip the lid for another 5 and drive it. They’re only original once. Looks like a nice car.
I “flipped the breather” on my 74 Buick Regal once … sounded great until a backfire blew my muffler off.
Personally I think if this is Grandma’s car, she’s got good taste. Only thing I’d change is the hubcaps and steelies to a set of Rallys and then cruise
Grandma’s car, hey? Well, when it was new, Grandma was probably sporting a tube top and miniskirt. Probably kept it outside because she was in an apartment, like all single young people of the time.
Fifty-plus years is a long time to own a car. I’m surprised she didn’t get bored with it.
But I can see the veracity of the story. When that car, and I, were young – the car would have been 5 years old – a preppie girl in town (lived in a small town, but even they have income-enhanced families) got one as her first car. This was in the salt-encrusted Great Lakes area, but the family would vacation down in the Carolinas…and Daddy just brung back an MC as daughter’s first car.
Looked much like this one, only with Cragar mags.
Unlike the seller’s gram, though…that girl didn’t keep that car. Within five years she’d shown herself upwardly mobile with a new Grand Prix.
The same time, I was running a worn-out Pinto.
Memories. One of the reasons I like reading these profiles.
My 1970 Monte Carlo was a plain Jane. white black top black bench interior. found a donor wrecked Monte and changed over entire interior to buckets and console could not tell looked factory.
New burgundy paint ,new top and Elcomino springs sat nice. and American racing rims.. Ahh should have kept it. it was plowed in the back by a pickup at alight. damage was bad going by the standards back then today it would be cake to fix…loved that car
Nice car overall and I’m a fan of true survivors. I’d fix the driver’s seat and find some stock valve covers and swap them back in. Maybe see if a good detailer could make the paint look a little better but otherwise, keep it as is. I wouldn’t change the wheels to Rallys as everybody has them it seems. Leave it as original as possible. Real survivors are pretty scarce.
Chevrolet did use Chrome valve covers stock on a variety of small block engines in the late 60’s and 70’s. Many did not have the Chevrolet name stamped on them.
I bought my first Monte when it was just a 6yr old used car from Texas.( I was in U.S.A.F.) Drove it home to NY. Lovely riding car. Since then I’ve owned 1 ’70, 1 ’71, and 12 ’72’s
Still have 2 ’72’s left.(most were used as ” winter rats”) NY salt chewed them up. Would like to own another ’70 and ’71.
This would be a beautiful car to add to any collection !
I’ve always had a thing for 1st generation Monte Carlos. The only thing I would like to see is it being the bucket seat car with the center console and auto shifter on the floor. That would be a major tough find though, so the way Grandma bought it would be just fine…
Great find that Monte. Wont need much. Hope the buyer preserves it as it is. Will be a head turner that’s for sure. See the winning bid much much higher than the current one. Those Montes are collectors item and so few are in the shape that one is in.
Neighbor had a 1970 400ci, original owner w/45k miles sitting in garage and couldn’t drive anymore . He was willing to sell it To my then 16 yr. old son as first father son project for $3500. This was 5 yrs ago. We got it started with a new battery and aired up tires. Was in his garage. After we pulled it into driveway the old man changed his mind and raised the price to $4500. My son was frustrated and I was upset that he would do that to a kid who had been saving for yrs to get his first car. Well I loaned son a $1000. He approached the man and showed him $4500 cash. The old man again changed his mind and wanted $5500 now! His wife hit him and told him to sell the kid his car! He was not gonna budge on price….I had enough of this and told his wife ” You’re gonna bury that old man of yours in that car someday!”
Well that all original Monte is still sitting in that old farts garage…..he’s gotta be in his 90s.
My son never found that original “grandpa” car to restore so he bought a 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT w/6.4 Hemi.
Hes still a hot rod kid always looking for a v8 project but says that SRT satisfies his need for speed!
Oh and yea he had to get a loan and finance it. But says he will never drive a 4 banger!
I would of took my battery out and left the car sit in the driveway. Maybe for spite I might of told him I want my air back and let it out of the tires.
Boy! I would jump at this 1,000 times faster than all of the 83-88 Monte Carlo SS’ I’ve seen here for sale lately. The first generation Montes are far superior. They look nicer, are more powerful, and they are built better. You don’t see them like this all the time. A nice old bow-tie cruiser!
Yeah this car isn’t totally original, and it doesn’t have bucket seats and a floor shifter. Those things can be added, and are available because they are the same as the Chevelle parts. Some of the interior dress up bits from the Cutlass and Skylark can be added too; they’re all on the GM A body platform so lots of interchangeable parts.
Fresh out of high school, I got a ’70 out of the newspaper classifieds, across Houston, and when I got into it, I saw why I got it “cheap”. Had a ’72 front clip, and parts of a couple other monte’s as well. Never could get the 350 to run right…my Dad picked up a wrecked ’72 and a parts car, and we tried to make one good car out of them. Life kept getting in the way, and they got set aside to concentrate on the Suburbans we were using for work. Would love to have another one, but I already have too many projects…..
This car is beautiful just as it is.
When I was a kid, I had a plastic model of the same year Monte. It had the hubcaps, so I’m a big fan of that look. Grandma would not have liked the raloye wheels.
LOVE the first gen “Monties” …. preferably with a 454, but this one is pretty darn nice. I’d break out my Rupes and some compounds and bring the paint back and then roll, roll, roll …
I always wondered why you would buy a Monte, “the Gentleman’s Chevelle”, and not have pwr windows! Guess that option was too much $$ to add to the sticker at the time.
Finally, a nice car at a decent price 👌 🙌 👏