Saying you have the best of anything is a bold claim, and one that needs to be backed up (in most cases, unless you’re an elected official.) The seller of this 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS claims he’d be surprised if there’s a better example of such a car in existence, and I have to admit, his does look quite nice – but with 30,454 miles, there has to be a flaw somewhere, right? Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $22K and no action yet.
While the Aerocoupe is the rarest of the rare when it comes to Monte Carlos, there’s a lot to be said for a super clean SS. So many of these cars were the boyhood fantasies of teen drivers that they were readily abused before becoming collector’s items. This car clearly went to a perfectionist from day one, as that owner even had it de-striped by the dealer before delivery.
I actually really like the Monte Carlo without the stripes. Combined with a saddle interior that also seems quite unusual, this is downright handsome car – not a way I’d typically describe a vehicle perceived as a muscle car. The Monte Carlo is also equipped with T-tops, making for a nicely-optioned model that remains super clean inside and out.
Now, comes the hard part: the price tag. Have preservation-class Monte Carlo SSs reached this level of investment-grade pricing? Personally, I think it’s justified, as they’ve have been considered collector’s items for a decade or more, and good ones are getting somewhat harder to find. The question is, is this seller ahead of the market by a few years with this opening bid?
The last time this car was put up for auction the opening bid was $21,000. It’s supposed to be a classic appreciating in value, but that’s a bit much.
The highest price paid for any 1988 Monte Carlo SS on eBay within the last 3 months was $8,500, a total of three 86-88 SS’s have sold for more than $10,000 in that time frame. Plenty of sellers are trying to get $20,000+, or more, but buyers aren’t seeing the value, at least not yet, maybe never.
Steve R
De-striping was a really smart move!
Don’t have to worry about cracking or chipping.
Price wise. That’s a lot of money
Had no idea these came with a saddle interior
Tennessee plates.
Earnhardt Country!
No worries, Jeff, you can call it a “downright handsome car”which it really is, muscle car it is not.
Probably the best looking example I can think of without the stripes here. Drove my bosses SS Monte back then, sounded kinda nice too especially when I pulled over and flipped the air cleaner lid upside down. Potential screamer with quite a bit if work actually, but stock these were nothing like the Buick wooshmobiles. Decent ride but I think the big money would have already happened by now.
I agree that there will be very little “big money” to be had with these unless they are zero miles, never titled examples. I would not have a problem after winning the power ball to buy this at his bid and resto-modding it.
Couple years ago, a 1988 SS went for sale on Houston CL with 15K miles for $15,000 and last almost a month before it sells and was showroom condition and a nicer Charcoal interior. I don’t think this car sells for $22 IMHO.
Too bad it doesn’t have the stripe kit since only the saddle int came with the gold stripe package. If it was an “87 aero then I see it go for 20 large.
I love these cars, but it’s a car that I’d look for a 5-7k driver and not have to worry about it. I dig the stripeless look and I’ve never seen a saddle interior in an SS. it almost looks wrong. I’m a sucker for the burgundy interior in these, plus the blue interior found on many white SS’
I believe 83 was only year with saddle interior from memory but after that i never seen an ss with it again . Taking the stripes off must have been fun back then with a razor blade as there were no eraser wheels yet.the heat gun didn’t work to well either All the t-tops leaked ,i did dealer work on alot of them and it was an easy fix . Too bad gm wasn’t smart then as them cars haula$$ with a big block ! Handeling was great with more weight in front end plus it looked better with the front lower then stock hight. Nice cars for long distance but underpowered . This car is overpriced and i dont think it’ll sell anytime soon, but then again theres an a$$ for every seat just not mine.
I like this car only from a looks perspective, 305 V8 is a dog. Didn’t Chevy make an Earnhardt special edition thou I think that was the aero coup or was that only available at Dale’s Dealership.