Nameplates like the Impala and the Chevelle brought home the bacon for Chevrolet in the late ’60s and the early ’70s, but the Monte Carlo continued to be an intriguing purchase for customers of the GM brand.
The labor strike at the Flint plant didn’t help in 1970, impacting the assembly plant’s operations, but the Monte Carlo continued to sell well despite the offline time. Chevrolet sold over 159,000 Monte Carlos.
The SS 454 was the head-turning star in the Monte Carlo lineup, but it was a rare presence on the road, as it’s estimated that only 3% of the buyers opted for this performance upgrade. Eventually, most customers who ordered a Monte Carlo picked the 350 V8 engine paired with a three-speed transmission.
The 1970 Monte Carlo in these photos is also fitted with a 350 V8 engine, but the only problem for some buyers is that this is no longer the original mill. However, don’t walk away because the owner has good news: the original number-matching engine is still around and is included in the sale.
This means that you can restore the Monte Carlo to an all-original condition, although you should also inspect the car thoroughly and see if anything else on the vehicle has previously been replaced. eBay seller sapper233_1 says the car is a survivor, which should technically mean it’s in the same condition as on day one without previous restorations or modifications.
We don’t have any information about the original block, and it’s impossible to tell why the 350 engine was installed in this Monte Carlo, but if you’re interested in purchasing it, ask more questions.
The car looks good but is a typical restoration candidate. It requires work inside and on the body, and you should also inspect the undersides, as I wouldn’t be surprised to see this Monte Carlo exhibiting rust damage on the floors.
The vehicle spent its entire life with the same family and had two owners, so you should theoretically be able to obtain its full history.
The selling price seems to make most people walk away, as the owner posted the car on eBay with a high starting bid. They want at least $10,000, and considering the auction comes without a reserve, a single offer is all it takes for this Monte Carlo to find the garage where it can get the long overdue restoration. Nobody has entered the digital battle so far, likely due to the price, so it’ll be interesting to see if the car finds a new home by the time the auction ends in four days.
Meanwhile, it’s available for inspections in Phoenix, Arizona, and while it runs well, you should take it home on a trailer.