Vehicle Description
1971 was one of the peak years of the muscle car era, but if you're
not into loud stripes and extroverted colors, this handsome 1971
Chevrolet Monte Carlo is an excellent choice. Sporting a
great-running, numbers-matching 350 V8 small block, choice options,
and a luxurious interior, this beautiful Cottonwood Green coupe is
a great-looking original car that delivers plenty of punch under
the hood. If a Chevelle is just a little too 'extra-ordinary' for
you (in both curb appeal and price point), perhaps this classic
Monte Carlo is a better fit.
As Chevy's big luxury cruiser coupe, the Monte Carlo looks ideal in
more subtle, period-perfect finishes and the Code 42 Cottonwood
Green paint is both period correct and quite fashionable today. The
bodywork and paint were done a few years ago and it still present
well with a great driver-quality presentation and only minor signs
of age and use. It shines up beautifully, letting the clean Monte
Carlo shape speak for itself and overall the car has a very honest
and traditional look that befits its stature at the top of the
Chevrolet hierarchy. It's not a show-winner anymore (at least not
past the local level), but it still turns heads, and the majority
of the blemishes found could likely be remedied with a professional
buff-and-wax over a long weekend. The chiseled Monte Carlo look was
pretty sophisticated for 1971, with a subtle ornamentation
complementing the bodywork and muscular-looking quarters that made
this personal luxury coupe look anything but tame. Chrome is very
good and the stainless has been well maintained, with the
billet-style factory grille and hood ornament at the forefront
leading the way in the 'wow' department. The oversized bumpers with
integrated lights are a Monte Carlo staple, as are those
beautifully designed taillights out back, and the dark green vinyl
top provides great contrast and a hint of formality to the big
coupe. Rocker panel trim and wheel arch moldings do a great job
breaking up the see of green, and the dual exhaust pipes exiting
underneath the rear bumper let everyone know this isn't Granny's
grocery-getter.
The Jade bench seat interior is very clean, with a nice mixture of
original and restored pieces that are a perfect complement to the
exterior. Period-perfect vinyl seat covers replace the drab cloth
that originally covered the bench seats, matching carpets on the
floors are the correct pile and plush, while items like the stock
door panels, taut headliner, crack-free dash, and clean package
tray out back all tie the cabin in together and make this Monte
Carlo a very comfortable place in which to spend some time. You'll
also note that this car carries optional and rare factory A/C
(blows cold!) and all that burled walnut (who cares if it's fake?)
that gives the interior a very upscale look. The only modern
addition inside is the Sony AM/FM/CD stereo in the center of the
dash, and the seatbelts fore and aft were likely added during the
restoration as well, but not many will complain about those
upgrades, as they fit so well with original pieces like the
steering wheel and column shifter. One of the virtues of a
full-sized car is the giant trunk, which carries a nicely fitted
floor mat and a full-sized spare with jack.
The original, numbers-matching 350 cubic inch V8 still lives under
the hood and it's a great complement to the Monte Carlo's sporting
image. With a smooth idle and big torque, it moves the Monte Carlo
effortlessly with a fantastic muscle car soundtrack from the
mellow-sounding dual exhaust below. The original engine bay is
fairly neat and tidy, although not overly detailed, featuring Chevy
Orange paint on the block and valve covers, a correct snorkeled air
cleaner, and a Quadrajet 4-barrel carburetor and stock intake
manifold up top. Plenty of maintenance and regular service
throughout the years means that it starts easily and runs great,
but it doesn't stray far from the original setup. The A/C uses it's
original components and is still blowing cold, and power steering
and power front disc brakes are, of course, standard equipment. The
TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts like it should and
feeds a sturdy 12-bolt rear end with highway-friendly gears inside.
Flashy American Racing Torque Thrust wheels and 245/45/17 front and
275/40/17 rear blackwall radials complete the look that neatly
blends performance and luxury in one package.
The day of the Monte Carlo can't be far off because cars this cool
can't stay this affordable forever. Take advantage of this
opportunity before another one slips by. Call today!
