1988 saw fewer than 1/3 of the Monte Carlos made compared to the 1982 model year, formerly the lowest production for the fourth-generation cars. It wasn’t a full production year, so that explains it. There were 16,204 SS versions made, and this 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is one of them. It can be found listed here on eBay in Denton, Texas, there is no reserve, and a single bid of $15,000.
We’ve seen a couple of handfuls of this era Monte Carlo SS here on Barn Finds over the last 10-15 years or so, and they’re always interesting to see. I’m a big fan of the size, the crisp evolution of the Monte Carlo design, and just the overall theme. Performance-wise, they weren’t really that hot, but for the time, they weren’t bad and were better than a lot of cars in the ’80s. Hagerty is at $18,700 for a #3 good-condition car and $28,700 for a #2 car, so this one may be getting close to hitting the seller’s reserve, but we don’t know for sure. At $15,000, this is a no-brainer; it certainly appears to be at least a #3 car, doesn’t it?
The fourth-generation Monte Carlo was made from 1980 for the 1981 model year until the end of 1988, and is the last of the Monte Carlos. Ok, I know there were a couple of additional generations, or efforts, but they looked more like a two-door Lumina rather than a classic Monte Carlo, so I consider this the last year for the series. They dipped into the melted-bar-of-soap era after this, and NASCAR or not, this was it for me.
As expected, the interior looks about as close to a new car as the exterior does. The classic 1980s velour gray seats look perfect both front and rear, and the trunk also looks great, and is loaded with extra floor mats, and are those heavy vinyl things fender covers for working under the hood? The THM-200-4R four-speed automatic was it for this model; there wasn’t a manual available in this era.
The engine is Chevy’s 305-cu.in. OHV V8 with 180 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Backed by the four-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says this example runs and drives very nicely, shifts great, and doesn’t overheat. There is said to be no rust on this car, and they’ve done a lot of maintenance so please check out the eBay link for all of the info. Have any of you owned a Monte Carlo from this era?
Conflicting copy. Is there a reserve, or not? Both are mentioned above…
Thanks for catching that, Fahrvergnugen.
T-Top Monte. Nice looking car.
I had an ’87 with the same drive train. Not the fastest but it was more than adequate. Bought it used with 80,000 miles and it was used hard and put up wet by the prior owner. Still, even with a tired 305, it pulled down over 20mpg on the highway, handled better than expected and with the full frame, I installed a class 3 hitch and it could tow. Big trunk, could fit the wife, 3 kids and all the Christmas stuff and luggage to see the in laws. I really liked it but when it hit 140,000 miles, I could see it was becoming a project car so I sold it for $4,700 and used that money to finish my 68 Olds 442 Convertible. Funny that I had 2 guys my age looking at the car and both were planning to “Buy it for their teenage daughters” yea right. Miss it but we cant keep them all. A really nice well kept car for the next lucky owner.
Love it love it love it
God bless the 80s
Yep good times!!
In 1984, in Mexico, one could buy an SS Monte with a 350 AND a 4 speed!
https://www.montecarloss.com/MexicanSS.html
One year only, and never offered in the U.S. so equipped!!
True legend Moparman.. the Mexican 🇲🇽 Monte 😎 🏁
John the way you write it sounds like you put the wife and kids in the trunk with the gifts and luggage That’s what I used to do Can’t hear the wife from there
Had an 88 with every option. Claret Metallic with matching buckets. Paid $5,500 for it in 1991. Detailed it, did all fluids, put 4,000 miles on it. Sold for $9,300 in 1993 to a police officer. He still has it today. Wish I never sold it.
Remember these very well back in the 80’s. Always thought they were really cool looking cars. Totally agree with Scotty, these were the last really great looking Montes. Never cared at all for the later models.
I had an 86, previous owner parked it on grass for years before I got it. Rear frame bent in half when i went to change the springs. And no, those aren’t fender covers in the trunk, they are the storage bags for the T-Tops.
Arrgh, I should have known that, thanks, guys!
Scotty those heavy vinyl things in the trunk are the storage bags for the t tops I had one very similar to this except with a red interior I never used those bags just stuck the tops behind the front seat not the fastest off the line but out would smoothly cruise all day at 70 mph
I believe those “fender covers” are actually the storage bags for the T-Tops. Clean looking car, depending on where it ends up, this could be a great deal
Seems like a decent Monte Carlo that has survived the times. Seller has given a lot of info and a lot of detailed pictures and the price seems ok!!
Auction update: this one sold for $18,100!
I had an 84 SS and I kick myself for trading it in