13k-Mile Unrestored 1988 Monte Carlo SS
In the 80’s, Chevrolet positioned itself as “The Heartbeat of America,” but sadly they pulled the plug on the last of the G-Body platform Monte Carlo’s after the 1988 model year. The SS models from the mid-80’s continue to gain in popularity (and value) and here’s your chance to get a very clean, original, unrestored example of that last year of production. This low mileage (13,892) Monte Carlo SS is located in Fenton, Missouri and is for sale here on eBay with a BIN price of $37,895 or you make the seller an offer.
The seller doesn’t give us any history of this SS or where it’s been squirreled away for 30+ years, but it’s obviously been pampered, protected, and garage kept. The seller says the SS “L@@KS like it is brand new!” and based on the provided photos, I can’t argue. The black paint looks very presentable as well as all of the gold SS Monte Carlo graphics. It even has the T-top roof that usually adds 5% or more in value. I also like the sporty wheels and the stance of this SS. It just has a cool, well-proportioned 80’s vibe to it.
Inside, the Monte Carlo’s tan cabin is quintessential 80’s, looks pristine, and compliments the black and gold exterior nicely. This SS is sporting bucket seats, a center console, a two-spoke tilting steering wheel, red-trimmed instrument cluster, and a slew of options including power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, and air conditioning. And, of course, a cassette player.
Under that shiny, sloping black hood is a very clean engine bay containing the original numbers-matching 305 cubic-inch V8 engine that produces 180 horsepower. It’s mated to its original four-speed 200R4 automatic transmission which the seller says “makes it a great cruiser. Of the 16,204 Monte Carlo SS’s made for the 1988 model year, this is one of the cleanest fourth-generation survivors we’ve seen in a while. We’re not sure when this black and gold beauty rolled off GM’s Arlington, Texas Assembly plant, but it was produced sometime before December 12, 1987. That’s the day the last Monte Carlo SS left the factory, marking the end of rear-wheel drive Monte Carlos and the last full-frame, carbureted cars of any kind from GM. The next lucky owner of this pristine SS will definitely have a black and gold time machine. Just pop in a cassette tape of Journey, Bon Jovi, Metallica, or Poison and enjoy the ride (and 1988 all over again).
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Comments
Really nice survivor but these are gutless, 305 ci of fury. They look fast though don’t they? Younger collector this is sweet I suppose.
Gutless? 180HP is plenty for any legal driving you would ever need to do. It will merge onto the freeway or pass a car on a 2 lane road with ease. What exactly would be the benefit of more HP? Adequate HP is socially responsible, easier on insurance payments, safer for you and the public at large. 5 buck gas is soon here, do you really need to act childish and leave rubber at every intersection? That is going to take a huge amount of the stuff. I find this car to be a delight, I would change nothing at all. Of course, I am satisfied with my masculinity.
I drive a car with twice as much HP don’t burn rubber and it gets better gas mileage. As far as passing on a two lane road yeah has more power than a 6 cylinder Ford falcon but save the insurance speach that was sold in the 70’s. I am glad you feel masculine but apparently you don’t understand the beauty of real performance automobile. More to a car than a pretty paint and that 80’s tech doesn’t burn as clean as today’s performance cars, is less efficient not as safe. So please stay in the right lane on the interstate.
Everyone is brainwashed into thinking they need a 400hp+ SUV. All this has done is turn every no driving talent idiot into speed racer wanna be. This is exactly why traffic deaths are at an all time high despite cars being safer.
anything with an “SS” badge on it should be more than 180hp. I dont do burnouts, but when I want to pass I want to pass without worrying
Let me clarify a few things folks I am no youngster, I am 69 years young. My collection is not spectacular but have a car from the 40’s 60’s also a 74 and an 03 Lightning as well as my daily driver a first gen Caddy CTS-V so yeah that’s in my garage. Been to a drag strip numerous times. Can’t tell how many miles I have logged in my years of driving, but it’s more than some of you have I am sure. Have built quite a few engines and built up the cars I put them in. I won’t drive an SUV. I have a truck. Oh yeah my old Fairmont wagon I dropped a 90’s mustang drive trane in. The biggest problem today is distraction, people on there phones playing with an entertainment systems or thinking the car should drive itself. Yeah it will stop if the driver isn’t attentive. Tell you a car is beside you, hey there are mirrors. You drive a stick shift car you are part of the driving experience. Manual steering in my older cars takes even more attention parking. Won’t even mention how great brakes are. Today the driving experience is waning. Sure some are fast mash your foot to the floor and burn rubber and hang on. That’s NOT DRIVING a car folks. I understand some of you folks grew up with these cars and for that I apologize. But don’t condemn a car guy for the love of driving and having a fondness for horsepower.
Amen brother couldn’t have said it better
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I can’t recall seeing a black over tan version of one of these before.
Looks to be priced at about 300% over actual value…
Mecum Indianapolis just sold a 157 miles example for $36,300 today, not counting commission. This13k example at $38k seems close but maybe a bit high, especially with the unusual color combination (black/tan).
https://www.mecum.com/lots/SC0522-525910/1983-chevrolet-monte-carlo-ss/
Nice car. I had an 87 with red stripe and burgundy int w/t-tops. 87 was last year of carburetor, 88 had fuel injection. Over priced I’ve seen similar examples in the mid 20’s. Aerocoupe’s are going for more as there weren’t as many made (I think it was bout 400 more new).
The 88s still had the 4 barrel carb
I always liked these as a teenager and thought they were fast. Maybe for their day. Cool car but as said gutless. Power can be safely used and many of us enjoy going to drag strips. I am also secure in my manhood…wore a pink shirt today.
I have worn a pink shirt EVERY Thursday since my daughter was born 8 years ago! My daughter calls it “Pink Thursday” as well as my co-workers who always know that the weekend is just around the corner when I walk into the office wearing pink!
Back in the early 90’s both my older brothers had black 87 aerocupes. They both bought them used. Identical except one had grey interior the other maroon. I remember not being able to get much of anything bigger than a suitcase in the trunks. Looked cool though. Not much power but cool. My late brother would drive his with the driver seat fully reclined, using the reflection of the road ahead in the t top glass above. He sold it when he was getting married. Eventually divorced. Other had to give his to his ex wife in divorce. Subsequently I didn’t get married til I was 35yo. Been married 15 years now. She doesn’t try and change me like theirs did.
I bought one new in 86. Drove it 250,000 miles before I sold it in 2018. I did not like the way the plastic inside was deteriorating, and by then it also needed paint, and the engine was getting tired. Decided to sell rather than restore. I agree, the 88’s were carburated, as they stopped production in Dec 87. They never made an injected SS.
In the army 00’s, one of the brother’s friend had a mint condition maroon 86 SS (not aero coupe) with maroon bench seat, manual window and locks non AC am radio no tilt wheel with 30k miles for $8k. Deal breaker was no AC in Texas. I wish I had the money at the time to buy it anyway ti keep. Add the fact I was broke at the time. Hopefully it’s still around in stock condition.
“Early”got auto corrected to “army”. WTH.
Me neither – maybe a special order color combo?
I’ve always liked black over tan scheme – looks good here too.
Cool combo I had a very similar one but black with red interior otherwise identical it was faster than most other new cars then and a smooth cruiser I sold it after 175,000 miles because I needed a truck for my job but it was still as smooth and rattle free as the first day I bought it
It’s a Beauty! I’m sorry I sold my 85 which wasn’t even a SS. It was a 2 tone Jade with the fancy chrome wheels. It had plenty of power!
Had a 1981 Black Monte with red velour interior. Only had a 6 cylinder but was turbocharged. Even with a turbo it wasn’t a mover. Took a while for the turbo to kick in. Awful expensive when the turbo went bad. Loved it anyway.