UPDATE – I wrote about this black-on-black-on-black ’71 Monte Carlo last month that supposedly has 39,322 original miles and had an asking price of $23,500. Well, the Black Beauty is being listed again for a thousand bucks less ($22,500), and can be seen here on craigslist. It’s still located in Farmingdale, New York, and except for the slight price drop, nothing else in the listed ad has changed from March. The ’71’s represented the second year of Chevy’s entry into the personal luxury car field. And although they were considered late to the game, the buying public loved the Bow Tie’s “affordable” personal luxury coupe and bought them left and right. Most of the comments from last months article were from readers with pleasant memories of ’70 and ’71 Monte Carlos. Many wished they had never sold theirs and agreed with me that the First Generation 1970-72 Monte Carlos were the best looking of the six generations produced. A tip of my black hat to Mitchell G. for spotting this mostly original Monte Carlo! Here’s my original article:
Paint It Black: 39k-Mile 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
FROM 3/12/2024 – I recently watched a Chevy Dealers sales slide show for the new 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle and Monte Carlo. (An appropriate pairing since the Monte Carlo shared a bunch of parts from the Chevelle Parts Bin.) The British, semi-stuffy sounding voice talent said, “Monte Carlo. The luxurious one. We correct British first dubbed it a “gentleman’s car,” until the ladies asserted their own strong will. Now we look on it as a symbol of personal prestige for anyone.” Chevrolet was the last of the GM family to get into the personal luxury coupe game and they got it right. It’s 1970 debut was a hit with almost 146,000 units sold. So, in its second year, the message was about minor refinements for 1971, not major changes. Located in Farmingdale, New York, this well-preserved, low mileage, mostly original black-on-black-on black 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is for sale with a listed asking price of $23,500. Another thank you to Rocco B. for bringing this time capsule to our attention.
No history is shared of what this black beauty’s been up to the past 53 years, except that it was originally from Virginia and has a clean Tennessee title. The seller says that the top of the car was painted in its factory Tuxedo Black a few years ago due to some fading. Based on the photos, it looks like it was done nicely. Other than that, the rest of the car is original, including the 350 V8, black vinyl top, interior, and even the original spare tire. Everything I’m seeing looks shiny and in great shape and the seller says the car has solid floors and trunk. It’s also wearing Chevy’s optional Rally wheels for a sportier look and the original fender skirts are also included.
The black theme continues inside with a cockpit that’s in outstanding condition. Very little wear is visible on those comfortable looking pleated, buttoned bench seats. The dash and gauges look very good as well and the faux wood (Chevy described it as “the hand-rubbed-oil look of Carpathian burled elm. The wood’s not real, but we photographically reproduced it so only termites will know the difference.” Hyperbole aside, it looks handsome against all that black.
The seller shares some of the options on this Monte Carlo including A/C (it’s currently not cold but the compressor spins freely), power steering, power brakes, and AM-FM stereo radio. It also has power windows, but the seller confesses that the drover’s window works when it wants to and can be remedied by banging the lower door panel ala Arther Fonzarelli.
The seller describes the power plant as “Original matching numbers 350 engine with matching TH350 3 speed transmission and 10 bolt rear. The car runs and drives awesome.” A close up of the instrument panel shows 39,322 on the odometer. Based on the impressive condition of this Monte Carlo inside and out, I’m betting that’s the actual mileage. This car has seen a lot of garage and storage time, for sure. Yes, 1971 was about subtle refinements for the Monte Carlo including a new horizontal grille, the addition of a hood ornament, richer interior fabrics, and as the stuffy voiceover guy said on the sales slide show: “even a new, convenient map pocket in the door that stows the equipment that helps plot a route to the good life.” So, what do you think of this black beauty?
Black beauty for sure. Not much to carp about on this one. A car this nice doesn’t need to be improved. As nice as they are I just don’t care for the rally wheels on this car. Oh, and those exhaust tips should go.
Nice to see a 1971 Chevy kept clean and well cared for perfect example of what cars were nothing today could even come close to being called a CAR.
See that’s something that is so much more reasonable than many of these older cars listed. Refreshing. It might be a little bit high on the ask, but close to a 20k beauty.
I had the 1972 Chevy Monte Carlo with a brown body, metallic brown paint, and a white vinyl top. The shifter was a console shifter that was made in the style of a tea with bucket seats in the front. It had a camel color interior, that was one of the best looking and sportiest cars did I ever had. It had the small block 305 engine in it and it ran real good I never had a real problem with that car. I wish I hadn’t sold it!
That 305 must have been a replacement as they didn’t come out until ’76.
How do I find owner contact
Had this model in a dark blue, and lived it. It had around 41,000 on it when I bought it for $650.00. the ac was cold, and the motor ran well. I changed the oil every 3500 miles, and did a tune up. I drove it for 10 years, and a.man offered me 3k for it. I have regretted it ever since!
I learned how to drive in 74. My Mom let me drive her 71 Monte to the store the whole time holding onto the passenger side of the dash board and working the imaginary brake pedal. 😉 She did say that that was the fastest she ever got there. Loved Mom’s car(except for the vinyl roof)
My brother had a 71 Camaro at the same time so I learned to drive a manual on store parking lots on Sunday.
Stores use to close on Sundays back then.
I had a blast as a kid.
I had a 70. I personally like the round blinkers in the bumper instead of the rectangle in the grill. Mine had a 350 horse 350 and a turbo 400 trans. 10 bolt rear end. Green on green on green meaning the paint,the vinyl top and the interior were all the same color of green. Couldn’t figure out why it would only run on 7 and ended up trading it for a 77 el Camino. Big mistake. Dude cut holes in the frame and installed hydraulics. Another ruined classic.
As originally and nice this Carlo is, I don’t think the asking price is crazy money. A few hours of elbow grease and some AC work and this Carlo is a serious contender at the local car shows. If I had 22k sitting around, I’d snap it up.