The fourth and final generation of the rear-wheel drive Chevrolet Monte Carlo debuted in 1981 and ran through an abbreviated 1988 model year. The SS edition returned in 1983 after being off the roster for a dozen turns of the calendar. The revived SS was largely an appearance move, although the car had a more spirited suspension package. The seller’s car is from 1988 and has been gently used at 17,000 miles. Located in Sikeston, Missouri, this Chevy may only need a new set of tires to be a regular at Cars & Coffee. It’s available here on eBay for $28,000 OBO. Thanks for this swan song tip, T.J.
GM’s mid-size cars were moving away from rear-wheel-drive, so the last Monte Carlo with that platform was built just before Christmas 1987. Before bowing out, Chevy produced more than 16,200 copies of the Monte Carlo SS for ’88, including the seller’s auto. Its low mileage suggests someone thought this car might be collectible one day and used it sparingly for the next 38 years. It’s a low-option car with a bench seat, column shifter, manual windows, and no cruise control. A 305 cubic inch V8 was the engine of choice in those days, producing 175 hp.
Indications are that no preparations were made to ready the car for sale. The tires are original, old, cracked, and should be replaced before driving more than around the block. The front and rear bumper fascias are a little discolored from age but probably wouldn’t benefit from being repainted. A bit of detailing would remove some of the road grime we’re told is on the underside of the Chevy.
At some point, the factory air conditioning stopped working, and the compressor was replaced (and now blows cold). So, everything else works as it should. But you might want to have your mechanic change all the fluids and consider a tune-up, given the age of the original consumable parts. This Monte Carlo was a resident of Tennessee for its first 23 years, then relocated to Missouri. Could this be one of the most original examples of a 1988 Monte left?
Kind of looks like a 4-wheel bar of soap. Styling these was just too plain. I can understand Chevy wanting to doll one up by adding SS accoutrements. Looks like they stopped short of a real SS treatment here as there’s no console or buckets.This is a nice enough example but doesn’t really move the meter for me.
Would you say it’s a “clean” design then?
Nice clean Monte Carlo here. Nice that it does not have t tops. Also nice and clean inside and out and no one cut up the radio area.
I see 60/40 seat, Cassette Stereo, and A/C. In Picture 25, the SPID label (Service Parts IDentification) label shows few options.
Just turn that air cleaner lid over and let-er rip! Nice looking MC
need more than a pic of the odometer to prove those miles. if it were on B A T they would be crying about the dates on the tires. its clean and the last model run. 1 of the most popular colors.
It would be interesting to know when the Goodyear Eagle GT+4 tires came out, as the ’83 SS models had Eagle GT. Maybe a switch during ’86 or ’87 production?
No options, not even a Posi-Traction axle…hard pass.
The poor thing is longer than a E24 6-series BMW.
There was an old car with a nose,
Who said: ‘If you choose to suppose
That my nose is too long, you are certainly wrong!’
A remarkable car with a nose.
Its race track oriented
Nice example but completely overshadowed by the turbo Regals in the collector market. I know these are cheaper but if I was going to get a G-body and expend the garage space, I would spend extra on a Regal.
These for me are the last really good looking Monte Carlos. Remember seeing a lot of these, especially the SS versions around back in the 80’s.Even being a Mopar guy I thought they were cool looking cars. Overall this one looks really clean. I hope he has verification on the mileage.
the eagle gt 4s were only used on the 88 models all others just had the gt s. i do have a photo somewhere of a local dealer with about 20 brand new montes ss all lined up ready for delivery. if we could only go back
Thanks for setting the record straight on what production year the Eagle GT vs. Eagle GT+4 tire was utilized.
I don’t understand why GM didn’t offer the 5.7 in these cars or at least up the HP in the 305 like Ford did with the 302. GM made all these cool looking cars in the ’80s with wimpy V8 engines, like the 305 or even worse the Olds 307. Ford cars of the same era might have been uglier, but at least the 5.0 HO was at like 225HP at that time blowing GM away. Plus, these cars were heavier than a same year F body making it even worse.