To understand the Monaco, we have to look at another corner of the auto market: Pontiac’s popular Grand Prix, launched in 1962 and refined in 1963, shook up styling departments far and wide. The Grand Prix was unfussy and clean, and it sold very well indeed – better than Ford’s Thunderbird, in fact. Chrysler needed a competitor. The Monaco was launched in 1965 on a full-sized platform, with minimal trim, a bucket-seat interior, and a suitably powerful V8. The Monaco proved popular, persisting through four generations (not counting its resurrection in 1990), despite a downsize to Chrysler’s B-platform in 1977. The two-door Dodge Monaco advertised here on craigslist for $5950 and located in Chesapeake, Virginia, has reportedly traveled only 61,000 miles and remains in fine condition. Thanks to Tony Primo for the great tip!
Mileage claims are always suspect, but clues present that support the seller’s representation. For one thing, the underhood stickers are still mostly intact. Not perfect, like they’ve been replaced, but looking like they’ve seen 60k miles. On the other hand, I think that engine should be turquoise, not bright blue. Whatever the color should be, it’s the “little” V8, at 318 cu. in., backed by a three-speed automatic. The seller notes that the car needs new brake lines at the least, though it does run and drive as it sits.
The interior is another testimony to the mileage claim. It’s not perfect, with splits along the seat seams, but it’s not bad! The carpets have been kept as clean as possible, and the instrument panel is decent. A bit of metal polish on that sill plate would do wonders. The rear seats are above reproach. This car was optioned with air conditioning.
Aside from brake work, the seller suggests that the body needs a few repairs. Looks like a dent here between the two light lenses, and the lower quarters and sills all the way around appear to have either seen attempts at body work, or are requiring it. This market is split between early cars with big engines that sell for a handful of tens of thousands, and cars like this one with reasonably low mileage and smaller V8s, selling in the mid four figures. This seller’s price is fairly reasonable if the body work isn’t too demanding – now to find a buyer.
I thought its a great deal until I saw the right door inside the rust and rot!! And what does underneath look like? Rust ,holes who knows. When I saw grass marks on the body with some holes.You have to wonder about the rest of the vehicle.Inside the trunk, another space that mopars have issues with in the seventies with water leaks. And does the engine run well? Since it was spray painted. The correct color is corporate blue. Buyer beware… 🇺🇸🐻
Yeah I think there’s a hole in one of the lower panels too. No photos of the underside.
Great looking color combo. Too bad about all the rust. It almost looks like it sat in water for a long time from the rocker panels down.
lots of rot and no brakes due to rot. keep moving on
Maybe not a resto candidate but if you employed new brake lines and probably fuel, too, you could make an interesting driver for a year or two. Hard to wrap your brain around what you would have paid a tenth for 40 years ago.
I ordered an exact color Monaco Brougham in February 1977. Brougham offered a different interior, kind of tweed pattern in a cream and brown color cloth and vinyl with more bling. Mine had the same rally wheels and a little more pin stripe on the outside but looks very similar. I am 71 years old so chrome is king, (old foggie thing). Had the 360 ci engine. I remember the only options I did not get were the electric windows and lighted vanity mirror in the passenger visor. I also wanted full instrumentation in the dash so I ordered the dash insert for the charger. Argued with the parts guys because the parts book did not offer it as a fit. I won that argument. Loved the car but when my son was born and I could not get a folding stroller into the trunk it had to go. I had a 1966 Ford Galaxie 500 with a huge trunk just before this one so this did not work for me. Was a great car and a beautiful looking vehicle.
Monaco, no income tax territory. 🇲🇨