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Only 41k Miles: 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Chevrolet entered the personal luxury car market with the Monte Carlo in 1970 and had a big hit on their hands. The nameplate would stick around through 2007 (although it took a hiatus in 1989-94).  Part of the car’s popularity may be traced to NASCAR, where Chevy raced the Monte Carlo for several seasons and won the Winston Cup multiple times with Dale Earnhardt and others behind the wheel. This 1986 Monte Carlo SS is said to be used mainly for car shows, has relatively low mileage and is in very good condition overall up in Milnor, North Dakota. It’s available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $14,000. The Make Offer function has also been activated.

SS (Super Sport) models were part of the Monte Carlo portfolio on and off during the car’s overall run. This included 1970-71, then not again until 1983-88, and finally in 2000-01. As with most muscle cars of the 1980s, they lost much of the spunk they once had and were more for looks and comfort than speed. 1986 would be the Monte Carlo’s heyday in terms of sales, with more than 41,000 SS models built or 35 percent of overall Monte Carlo production. That may be attributed to the facelift that the Monte Carlo got in 1986 and the 200 copies of the Aero Coupe that were produced to emulate the fastbacks that were on the NASCAR circuit (the rear window was reminiscent of the 1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda). Earnhardt won his second Cup championship in an ’86 Monte Carlo.

SS models for 1986, like the seller’s car, had aluminum wheels and gas-pressure shock absorbers both front and rear. Power came from a 305 cubic V-8 with 180 horsepower, so it wasn’t exactly a barn burner by 1970s standards. The SS also got a rear spoiler, black sport steering wheel, black grille and moldings, sport mirrors, and a tachometer. This SS looks pretty good for being original and 34 years old. The seller says there is no rust, and the paint shines up nicely, although if you look closely, you’ll find the normal dings and scuffs that would accumulate after 41,000 miles.

Inside the car, it has that ‘80s look to it with the velour-like coverings on the seats. The burgundy balances well with the black exterior and burgundy accents.  The factory rims are wearing brand-new raised-letter tires and the seller says the machine runs great. I would have polished the chrome aftermarket air cleaner before taking the photos and we assume that’s the only modification to the powerplant.

A 1986 Monte Carlo SS won’t sell for as much as a 1970 would. The ones offered for sale online seem to be running $15-20,000, so if you assume that $17,500 is the average, the seller isn’t asking an arm and a leg for his car. Buy it, tell everyone that Dale Earnhardt’s neighbor’s lawn boy sat in it, and then have fun at your local Cars & Coffee!

Comments

  1. Avatar Moparman Member

    This one looks wicked in black! GLWTA!! :-)

    Like 2
  2. Avatar DrillnFill

    I lusted after these cars when I was a kid. Still like them too. Props for those sweet Cooper Cobras, but that air cleaner has got. to. go.

    Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but that is not a stock hood either. Still, cool car though 😎

    Like 4
    • Avatar Vaughn C Parmer

      Your 100% right it’s not a stock hood I’ve have 14 of these babies

      Like 1
    • Avatar Camaro guy

      No it’s not looks like a 2″ cowl induction hood same type i had on my 84 MC SS can’t tell if it’s steel or fiberglass they were available in both

      Like 0
  3. Avatar Gremlin X

    The Pep Boys Decor Kit – cowl induction hood, red spark plug wires, and that ghastly air cleaner – has got to go. Beyond that looks clean.

    Like 4
    • Avatar sirlurxalot

      Pep Boys doesn’t sell a cowl induction hood painted to match the car.
      It is considerably more expense/effort to buy/install a c.i. hood than spark-plug wires and air cleaners.

      Like 2
  4. Avatar R.Lee

    In 85′ we bought brand new, my wife’s current car 85 SS for 15,775. That with all options including T Tops. The most reliable no trouble car we have owned. We will Never sell the SS. I have had a fresh 462, 700 waiting for over 20 years, waiting for the day when the L69 fails.

    But for 14k this car looks to be a steal. Not many unmolested cars left as the inner city crowd has been abusing what cars are left. The rest of what is left was used for dirt cars. I would buy 80’s Carlo wrecks and they became 3/8th’s dirt cars.

    This car will be an EASY sell for 14k. Last of the full frame cars.

    Like 6
  5. Avatar NOTABARNFIND

    WOW! I wonder how long it sat between car shows to make it a “barn find”.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar JOHN Member

    I’m waiting on the “I had an 86 with the factory 350” comment…

    Like 1
  7. Avatar Al

    Why are there no Grand Nationals for sale?

    This is about the closest that you can get to a Grand National.

    Like 1
  8. Avatar DonziDon

    In 1991 i graduated highschool i wanted a GN but couldnt afford one so i found an all black no stripes 1986 Monte SS with 60k miles on it for $4400. Maroon interior 305 V8. I thought that was the coolest car even. Rode and looked nice, lacked horsepower but so did most things back then. T tops off and radio cranked it was a fun car. Huge trunk used to put 2-3 buddies in there during college so we could all go to dinner at the same time. Great memories and i would buy one again if the right one comes along!

    Like 0

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