I recently watched a Chevy Dealers sales slide show for the new 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle and Monte Carlo. (An appropriate pairing since the Monte Carlo shared a bunch of parts from the Chevelle Parts Bin.) The British, semi-stuffy sounding voice talent said, “Monte Carlo. The luxurious one. We correct British first dubbed it a “gentleman’s car,” until the ladies asserted their own strong will. Now we look on it as a symbol of personal prestige for anyone.” Chevrolet was the last of the GM family to get into the personal luxury coupe game and they got it right. It’s 1970 debut was a hit with almost 146,000 units sold. So, in its second year, the message was about minor refinements for 1971, not major changes. Located in Farmington, New York, this well-preserved, low mileage, mostly original black-on-black-on black 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is for sale here on craigslist with a listed asking price of $23,500. Another thank you to Rocco B. for bringing this time capsule to our attention.
No history is shared of what this black beauty’s been up to the past 53 years, except that it was originally from Virginia and has a clean Tennessee title. The seller says that the top of the car was painted in its factory Tuxedo Black a few years ago due to some fading. Based on the photos, it looks like it was done nicely. Other than that, the rest of the car is original, including the 350 V8, black vinyl top, interior, and even the original spare tire. Everything I’m seeing looks shiny and in great shape and the seller says the car has solid floors and trunk. It’s also wearing Chevy’s optional Rally wheels for a sportier look and the original fender skirts are also included.
The black theme continues inside with a cockpit that’s in outstanding condition. Very little wear is visible on those comfortable looking pleated, buttoned bench seats. The dash and gauges look very good as well and the faux wood (Chevy described it as “the hand-rubbed-oil look of Carpathian burled elm. The wood’s not real, but we photographically reproduced it so only termites will know the difference.” Hyperbole aside, it looks handsome against all that black.
The seller shares some of the options on this Monte Carlo including A/C (it’s currently not cold but the compressor spins freely), power steering, power brakes, and AM-FM stereo radio. It also has power windows, but the seller confesses that the drover’s window works when it wants to and can be remedied by banging the lower door panel ala Arther Fonzarelli.
The seller describes the power plant as “Original matching numbers 350 engine with matching TH350 3 speed transmission and 10 bolt rear. The car runs and drives awesome.” A close up of the instrument panel shows 39,322 on the odometer. Based on the impressive condition of this Monte Carlo inside and out, I’m betting that’s the actual mileage. This car has seen a lot of garage and storage time, for sure. Yes, 1971 was about subtle refinements for the Monte Carlo including a new horizontal grille, the addition of a hood ornament, richer interior fabrics, and as the stuffy voiceover guy said on the sales slide show: “even a new, convenient map pocket in the door that stows the equipment that helps plot a route to the good life.” So, what do you think of this black beauty?
I remember these being called “personal luxury cars”
Chevy’s second year in the personal luxury segment with a winner on their hands. Here we’ve got one that is pretty well equipped. Not everything but plenty to make you feel good. Five slot rallies look clumsy on this one. I’d like some finned Corvette wheel covers instead. This is a great looking car that would look good restored.
What a beauty, this is a bargain, in 10 years it will be 50K$ car if kept all original
I had one in 81. Great car. Problem was frame rot
But sold it to garage.
I have to admit if I had the money right now, I would buy it in a second it has to be one of the most beautiful 71 Monte Carlo survivors I have ever seen. One day to have one just like it. I have been chasing them since high school I owned a few during my 4 years but they were never that nice and funny they were only about 12 to 14 years old at that point. Nice car I’m sure whoever ends up with it will be very happy 👍
I had a 70 as my first car ! best car I ever bought! wish i still had it today…..
I had one just like this one only it was a 70, it was “ALL GREEN” which I wasn’t a fan of so I changed the interior and painted it and then mine to was all black. Also it them had buckets and a center console. The best part was the heartbeat. 350 horse 350. Turbo 400 trans and a 12 bolt posi rear-end. Keystone Raiders with 60 series BFG’S all 4 corners. Aftermarket music. Man it was sweet. Like an idiot I was talked into trading it for a 77 El-Camino. Flashy on the outside. Not so much inside. Sad day that was.
Were these not available with optional body colored wheel covers, like the ’70 t-bird?
Odd vinyl roof with IMO unnec extra chrome trim, instead of extending all the way to the chrome drip rails.
Oldsmobile had a similar thing, but I think it also had painted metal exposed over/across the windshield on top, also. Interested buyers should compare to others to make sure.
Oldsmobile called their’s a halo vinyl roof.
A friend had a 71 Monte Carlo. In spite of gross neglect, he got 85,000 miles (without a single oil change) before wrecking it. I had a 77 black Monte Carlo with what was referred to as GO for BAROQUE styling. A friend referred to it as Sex on wheels. Absolutely magnificent. Kept it for five years. While washing it, chrome strip between drivers door and wheel opening fell off. When I took it back to Rusty Jones where it was rust proofed, was told it was surface rust not covered. For me the 77 Monte Carlo was the best. Now Monte Carlo 😔 and Rusty Jones 🤮 are both gone.
The ’70s were, not sure about the 71-72s. I had a set of the ’70 caps, in the olive green metallic color. Sold them and only have one now, it’s on the wall in the shop.
These were great cars, wish I still had my 70/72(it’d been wrecked before I got it so it had a 72 clip on a 70). I wasn’t building it stock, and the 72 is the cleanest grille/front end design to my eyes.
I believe they were. My ’70 Caprice had the color keyed covers. Gobi Beige.
Yes, odd.
Makes the otherwise clean design look busy.
If this were a Chevelle the seller would be asking $30K. Without documentation the mileage might as well be 139K even though the interior looks decent. Looks like a nice driver, a nice 20-footer…
First and best Monte, the later ones are easily forgotten.Lets cheer for the reasonable price. Faded seats and dirty under hood. Mileage is questionable. Two thumbs up.
Indeed … the 70/71 Montes are fabulous lookers. My kingdom for an SS 454.
A very nice Monte Carlo!
Grab the biggest nasty Rat motor you can afford and bam! Muscle car extraordinary! Love the looks but who’s going to settle for a mouse when a rat is just right?
Had a Real Clean 72 350 auto, Loved that car but made the Mistake of giving it to my Daughter. It’s only a Memory now. The Hood survived. I might have put the engine in a 69 Camaro?
Beautiful looking Monte. I’ve always loved this generation Monte Carlo. I’d buy one if I was in the market for a classic luxury sport car. The only upgrade I’d make to this car would be to the gauge cluster. Why is the only “proper” gauge the fuel? There should also be one for temperature, amps, oil pressure. I’ve always thought warning lights were stupid. Other than that, I’d love a 1970-72 Monte Carlo. Given the condition of this car, I’d pay between $15k and $20k.
Xtra gages u speak of were optional even on expensive motors such as
SD-455 in firebird formulas & i believe on 427 all alum ZL1s in ’69 camaros. Nor was a tach std!
At least it was very ez to see when a big BRIGHT red warning light & its englsh letter description came on back then.Today’s stupid symbols with no lettering are not ez to spot or know instantly what they are when they DIMLY lite up – espec in the sunlight.
Were they? It’s a damn shame they weren’t standard. While “idiot” lights are an okay supplement to the gauges, I’ve always thought they were poor substitute.
Car Nut Tacoma, the early 2nd gen trans ams had all the right STANDARD equip – big motor, 4 bbl, full gages, formula steering wheel, positraction, front & rear sway bars, HD suspension, quick steering, rally II wheels, power brakes & power steering for as little as $4300 as late as ’74(for mid model year ’74, HEI replaced pts & cond – except on sd-455).
& get this – no extra charge for turbo 400 automatic instead of std 4 speed manual.
& the hood bird was NOT std equip. Nor was the console – auto shifter was on the COLUMN with no console, but few were built like that.
I had a 71 black with 3 on the tree. 350. I paid 2500 . Bought it in 1972. . Sold it in 74 for 2500. Nice car. Couldn’t keep it clean. Never bought anything black again.