1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Hardtop
"When a car makes you feel good about its looks, that's style. When it makes you feel good about yourself, that's character. From the point of view of style there can be little question in your mind. Monte Carlo has it. It is genuine. Honest. Original. And given that, we dare say it won't surprise you to hear that Monte Carlo is, far and away, the most popular car in its specialty class. And has been each year since its introduction." From the 1976 Monte Carlo sales brochure
For consignment, a 1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo hardtop with an astounding, title verified 19,419 actual miles. 353,272 Monte Carlo's were built in 1976 which was an increase of nearly 100,000 units over the previous year. Popular? Yes. Ubiquitous? If you grew up in the 70's, you know the answer.
Exterior
Resprayed in 1982, Firethorn Red Metallic covers the flowing lines of the Monte in single stage period goodness. This is a handsome car with stacked headlights flanking a three tiered eggcrate grille and intakes in the chrome bumper that borrow the design. The undulating horizontal surface of the hood creates graceful body bends that allow air and water to find their way over. In profile, the curves flow back and down creating forward movement even as the car is parked, and the forward canted colonnade roof, covered in maroon vinyl, adds a bit of formality to this touring coupe. Out back, the decklid is bone straight coming off the sloped rear window, and flows into distinctive tail lights that protrude slightly from the latch panel positioned wide over a sizable chrome bumper. 15-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels with polished rims are just the right look, complemented by the white line tires. Imperfections include some bubbling down low, the plastic bumper fillers are gone, and some pitting in the chrome and polished rocker panel.
Interior
We keep the red theme with the maroon based Dark Mahogany interior option with stitch embossed vinyl or the upper door panels and formed plastic on the lower. The split bench vinyl seat might never be an option in 2024, but back then, it was standard and along with the back bench, appears to be in great condition. More nostalgia can be felt as we peer at the simple steering wheel, classed up a bit with some faux wood trim which immediately pulls in the plastic wood surround on the instrument panel, and the wood trim on the face of the knobs, including those on the AM radio. There's some rub on a plastic vent that mars the metallic paint, but the rest of the dash is a time capsule in near flawless condition. The same goes for the plush maroon carpet and tight headliner above. The trunk is covered in a black cloth mat and retains a spare tire.
Drivetrain
Other than some dust, the 350ci V8 under the hood appears factory and is fueled by a 2-barrel carburetor and rated at 145 horsepower. Out back, a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission set the car in motion by sending those ponies to the 10 bolt rear axle with 2.73 gears. Power brakes are onboard with front disc and rear drum.
Undercarriage
Time tempered conditions result in surface rust underneath and some evidence that some seals may need attention. There's fluid on the rear differential and some residual oil or drops on the oil pan, flywheel cover, and transmission pan. There's some flaky rust on the catalytic converter and some grime on the knuckles, but beyond that, the underside is solid. The single exhaust continues past the cat to find a stock style muffler before exiting via a single steel pipe. Suspension consists of coil springs in front and a 4 link with coil springs out back.
Drive-Ability
Interiors like this bring out the 11 year old in many of us who spent plenty of time in the aunt's or grandparent's car, and in many cases it was the backseat of an A-body GM car like this one. While the materials and instrumentation are dated, it still feels as comfortable as the house you grew up in. The car runs well for us, with all of the acceleration you'd expect from 145 horsepower and in 1976, that was fine for a commuter car like this. The ride is soft, the tracking is straight, and the brakes perform as expected. We note the radio does not work, the heater blower is inoperable, and the left turn signals don't work, so the vintage "arm out the window" will have to do for now. All other functions, including lights, instrumentation, and switches, worked as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Ironically, as America was celebrating freedom in its Bicentennial, we were also bogged down with regulations, a gas crunch, and a general flat era in the auto industry known as the malaise period. The horsepower output is evidence, and why these cars were so often the platform for modified powerplants and street rods. Finding a stock, low mileage example presents an extremely rare opportunity, and we urge swift action on this one if this one is of interest. We'll get your John Hancock on the right documents.
1H57V6B427525
1-Chevrolet
H-Monte Carlo
57-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
V-350ci 2bbl 145hp V8
6-1976
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
427525-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 76 1AH57-1976 Monte Carlo 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY B057553-Baltimore Body #
TR 74V A52-Dark Mahogany Vinyl Split Bench
PNT 36L 36U-Firethorn Red Metallic
09E-5th Week September
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person. There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
