Original Tires: 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Disclosure: Barn Finds may receive compensation from clicks and purchases. Use caution when purchasing vehicles long distance. We recommend inspections before sending money.

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?

Get email alerts of similar finds

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Terrry

    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.

    Like 1
  2. Dewey

    Would you say it’s a “clean” design then?

    Like 3
  3. Mark

    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.

    Like 1
  4. Bob Davenport

    Just turn that air cleaner lid over and let-er rip! Nice looking MC

    Like 0
  5. hairyolds68Member

    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.

    Like 0
  6. Michael

    No options, not even a Posi-Traction axle…hard pass.

    Like 0

Leave A Comment

RULES: No profanity, politics, or personal attacks.

Become a member to add images to your comments.

*

Barn Finds