Sometimes a particular make or model of car is special for an obvious reason. It may be styling. It may be performance. It may be because of rarity. It may even be the sort of cache that can only be built up by famous owners. Many people may not realize it, but the 1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is special for an entirely different reason. Located in North Phoenix, Arizona and possessing a clean title, this mighty Monte is listed here on craigslist with a price of $11,900. This car is a shiny example, and also a shining example of how to care for your pride and joy. A big thanks to Barn Finds regular Michael for referring this car to us.
The 1974 Monte Carlo was a mild facelift of the 1973 model. There were a number of detail changes, but there was nothing revolutionary that made the ’74 markedly different to the ’73. However, the Arab Oil Embargo of late 1973/early 1974 had a massive negative impact on sales of medium and large cars like the Monte Carlo. Gas shortages and long queues at gas stations saw people abandoning their traditional cars in favor of small, compact cars….except for the Monte Carlo. In 1974 the Monte Carlo was the only medium to large American car not to experience a reduction in sales. In fact, in 1974 the Monte Carlo set a new sales record. That’s one big thing that made the Monte Carlo special when compared to its competition. People loved it. Obviously someone loves this one too.
The interior can only be described as immaculate. The owner has an eye for detail, and any deviations from standard has been undertaken in such a way as to make them easy to reverse if required. Take the stereo as an example. The original radio has been left in place and a more modern unit has been installed under the dash so that the dash has not had to be cut or damaged in any way. Upgraded speakers have been fitted into the standard enclosures so that the originals can be returned if required. The dash is like the rest of the interior. If it’s not perfect, then it’s not far off it.
The rear seat is, if anything, even better than the front. The carpet is spotless and good quality floor-mats in both the front and the back help to ensure that the carpet remains this way. This car has been meticulously cared for, and the seller claims that both the paint and the interior are original. The car underwent a complete Ziebart treatment some years ago. Another positive here is that the seller has provided plenty of nice, clear photos.
Under the hood continues this theme of not just immaculate presentation, but thoughtful modifications which can be reversed if required. The seller claims that the 350ci engine has compression that is as good as when it was new. This is backed by an auto transmission, and the car also features air con. The seller lists a raft of maintenance jobs that have been undertaken to keep this gem in absolutely first rate condition. The car has all matching numbers and is never driven on wet pavement. It is stored indoors, and the owner is so fastidious that he has spent $650 on a custom cover for the car to assist to maintain its presentation. This cover will come with the car.
This is an interesting proposition. When new this was a car that defied the odds. This one is very much a time capsule. Hagerty list a #1 condition car at $21,700, with a #2 coming in at $16,100. The modifications preclude this car from actually achieving a #1 status. However, every modification has been undertaken with the view that it can be reversed and returned to original. With an asking price of $11,900 I think that this Monte Carlo could be a good buy.
Beautifully maintained. I’m disappointed about not seeing what a $650 custom cover looks like though.
Located in Arizona but has Misery plates on it. Odd.
What a beauty! These were incredibly popular when I was in high school.
The hideous upper radiator hose has got to go.
It really doesn’t matter what the price guides show, I think sellers are the only ones that take them seriously. I doubt the market is very strong for this year Monte Carlo, no matter how nice. I’d bet $7,500 would be more realistic.
Steve R
Steve,
I’m with you on that silly upper radiator hose but, I’m going to throw in the chrome radiator top plate, master cylinder cover and bail, air cleaner top with the knurled knob and the oil fill cap too. Those “go fasters” just aren’t right for a survivor car like this.
I think you’re right in the ballpark on the price too.
I agree with the both of you on the engine bay mods. I’m just glad to see what has been done is relatively easy to return to stock. FYI, when I write cars up I am now not relying on the usual valuations, but looking at what’s going on out in the market. Prices on these vary wildly at present. I’ve seen decent ones priced anywhere between $8,000 and $15,000. By percentage they have one of the biggest price spreads of almost any car from that era.
Thanks for writing these features. I hope you didn’t take my remarks about the inclusions of prices from valuations guides as criticism of you and the other authors. I just think they are generally inflated, or based on insurance valuations rather than market pricing. What I really don’t like is when a seller uses them in an ad, it’s a sign the car will be overpriced and/or the seller has unrealistic expectations.
Steve R
I guess nobody likes the tacky chinese chrome. Oops I think that might have been political.
I’m in full agreement on the tacky mods, but I think the price isn’t too unrealistic. Yes, it’s nothing special, it doesn’t even have full instrumentation. The car has obviously rec’d excellent care for a long time, and this in my opinion enhances it’s value. If I could buy it for $8,500 I would, and I’d be happy about it – this coming from someone who is most definitely NOT a GM fan.
@ctmphrs – A valid point not political. A lot of aftermarket parts are made in China and have been for years. You always got to be careful about where your parts came from, even stock appearing parts reproduced.
That’s why original is the best and it seems this one is pretty good on that front, with a few exceptions that would be pretty easy to fix.
Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! ….wish I had some extra $$$ laying around, I’d give home $10k easy!
Surprised nobody mentioned the green vinyl landau roof – looks like an odd color choice to me, I would prefer white.
White vinyl top and white and interior would really pop on this!
I like the under hood upgrades. Gives it a little bling. Otherwise, there is nothing to look at but black. What is so stimulating about a black rubber radiator hose, a black fan shroud and a black air cleaner?
I agree with Michael i think the bling is a nice contrast to an otherwise boring engine compartment, but i will say i could do without the radiator hose never cared for that style of hose.
Hey Steve R, I always appreciate feedback on my work. I do sometimes have doubts on the valuations that I see. Checking out what is happening in the market is a little bit more time consuming, but I’ve decided to go down that track as it gives our readers an idea of where featured cars sit in the current market. Sometimes I will have both a formal valuation and market trends in an article. I’ll keep writing while I keep getting feedback. I just love sharing some of these more unusual finds with all of you.
I liked your summary of the car.
I just want to add from my experience about the thinking of Monte Carlo lovers at the time when these cars were new. All the friends I knew that had one, thought everything else paled in comparison. To them, nothing measured up to the Monte Carlo, so I can see why they would attach an inordinately high value the car
I drove a 73 for 6 mo, and readily admit that it was a fine car, but I preferred my Toronado.
Bob
Toronado another one of my favorites. I’ve owned 3. But in 73’ dad was going to buy a Monte till he saw and drove the Grand Prix
I reckon $11900 is cheap for such an immaculately presented 70’s classic. Ultimately, anything is worth what someone is prepared to pay. Simple as that!
It’s missing the original wheels. The spare shows the back side of a turbine style wheel. Who remembers these? Also it has a goofy air horn.
I not sure about the seller/flipper’s knowledge of Chevrolet as the engine color is just Chevrolet Engine Orange not Hugger Orange.
It’s a sweet car that I would not mind having.
I think the 1973 to 75 models were the best years. The square stacked headlights on the 76 and 77s took away a little.
I had a 71 beige with brown vinyl top. 71 was best year. Rally wheels. Don’t think this 74 model had those wheels as original. 70 thru 72 were best body style. From 73 and on, bumpers were awful and cheap. Fun article!
What a great posting, we to see an over view of an impeccably maintained car. $11.5k is in the ball park. I would be proud to take this gleaming cruiser to a show or just a coffee and cars event.
I’ve been looking for a 73 or 74 Monte Carlo for a while now. Loved the one I had and REALLY want to find another one. This is nice, but a bit steep, imo. Never was crazy about the color green either. The 73 I had was silver with a black top and interior. The 74 was a beautiful metallic brown with tan top and interior.
This is still a beautiful car, just not for me.
You couldn’t sling a dead cat in the high school parking lot without hitting six of these, three Cougars and a Cordoba back in my day. The level of preservation on this one is amazing.
When I was young and learning about cars, I always was fascinated by where the turn signal lights were on the dash.
On this car it stumped me. I couldn’t see where they were.
I finally found them.
They are at the outside corners of the dash. The bulbs are at the middle and there is a long tube running to the lens at the edge.
Very little light actually gets to the lens so it was hard to see in the day light.
Did anybody else have this experience?
The Old cars Weekly price guide I use has a #1 car at 13K. That is a huge difference from the 21K Hagerty says it is worth.
I’m always suspect of Hagerty pricing anyway. Since they are in the business of selling insurance, higher values are obviously to their advantage, but it’s the constant shilling of “these are the next 10 cars that will increase in value” that drives me nuts. Let the crazy old coots at Barrett Jackson spend their retirement money to impress the trophy wife, but I don’t WANT to see every old car escalate north of 65k or even 15k, thank you very much.
I recall a very limited edition of this car that was offered by some of the bigger
Chevy dealers out of Chicago, Illinois
called the Primo Monte.
The Primo Monte was an up level Monte
Carlo that was outfitted with items that
gave the car a classic ’30’s look. These
items include:
A special paint scheme remeniscent of
the Deusenberg SJ that used a sweep
of color that began at the edges of the
front fenders and carried through to
about the rear of the doors where that
swoopy fender crease finally blended
into the body. On this car, the color
sweep would’ve been Tan to tie into
the vinyl roof and to contrast with the
dark green paint shown here.
Chrome wire rims with very wide whitewall tires to keep the ’30’s
classic themed look going.
A faux spare tire cover that was
attatched to the center if the trunk.
This also was copied from the SJ
Deusenbergs and also appeared on
the Stutz Blackhawk at that ime.
Coach lights located at the leading
edge of the opera windows for that
elegant look.
Standard T-tops to allow open air
motoring on nice days.
Pillow style seating upholstered in
genuine high grade leather with real
wood accents in the door panals and
dashboard. Swivel front bucket seats
were standard. And to cap it all off,
a gold plaque with the owner’s name
stating proudly that this car was built
especially for that person.
The car was powered by a 454 cube V-8
that was the only engine available on
the Primo Monte.
While I never saw one of these in person,
It certainly looked impressive on TV. It
reminded me of what Chrysler did in the
’40’s when they took a plain convertible
and turned it into the Town & Country
we all know today. Don’t know how
many Primos they sold, but they sure
looked grand!
Nice car!!!! Hope it finds a good home and is maintained as original!!!
The dice valve caps are the FIRST thing to go. Really?
Hot Rod Magazine had a write up back in the day about a 1973 or 1974 Monte Carlo. It was called The Big Sleep. The car owner had a practically new Monte Carlo, that he dropped a brand new crate LS6 into. That’s 450hp from 454 cubic inches. The car was triple white. Don’t know why that story sticks in my head. Does anybody else recall it?
Okay you said dash was perfect what’s the deal with the hump on it right in front of steering wheel? Plus on instrument panel right by the clock a crack is noticable. But I have always love that color green on a interior alot of my friend always said they didnt care for it.
Oh is that one of those knobs on the steering wheel where it is to make turning easier?
these cars really have a following and market – this car with those options will sell at near what the asking is. I am not a GM guy – but I have been around enough of them who really love this body style. If it was a bucket seat console car – it would probably be gone by now. These invoke a lot of interest and the market is still heating up on them.
My dad bought a 76 jade green white leather interior MC I loved it 350 Auto it rode like a Cadillac Same rally wheels came on it New I wish I had it now great car
Almost bought one of those new. It was between the Monte and Chevelle, and I was ordering it. Ultimately it came down to $$ and I could get a stick in the Chevelle. IIRC you could get a 4 speed in the Monte if you got the BBC, but refused the engine, so a Chevelle it was.
Problem was that was in the days of OPEC. Gas was going up in price, the engines ran like crap due to things like crappy sealed carbs and distributors, seat belt interlocks that prevented you from starting the car without the belt buckled, etc.
Soon as the warranty was off, out came the tool box and things like recurving the distributor, reworking the carb and a few more little things and not only did the Chevelle run a lot better, it went from around 10 mpg to about 16 mpg. Before that it was a cold blooded dog.
When it’s all said and done, I still do miss it.
I didn’t think you could get a 4 speed in a Monte Carlo in those years BBC or SBC you could swap one in with Chevelle or Elcamino parts but i didn’t think they were available from the factory. Even at my age learn something new every day 😁
I used to work in the GM assembly plant in Fremont Ca. We built tons of these cars! They were extremely popular and they ranged from bench seat strippers to fully loaded swivel bucket seat, sun roof equipped beauties. There were many three way colored examples: All white, black, green, and every combination you could imagine! Some were very jarring. This particular Monte is typically equipped but is in very good original, well maintained, example. The asking price is high, but it looks like you could enjoy this car right away. Trying to resurrect a typical beat up example could run to more expense, not to mention time. Oh by the way, I like green cars!
I own 2 of these I’ve had em for years and years. One big block one small block. They are great driving cars. This one for 10 grand would be a great deal .
I agree with the comments about price guides but for a different reason. When I was looking for a 71 Camaro RS a few years back, a #1 condition was priced at $11k according to one price guide. If I could have found a #1 for $11k, I would have gotten down on my hands and knees and begged the seller to take my money. It’s nice when a price guide says a car goes for $11k but it would be even nicer if they told me where I could get one for that price.
I guess they could not have been ordered with swivel buckets and the big block
I know for a fact in 73 they did!
4 speed manual, no. Definitely with a 454 and swivel buckets and a council.
Not sure about the 74’s