A failed father-son project has led to this 1973 Monte Carlo S with the rare factory 454-cubic-inch V-8 option being put up for sale. The car is advertised here on Craigslist, and we have Barn Finds reader Tony P. to thank for sending in this great find. The car is located about 30 miles from me in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is priced to sell at $7,000.
1973 was the first year for the very successful “Colonnade” body platform for GM, with the Monte Carlo being Chevrolet’s version (along with the Chevelle, Malibu, El Camino, and Laguna). John DeLorean (yes, that guy) specified the “S” model to have a European flavor, with sporty suspension featuring front and rear anti-sway bars, radial tires, and good brakes. The S model typically didn’t even have a vinyl roof (although the brochure page above depicts a car with one). 290,693 1973 Monte Carlos were sold, an increase of more than 52,000 over 1972.
The seller (the dad) tells us that after two years of no interest from his son, the car is up for sale. We’re told the car “yard drives” although the battery is weak, but the seller has never driven it on the road. The body appears pretty darn solid from these pictures, but one would really need to look closely, as these cars certainly do rust. Apparently, there is a transmission leak from the Turbo 400 automatic as well that needs to be addressed.
As best as I can tell from the 1973 brochure, this may well be the original interior. I have no delusions that the indicated 23,217 miles aren’t after a rollover, but it does indicate that the personal luxury car may have been taken care of, at least at some point in its life. Unfortunately, the swivel seat buckets were not ordered on this “S” model.
And here we have the heart of the car! The 454 was equipped with a four-barrel carburetor from the factory, but after emissions equipment and the change from SAE net to gross horsepower ratings, it *only* made 245 net horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Only about 4% of 1973 Monte Carlos were equipped with the 454, and since more Landau Coupes (the luxury-focused model) were made, this combination is pretty rare. As you can see, this car was also equipped with air conditioning. Sadly, a failed project led to this opportunity, but if you like these second-generation Monte Carlos, this might be the find you’ve been waiting for! Be sure to let us know if you buy it!
A person in my HS had the 454 with swivel buckets .
It was a nice cruiser car but not a rocket muscle car like my 69 Z28 or buddies 440 six pack Challenger.
This car needs a visual inspection for rust …
Good luck with sale…
I owned ’75 Landau with swivel seats and the LS-4 454. House came along and she had to go for the down payment. Miss it terribly.
Jamie I lived in Raleigh for 35 yrs myself. Idk why these would rust bc the winters there are mild, averaging 6″ inches of snow. So either it’s a GM problem or the car spent years elsewhere. Nice write-up btw & welcome!
It seems like the son owes the dad money rather than a joint project. I think you are right, it doesn’t look like a lot of rusty piles seen on this site. The pictures don’t show a lot of rust and the seller doesn’t mention it, though he didn’t hesitate to bring up other issues. If someone interested in a car like this lives within driving distance it’s worth their time to see it in person.
Steve R
Thanks, Rickirick. I’ve been writing for the site since 2014, had to take a break due to hand problems :-)
My pops used to work for GM started my life in the late 60’s he bought the 1st Firebird Chevrolet Orange with a cream intererior as a matter of fact.😎
I had used. 73 with bucket seats, it saved my life. I had a Camaro, saved my life. I had another MC that gave me my reboot after booze once me down, I bought my mother’s a trail blazer before she passed away 😢 I had a GMC Envoy that kept a roof over my head, I now have a Chevy Bolt it is now presently saving my life and maintaining my mortgage. No joke! Long stories but yes they have all saved my bacon one way or another and after all these years it took me over 40 years to realize that General Motors has been there for me one way or another and now I’m kinda angry because I should have bought a few more 🤗
I guess ya just gotta slow down sometimes and smell the rubber and count your blessings 🙏
Thank you General Motors we may have not stayed side by side many times but for some reason I always kept coming back if I get the chance I’m buying one more before the good lord calls me home at 63 I still want my Sting Ray!!! 🥹
Side note: My mom had a 64 and my brother had several GM cars.
You can get a lot of miles out of em if ya take care of em. 😎
Almost forgot! Moms also had a Corvair! Pops had 2 older GM models 😎
Her Corvair saved us from drowning G♥️M 4 life!!! 🫂
Well, one could always add swivel bucket seats to it..
If only I didn’t need to buy a roof for my house! Also about 30 mins. away,
my first car was a Monte Carlo.
LoL my son would probably do the same thing. Get excited, but life gets in the way and his interests are just different than mine. And it’s all good.
That being said, this looks really close to crossing the finish line with about 8-10k of investment. Deep clean, new paint job, fix the tranny and other minor issues etc… and in the end you have a really awesome big everything collonade.
First I’ve heard of an “S” and I’m a Monte Carlo guy. In this case I believe it means stripper. No tilt wheel, roll up windows, no vinyl roof. The only options checked is the 454 & A/C. The rally wheels were probably added later.
John, according to what I read, it stood for “Sport”. I’m guessing that was the “Euro” idea?
Hmmm ,I’ve got an unused 70’s LS7 sitting in the crate in my garage ……
Hot Rod Magazine back in the day featured a white 73 or 74 Monte Carlo sleeper with an LS7 in it.
Not a bad price for a 1973 Monte Carlo with a 454/ A/C and 12 bolt rear with sway bar here and the A/C belt is still on it. Bargain on the price 6K maybe.
The passenger car 12 bolt was not used on this generation of Monte Carlo and Chevelle, these came with the 8.5 10 bolt.
Steve R
Good info Thanks.
1 of the best looking and riding out of this style. the only thig going for it is the motor. no other desirable options. 5k tops.
I had a 73 monte carlo same color as this one mine was a 350 factory dual exhaust swivel bucket seats velour interior this was 45 years ago
My 1st car was a ’73 Monte Carlo, 350 4 barrell with dual exhaust. Olive green. Beauty.
8.5 10 bolt is a pretty tough rear end. They’ll stand up pretty well for a street machine, definitely this engine.
I love monte carlos. I actually like the fact it has very few bells and whistles.
I don’t understand the big to do about the swivel bucket seats. If anyone would care to give their thoughts on that I would welcome reading them. A former, now deceased roommate had a Colonade El Camino. I can’t remember the year but that really isn’t relevant. His had the swivel bucket seats and I didn’t hate them but didn’t see the big appeal to them. Within a month after getting the car the seats novelty wore off for him and he stopped using the swivel function. I can see how they might be handy for an obese person or a handicapped person but for a non obese person or non handicapped person, what is the draw? Is it the novelty factor?
You are correct. I had them in my 1975 Chevrolet Malibu Classic. I never used them. You had to park them back at the driving position for the door to close.
That would be such a nuisance. That’s part of the reason I just can’t understand the draw to them.
Good info did not know that.
Possible under dash A/C system/ heater core needing work, with the heat / air duct work in passenger floor . No belt on AC compressor too .
Interesting car, stripper Monte, if its real. Missing the front end support bars that go from firewall to radiator core support. Why no gage package with tach.
Then there is no mention of serial number code H. If the car is has the right engine the serial# will have the H AND have the serial stamped into the block.
Nice color combination and it needs to be closer to me for 8 big ones. Dash is cracked in several places. Take 1500 off price and I travel to pick it up. Have ALL the parts to make it all right black interior buckets full power and BB tach.