Lots of New Parts: 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The Monte Carlo would be Chevy’s entrance into the personal luxury segment of the car business. And it became one of the GM division’s best sellers over a sporadic run from 1970 to 2007. This first-year Monte Carlo was a one-owner car until 2022 and the second owner has done quite a lot of work to restore it, although that term is not used. Perhaps only needing new paint, this companion to the Pontiac Grand Prix is in Simi Valley, California, and available here on eBay. Though the reserve is unmet thus far, the current bid is $13,100.
This line of autos derived its name from the city in Monaco and provided an element of class to the new Chevrolet. During the car’s first generation (1970-72), the Monte Carlo shared the “A-Special” platform with the Grand Prix. Though the car rode on a 116-inch wheelbase like the Chevelle sedans, GM’s A-body platform layout was stretched ahead of the firewall to make it 210 inches mm) long. This gave the design an unusually long hood design. This is especially noticeable when you pop the hood and see that the motor only occupies about half of the engine compartment.
Sales of the 1970 Monte Carlo got off to a respectable, but slower-than-anticipated start, thanks to a labor strike that curtailed production for a few months. That resulted in the new Monte’s going for full sticker price until supply caught up with demand by mid-year. This edition was delivered on May 26, 1970, and was held by its original owners until last year. Given the amount of recent work that has been done, we assume it came out of an estate and had been sitting for a bit, but that’s purely speculation.
The car has the usual assortment of little dents and dings and wears an older repaint of its original finish, Shadow Gray. But the upward-facing portions of the car have begun to fade and peel, and the only likely recourse is to repaint the Chevy again. We’re told that rust has never been a problem, so whipping the body back into shape shouldn’t be an arduous task. The interior is quite presentable, having been treated to some new materials. The trunk is quite tidy, but we don’t see a spare tire and wheel.
Though the car has a 350 cubic inch V8, it’s not original to the vehicle which has more than 112,000 miles. It was replaced at some point, but the TH-350 automatic transmission has just been rebuilt. Everything mechanically is stock and we’re told it all works as it should, even the factory air conditioning. Add to the list of new stuff is the vinyl top, fuel delivery system, brakes, suspension components, and even some of the exterior bling. Other than the paint, this car appears ready to go in style to almost anywhere you would want to take it.
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Comments
Great builder, although without an on site inspection be careful. One shot can see dust cover never got back on the tranny and some old mud in the front fender. Small things but may be other larger issues. Have to say though the first gen Monte is the best looking in my eyes. Newer A/C compressor and a stout 383, some conservative 18″ wheels and tires and drive!
The only decent looking one they ever made .
I did a timing chain in a 72 with a 350 in the late 80’s at our shop .My back hurts just thinking about it. Always loved this body style.Used to pick up my old GF at high school with my beat up 72 Caprice when I was 16 and one of the parents picking up their kid had a gold 70 or a 71 ss454 with a black vinyl top.Sharp cars.Killer body style.The only way I knew was the rocker trim with the thin black stripe on it and the 454 on it under the fender.
I’ve never been much of a GM guy, but when the Monte C was announced in 1970, I thought it was a great looking car. I’ve never driven one, I had friends that owned Chevelles. One in particular was a 70 Malibu 2 door hardtop, it did come stock with the “generic” GM 350 c.i.d. they used across all divisions. I did drive the Malibu a few times and was very impressed with the power it had, and the handling, comfort, and looks. The interior was finished well too. The seats were black cloth, finished with vinyl trim. Nice. In my opinion the Monte C and its brother Malibu were some of the best looking 1970 cars. The Monte C had an upscale look, the thin nicely shaped vertical taillights, and that 28 foot hood (lol),
gave it a very elegant Cadillacish look. The Malibu was more beefy looking. However as the author mentioned the cavernous engine compartment really bothers me. As I remember a lot of GM cars shared that same huge under hood design. The result of what ever caused that, requires the upper and lower radiator hoses to be excessively long. That could cause hose failures. Those and other cost savings designs are why I don’t like GM. All they are is big, not better. Once there were 5 GM brands, that made them big. Let’s see if they can be big and good.
I agree with your views on the Monte Carlo. You might enjoy reading about GM’s engine development process in the late 1960s and early ‘70s in that each division designed their own engines without sharing parts! Seems absurd in retrospect. Lots written about them.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved the 1970-72 Monte Carlo. Given its condition, I’d pay around the asking price of $13k.
It’s being bid to over 13k with reserve not met…asking price should not be much higher though. These first gen MC’s can generally be had for relatively good deals compared to other muscle car era Chevy’s.
I owned a ’70 Monte just like this one only had a darker almost charcoal color. Very good looking but may have been repaint. I loved the ride and the interior was very good too. I trade it in because I thought it had a cracked head and didn’t have time to get in the shop and check it. Now, I wish I would have kept it.
This one sounds in good shape but I think I would need to have a personal look see before bidding.
A beautiful example. If I wasn’t hauling around grandsons on a regular basis I’d throw my hat in on this one. Those bench seats bring back memories. I had a ’70 in the late ’70s.
I have seen numerous references to the GM strike which supposedly affected 70 model year cars. THERE WAS NO STRIKE DURING THE 70 MODEL YEAR. The GM strike started at the END of 1970, just when the 71 models were being introduced. It was the 71s which were in short supply at the beginning of the model year. Yes, it was in 1970, but NOT during the 70 model year production. I ordered one new in Sept of 69 and got it in Oct. NO strike!
There also was a GM strike in ’69 that affected ’70 production.
It is a documented fact that this strike affected at least ’70 Corvette production. I’m a Vette guy who has owned a ’70.
Anybody that gets this for $13k, will list it the next day for $18k, easy.
13,000. I don’t think so.if it had the big block then it would be worth it. Still pretty decent car if rust is not hiding..