Chrysler redesigned the Monaco from the ground up for the 1974 model year, an ill-timed effort that was sideswiped by the oil crisis in 1973. A full-sized wagon advertising “inner space“, the Monaco missed the mark as the public shifted rapidly to economy cars. Just a few years later, when the 1980s rolled around, the mini-van would effectively kill the station wagon completely. For a taste of the still expansive, still powerful station wagon, head over to craigslist for this 1974 Dodge Monaco Custom wagon, with an asking price of $10,500. This car can be driven away from Waddell, Arizona. Pat L. gave us this family-sized tip – thanks Pat!
In 1974, Monaco customers could opt for several flavors of V8; this one is the 360 cu. in. making about 180 hp with the standard two-barrel carburetor. Coupled with a three-speed TorqueFlite automatic, the wagon was all about comfort and luxury – shedding the model’s almost-muscle car aura of the 1960s. This car has been treated to a rebuilt transmission, rebuilt carb, new brake pads and rotors, and a new distributor. It runs great, and the odometer reading of 88,000 miles is said to be original.
The interior condition is commensurate with the wagon’s age and miles. The seat surfaces and headliner are great. On the other hand, we would likely find cracks under the dash cover. This wagon has a third-row seat that folds down to expand the cargo area – a nice option. The seller says the air conditioning blows cold – demonstrated in one photo with a digital thermometer reading just above 33 degrees! The heat also works well.
Three underside photos show its condition is used but not abused. The tires are said to be good. The body is rust-free thanks to life in the Southwest, though the paint has suffered from age and sun exposure here and there. Alas, by 1974 the Custom trim level wasn’t graced with the famous vinyl “wood grain” applique; for that, you needed to buy a Crestwood or a Brougham. Finding unmolested 1970s full-sized wagons is becoming an exercise in patience these days, and scanning ads for the few available now shows that asking prices are easily twice this Monaco’s cost. Could you find a use for this honest Mopar wagon?
I can’t remember the last time I saw one of these.Cool car. In today’s market I think it’s fairly priced.All I would add is dual exhaust.The pic of the front looks kinda like a 74 le sabre.glwts.
Monaco my neighbor called them Ma knock o
The proportions were always off on these 70’s Chrysler product wagons. They were a dinosaur compared to the Ford wagons of the era.
Elwood Blues is disappointed that it doesn’t have a cop motor, cop tires, cop suspension, and cop shocks. But at least it’s a model made before catalytic converters, so it’ll run good on regular gas.
And the Lean Burn system was two years away when this car was built, so there’s a good selling point.
The front shot says Bluesmobile. The rest of the shots say Beigemobile.
As a wagon it probably has a towing suspension.
That’s a really good-looking wagon for the money! Doesn’t appear to need a whole lot to make it nearly perfect.
Almost a twin to our family car in the early 80s. My mom was 4′-10″ and it was her daily. A great car until someone crossed the centre line one day and wiped it out.
The 360ci engine is the one I would want. This one has it. Like a previous poster mentioned , dual exhaust , open it up just a bit more , but “no rumbling”. Put on high ignition and lean down the carb. You’re not going to win any races with this beautiful car but you might get “ acceptable “ fuel mileage. These are great cars – we had one, when I was a kid. Tons of room, rode like a big comfortable parade float . We had the 360ci that my dad purposely wanted. I remember him saying “ we got 14 mpg today on our trip to Palm Springs “. Great article and good luck!
I’d have to put engine out dual exhaust and a 4 barrel (Thermoquad) carburetor on it. If I can’t have the punch of the 440 I (at the very least) want it to sound like the 440 when I have it to the floor, and no other spread bore has the growl that comes out of those big Carter Thermoquads!
By the way – this beauty is also reasonably priced. I definitely would not be afraid to take a chance on it. I wish I had the money and the room , I would consider it for sure.
I believe ours did have a 4 – barrel. Ours was, I believe , a 1975 model. Yeah , that’s right because my dad was cursing the price of unleaded gas , which was more expensive than regular gasoline. I believe he got “ hosed “ for .72 cents per gallon in Palm Springs/ Desert CA on a trip we took in 1976. I was 12 years old at the time and it was summer vacation – road trip time. So we went from Thousand Oaks CA to Palm Springs and got 14 mpg in our wagon with the 360ci.
Why yes I do thank you for asking ! I have a 440 to drop in the Monaco to turn it into the dragon wagon !
“This car can be driven away from Waddell, Arizona.” That would make for a great road trip, especially this time of the year, when things are warming up but not reaching into the triple digits.
So for $10,500 you get a low ridding pickup truck with a built in canopy and it has more bedroom than today’s available trucks. You can put some 4×8 sheets of plywood in the back and shut the gate. It will pull a nice size travel trailer or boat.
88000 miles.. we seem to forget. Back then most cars needed LOTS of work if not complete overhaul by 50000 to 70000. They were not like today where 200000 is “normal”
Not true. It might have been the case in 1914, but not in 1974. At least not with American cars, given proper care and routine maintenance.
the quality of motor oil has come a looooong way since 1974 . Back in 74 you had to lof every 3k , with modern synthetics , semi synthetics and much improved dino oil not so much today.You are correct in the sense that many modern materials today that weren’t used back then are far superior then the old stuff…i.e. piston rings plasma and chrome moly vs. old school plain cast iron.
My former Dept. had one of these wagons and was used for the transportation of female prisoners, transferred from one jail to the next. It was painted powder blue but unsure if it was a package vehicle. Our patrol division used the 74 Monaco sedans for patrol and were painted green and white. I talked with the owner of this car and said he picked it up about 6 months ago from New Mexico and would sell for $8500.00.