This 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is a project car but one that looks largely complete, and the seller is only letting it go due to a Corvette becoming the major project priority at the moment. Although he is technically the second owner, the car was never registered so the next caretaker will still be owner number two as far as the paperwork is concerned. The Monte Carlo SS is an iconic 1980s muscle car that still has plenty of fans today, and it always hurts to find one in the scrapyard. This one was supposed to be the basis of a pro-touring build, which the seller still recommends given some the cosmetic flaws. Find it here on craigslist on Long Island for $6,800.
The Monte Carlo presents well in photos, but the seller contends it looks better than it actually is. He gives the paint a five out of ten, and points out that while it is mostly solid, there are some rust spots on the body, but it’s seemingly limited to the rear quarters and inside of the trunk lip. There is surface rust on the frame but supposedly no rot, and mileage is low at 83,000. Being a northern car, you still want to check inside and out for any issues stemming from being driven in the salt, but fingers crossed that the low mileage indicates it didn’t venture outdoors when the snow was flying. Many first owners kept these Monte Carlos as collector’s items, so perhaps that’s why the first owner held onto it for so long.
The interior looks decent, but it’s slightly hard to tell given the lack of good lighting. The seller says it is clean but not mint, and the tachometer only works on occasion. No mention of the air conditioning still blowing cold, but I’d count on it not working given this is a project car. The interior is clad in the typical shade of maroon with matching carpets and upholstery, and while the carpets look clean from the illumination of the courtesy lights under the dash, I doubt it’s as good as it looks here. The SS didn’t necessarily get you any special equipment aside from cosmetic enhancements, as even the interior remained nearly identical to any other G-body from the same time period.
Check out the radiator cowl or slam panel, as it’s sometimes called – that lends further credence to the likelihood of this being a lifelong northern car, as it appears to be slightly crunchy with rust. The seller reports that the Monte Carlo runs well once warmed up but it sometimes needs the help of some starting fluid to fire off when cold. Overall, this is a safe bet from a platform standpoint in terms of making some improvements to the car without being at risk of losing your shirt. Still, I suspect values have peaked for these after the initial craze that surrounded their introduction leading to many cars being mothballed. The seller is ready to move this one, noting that the first person there with cash and a trailer gets the car.
Bought one new. Drove it 250,000 miles. It had no rust, but being in Arizona, it had one repaint and needed another. With so much plastic on the interior, needing interior and paint work, along with a tired 305, I sold it rather than redo the whole car. At 8700.00, I have no interest in it.
My stepfather had an 85 regular Monte Carlo, 425,000 miles, I never opened the engine, figured the timing chain at least, still lived, but 3 transmissions. In the transmissions defense he hit something on the road doing 50-55 and it shifted it into reverse, crap rebuilds from then on out.
Forget the MC, what about the Fox mustang????
Word! I see a 1992 emerald green notch. Hello?!???
“The SS didn’t necessarily get you any special equipment aside from cosmetic enhancements “? What?? Then what makes the SS unique?
I owned a really nice ‘84 SS way back when, and while it was far from fast it had a lot of significant mechanical upgrades over a standard Monte Carlo
I like the Dodge Power Wagon, possible a 67′. Have to pass on the rotten MC.
I bought a perfect every option 1988 model in 1991. Like a dunce, sold it for $9,300 in 1993. The police officer I sold it to still has it. Miss that beauty. Take out the t tops and cruise.
gone.
I bought one BRAND NEW in 1988,however, before I took delivery, the front bumper was stolen from the car at the dealership lot. I should have realized that it as a “sign” of things to come. Since I owned the car it was stolen TWICE, within 6 months of each incident. I got it back both times, and subsequently traded it in for a 1990 Pontiac Grand Prix SE, all white with red vinyl mouldings and white wheels. It resembled my white Monte SS, with tri-colored red striping. I traded it in with 15K, and the engine needed a rebuild at 12K, it was blowing oil…..POS. I kept the Grand Prix SE for 17 years……problem free. It was Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1988. So sad that PONTIAC is gone. Was ICONIC brand….
The monte got put at the back of the garage and put up for sale. Thats what driving the quick Ford 5.0 sedan will do.