This 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS has sat in dry storage since 2015 and is begging for someone to drag it from hiding and return it to its rightful place on our roads. It appears to be essentially complete, missing only one vital component. However, since it is the engine, components don’t come much more vital than that. That may sound like bad news, but it means there is a host of options available for someone who wishes to bless this classic with the performance befitting a muscle car. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting the SS listed here on Craigslist in Evansville, Indiana. The seller’s asking price of $5,000 makes this an affordable foundation for a project build.

The seller doesn’t supply any history for this Monte Carlo beyond the fact that it has sat in its current location since 2015. It wears what appears to be its original Black paint and contrasting Red and Orange decals which were a hallmark of this model. A close inspection reveals scratches and chips, but it would be interesting to see how the car responded to being washed and attacked with a high-quality polish. However, with the panels straight and no evidence of rust, performing a cosmetic refresh to recapture its youthful good looks should be fairly straightforward. There are no major plastic issues, the glass looks like it should be okay, and the SS sits on its original 15″ alloy wheels.

It is common to find the 1986 SS with its interior trimmed in Burgundy cloth and vinyl, and our feature car is no exception. The first thing it is begging for is a deep clean so that the new owner can determine what items might require replacement. The seat piping shows wear, the dashpad is cracked, and there are a couple of small plastic items that have gone AWOL. It appears that the factory stereo has made way for a CD player, which is the only obvious addition. The new owner receives a classic featuring air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped tilt wheel. What they won’t get for their money is an engine. The car retains its original four-speed automatic transmission and other mechanical components, but the engine bay is empty. The original 305ci “HO” V8 delivered 180hp and 225 ft/lbs of torque. This made way at some point for a 350, but that has now also gone. Finding a date-correct 305 shouldn’t pose a challenge, although the fact that 350s are almost a dime a dozen could make that a tempting option. Alternatively, sourcing a later fuel-injected V8 could improve performance and user-friendliness. This is one aspect of the build that is a genuine blank canvas.

Hiding below the dust is a 1986 Monte Carlo SS that shows promise as a project candidate. Addressing its cosmetic shortcomings shouldn’t be complicated, leaving the question of what to slot under the hood as the buyer’s most difficult decision. They could opt for authenticity, or source another 350 to return the car to its pre-storage state. However, a more modern V8 might prove irresistible, particularly if someone has something appropriate squirreled away in the workshop awaiting a new home. It will be fascinating to gauge your feedback and to learn what path you would choose.