23k Original Miles: 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
It is often said that a change is as good as a holiday, and that might be the case with this 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS. It is an unmolested survivor with an extraordinarily low odometer reading. Its presentation is hard to fault, but there is one piece of the puzzle that may draw potential buyers. The seller indicates they will accept cash for this classic, although they might consider trades for an appropriate vehicle. Therefore, if you have a likely candidate that needs a new home, this could be the ideal moment for a swap. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this stunning survivor.
There’s a lot for potential buyers to consider with this Monte Carlo, and all of it appears good. The car presents superbly, with its Code 41 Black paint holding a wonderful depth of color and shine. There are no significant flaws or defects, which is unsurprising considering this classic has a claimed 23,600 original miles on its odometer. That means it hasn’t had many opportunities to accumulate the types of imperfections you might expect from a 1980s classic. That type of existence has left the panels looking perfect, while a garage-kept history has left the plastic in good order, the stripes crisp, and the underside rust-free. The wheels are free from stains and physical damage, and the glass is crystal clear.
Powering this Monte Carlo is a 305ci V8 that Chevrolet teamed with a four-speed 200-4R automatic transmission. The standard 305 developed 150hp and 240 ft/lbs of torque. However, the SS received the “HO” version, boosting power to 180hp. Interestingly, the company also released the SS Aerocoupe in 1986. Designed as a homologation special for NASCAR competition, its improved aerodynamics were designed to provide a competitive edge on superspeedways like Talladega and Daytona. However, the Aerocoupe could not match this car’s ¼-mile ET of 16.3 seconds or its top speed of 127mph. The seller claims this SS has a genuine 23,600 miles on the clock without mentioning verifying evidence. However, there are suggestions in the listing that they may hold supporting documentation. There is no information regarding how it runs or drives, but the visual indications are positive.
The seller uses the term “mint condition” when describing this Monte Carlo, and the interior images seem to support that. The Gray cloth and carpet in these classics are prone to wear and marks, but there are no such problems facing this classic’s new owner. The headliner hasn’t sagged, the dash and pad are spotless, and there are no visible aftermarket additions beyond a CD player. Interestingly, the first owner didn’t load this interior with factory options. There is no air conditioning or power windows, locks, or seats. I believe there is cruise control and a tilt wheel, but it appears that the focus was firmly on performance and affordability when this car was ordered.
The seller listed this 1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS here on Craigslist in Fort Myers, Florida. They set their price at $25,000 OBO but might consider trading a Camaro or Chevelle of the correct vintage. It has been on the market for less than a day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the seller finds a cash buyer fairly quickly. Alternatively, you could make a play for the SS if you have the right trade sitting in your garage. Do we have any readers who might consider pursuing this SS further?
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Comments
Believe it or not, this car’s bucket seats and console with floor shift are among its meager options. A bench seat with column shift was standard. The buckets and console were separate options, which makes it theoretically possible that there are examples out there with bucket seats, no console, and column shift.
I’ve seen ’84 and/or ’85 SSs with bench seat and column shift but used to think buckets,console,and floor shift were standard in later model years. Mainly because all the ’86 and newer ones I saw myself had those features. Lesson learned.
Our 86 was black with maroon interior. Hand cranked windows, 60/40 split bench seat, automatic on the column, AND air. Super neat rider and driver. I would have liked to have kept it but we had to have a new Duramax. Shucks.
No AC is a hard no.
Where I live you can get away without AC, especially if it’s a light colored car. However, a black car in Florida would be a hard pass, the lack of power windows makes it worse, you’d need to track across the car with the console pushing into your ribs to roll up and down the windows every time you got in or out of the car.
It’s a really nice car, the black paint makes these look sinister, but probably contributed to the low mileage.
Steve R
I live in NE GA. and would love to have this car, AC delete and all. I love rollup windows too, most of us grew up without those and door locks, and often heard our Dads say “it’s just something else that ca go wrong and cost money. This is a get out on Saturday morning car with the windows dropped and elbow out the door, going to the local cars n coffee. Only thing I would do would be drop a .373 gear and shift kit into it to wake it up a bit. Then we’re chirpin all the way there and back!!
My dad always said “a/c just wastes gas”….that was his justification for not wanting it. But he was a no frills kind of guy anyway.
I can see owning a no A/C fun car in GA. Having been here since December, the one thing I can say is that you can enjoy a car like this in the early hours of the day and late afternoon into evening. It’s nice that there is more daylight later in the day than up north.
Would like to get ahold of the 84 Monte Carlo SS sold in Mexico only.Came with a 350 and a 4spd manual…The 305 always ends up becoming a smoker at some point….
As of sunday the 1 september, the price has been lowered to 23500
I agree that no ac, power windows and such make a car less interesting but it can be added and i think that the aftermarket kits would look bettter than what gm did for the a/c
So , it only needs an engine , trans , brake upgrade , exhaust and suspension, i think its better to consider a newer camaro or mustang for less time and hassles
YOLO
If you would ever rode in one of these, you would take back everything you said about all of the ”upgrades” it needs. It might not run like a Camaro or a Mustang, but it SURE doesn’t ride like one either. Get out of this and into a new Pony Car, and you will say: WHAT HAVE I DONE?????
Sorry if i hurt your feelings but i have driven and riden in these , so i speak from experience and my opinion is as worthy as yours …
no a/c is a deal killer for some. needs the correct tailpipes.is what it is a clean low mile ss. somebody will bite at some point
I’ve only ever seen a no-air MC SS in internet ads. I don’t mind the conventional glass. It’s okay, too. With a seven foot wing span I could reach all the regulators on my old B and C body cars. Now, let’s talk about the lack of head room in these G- bodies.
Pops bought Mom one of these in this same color when they were first new in ’85 I think. Mom insisted on the t-tops but Pops didn’t want them saying “Anytime you put a hole over your head, you’re asking for trouble”, and boy was he right.
Those things leaked like a sieve resulting in countless trips to the dealership to try to stop the leak. They were never able to stop the leaks and the piss-poor service from the Chevrolet dealer ruined any chance they ever had at selling him another vehicle.
This car harkens back to an earlier time when you could order your car with no AC for racing performance. Chevy chose to keep this option for this SS. Today it’s hard to sell a car with no AC so you should accept this car for what it is. A nice very clean classic 86 SS Monty Carlo even though it’s no wear close to a muscle car of the the racing era.
The most accurate description I ever read about the Monte Carlo Super Sports of this era is that they are sheep in wolves clothing.
My aunt and uncle had a 85 or 86 Monte Carlo can’t remember which year. It was painted metallic blue.The engine blew in Tennessee on the way back from my uncles families house back in the 90s when I was around 16 years old and I could of got it for free but I didn’t have the money or time to go get it. If I could of got it I was going to pull the engine and transmission out of it and put in a supercharged 427 with dual 4 barrels and a 4 or 5 speed manual transmission in it and rake it out a little bit with a wider rear tire.