The first personal luxury car from Chevrolet started with a bit of a bang in the guise of high-output mills. Named after the most popular administrative area of Monaco, the Monte Carlo was offered with engines as large as the 454 big-block V8. Emissions regulations exacerbated by the 1973 oil crisis have downgraded the 7.4-liter leviathan to 235 horsepower for the 1974 model year, which is why second-generation cars like this particular example can be purchased on the cheap.
Listed by Volo Cars at $35,998 or $551 per month, chassis number 1H57Y4R477715 is a numbers-matching Monte Carlo that spent most of its life in Arizona. The odometer may show 94,176 miles (151,562 kilometers) at the time of writing, but the all-original undercarriage is free of corrosion.
Polished like a mirror, the paintwork is complemented by arrow-straight body panels, hand-painted red pinstripes, and a landau roof. Even the rub strips, moldings, both grills, and bumpers are presented in tip-top condition.
Now rolling on Coker redline tires wrapped around 15- by 8-inch Rallye wheels in the style of the Corvette, the old-school luxo-barge from the Malaise Era of the American automotive industry is absolutely pristine in the engine bay as well. The VIN-matched 454 powerplant still features the factory-supplied manifolds, valve covers, air cleaner, overflow bottle, hood insulation, and fan shroud. Given this particular vehicle's age, the air-con compressor, starter, and alternator have been understandably replaced.
Volo Cars also notes the rear shocks look new and the three-speed automatic was overhauled. The Turbo 400 transmission was ultimately replaced by the 4L80E, which incorporated electronic controls and one more gear ratio.
“Unabused” is arguably the best way to describe the interior. A deluxe wheel with a steering column-mounted shifter frames the original speedometer and tachometer. Equipped with cruise control and power windows from the factory, the Monty is rocking a classy Kenwood KRC-3004 cassette player.
Probably one of the sharpest 1974 models out there, this Monte Carlo should be perfect for a lazy cruise to the coastline of the Pacific Ocean.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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