Collector car enthusiasts dream of finding vehicles stashed away in garages and sheds where they are discovered in pristine condition. That’s the situation with this 1987 Chevrolet Monte Carlo with only 607 miles on the odometer.
Not Touched for 35 Years
A vintage 1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo ad.
When Chevrolet introduced the 1970 Monte Carlo, it was marketed as Chevrolet’s first personal luxury car. It’s a relatively sporty mass-market coupe, but the emphasis is on comfort.
Eric Webster, marketing director at Daniel Schmitt & Co., the St. Louis dealership selling the Monte Carlo, says the car had one original owner in Belleville, Ill. The owner bought the car with her husband in 1987, but he sadly died soon after.
She had no interest in driving it or selling it. So, she kept the car garaged, never touching it, or attempting to maintain it.
Webster said the dealership usually deals with high-end vehicles from Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Jaguar, Land Rover, and Mercedes-Benz. But this was an exceptional Chevy. So they brought the car into its service department, replaced old fluids, and mostly gave the car a thorough detail and polish. It’s now ready to resume service after about 35 years.
If more work is needed, eBay has tens of thousands of parts for the Monte Carlo.
A Collectible Monte Carlo
Vehicles from the 1980s are now firmly in collector car ranks. The fourth-generation Monte Carlo even has a dedicated enthusiast site. It would be hard to find a 1987 specimen in better condition than the Monte Carlo for sale on eBay, which is described as in “spectacular original condition.”
The glossy black finish is flawless. And the car is outfitted with nearly every option available at the time. In addition to the 5.0 Liter 4bbl L69 V-8 (HO), this car has the F41 sport suspension, 3.73 rear axle, the gauge package with tach, sport mirrors, and aluminum alloy wheels with raised white letter Goodyear Eagle GT tires.
Options include power steering and brakes, AC, cruise control, power locks and windows, tilt wheel, and a premium cassette sound system with dual rear speakers.
Racing Heritage
The Monte Carlo SS of this era played a role in stock-car racing. In 1984, NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt switched from Ford to Chevy. His Monte Carlo SS won the Daytona 500 and Talladega 500. The Talladega race is one of the most competitive battles in racing history. The lead changed 68 times among 16 drivers before Earnhardt slingshot to victory in the final lap.
For racing purposes, Chevy developed an aerodynamic nose for the coupe. The same sleeker front end was applied to Super Sport models for the street. A limited-slip rear end became an option with output climbing to 180 horsepower, both of which are present in this low-mile Monte.
The revised 1983 Monte Carlo body profile gave Chevrolet a new prominence in racing. At the same time, the brand continued to sell comfortable street versions to consumers through 1988.
Webster, the seller, has complete documentation for the 1987 Monte Carlo SS. He believes that it could be “one of the finest examples on the planet.” With just 607 miles on the odometer, it’s a rare find with definite investment possibilities.
However, a new owner will face a tough decision: Drive it or continue to preserve it for posterity?
