Chevrolet got into the personal luxury car space with the Monte Carlo in 1970 and found success from the get-go. Its name was derived from the namesake Monacan city and the model was built across six generations through the 2007 (with a break between 1989-94). This 1985 Monte Carlo CL (for Custom Luxury) is a two-owner car with less than 20,000 miles and about as spotless as you’ll find. The car is located in Orlando, Florida (the Mickey Mouse capital of the world) and available here on Craigslist for $18,500 OBO. We appreciate Mitchell G for providing us with this tip!
The fourth generation of the Monte Carlo ran from 1981-88 and was one its most popular. Like the Olds Supreme and Pontiac Grand Prix it shared its platform with, these cars were the last time the nameplate would employ rear-wheel drive. During most of its production, the Monte Carlo carried the Chevrolet flag in stock car racing and saw a lot of success. For 1985, the Monte Carlo would be powered by Chevrolet’s new 262 cubic inch V-6 that put out 130 hp with fuel injection. Sales were down slightly that year, but the Monte Carlo still founded 120,000 buyers.
This 1985 Monte Carlo looks like it has been sealed up in a vault for the past 35 years. It’s being sold by its second owner who tells us the odometer has yet to see 20,000 miles. Quite a few things have been replaced or upgraded, including a new air conditioning system (converted to R134), battery, belts, floor mats, and headliner and visors. The body and paint are as nice as you’d find on any 20,000-mile car, much less one that was built the same year as the first Back to the Future movie came out. You’re not likely to find any rust anywhere, perhaps thanks to the Ziebart coating the car received.
Quite a lot of things on the car are still original, which may or may not be a good thing, like brakes, tires, muffler, shocks, and springs. The first thing that need to go are the 35-year old tires, good tread life or not. The glass and chrome are all good as it the landau top. Once you open the door, you’re greeted by an interior that looks like it has hardly been used. Seats, carpets, door panels and dash – all tidy as they should be. This car was equipped as a Custom Luxury (CL) edition, so it appears to be loaded with just about everything Chevy had to throw at you in 1985.
The engine compartment looks as though it has been detailed, whether or not that is the case. The car is said to run and drive great with no known mechanical issues to address. It very much comes across as a car that have been well maintained over the years. But, after all, it’s only averaged 5-600 miles per year. The buyer will get to take with the car a copy of its original title, original invoice, owner’s manual, and the original GM set of keys.
Most of the higher dollar Monte Carlo’s of this era that go up for sale are the SS models. But it would probably be hard to find one of them as nice as this car. The seller’s asking price sounds optimistic, but whatever it ends up selling for, the buyer will be getting a helluva car.
Even in the 80’s I thought those rims were hideous. This is a sharp Monte and the Burgundy interior still holds its color pretty well. Seems like a $10-$12k car to me, but I’m not paying alll that much attention to the market at the moment.
It actually Sold for $14k.
Beautiful Classic
Those rims are known as the ‘checkerboard ‘ rims…
I don’t mind the 4.3 FI V6. Rare to see one with almost all the options with the V6 instead of the 5.0 V8. Another rarity is the cornering lamps.
It that a 3 speed or 4 O/D transmission? Looking at the pan, looks like the 3 speed.
Very nice Monte, rare to see a non SS of this generation in such original form.
It’s the 3 speed THM automatic with probably a locking torque converter…what I call the “half gear” lol. I never understood why american car companies touting fuel economy would use the 3 speed automatic over the 4 speed with their smaller engines.
A set of 30 rims is probably in this monte’s future.
Yes indeed. 30s and Vogues Sets it off
200 trans came in all Montes in 85. Great color. Same as my 88 Monte SS.
Nice, but way over priced. The only appeal this car has is it’s low mileage. It has to compete with every other bland, generic vintage low mileage car on the market, and do so based on price and condition.
I’m sure that someone will say, it will get a lot of attention at a show. That might be true, but so will almost any car from that era,or older, in similar condition. In general people are not lusting over this particular make or model, that’s what typically drives high prices.
Steve R
Yep I would pay 8 grand for it but not 18 grand. Since I love Monte Carlo’s like this one I would use it as a daily driver. lol
Yeah, I think it is quite high priced. I’m not following the market, either. Okay…low mileage, great condition, great looking, etc… It has a lot going for it. But, I think seller is dreaming.
Sold for $14k. On Ebay.
Like New
It actually Sold for $14k
Beautiful Classic
It Actually SOLD for $14k. Well Worth the price. Try finding Another one in this Pristine Condition with 19k. Miles. Not happening
That car didn’t cost that much new, and it’s really not a collector vehicle. But I drove a very similar car for several years in the early 80’s.
Original Owner paid over $15k.
In 1985 with every option.
And the 2nd. Owner just Sold it for $14k. Incredible
I love GM G-Bodies, and would love to own this one. But this one is overpriced and the seller knows it. That’s why it’s $18,500 OBO, and is negotiable.
It has been on here for eight days. It should have sold by not… Too high? Ya think?? (I agree.)
Sold for $14k. On Ebay
Like new..
My mom had 1986 with the 4.3. only options were a/c and an AM/FM radio. My dad wanted the car with few options thinking it wouldn’t be stolen. This was 1986 and NYC auto theft was a big racket.
My friend’s dad bought the luxury one (LS trim model for 1986). I don’t remember if my friend’s dad took the 4.3 or the 5.0. I believe the 8 was an option in the LS, and was popular with lose who didn’t want the attention of the SS.
The irony here? My mom’s basic trim was stolen out of our driveway. My friend’s dad drove his for many years – my friend and his older brother drove it. They had the car until the wheels came off.
These cars were reliable, but this asking price is way over the top. $7k tops. It’s not a collectible.
No disrespect intended, but “$7K tops” is a farce….as much as the seller’s asking price. I always loved those factory wheels, rarely seen even when new. Looks to me like it has either an aftermarket or ’86 or later radio, as in ’85 they still used the old dial and big-pushbutton radios from the factory on Monte Carlos. One small thing I wish they hadn’t done on the ’85 and later is replace the chromed glovebox knob with black; I always thought I would have to replace that.
Sold for $14k. On ebay
Like New
$18,500???? Whew! That’s a lot of money! I recently bought a loaded 18,000 mile Chrysler 5th Avenue like brand new for $6700.00. And my 5th has a V8.
Sold for $14k. On ebay
Like new
V6? No thanks. 0-60 in 3.3 hours. If it was a 5.0 it would be a nice $10K car, tops.
Nailed it Gus.
I didn’t think one could get a 5.0 Litre in these. If one attempted a swap, would there be enough room in the engine bay? Would the motor mounts line up? Several other questions, too.
Patrick, these came from the factory with a 5.0L, well most of them anyway.
You would be able to put one in with no problem.
The 4.3L engine is a V8 with 2 cylinders cut off, so I bet even the motor mount locations would be the same.
It wouldn’t have been cost effective for the factory to make two different chassis’ for one car for the two different engines.
At least it’s the 4.3 FI V6, unlike the old 3.8 that was still being used in the Cutlass Supreme, Grand Prix, and Regal.
I was hoping to see T-Tops…. and a V8.
Yes, it’s a beautiful car, but without V8 and t-tops, it’s still not what one would consider collectible.
No thanks on the T-tops. Eventually, they leak.
Dreaming. This would be a world record for a car nobody really wants. At a good auction I think it would struggle to get $10k. I’ve see SS cars with super low miles sell for high teens. At a realistic price, I’d just drive it.
Sold for $14k. On ebay
Like New
Great color on this Monte Carlo and I have always loved those wheels. The cloth interior looks great and provides comfort. I probably wouldn’t consider it at the asking price but it sure would be fun to drive around in it.
Great Example.. A bit high on $. I think 12-15 maybe.. but $18k too much.. its not an SS
Just Sold for $14k on Ebay
I don’t think I have ever seen cornering lights on a Monte before. Those wheels are one of my favorites on this generation.
After looking at a lot of Mexican Monte Carlos, the Chevy dash looks odd to me in this car.
Miguel, how are they different? Also, how are the Mexican market cars for all makes different than the US market cars?
The Mexican Monte Carlo uses a Grand Prix dash board.
I agree that it is priced too high, but I actually like that engine. Not a powerhouse, but reliable & sturdy. Very nice car with a very outlandish price.
Stevieg is right. The 1984, specifically, Monte Carlo SS uses the Grand Prix dash. The cars came with an unsmogged 350 and power locks, but no power windows.
They also came with a factory 4 speed, which was never available in the US.
They all came with the checkerboard wheels seen on the featured car here.
They were faster than the Corvette that year. Maybe that is why they weren’t sold in the US.
Love this 85 Monte Carlo CL.
Its like Brand New. Amazing Condition with only 19k. Miles. You will be Hard Pressed to find another one like it!!!
1985 Monte Carlo Sold for $14k on Ebay
Like New Condition
Hard to find in Original, Mint Condition especially with the True, low miles..
Amazing. People will pay for a great, quality Vehicle