Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS: Spotted
Like it or loathe it, this painstakingly restored - and neatly modified - modern classic is like nothing else in the classifieds
Just how much performance can you really glean from a 1980s American performance car? Indeed, is it even worthy of being described as such? Two questions that will almost certainly come to mind the moment you click on the ad for this Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS.
Actually, that's a load of rubbish. What will come to mind first of all is probably the word "blimey", or some variant thereof, because frankly, you've probably never seen an '85 Monte Carlo SS quite like this. In fact, we'd forgive you if you'd never seen an '85 Monte Carlo SS before at all. Over in the USA, the Monte Carlo SS is something of a cult hero, conceived in the late 1960s with the idea of blending muscle car tropes - like a vast engine, lurid colours and thumping power - with the luxury and... ahem... class you'd expect from a personal luxury coupe.
It fared poorly in the face of rising oil prices and swiftly disappeared, but in 1983 it re-emerged as a version of the fourth-generation car, less elegant, but more imposing, with a formal roofline, a shovel nose and haunches you could land a light aircraft on. And despite the fact that the power figure was down to just 182hp - a far cry from the 366hp of the original - the Monte Carlo SS was welcomed back with open arms, seen as the rebirth of the muscle car for a modern era.
Yes, that power figure is disappointing, not least when you consider it comes from a 5.0-litre V8. But don't skip to the 'Reply' button to post something about how crap this Monte is just yet. Mainly because it isn't as wheezy and strangled as you think. The advert details plenty about the restoration, but there's not much in there about engine modifications. However, what it does say is that the smog equipment has been removed. And, tantalisingly, it mentions almost in passing that it has Edelbrock carbs and heads. If it's accurate, that should be more than enough to lend this Monte Carlo some serious go.
Hopefully, then, there's enough there to back up the looks. Have you ever seen a road-legal American car from the 1980s look more purposeful or more menacing? The advert details an extensive restoration to both the body and the interior, the latter almost entirely renewed and finished in dark grey crushed velour, and the former coated in slick solid grey paint and capped off with a mean set of American Racing wheels and white-letter tyres. The suspension, too, has been given a hefty going-over with all new and uprated parts to make it less of a boat.
So, should you buy it? Well, yes, almost certainly. I mean, £16,995 doesn't seem at all bad for a car this individual, that's had this much money spent. True, you could probably buy and import a mint Monte Carlo SS from the States for that sort of money or less - but this one's here, now, and it looks like this. And when you consider it's a 1980s performance icon - yes, we've decided you can call it that - and remember just how tremendous this thing looks, it doesn't sound unreasonable to us at all.
SPECIFICATION - CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO SS
Engine: 5.0-litre V8, naturally aspirated
Transmission: Four-speed automatic
Power (hp): 182 (standard)
Torque (lb ft): 235 (standard)
MPG: 22.7
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1985
Recorded mileage: N/A
Price new: £11,140 ($11,840 in 1985)
Yours for: £16,995
See the full ad here.
the advert says, "Edelbrock carb setup and head etc"; it would be nice to know the flow / specs on the carb and heads
to achieve big power, we'll need an aftermarket performance camshaft (there's only one camshaft, remember), a performance intake manifold, and long-tube headers (all easily sourced, even from the UK, and at reasonable cost)
there's a lot of art in this build
the list of improvements is astonishing and a tribute to the craftsmanship of the UK builder: extensive and unique upgrades to body, suspension, dashboard, interior and exterior -- this car is better sorted than when new
although it's priced a bit sharpish for the US market (but certainly not at the top), this car is incredible value for money; I could see somebody in the southeast US wanting to import it!
for me, it's one of those things where I think, "Not for me per se, but I'm glad it exists"
I had one. They have so much presence. They drive like s
t outside of a straight line and the interior is absolutely terrible but they are so cool. 
I had one. They have so much presence. They drive like s
t outside of a straight line and the interior is absolutely terrible but they are so cool. https://youtu.be/hsjx0LgtoDA
currently sat in the unit at work. Being surrounded by some fancy cars this sort of thing makes me take notice as it's different.
It's had quite a lot of money and time spent on it for sure, few bits of paint could be better but for what it is you can't complain too much.
We have had a few American cars in lately, a corvette has just come in just looks a little boring compared to this.
I'd much rather have a 60s/early 70s Camaro, 70s Trans Am, or even a 60s Cougar XR7.
But it's great that cars like this are around!
such were the G body cars from GM
but hey... a 5.0-litre carbureted V8 that can be transformed at low cost into a bit of a powerhouse (as well as an aural delight)
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