If you’ve thought of grabbing yourself a personal luxury coupe with some attitude, this 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Landau might be your ticket. The car is wonderfully preserved, presented with original documentation, and relatively low in mileage. You can have this gem for an asking price of $25,000, as shown here on craigslist. You’ll thank tipster NHDave as you head toward Pelham Bay, which puts you in the Bronx, NYC, to collect your winnings. Wait. Do you dare venture into Gotham to claim your prize?
This car is what you want in a collectible that has some use behind it. The miles are in the mid-53,000-mile range, and the seller specifies that this is no way 153K. The silver metallic paint is original. The original spare rests in the trunk, unused. The car comes with the original window sticker, bill of sale, build sheet, and owner’s manual. But best of all, the engine is a mighty 454-CID mill, and it’s the one GM lodged between the fenders from the factory. There’s no word as to its functionality, but I’m going to give the ad writer credit. The car runs and drives as new, let’s assume, and the fact that he doesn’t say it means he simply takes the point for granted.
So is this chassis worth the scratch? Well, for $25K you can buy lots of cars, and the Monte Carlo, despite that 454, isn’t exactly a muscle machine. On the other hand, this one is so clean that it’s hard to dismiss. Look at that half-vinyl top and opera window and ask yourself whether you can afford not to grab up this car? How about that swivel driver’s seat? The crushed velour interior? Nothing wrong with any of that.
When considering a classic car purchase, this might not have been top of mind. it’s not part of the Pony Car universe, and not really, technically, a muscle car. The Monte Carlo debuted in 1970, with the first model lasting until 1972. The more sleek and curvy body style, which the subject car is obviously representative of, came out a few years later, running from 1973-77. Next came the downsized Montes, themselves plenty handsome, if not in view here. But summarize by saying that if you buy this car, you’ll be styling. And there are probably not a lot of these available in this kind of condition that can beat this price. But you won’t be driving a GTO. So it’s going to be up to you to figure out where to allocate your collectible-car bucks. For me, this would be a worthy buy, but at ten grand less. I’m not saying the car is worth only $15K, just that that’s about the threshold I’d set that would still leave room to play with a genuine muscle car or two as part of the collection. Where’s your bottom line for a handsome Monte?
I looked at this car. The only thing I noticed to be wrong with it was that the clock was inaccurate. It had been recalibrated to New York minutes.
454. Three of my favorite numbers. By ’74 the take rate on big blocks was really slowing down. I doubt it was ever more than 15% of production.
Nice Laundau Coupe. The package came with the quarter roof, dual sport mirrors and turbine II wheels. These are the urethane bonded to steel produced by Motor Wheel. This one is nicely optioned with air, pw, tach and gauges and the swivel buckets with console/floor shift. The seat material is a nylon cloth. Velour wouldn’t come along until ’78 on the special custom interior.
This is a very nice Monte . I hope they have the center caps ( took them off so they won’t be stolen ?) Paint looks great V top looks good too . Engine bay very clean , interior not torn or worn . Options the motor swivel buckets , tilt , air , pw , turbines , a pretty loaded Monte that’s not trashed , asking all the money but why not !
Looks great! Though I’ve always hated those wheels. You’d be hard pressed to find a Monte with more options and everything appears to be hooked up and working.
Polycast wheels.Not my favorite either. I’d put ralleys on it.
Not insanely off the mark but $20,000 would probably get it. If this car had original plastic covering of interior floor, etc. with 1200 miles on it it would bring $25,000 all day every day. It’s a nice car and a blast to drive with those soft buckets, long hood and 454’ power.
It’s a beauty. These always rode well too.
Pretty car. In the ad seller says he has center caps and that it’s a one owner car. Also says OBO but it’ll probably take something close to the ask to get it.
Beautiful car and amazingly original. The price would seem high,but it’s justified with the 454 and all the options.
@Brian K.. What do you mean when you stated “Wait do you dare venture into Gotham to claim your prize?” Venturing into what?? I’m from The Bronx born and raised all my life. Raised by two working parents in the housing projects called “Edenwald” for 20 years of my life, growing up with friends and family and no fears at all. This stereotypical opiniated view of New York City is ridiculous. Yes there is an element of criminal activity at a rapid pace at the moment but I can attest if you live your life in a civilized manner, protect your well being and Work to maintain the lifestyle of your choosing, anyone can live a good life in NYC. And just like myself a great deal of people love living in the biggest and greatest city in the world and there’s the those who stigmatize my city and engulf themselves with self-inflicted fear. However, if you were given 4 tickets to travel to New York City (via Taloopa Mississippi) 98% would pack up and hop on a plane in a hot minute to experience Times Square, The Empire State Building, All of the theatrical shows (despite the strike) and enjoy all of the restaurants a person and thier family could afford. Most crimes that occur in NYC happen all over the world. It’s just that major crimes that happen in Osceola, Arkansas aren’t in mainstream media as opposed to crimes that occur in New York City. I’m 57 years old so take my suggestion: If you’re interested in this very nice Monte come on down to Pelham Bay in The Bronx and before you drive away in your Monte Carlo, stop at Franks Pizza shop on Middeltown Road. By the way, back in the early 80’s my father owned a 74 Monte Carlo Landau Brown/creme color interior. Column shift no console or those memorable seats. She had a 350 engine in her and ran well for my father for many years. I bought a 77 Monte back in 86 which got me back and forth for several years as well. The 73-77 Monte Carlo’s are a great example of what GM and the Chevrolet brand exemplified back in the 70’s. Personal Luxury Coupe excellence. NYC! The Bronx!
That sentence was just a teaser, not meant to offend at all, so sorry if it did. I love everything NYC and spent a great deal of time there in the early days of my adulthood. I now live on the other coast, and believe me, there’s lots to fear in my LA neighborhood, so I don’t want to throw stones from this glass house! If this were the car for me, I would have no hesitation to pick it up in the Bronx. In fact, tomorrow night, a friend who lives in NYC is visiting me here in LA. New Yorkers are the coolest!
As a fellow New Yorker, I can personally attest to both of you… New York is Awesome. And New Yorkers are the Coolest 😎
Bravo. Pelham Bay continues to be one of the nicest areas of the Bronx. After purchasing this beauty it’s just a short hop to City Island for some great seafood restaurants.
Well said Keith , while you’re at it, stop at Katz’s deli for the best pastrami in the world !! Franks pizza da best ‘ , E.233rd st.
Thanks for your response Brian, your words are much appreciated. Enjoy your time with your friend from New York City.
I owned a 1973 Monte Carlo, purchased used in 1974 (I was looking for a 1972). Mine was Medium Red Metallic with the red bench seat.
350 cid with Turbo Hydramatic. Beautiful automobile, no issues with it. I especially liked the styling of the taillights, none before or after looked better. Came out one morning to find my car, parked on the street, was sitting on two cinder blocks and both tires and wheels missing. Hubcaps laying on the street with the lug nuts inside.
I had a 77 …bought it in 84…best car I ever had. Had a 350 v8…fun to drive.
I had a 73 with a 454, leather etc. Was the dealers personal car. Had every option. Also had posi and I could light the tires from here to eternity.
I had a 73 monte carlo Landu package I bought it in 1978 swivel seats just like the one pictured here mine was dark blue nice riding car
Man I never owned one but they were all head Turner’s every year, instead I bought a 76 Malibu and I almost made a trade swap but the guy backed out with the 74 Monte Carlo, cause I had a 4 door
flew a 300 lycoming stearman to order 73…lite blue, landau, white leather swivel bukits, console, rally wheels, 350…4 months, i know when it unloaded, he sold it over list, prolly…what i bought?? red w/sim wood side 73 hornet wagon…be blessed, grateful, prepared, nik, viet vet
Did he say where the center covers are for the wheels?
You would thing after checking off all the items they did on this MC they would of got Cruise Control, I mean come on. Now I am wondering if it had delayed wipers. Other then that it is a sweet looking ride. I’ve owned a dark blue one with the swivel bucket 400 SB & a Red 74 Bench seat. I currently own a 70 MC that I have restored along with some friends. It has a 396 BB 475 HP. It’s really a Suuuuweet ride. But back to this 73 20K tops
If this car was driven mostly in traffic then Cruise wasn’t a priority, the responsive BB was. Delay wipers were new for ’75.
The Bronx is where I’m from too, it’s like Brooklyn, it’s got good n bad, this Monte is not my favorite color by a long shot, buts it’s optioned nicely, if you pick up the car, you gotta make 2 stops, G&R Deli for some great Italian specialties and Enzos Italian Restaurant, both on Williamsbridge rd, can’t miss those places, then you can go home, and say I was in the Bronx