Rare Muscle! 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS 454
Chevrolet produced a mere 3823 Monte Carlo SS454 models in 1970, and this looks like one of them! The personal luxury coupe debuted that year, featuring the “longest Chevrolet hood ever,” the Monte Carlo gave Chevy a platform and market offering shared only with the Pontiac Grand Prix. This specimen in Lakeland, Florida comes to market on Facebook Marketplace, offered up with a 48-word description and four pictures a neighbor could have taken on a dog walk. The original motor (currently removed) comes with the long-parked classic, along with some other parts. The asking price of $9500 could only be evaluated using information we do not have. I might suggest starting with a bucket of soapy water and a mop.
I love the first-gen Monte Carlo, especially the SS-454, a package that obligated the top 360 HP 454 (7.4L) V8 and three-speed Turbo-hydramatic 400 automatic transmission. The package also includes self-leveling suspension, 15 x 7 inch wheels, subtle SS badging, and more, according to paintref.
Named after a glamorous quarter of wealthy Monaco, the Monte Carlo attracted buyers who might otherwise move upscale among GM’s brands. High praise for its styling came one model year later when similar fender swells graced the 1971 Cadillac Eldorado. This family resemblance underscored the Monte Carlo’s luxury image. While Chevy’s brochures showed Monte Carlos with fender skirts, they were not available on the SS454, as confirmed by the rear wheel arch trim here.
Here’s a badge I’ve never seen in the wild. Originally proposed with four-door and convertible variants, the Monte Carlo came to market as a two-door Sport Coupe only. Even though sales brochures detail the convertible, none were ever built except by private owners as custom creations. I haven’t made a Top Ten List of cars I would buy after hitting the PowerBall, but a ’70 Monte Carlo SS might make the cut. This one could be one bump away from crumbling due to rust or it could be the bargain of the month. Have you ever seen a Monte Carlo SS454?
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Comments
Love the body in great condition from seller. What would be bad condition? Dont see major rust but will need a complete respray
Mmmmmmmmokay. Thanks? Don’t they typically need some level of restoration?
Laughing at the MC sales brochure making “the longest Chevrolet hood ever” a selling feature
Ya, one you can land small aircraft on.
I laugh even more at some modern cars – with windshields twice as long as the tiny hood(like some older Honda coupes). & ridiculous mickey mouse short trunk lids on many of today’s vehicles.
If you count the hood PLUS the front valence, i think a ’70-73 camaro is quite long up front too.
What i want to know which car had the longest doors – 2nd gen fbodys, ’70s t-birds, or Cannon’s Lincoln?
Check out the moss covering the exposed front end, and now imaging the rust lurking below…
I’m afraid to think of the expense bring this back properly.
OR just have fun putting it back together just enough to be safe, and show it as a “survivor”!
It’s all green and mossy!
Rare, solid, and worth restoring if it’s numbers-matching (which seller notes that it is). Good price, too.
What wrong with the engine? Why is it out of the car? What condition is the interior? How many miles is on the vehicle?
Restored to a #2 condition this is a $50K car, so unless you can do all the work yourself you would very quickly be under water.
Guy in my neighborhood had a 71SS, was a holy terror, fast fast car, but had nice amenities like a/c and power windows 8 track, always loved luxury muscle like the Grand Prix, this car, all the way up to the LSC Lincoln, I’ve owned many, this one is a gamble you would have to physically inspect, before bidding
I am told there never was a 70-72 Monte Carlo SS 454 Convertible from factory.
Robert, that is true. And to be clear, there were no 72 SS 454 Monte Carlos. The biggest engine you could get in 72 was the 400 big block, some of which could be had with a 4 speed. The Monte SuperSport 454 was only produced in 70 and 71, which is why they are rare and expensive.
Never made a convertible ever in any monte carlo
There was never a Monte Carlo convertible from the factory any year
454 was available in 72 in a Monte Carlo “Custom”.
The 454 was optional in 1972 but not an SS. The CUSTOM replaced the SS option. Also the 4-speed was only available in 70 & 71.
4 speed was never an option on the Monte, ever.
Wrong. No 4 speeds on SS models. Could get them (or a “3 on the tree”) on lesser models. Sucks, cuz I’d LOVE a factory 4 speed in my ‘70 SS.
Your very wrong they made around 400 in 71
And just checking now… it’s sold!!
has the turning lamp option on the fenders
That’s another option i would like to know why they got rid of – like hidden wipers(used for 20 yrs!), METAL waxable body colored exterior side window frames(instead of cheap fadable black plastic), better looking QUALITY plastic grills like back in the day – compared to the cheap jcw looking plastic today, vinyl roofs, t-tops, METAL exterior & interior door handles instead of cheap plastic!, ez to turn power steering, etc.
& why haven’t cars still not gotten automatic jacks & auto inflatable tires – like on the 1951! LeSabre concept.
I concur, while rare as hell, a 4-speed was available on 1st gen monties.
To those who have opined on the SS454 Monte: In 70 and 71, a factory four-speed was not an option. The 70 and 71 SS 454 Montes were manufactured exclusively with the 400 Turbo Automatic. No convertibles, no LS6 454’s and no four-speeds. They did not make them at the factory.
In 72 in response to pressure from the insurance companies for the last year of the first-gen Montes, the SS 454 was dropped and a Monte Carlo Custom was offered with a 400 big block and an optional four-speed. As I’ve written in a more lengthy previous post, those Custom Montes are the rarest and often cost as much or more than the SS 454’s. In 72 there were no SS 454 Montes.
Excelebrate write up! I love the well deserved sarcasm. I thought the car was green until I saw the passenger side. Seriously, clean the thing up and take some decent pictures! I have seen a few of these over the years and have always loved them, along with the hi-perf Grand Prix’s.
Looks like someone stepped up and bought this one, and hopefully it will be properly restored
Correct, no convertibles factory produced…
Although one WAS in the making. GM literature listing all the specs for the 1970 debut show a forthcoming drop top. They even earmarked the first five digits of the vin as “13858” (coupes begin with “13857”).
One has to wonder why the idea was nixed by GM, as the few custom convertibles I have seen over the years are really sharp.