Chevrolet entered the personal luxury car market with the Monte Carlo in 1970 and had a big hit on their hands. The nameplate would stick around through 2007 (although it took a hiatus in 1989-94).  Part of the car’s popularity may be traced to NASCAR, where Chevy raced the Monte Carlo for several seasons and won the Winston Cup multiple times with Dale Earnhardt and others behind the wheel. This 1986 Monte Carlo SS is said to be used mainly for car shows, has relatively low mileage and is in very good condition overall up in Milnor, North Dakota. It’s available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $14,000. The Make Offer function has also been activated.

SS (Super Sport) models were part of the Monte Carlo portfolio on and off during the car’s overall run. This included 1970-71, then not again until 1983-88, and finally in 2000-01. As with most muscle cars of the 1980s, they lost much of the spunk they once had and were more for looks and comfort than speed. 1986 would be the Monte Carlo’s heyday in terms of sales, with more than 41,000 SS models built or 35 percent of overall Monte Carlo production. That may be attributed to the facelift that the Monte Carlo got in 1986 and the 200 copies of the Aero Coupe that were produced to emulate the fastbacks that were on the NASCAR circuit (the rear window was reminiscent of the 1964-66 Plymouth Barracuda). Earnhardt won his second Cup championship in an ’86 Monte Carlo.

SS models for 1986, like the seller’s car, had aluminum wheels and gas-pressure shock absorbers both front and rear. Power came from a 305 cubic V-8 with 180 horsepower, so it wasn’t exactly a barn burner by 1970s standards. The SS also got a rear spoiler, black sport steering wheel, black grille and moldings, sport mirrors, and a tachometer. This SS looks pretty good for being original and 34 years old. The seller says there is no rust, and the paint shines up nicely, although if you look closely, you’ll find the normal dings and scuffs that would accumulate after 41,000 miles.

Inside the car, it has that ‘80s look to it with the velour-like coverings on the seats. The burgundy balances well with the black exterior and burgundy accents.  The factory rims are wearing brand-new raised-letter tires and the seller says the machine runs great. I would have polished the chrome aftermarket air cleaner before taking the photos and we assume that’s the only modification to the powerplant.

A 1986 Monte Carlo SS won’t sell for as much as a 1970 would. The ones offered for sale online seem to be running $15-20,000, so if you assume that $17,500 is the average, the seller isn’t asking an arm and a leg for his car. Buy it, tell everyone that Dale Earnhardt’s neighbor’s lawn boy sat in it, and then have fun at your local Cars & Coffee!