One Family Roller: 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Personal luxury cars were hot property in the late 1960s and Chevrolet got into the mix in 1970 with its Monte Carlo. Part Chevelle and part Pontiac Grand Prix initially, the car would have a long run at GM, lasting through 2007 (with a break in 1989-94). This 1976 edition has been in the same family since new but has been waiting for a refresh of the drivetrain for many years. The seller realizes that work’s not in the cards on his watch, so it’s available here on Barn Finds Classifieds. Located in Columbia, Tennessee, the asking price is $6,800.
Second-generation Monte Carlo’s followed the rest of the GM lineup by going with the new “Colonnade” design/styling of the 1973-77 models. The cars were no longer hardtops, per se, but still had frameless glass in the door windows. New for 1976 was a crosshatch grille, vertically mounted rectangular headlamps, and reshaped taillights to separate them from the 1975s. Several engines were available, from a 305 cubic inch V8 to a 400 with a 4-barrel carburetor. We don’t know which motor the seller’s car has, but the math would lend itself to a 350. A Turbo-Hydramatic transmission became standard equipment on all 1976 Monte Carlos. Sales would hit an all-new high in 76, at more than 363,000 copies.
As the story goes, Mom and Dad bought this Monte new in June of 1976. Eventually, it would become the seller’s mode of transportation to and from high school. Over the years, 105,000 miles have been added to the odometer, so trouble may have developed, and both the engine and transmission were pulled from the Chevy. Plans were to rebuild these items or drop in a crate motor, but the passage of time has nixed those ideas.
This Monte Carlo has spent a lot of its life under a cover in a building behind the seller’s house. So, there’s a lot of dirt and dust, but we don’t know if that equates to any issues with the body, paint, or interior. The buyer will have to transport the drivetrain separately from the car, so if it’s a desirable combination, rebuild them before putting the pair back into the car, thus saving a step.
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Comments
🎶 🎸
….Used to spend my nights out in a
bar-room
Liquor was the only love I’ve known
But you rescued me from reachin’ for the bottom
And brought me back from being too far gone
You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You’re as sweet as strawberry wine
You’re as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time
….I’ve looked for love in all the same old places
Found the bottom of a bottle’s always dry
But when you poured out your heart I didn’t waste it
‘Cause there’s nothing like your love to get me high
You’re as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You’re as sweet as strawberry wine
You’re as warm as a glass of brandy
And honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time 🎶 🎵
W. T. F. ???
Apropos of nothing comes the lyrics of what must have been a TRULY dreadful cornpone hayseed ballad.
George Jones made those words beautiful, but then he could do that. I’m surprised you never head that song before.
If this Monte cleans up well. I would drop a crate 383 with a worked 350 trans and install 3:73 gears with a posi unit. Of course full dual exhaust.. I had 2 white 76 Montes back in the day. Love them had my fun with my dates 🙄!! Ahhh simpler times.. Good luck to the next owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
A nurse I worked with in the 70’s bought one new. She enjoyed it and I can’t blame her. And when the late 70’s hit my girlfriend ( who became my wife) bout a ‘78 Monte. Good cars for both of them. Living in the south they didn’t have to worry about rust. This one is going to require some serious wrenching to be roadworthy. GLWTA.
Perfect candidate for an LS swap.
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance-parts/crate-engines/ls/ls376-480
I bought a used 76 Monte in 1982 for $1,800. Swivel buckets. 305. Air was ice cold. Very few issues in the almost 8 years I used it at least 60 miles a day for work. It had 99,000 miles when I got it. Gave it to my brother with more 205,000 miles on odometer. Engine never touched. I changed the oil every 3,000 miles and used Mobil Drlvac 10W30 on advice from a mechanic friend. Cats today, the few that are still made, SUCK.