The 1970s was an era populated with a lot of U.S.-produced automobiles that were often non-descript and not built for longevity. One exception today might be the 1973-77 Chevy Monte Carlo, which sold quite well at a time when buyers were flocking to smaller, more economical cars. The 1976 editions sold in record numbers, tipping the accounting ledgers at more than 353,000 copies. For reasons not clear, this example has seen only 12,500 miles and looks to be as original as a 46-year-old automobile can be. Located in Comstock Park, Michigan, this collector-owned Chevy is available here on craigslist for $21,500. And thanks to T.J. for another interesting tip!
Second-generation Monte Carlo’s employed Colonnade styling, with pillarless sedans replacing hardtops. For 1976, Chevy dropped the single, circular headlamps with stacked twins, making the Monte Carlo’s easier to separate from the 1975s. Buyers of personal luxury cars like the Monte Carlo couldn’t get enough of them despite that you couldn’t get one with an engine any bigger than 350 cubic inches (the 454 was retired after 1975). You could have your choice of transmission if it were a 3-speed Turbo-Hydramatic.
As we understand it, this Chevy originated in Oklahoma and spent much of its life in the possession of two collectors, which could explain the insanely low mileage. The car always stayed in a climate-controlled environment, which help prevent it from catching the rust bug. We’re told its numbers-matching and the seller confirms the 350 V8 but doesn’t indicate whether it’s the one producing 145 hp or 165 hp, though the latter was supposedly only sold in California.
The Monte Carlo has been treated to some recent maintenance, including new brakes, exhaust, belts, filters, and all the fluids. Everything works as it should except the air conditioning, which may just need a recharge. The body and red paint look quite nice, but the single photo of the interior doesn’t help much in gauging its condition. This might be the nicest 1976 Chevy Monte Carlo around, but is it worth the seller’s asking price?
This is a beautiful car. The asking price seems reasonable if the interior and underbody are as clean as the rest of the car appears. The price might be easier to achieve with some better pictures and the A/C fixed. I hate the “it only needs a recharge” advertising slogan, to me it means “run, don’t walk away”.
AGREED! Never understood the notion you would sell a big figure car, in this case $20K, and not spend $100 to “recharge” the A/C. ESPECIALLY coming from an alleged “collector”.
Usually when they say that a car needs an AC recharge, it means it has a leak, which is less expensive to fix the leak than needing a new compressor if indeed the leak is the problem
It will cost a lot more than $100 to put a R-12 charge into that vehicle. And it probably has a leak, so first things first.
I loved these cars, the Monte Carlos, Grand Prix, T-birds, ect. Drove smooth and quite, roomy, luxurious interiors and optional 8 Track stereos.
They were also choked to death with underdeveloped smog systems. And that’s a lot car to push around for two barrel carburetor.
Some cars are just sutied for some colors. This one looks like the fire chief just arrived. Other that that, it looks like a pretty nice car.
I had a ’77. It was light steel blue with light blue interior and a dark blue half vinyl top. It had the 305 with a 350 turbo. Many BF readers would probably say it was a gutless wonder and they’d be right. However I really enjoyed the 24~25 MPG on the highway and 18 in town. If I wanted to go fast I had other cars for that so for me, it was a nice cruiser and was one of the best cars I ever had.I swapped it for a new ’81 Corvette…. That was a big mistake.
Correction! Some car are just not sutied for some colors. Sorry.
The 400 is listed as available for the 1976 Monte Carlo.
I have a original 76 with a 400ci 4bl
I love these Monte Carlos. All these beautiful 70’s cars. But I have to face facts.Can I justify any more than about $10,000 for a car that I will mostly look at and talk about at car shows? What about when I “don’t “ want it? Or I “have “ to sell it? Who’s going to buy it? I’ve learned from experience that it’s one thing to “buy” your dream car, it’s another thing to sell it. This is a beautifully preserved 76 Monte Carlo. Best of luck to the seller and the new buyer.
Nice, no engine photos, and just one bad interior photo.
It would be a lot nicer if it had bucket seats and floor console . Love those swivel seats back then . As far as air-conditioning you’ll have to replace the entire system. because that freon that they use is going for as high as $50.a can.
Was this shade of red available for the 1976 model year? I dont seem to remember any of these running around back then?
& most of the ones i saw had a partial vinyl roof too.
Not sure if this red is the same …
http://classiccardb.com/chevrolet/31974-1975-chevrolet-monte-carlo.html
Yeah, I had one in high school. Disagree with the dude above–enjoyed the red, and when I detailed it my buddies said it looked like new.
I had one of these and never did love it as I really wanted the 1st generation.
I had a 75 with a 350. It was black with black swivel bucket seats and a black quarter landau roof. Called it the Black Beauty. My first new car. Cost was $5300.00!
If the AC isn’t cold, get out your wallet. The GM Harrison systems of the 70s blew at 43 degrees when working. However, most people never ran them in the winter to keep the seals lubricated. Then they leaked. I was the assistant service manager of a very busy Chevy-Olds dealer in 1976 and the first hot day every year, every idiot would come in. “My air conditioning isn’t working.”
And for you who think retrofitting to R134 is the solution. NOT. I had mine done on my 1988 Olds Trofeo. It leaked out almost immediately. Anyway, I owned and daily drove a Mahogany (very dark color) 1976 Monte with swivel buckets from 1982 to about 1990. Bought it used for $1,800. The body was already rotted. Bought two new GM fenders and a driver side quarter. Worked in a body shop weekends and the owner did the heavy lifting. I sanded, primed, painted and did all the dirty work. Put on a used set of Rallys, bought all NEW caps and rings from GM, yes, still available in the 80s, and not cheap China junk. Drove that thing until 201,000 miles and gave it to my brother. Very little went wrong with it. Radiator, heater core, muffler. Did all my own maintenance, brakes, oil changes, coolant flush, gas filter, transmission changes, never had a problem with that Turbo 350. Car had an aftermarket Holley carb. The previous owner drilled out the gas filler neck to accept regular leaded. Cat was removed. Miss that car except the lousy gas mileage. These cars are heavy. I like this red one, but seller is optimistic. These cars rots under those aluminum trim sections at the bottom and in a hurry.
I got news for you, , customers still do that every year ; I’ve been working at dealerships since 1983 , and every spring its the same thing , and its not just GM . I’ve worked in foreign and domestic dealerships. Subarus were the worst, usually you ended up putting a condenser in
“The 1970s was an era populated with a lot of U.S.-produced automobiles that were often non-descript and not built for longevity. ” ?
I would say the 1980s were the era of non descript and short lived cars – boxy , underpowered and most were just disposable junk .