Rare T-Top: 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
The great Enzo Ferrari once boldly claimed that aerodynamics was for people that couldn’t build decent engines. However, this failed to recognize that for most of Formula 1 history, the cars bearing his name almost always had the most potent engines but were often soundly beaten by vehicles with a better and more efficient aerodynamic package. American manufacturers recognized this importance in the world of NASCAR competition. Some weird and wonderful creations found their way onto our streets so that they could be homologated for competition use. The 1987 Monte Carlo SS is a perfect example, and while it wasn’t as radical as earlier efforts, Chevrolet’s focus was firmly on aero efficiency. This 1987 model is a spotless survivor, and the owner has decided that the time is right to part with it. Located in West Babylon, New York, you will find the Monte Carlo listed for sale here on Craigslist. All you need to do is hand the owner $28,500, and you could be the next proud owner of this classic. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for referring the Aerocoupe to us.
It’s worth taking a look at the feature that defines the Aerocoupe. Chevrolet was finding itself being solidly trounced by Ford in NASCAR competition. This was especially true on the superspeedway like Daytona and Talladega. Ford’s Thunderbird sliced through the air more efficiently than the Monte Carlo, and better air-flow over the rear spoiler added stabilizing downforce in the turns. The “square-rigger” Monte Carlo couldn’t compete, and while Chevrolet toyed with the idea of producing a hatchback version, this wasn’t financially viable. Instead, they converted a limited number of Monte Carlos into the Aerocoupe by extending and sloping the rear glass and shortening the decklid. This change improved the air-flow as desired, and Chevrolet was once again competitive. This SS is a spotless survivor and the photos that the seller provides show a car with zero rust. The original Black paint shines beautifully, while the trim and graphics look perfect. What makes this particular Aerocoupe more interesting is the owner’s claim that it features the rare T-Top. I’ve done some research, and I haven’t been able to find any definitive numbers on this. However, even though I’ve seen a few of these over the years, I somehow think that this might be the first that I’ve seen with this option. It would be interesting to see whether any of our wise and knowledgeable readers can confirm the rarity for us. Beyond that, the exterior of the SS presents in virtually as-new condition.
The Malaise Era wasn’t kind to American V8 manufacturers, and the 1987 SS proves this point convincingly. The company’s focus wasn’t on brute power because that was already a fixed thing in NASCAR. This was a car that was all about the body, so what we find under the hood is not that potent. The buyer will find themselves with a numbers-matching 305ci V8, backed by a 4-speed TH200-4R automatic transmission. This gave the owner 180hp and the ability to cover the ¼ mile in 17 seconds. That is a long way short of muscle car territory. However, once prepared for competition use, the 305 made way for a 358ci engine, and the Monte Carlo traded 180hp for 650hp. The new shape meant that at Daytona and Talladega, these beasts regularly saw 235mph. The news with this Aerocoupe would all seem to be positive. The vehicle is claimed to have a genuine 11,000 miles showing on the odometer, and the owner apparently holds verifying evidence. It is completely unmolested and even rolls on its original tires. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the SS runs or drives, but the physical appearance and low odometer reading would tend to suggest that it should be as good as the day it rolled off the showroom floor.
The listing describes the Aerocoupe’s interior as being like new, and that is a claim that is hard to dispute. There is no sign of wear, and all of the upholstered surfaces look perfect. The same is true of the trim, plastic, and carpet. The owner refers to it as a “time capsule,” which is one of those times when I find that particular expression to be apt. Comfort and convenience features include air conditioning, power windows, power locks, cruise control, remote mirrors, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio and cassette player.
The 1987 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe was not anywhere near as rare as the ’86 edition. Chevrolet built 6,052 examples in the 1987 model year, but that still makes it a rare classic. This one is spotlessly clean, and the buyer won’t need to spend one cent on it. Values have remained flat over the past few years, but whether they will increase in coming years is the million-dollar question. I wish that I knew the answer because I might be tempted to buy it as an investment. As a straight classic buy today, the price is pretty close to the mark when you consider mileage and condition. These are a car that doesn’t appeal to every taste, but I won’t be surprised if it sells fairly quickly.
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Comments
Wow, amazing how anemic these engines are in factory spec. You’d think that GM would’ve allowed at least a detuned Corvette engine for the almighty SS designation!
I think not having anything other than the L69 305 cid was their method of madness…keep the higher cube, higher horsepower engines for the Corvette and Camaro.
A friend who drove many a Monte Carlo SS as a demo ‘back in the day’ never ordered an Aerocoupe. “A cooler can’t fit through the opening!”, he would declare. No “leak roofs”, either. What? Oh I see…I wonder what the breakdown is for 86-88 MCSS with/without t-tops.
I bought one new just like this one. Still have the window sticker and documents. T-top car. Wish I still had it. Have photos of it. Traded it off with 6,000 miles on it.
Why trade with so few miles? Would love to hear that story (if it is a happy one, that is). I really liked these, not practical for me at the time, and still isn’t. Hope the new buyer doesn’t care about using it as an investment, just loves and cares for it, plus gets her out in the road once in a while.
I sold an 18,000 mile white one for a lot less than that crazy asking price. The back glass looks way better with a tint (looks like an aquarium without) and the factory stance needs to be dropped in the front. Since the car had limited numbers it should have had the Grand National engine in it. Still a nice cruiser but not at that price.
Adam, “the buyer won’t need to spend one cent on it” is a very dangerous thing to say, and something that you can not back up at all.
The A/C could be out. It could have leaks galore once driven as seals have a tendency to dry out after such prolonged storage. I could go on, but you catch my drift. Misleading fluff statements like that serve no one well.
Beautiful SS but owner is about 20% proud on the ask. One observation – this car is not equipped with limited slip.
Jcs, couldn’t agree more! The first thing the new owner will have to do is buy all new tires all the way around if those are actually the original tires. Unless he wants to be toodling down the highway and feel what it’s like when the tred separates from the tire and shatters the inner fender and dents the outer fender! If this sounds like experience talking – it is!
Why trade with so few miles? Would love to hear that story (if it is a happy one, that is). I really liked these, not practical for me at the time, and still isn’t. Hope the new buyer doesn’t care about using it as an investment, just loves and cares for it, plus gets her out in the road once in a while.
The road tests I read back in the day had these in mid-15’s in the quarter. They had 3.73 gears, and yes, GM should have given them the L98 TPI 350
My First Boss Ordered A Loaded 1987 Monte SS , Burgundy w/ Burgundy Interior , He Owned A Small General Automotive Repair Shop , We Pulled Motor Out When Car Had 70 Miles On It And Installed A Original ZL-1 Motor w/ 150 Hp Nitro Kit , Car Was Shown In Popular Hot Rodding Magazine , Would Smoke Wheels At 80-100 Mile An Hour
Amazed the government didn’t nail him for emission violations. If you are going to be so blatant with something illegal, why advertise it? That mindset is why we often so easily catch petty criminals. The are social butterflies and want to brag about how cool they are.
That was a lame comment, dude had money and I’m sure wasn’t scared of some stupid emissions fine for beasting his car out. Lol
Nice car and it appears to be cared for, but it is nothing more than (Maybe) a cool car for Cruise Nights. I guess I have finally crossed into “Grump-landia” forever as this car has zero appeal on any level and might be worth $5000.00 tops to me if it had a manual transmission. I would enjoy hearing from someone (Besides the seller) who can explain what makes this car worth half of the current asking price. Not trying to be a big “Richard” here, just wondering. Thanks.
I used to race these cars in the 80’s with my 1984 Capri 302-4V i had stopped racing them because their suspensions were so loose the cars would float from lane to lane at speeds over 90-100mph. Also never lost to these k-mart Quality vehicles. The problem was when slowing after the quarter mile they would still be hammering the gas and would produce the land-boat-butterfly-effect!!
Adam, I like your stuff and contributions to this site. So please forgive me for what I am going to say here.
Been to Talladega and Daytona more times than I can count in the last 35 years…Never has this car ever hit 235 mph at either track. As a matter of fact, once Buck Baker hit well over 210 mph in the testing of the Dodge Daytona, NASCAR began to restrict the engines intakes. This was done to slow them down, and keep everyone safer. In fact I am struggling to recall ANY car that ever hit 235 mph at either track, maybe the INDY cars got close when they tested, but never in race trim. The tracks are/were not designed to contain a car at over 200 mph. This is why if you go back and check both race and qualifying speeds, I believe that 205-208 mph is the track records in competition. Perhaps in testing these were close to 215 mph, but I believe Bill Elliott has the overall speed records at both tracks in the early 1980s in a T Bird. He got close to 220, NASCAR said that is too fast for us, and the cars were throttled back with restrictor plates.
Best wishes to you and all here in 2021…Thanks!
Yeah, not trying to be a RICHARD here either at all. Just can’t seem to find a 235 mph speed out of one of these in race trim anywhere, despite having access to the NASCAR official speeds records. God bless.
I always liked that year body style,
but that back glass really ruined its look for me.
No NASCAR car ever went 235 on any track. Indy cars do. F1 cars don’t either.