The pictures are terrible, but the low price may be good enough to ignore the fuzziness. This rare 1988 Chevy Monte Carlo “Aerocoupe” is selling for just $2K on Long Island. Most of the cars we see for sale in running/driving condition are going for $5K and up, and while this one isn’t running currently, Montes in every configuration are historically cheap vehicles to repair and run. Find this project-grade Aero Coupe here on craigslist, or go here if the ad disappears.
Really, in this day and age, even the worst phone camera takes better pictures than this, so I’m not sure why they’re so bad. While not ridiculously expensive to buy even in restored condition, they check some major boxes as it relates to collectability: limited production; distinct/unique body design; and a connection to competition pedigree, as Darrell Waltrip won the 1989 Daytona 500 at the wheel of a Chevy Aerocoupe.
I’ve tried to find out if the Aerocoupe with T-Tops was a particularly rare combination, but it doesn’t appear to be. It also doesn’t help that GM didn’t bother to keep track of options, even for a car that only built a few thousand of. But most of the chatter on internet message boards seems to indicate many Aerocoupes came with T-Tops, so this isn’t likely a rare option; rarer would be if the seals were still good and they hadn’t leaked into the cabin in the meantime!
There’s plenty of evidence of bodywork along the driver’s side; the passenger side photo is worst of them all but doesn’t seem to show the major discoloration like the driver’s side. More importantly is that the Aerocoupe-specific rear glass shell isn’t cracked, as those are near impossible to find used. The seller says his “asking” price is firm at $2K; is the Aerocoupe rare enough to drive this price even in project-grade condition like this?
I think that the seller may have had his “beer goggles” on when he took the pictures. I just don’t get why a seller would post pictures like this….unless his wife has told him to sell it and he really doesn’t want to. At least he can say, “I advertised it but no-one was interested.”
Those two little words, “lost title”, is the scary part. Take it from one who knows, it’s no fun when, after you’ve put a ton of work and money into a car and then some dude shows up with the title and the cops take “your” car right out of your driveway or garage. Been there/done that.
Wouldn’t you want to straighten that out before dumping a bunch of money into it?
When the seller states, “nice car for parts or restore” in the text of the ad they are telling you it’s a parts car. Add to that the title issues, it’s end is imminent.
Steve R
I live 10 mins from where that car is, but I wouldn’t pay $.50 for it. I had one, a regular not an areo coupe. Looked sharp in it’s day but made out of nothing. GM cut so far back that almost everything broke. Seat brackets, door striker, windows never aligned right so there were always wind noises, paint had alligator cracking. OD transmission had problems, miles of vacuum lines, 305 4bbl and it was still under powered.
I will say though that once I replaced the timing chain with a new one made for an older small block Chevy, it had quite a lot of power. The original actually detuned the engine for emissions reasons, and using one that didn’t hold it back made a big difference.
If you squint you can see a GNX.
What’s the rear glass worth? Seems that’s where the value is in this car.
scrap metal
My cousin sold one like this non aero with good paint and body nice interior and running for $1600 and somebody wants $2000 for this!!??
Who takes pictures like these, shrugs and says good enough?
Car is an 87 not an 88. Aerocoupes were made in 86 and 87. All 86s were white/red. This one appears to be black/grey. If it’s an 88, it’s a non factory conversion or vin swap.
Rear glass and seal in tact – 2K. Seal shot 700$.
I don’t buy the non factory conversion that’s quite a bit of fab work for a car that’s never been worth a lot of money.
Okay here’s the deal it’s stated that the title is lost,here’s the thing buyer beware. If the title is actually lost maybe not a bad buy,although 2k firm is a little high.lf the interior is pretty clean, title can recovered, and it would’nt take much to get the car running, maybe not a bad deal.Hopefully however buys a car like this will find a better one,and buy this is as a parts car.
Parts car all the way let it rust in peace
The buyer will be unable to register this car in NY without a title and if the seller really owns this car it would be quite simple for him to apply for a replacement title. And yet….he hasnt.
No such thing as a 1988 Areocoupe..200 made in 1986 and a few thousand in 1987.
No aeros in 88. All SS production ended in December 87. I have an all option 88 t top car. All 86 areos only sold in the south. Only 200 made in 86. most of these cars smoked in and trashed. mine never wet only 30,000 miles. This car is cheap. go for it