Restored Monte Carlo GM 350ci V8 5-Speed Manual A/C

Over the past 106 years, Chevrolet has built such a vast empire of lovable offerings that some of them just seem to get overlooked. Possibly the most substantial victim of that unfortunate phenomenon is the storied Monte Carlo. Introduced in 1970, and proudly parked in over half a million driveways during its first three years of production, the brand's 'personal luxury coupe' was decidedly cool. And, not as ostentatious as a Corvette or as boorish as a Camaro, the car spent most of its life as the poster child for evolving automotive tastes. This classy Monte is a solid cruiser that's benefitted from acute restoration. And if you're looking for an awesome classic that's clean, attractive and ready to roll, you simply won't find more muscle for the money!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Counter to the bowtie brand's Camaro offering, the Monte Carlo sought a more refined and sophisticated buyer. In fact, one could almost say that Chevy employed the same proven tactic that had seen Plymouth successfully market the GTX next to the Road Runner. Mixing a killer stance with retrofitted Super Sport cosmetics, this attractive coupe definitely conveys a genteel aesthetic in the realm of broad-shouldered muscle cars. Not long ago, the car's straight 'coke bottle' sheetmetal was stripped bare, married to tinted glass and capped with an attractive Cowl Induction Hood. Once that profile was straight and level, deep black 2-stage was massaged to an excellent shine. And today, this knight rolls as one razor-sharp G-Body that looks good, runs great and is poised to turn heads for years to come!

ENGINE

Lift this coupe's long hood and you'll find 350 cubic inches of spry Chevy small block that's been tweaked with a roster of choice hardware. Power originates when oxygen whips from a Chevrolet-branded, X-Stream-style air cleaner in to a modern Holley carburetor, which is fed by braided fluid lines and a coated Edelbrock pump. That air/fuel mixture traverses an Edelbrock Performer intake on the way to center-bolt heads, which ride under color-keyed valve covers and polished K&N breathers. Sparks get sequenced from an MSD Pro-Billet distributor to fresh MSD Super Conductor plug wires. Spent gases roar through coated, long-tube headers. Charge comes courtesy of a fresh alternator, which, along with an aluminum water pump, spins billet pulleys. A clean radiator makes excellent use of electric puller fans, a polished CSR thermostat housing and an “SS” branded shroud. And details like satin fenders and correct Harrison firewall components create attractive, purposeful aesthetics.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Beneath this Chevy you'll find a clean undercarriage that appears to have benefitted from quite a bit of restoration. Rock-solid floorpans are dressed in a traditional coat of Satin Black paint. Behind the proven small block, the car's standard Turbo-Hydramatic 3-speed has been swapped for a fun Borg Warner 5-speed. That Camaro-sourced gearbox spins a tough Moser differential around a chrome-trimmed 12-bolt axle. That excellent drivetrain surfs a double A-arm front and 4-link rear suspension, which follows factory power steering with four power-assisted calipers and four slotted discs. Spent gases race from the aforementioned headers to a series of aluminized pipes, which hang an X-shaped crossover in front of rowdy Bassani mufflers and painted stainless tips. And power meets the pavement through polished blades, which twist “SS” branded spinners around two 245/45ZR17 BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sports and two 275/40ZR17 BF Goodrich g-Force Super Sports.

INTERIOR

Pop the doors and you'll find a stylish Black interior that's way too crisp to be original equipment. Everything starts with plush cloth seats that look good, feel great and are all-day comfortable. Between those thrones, a red-trimmed console provides tapered real estate for a familiar Hurst shifter and clean Auto Meter accessory gauges. At the front of that island, a red-trimmed dash founds factory climate control between factory telemetry and a Pioneer CD player. At the sides of that ledge, fade-free door panels hang factory power windows and factory power locks above polished Fisher sills. Those panels are framed by a cloth headliner, which is centered on small reading lamps, and fresh carpet, which is protected by color-keyed floor mats. And the driver spins a leather-wrapped, “SS” branded wheel around a tilting column.

You really can't ask for a cooler classic than this classy Chevy, especially when it comes to value. Offering great looks and proven performance for less than $30K, it's the perfect car for any enthusiast who wants a top-notch cruiser that's sorted, polished and ready to roll. So, what are you waiting for? Call your friends at RK Motors Charlotte and enjoy a little personal luxury!

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SUMMARY

* The beneficiary of acute restoration
* 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8
* Borg Warner 5-speed manual transmission
* Factory air conditioning
* 17-inch wheels
* 12-bolt rear axle / Moser differential
* 4-wheel power disc brakes
* Power steering
* Modern audio
* Cloth interior