SS 454: 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Imagine cruising around in this 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and trying not to light up the tires at every stop light! The owner claims that this is a real SS 454 but does not have the build sheet or other documentation to prove it. It is located near Denver, Colorado and is listed for sale here on Craigslist for $12,500. The block is not numbers matching but it looks like a well optioned Monte Carlo SS. We appreciate Mark K. for sending us this tip.
The 454 cubic inch engine is from a 1972 car and is backed by a Turbo 400 GM transmission. The owner purchased the car with the intent to restore it but is realizing now that he may not get around to it. The car has boxed control arms and a 12 bolt rear end which are all indications that this is an Super Sport.
The interior looks original and the Monte Carlo has bucket seats and a console. I have always liked the horseshoe shifter. The dash is fully optioned with rally gauges and a factory tachometer. The car rolls on 15 inch factory steel rally wheels and the seller has a new grill for the car that goes with the sale. Other options include tilt steering, air conditioning (nonoperational), power windows and a rear window defogger. The dash has an AM/FM radio with 8 track. The seller also mentions that the car has automatic level control but he compressor and tank are missing.
The seller states that the car can be driven but suggests that it be trailered upon purchase. I would think after sitting for such a long time, the car’s brakes and fuel system will need to be gone through and rebuilt so that the car is safe to drive. The beige paint shows a lot of wear and their are dents and dings on several body panels. This would be a fun car to restore and could be driven while the work is being completed.
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Comments
This is not going to last long. Nice car for the money.
Agreed! You can tell it’s priced right because even the delusional guys who think we should be able to buy any restorable car for under $2500 aren’t commenting.
I’ve got a pair of those front fender extensions looking for a home.
can you send me pics. im trying to restore my 72 Monty. what parts do you have.
Driving a car while restoring it rarely seems to work out.
I’d look closer at the rocker panel trim to determine if the SS-454 badges were ever present
Look at the ad, the badges are there. As is as some rust. But there’s good value here as a restoration starting point.
Nice to see one with the factory stereo speaker grills in the dash. Not very many of those were made over the years.
Monte Carlo SS had a directional blinker on top of the fender (Similar to Dodge Dart). From the look of it, someone wanted a SS and added badges and non-original engine.
The fender turn signal indicators were an option. And not exclusive to the SS’s.
Not all as had the turn signals on top off the fenders I owned one and it was the real deal they were fiber optic
Looks like what we used to call a “Krylon rebuild” under the hood…
I have had 2 of these mc ss454 from the engine bay picture I can tell tank for air shocks is missing supposed to be mounted in drivers fender and their should be a sway bar that goes under the axle can’t tell from pics also should have rubber bump strip across the whole rear bumper also no rear pic
Boxed control arms? Check.
5500 RPM tach? Check.
A good start, however…
Rear bumper has likely been replaced as it lacks the rubber strip. The air shock compressor/tank is expensive and rare, but obtainable. Shock protector plates also MIA, but can be found or fabbed by a semi-competent metal worker.
But the biggest issue is the wrong motor.
I’d tear thru that car to try and find a build sheet. All in all not at all a bad car for the price, just too bad it’s not a bit more complete.
I love these first-generation Montes too, but this one is kinda rough inside and out. And not numbers-matching? Too much money, in my opinion.