Personal luxury cars were all the rage in the 1960s, so Chevrolet joined the party in 1970 with its new Monte Carlo. Part Pontiac Grand Prix and part Chevy Malibu, it was an instant hit that would see its popularity soar throughout the balance of the decade. The 1971 model was little changed and the seller purchased this survivor from its original owner, though we don’t know when. Located on a lift in Gilbert, Arizona, the seller is thinning the herd here on craigslist with an asking price of $12,500 for this Chevrolet. Another sweet tip from Tony Primo!
From 1970 to 1988, the Monte Carlo was a typical rear-wheel-drive luxury coupe. When GM dropped that configuration on its mid-size products, the nameplate went on hiatus. It returned on a front-wheel-drive platform in 1995 and stuck around through 2007. In the 1980s and into the next century, it would be Chevrolet’s entry into the world of NASCAR racing, bringing success to several drivers, including Dale Earnhardt. Sales would peak at more than 411,000 units in the 1977 model year.
As the story goes, this ’71 Monte Carlo is a two-owner vehicle. The seller acquired it after it had been sitting in storage for 20 years. It needed some work to be functional again, so the seller replaced the gas tank and other parts of the fuel delivery system. Then new brakes, suspension pieces, and tires were added, along with a rebuild of the rear differential. We don’t know what engine is in this Chevy, but we assume a 350 cubic inch V8 with a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. The odometer leads 162,000 miles, on its second go around.
Said to be a nice driver, the cosmetics of the Monte may be original, including the paint, worn on the passenger side. The “pea green” interior looks okay, though the dash pad is cracked in a few places. The seller has too many toys, so this one has to go. It might attract more interest as a running vehicle if taken off the storage lift for photos (they suggest it’s a project). The seller advertises that delivery is available (free or at extra cost?).
Finding one of these with the staple shifter and especially cloth buckets is very uncommon.
Listing has already ben removed.
Listing has already been removed.
That got snatched up fast I’ll bet it ran real well too
Ah a beautiful monte to have
Why did gm put the ac unit on the left side of the motor and run a six foot hose to it when it should be on the right side like they used to be?
I worked at a Chevy dealership back in those days, and I was told once it had to do with weight distribution from an engineering standpoint. Those compressors weigh about 35 lbs. I have no way to verify that, however.
That looked like a nice car for a decent price. No wonder it sold so fast.
This car highlights that good deals don’t last.
Steve R
The A/C on the left was mainly a Chevy thing. Pontiac, Olds, Buick put the compressor on the right.
BUT the older chevys had them on the right side!
Miss different colors available back then. I wouldn’t have chose green interior then but now it’s refreshing to see. Digging the horseshoe shift, I had a 87’ Trofeo with one.