Bill Mitchell, GM’s Vice President of Design from 1959 through 1977, was famously responsible for some of the best shapes in the American automotive industry, but near the end of his career, some questioned the neoclassical themes he began using on some models. They’re barely visible on the 1973-77 Chevy Monte Carlo, but the separate fender swoops that seem to hark back to the separate fenders of the 1930s and 1940s are elements that are a little controversial even today. I have no problem defending them, however, because I like second-generation Monte Carlos, and if you also like them, this one-owner, 55,000-mile example that Rocco B. brought us from craigslist in Fort Collins, Colorado, might be for you. The asking price is $13,500 (firm).
By 1977, the Monte Carlo was only available with two engines, both small blocks: the 145-horsepower 305 and this 170-horsepower 350 with a Quadrajet. The seller doesn’t say much about this one except that it “runs…like a dream.” It also has air conditioning, and if the comment that “everything works” can be believed, you’ll have a cool ride when the weather warms up again. The Turbo Hydra-Matic was standard equipment in 1977, and HEI had been standard for a couple years at that point.
The Monte Carlo had several different seating packages available, including swivel bucket seats or a “Special Custom Interior,” but this one appears to have the standard split bench in “buckskin.” The dashboard seems to have one crack, and the steering wheel cover may or may not be hiding a cracked steering wheel.
Aside from those minor blemishes, the interior is in great shape, with the plush vinyl seats and door panels looking almost new. The seller has even thrown in a handy cupholder for those longer trips. Of course, whether you leave it in there or not is up to you.
According to the color chips, this Monte Carlo appears to be painted a nice shade of “Cream Gold,” which complements the white vinyl top well. As I sometimes point out, the fact that the front fenders are a shade off the rest of the body implies that the paint is original; Fisher Body would paint everything but the front clip, so original paint tends to fade slightly differently.
The classic Chevy rally wheels were optional, and they look good on almost any 1960s or 1970s Chevrolet, as they do here. The seller mentions that this is a rust-free car that has spent its entire life in Colorado; it’s been garage kept and can be yours a price that doesn’t seem too far out of line. If you’re a fan of Mr. Mitchell’s later work at GM, or if you grew up when these Monte Carlos were flying off showroom floors, it might look like a bargain.
Somehow the color just works. I’d just power up the motor and keep the AC cold
While the styling of the early second gen was pretty nice, going to rectangular headlamps on the later ones ruined the front, IMHO. However, this car looks to be in pretty good condition and I like the color. However, by1977 the “malaise” was in high gear for automobiles so don’t expect neck snapping acceleration from the small block this car comes with. Also this is another car that begs a physical inspection before laying the money down.
The opposite is true. The round headlight looks very bugged eye (as they did on all the colinaide coupes) and quite crappy. The stacked double squares on the MC looked so much better. Set a standard that Ford (with the LTD 2) and Chrysler (the Cordoba and a few Plymouth model) tried to emulate but failed. The 76 and 77 Monte (and the Malibu too) looked great with the squares.
I’m with Terrry.. the rectangular headlight looked like toro caca. In general.. I like the quad headlights. In particular the 1970 Chevelle.. the 1972 Gran Torino. I even liked the early Monte’s with the single round headlight. When they installed the stacked rectangular lights.. I lost all interest in that configuration. I never kept friendships with those that liked them. I question their masculinity.
Bolivar, you must not have many friends..
I always get a kick in the ass when you comment on the cars on barnfinds. 😂
Nice Monte Carlo here. I know it has a cat convertor but just spend some money and put dual exhaust on it to help it out power wise. Maybe even add a rear sway bar, and just cruise it!
Montes (and all A-Special bodies like the GP and Cutlass) already have a rear sway bar. These cars handle much smaller and newer than their size and age suggests.
I would just “lose” the cat with the duals…oops….
🎯 Mark.
If I had the full price, I would grab this beauty in a second. Absolutely meticulous shape and my favorite year for a Monte Carlo. I’m ready to put my 97 Lincoln Town Car up for auction here, with 33K original. Good luck to both of us!
Not so sure this car is a Colorado lifer though…
It has plumbing for the A.I.R. system on it. This would suggest a California emission setup which would incidentally also mean it is a 350, not the 305 in this car (all California emission Montes that year ran 350s with A.I.R.). No other Montes that year (305 or 350) used that system.
Count me in the like group for the rectangular stacked headlights. 400,000+ buyers that year can’t be wrong… ;) I also prefer the raised ornament to the crest in the middle of the grille, as the ’76s had.
I had one of these in High School. Great back seat 😜
Absolutely Jason. For sure Mark. She’s stellar!
A buckskin vinyl top would put the icing on top of this banana 🍌 split.
I’ve always enjoyed the GM yellow tones of this era. They seem to enhance the football field sized engine bonnet while cruising down the boulevard.
This one does have a few issues however the owner is reasonable on his ask.
I like 👍 it.
I’d take this over the new for 78 models…
They didn’t get that body right till 81/82
IMHO
Lol
Beautiful old Monte. I enjoy the stories though I don’t often comment on them. I guess I didn’t realize how much of a beef the public had with the styling considering how many were sold.
My dad had one of these, and he liked it so much he bought his girlfriend one. Her’s had the 305 and bad cam, but still nice. His was almost the same color as this one, but more of a tan brown color. If I remember right his had the bucket seats and center console.
good looking and riding cars. i had 4 of these years ago. these colors work for it. lose the wheel cover and seat console. does not look like 55k miles under the hood though. would want to see proof of miles. should have pulled the shag from the trunk to show the floor
Had one. Great ride,but a gas guzzling dog with the 305. Got rear end3d by a drunk, and totaled.
This was by far the nicest year ever for the Monte Carlo!
I have always liked this body style Monte. I also like the rectangular headlights, vertical or horizontal, like on my dad’s 1977 Impala
Last year of a good looking MC. The dash is cracked between center AC vents. Common. My 76 had the same crack. Put 200,000 miles on my 76. Gave it to my youngest brother. TH350 finally puked. One of the best cars I ever owned. Mine had swivel buckets and console.