New Engine + Interior: 1975 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

The second generation of the Chevy Monte Carlo was quite popular, attracting sales of more than 400,000 units in 1977 alone. That bucked the mid-decade trend of moving to more fuel-efficient automobiles thanks to rising gas prices. The seller has a 1975 edition which we’re told has a new engine that’s hardly been used – and the interior looks to have been customized. Located in Ridge, New York, this “like new” Monte is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $23,000. And it’s a tip brought to us by “Zen”.

General Motors redesigned its mid-size cars in 1973 and went with “Colonnade” styling, which eliminated the traditional hardtop. That meant the doors had frameless glass, but the roofs always had pillars for rollover support. The design, which also applied to the Chevy Monte Carlo, lasted for five years, and this product was one of the division’s best sellers. The 1975 edition was the last to have round, single headlights, as quad rectangular peepers were adopted in 1976. Chevy sold more than a quarter of a million Montes in ’75.

The seller brags that this Chevy has a new engine, including manifolds and the exhaust. It has a mere five hours of running time on the setup. Yet we’re not told what engine it is or if a photo is provided. More than likely, a 350 cubic inch V8 resides there (if numbers-matching), or it could be a 400 or a 454 (as long as the Chevy didn’t originate in California). The tires are also new.

The body, black paint, and matching vinyl roof all look good enough. But the interior does not appear to be part of “original everything.” It looks to have been redone in a color combination not part of the 1975 catalog. I could be wrong, but it looks as though this Chevy has spent some time with the upholstery guys who were told to use their imaginations. Not that it’s not attractive, just not what I was expecting.