I know the pictures aren’t the best, and I’m sorry for that, but this car was worth posting anyway. It’s a one owner, one driver 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that has been stored for over 30 years. The car is up for sale here on eBay, and is located in one of my favorite cities: Minneap0lis, Minnesota. A single bid has been placed at the $6,000 opening price but since there’s no reserve, the car will be going to a new owner to put on more than the documented 21,369 miles that are on the odometer now.
Several of you commented when we posted recently about a later Monte Carlo that you preferred the earlier body style, so when this early car came up I decided to write it up despite the pictures (insert rant about smart phone pictures taken in the vertical orientation). We’re told the last documented maintenance was in 1984 and that it hasn’t been started in over 30 years. From what we can tell from the awful pictures the body looks very nice. I’d like to see some decent pictures of the underside, quarter panels and rocker panels to see if it looks just as good up close.
I believe those are the original wheel covers as well; a nice touch, although I think thin white wall tires would be more appropriate–do you agree?
Inside, from what we can see the car looks nice as well. Grandpa was the only driver after purchasing the car new, and it’s been sitting in the garage ever since.
I have to admit, the engine looks a little more like 121,369 miles have passed rather than the lower figure, but again, the seller says the lower number is documented. I’d want to see those documents before bidding, but if it really is a less than 22,000 mile car, what do you think? Would you buy it? And if so, what would you be willing to pay?
…according to the description, it has a “collector” title…if it was the original owner, would it not have the original title? I am guessing it’s a flipper, not the grandson selling the car in the description…that being said, if it’s all it’s said to be, it will sell for big bucks…and worth it…
That happened with my moms old car. Shortly after he purchased the car the buyer had it listed on eBay and craigslist with a fabricated maintinence history and a BS story about how it was his grandmothers car.
Steve R
It has Wisconsin ‘collector license plates” on it, and original owner can apply for collector plates like anyone else, and then end up with a collector title in that state without being a flipper.
What a beauty. i’d take it and leave it as it is. get it on the road and enjoy!. I had a 70 Malibu,2 door, put close to 300k miles on it. Drove it to Colorado with over 200k miles on the od.
I’ve always liked the round turning signals in the bumper of the 1970 model as opposed to the square one in 1971 and the rectangle in the grill of 1972.
Agreed. Trivia tidbit – ’70 El Camino used the same bumper and round turn signals.
That’s a Wisc license plate, specifically a collector plate. Cannot be issued until 20 yrs post production (1990 in this case). Calling this 30 yrs in storage (1987) should be questioned as that would be prior to when the collector plate could have been issued.
Nice color combo and a desirable year for the model but as with any older vehicle purchase inspect it to make certain you are getting what you are paying for. Glws.
I have cars that don’t move in the back yard but I have current plates on every one of them.
It is easier and cheaper than paying fines for letting the plate expire.
I have always done that and if the collector plate means he didn’t have to smog the car then I couldn’t hold that against them.
This is “The Full Monte”
A few caution lights on this one. An inspection is a must.
If those are original miles, Paul Lynde was straight.
P,
Har-Har!
Considering it was in Minnesota, would that be “cold storage”?
Only 8 months of the year.
Try 10.
Had a 72 Monte Carlo, it may have saved my life. I drove it under an 18 wheeler on the Pittsburgh Parkway, going 60 MPH took off the trailer landing gear, then hit the back of the tractor under the trailer. That long front end folded up pretty good, the right front wheel was in the passenger seat. Loved that car.
Many years ago my friend slid under a tractor trailer with a 1966 Chevelle after falling asleep at the wheel and bouncing off a Jersey barrier. The truck driver assumed he was dead and looked like a ghost when my friend somehow crawled out of the wreck largely unscathed. It’s amazing what some teenagers did back then and lived to tell.
Funny how time wounds all heels. when I was in college a frat boy from Texas had one of these though I think it was a ’71 or 2. I thought he was the squarest of the square driving Moms car……….
This auction is already at the high end of it’s value. It’s a super plain Jane car that needs quite a bit of work IE: Paint and body, under hood detailing, drive-ability refurbishment etc. You’re looking at an additional 10K plus the purchase price. If you could buy it right now at 6.1K you’d have 16K+/- in it. At that point you’d have a nice super plain Jane car. You can buy a nice one for that that has a few options on it like tilt, cruise, and, A/C right now. This one doesn’t make sense to me for anything over this price.
10k what are you going to spend 10k on?
These are just estimates but, having just completed a resto on a ’72 Monte Carlo the summer of 2016 I think they are going to be close.
Transportation to your home $700~$800 average
Taxes, Title and, License plates $550 (Taxes at 7.25%)
Body work and a good driver quality paint job $5000
Refurbish the brake system $500
Tires, mounting, valve stems, and balancing $550
Flush and change all fluids $300
Replace fuel tank, cap, and, lines $250
Rebuild/replace carburetor $400
Replace belts and hoses $100
Tune-up ignition system $100
Replace battery $100
Here we’re at $8650.00. That’s if the engine and transmission are still in usable condition, the vinyl top is still good, and, the bumpers and other bright trim is still in good condition. Then you have to consider changing all or some of the interior soft trim due to rodent infestation and odor. Remember, in pictures, you can see it but, you can’t smell it.
If there is rust on the left front fender, you can bet there’s more hiding behind that wide lower body trim. Lastly there are always the unexpected necessary repairs such as on my car, one of the parking brake cables had to be replaced at a cost of $42.00. That stuff adds up. You’ll need to replace many small items like windshield wipers, etc. Of course you can get by without doing some of those things like paint and body work but, some of the other things are essential like brakes and tires etc. You just have to decide what kind of classic car you want to drive… Something you can jump in and take a 500 mile round trip with no worries or one that you’re afraid to go 10 miles from home.
Resurrecting an old car that has sat un-cared for for 20~30 years is not a cheap endeavor.
I’m sorry but you are getting ripped off. Those prices are way to high for what you are getting. You are paying top dollar and I have done it for less than half the prices you paid.
You should also consider doing the work yourself and save the cost of paying someone else to do it.
If that’s the case this would be a good deal for you.
It would but I don’t care for the car.
First gen Monte Carlo’s were such nice cars, so up-scale for a Chevrolet. They barely rusted, (I was once told they used thicker metal?). My favorite bit of trivia on these cars is the model year being written in minute roman numerals on the hood ornament or trunk lock bezel (what other car ever called out it’s year?)…some have owned them for years and never noticed that.
something to note about the mileage, and maintenance .. if say in this case 21k miles.. that is what the serviceman puts on the sticker, it doesn’t MATTER if it has 100K more miles the mileage reads 21,xxx as a habit, I ALWAYS wiped clean the valve covers , and I had a car with 160K miles that looked cleaner than this one
no A/C?? no thanks
The Roman numerals were 71 only I have a 70 and a 72 no Roman numerals
Hey Todd, I knew it wasn’t on all three years, but this site suggests it was on ’70 and ’71…maybe you could double check?
sorry but the oil and crud on the engine does not get that way in 21,000 miles. I call the story BS
Thank you. 21K miles since 1970, not sure about that. Motor compartment should not look like that in my opinion.
I just finished detailing a 69 Pontiac with 40K on it and it is far cleaner than this one and it has been in Chicago since 69. I have a lot of experience and sorry, it’s just not lining up with me.
Terrible photos. What is up with the bottom of the LF fender just above the rocker trim…..is that rot I see creeping out from behind??
AMXSTEVE….car hasn’t run or moved basically since 1984. Going through basically every part of the drivetrain, suspension, front end and brakes……I can see 10K right there. Could be more. Not to mention detailing, new tires, and the list will get longer and longer as you get through the car.
Green exterior and tan interior bench seat. No thanks.
If you have such a pristine car in such great shape why can’t you give some decent photos, out of the garage, all the way around with some close ups of “areas of concern”
Seen one of these at the parts store in Menomonie WI. about a month ago. It had dings, dents, a little rust, Then I looked in the window and it was a factory 4 speed. Only seen a few of them.
Was it a 454?
I agree with jw454. This car has reached it’s value at ~$6000.
There are some beauties out there for sub $15K.
Looks to be quite tired, with a TON of money needed to bring it up to snuff. Obviously, the suspension is taking a nap.
6K is a big stretch to be honest , wouldn’t pay more than 3500 .
I can believe the 21,000 mile clam the engine compartment does not look very worn just dirty and it 47 years old.
original hose clamp still on upper rad hose…not my kinda car….glwts
Proof of originality, most high quality restorers like to use original clamps, etc. Original hoses – not so much.