Vehicle Description
1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Automotive engineers rack their brains for ways to make getting
into and out of a vehicle as painless and easy as possible. In the
modern era, we frequently see such features: automatic retracting
running boards and electronic upward-tilting steering wheels. But
the innovation around ingress and egress has been going on for a
long time; consider the swing-away steering wheel on the 1964 Ford
Thunderbird. Here's another solution that worked to solve the same
problem: swiveling bucket seats. From 1973 through 1977, select
General Motors models had front bucket seats that could swivel 90
degrees to allow for ease of entry and exit. "Indeed a very rare
and desirable swivel bucket seats and even with factory center
floor console and automatic shifter,"
This classy Monte is a solid cruiser that's benefitted from careful
use only on an as needed basis, and as a result has a mere 24,639
title verified original miles. An unrestored original car with all
the right boxes checked and presents very nicely, you simply won't
find more muscle and luxury for the money! A believed to be 3
ownercar that was parked in a block building with a concrete floor
in 1982, this 1st year redesign Monte Carlo is fresh out of a 40
year hibernation and has been fully serviced and is ready to go and
show...just let those swivel bucket seats suck you in.
Exterior
Dark Green Gold Metallic 46T code, (say that 10 times real fast!),
bathes this car with the consignor stated factory paint. A few
faults particularly the trunk where something had dripped on the
car while in storage in a block building with a concrete floor for
nearly 40 years. Also the front passenger side bumper has some
neoprene cracking between the bumper and the body in the 5mph crash
buffer. This car sports sleek lines with single headlights in the
round flanking a narrow horizontal slight V shaped egg crate grille
and fairly shiny bumper below. Just some beginnings of dimpling on
this front bumper but you've got to get close to see it. A
wonderful feature is a crease in the side panels beginning on the
front quarter where it begins its swoop downward, eventually dying
into the mid door. It picks up again on the rear quarts and ends up
on the back of the car with the angled in the corner tail lights,
large trunk lid, and another shiny bumper below. On top we see an
Ivory vinyl covered top which has the vertical "italicized" glass
on either side for the rear passengers to watch the world go by.
Trimmings and surrounds are all excellent including the lower
rocker trimming which clads this car all around, and shows no rust
all around! Shiny Chevrolet Motor Division chromed spoked wheel
coverings are wrapped in new narrow white wall tires. 1973 never
looked so good, and you can remember your kitchen appliances in
this wonderful avocado coloring, it never gets old!
Interior
Stressing originality cannot be done enough for this example with a
swing of the doors we see light neutral ivory mixture of molded
plastic/vinyl with stitched tuck and roll uppers, a vinyl door pull
and a large armrest with a supple vinyl topper for your elbows.
Some power window toggles are on the doors as well as the mirror
joystick, door actuator lever, and the necessary ash receptacle,
although looking at this original interior it was never smoked in.
Slipping inside I use the swivel front bucket option, and viola!
I'm in with little to no effort. I now sit on a sleek light neutral
ivory vinyl bucket with some stitched and buttoned tuck and roll
inserts and smooth bolstered high back buckets. The chairs,
including a matching original back bench all float in a sea of
goldish-green carpeting which shows no stains or fading. Grabbing
on to the original wheel I peer into a square panel which is
covered with burl applique and this panel houses 2 round
instruments and a few warning lights and turn signal lights. A
green/gold vinyl padded dash covers the passenger side, and faux
burl veneer and back fronts the dash from centerline to driver's
door. The factory AM/FM stereo, some gauges, including the
speedometer and fuel gauge reside within the burl while the
supportingpods reside in the black plastic and encompass warning
lights and the clock. A standard GM Monte Carlo steering wheel
fronts the dash. Another ash receptacle with a built in lighter and
glove box is on the passenger's side of the dash, all original and
all factory unmodified. Above is a tight light ivory headliner in
perfect condition with a working central round courtesy light. A
shout out to the trunk with factory stickers n the inner lid, and
original spare and jack with pristine lining throughout. Looks
nearly untouched.
Drivetrain
A lift of the hood and an amazing aura of cleanliness abounds and
consignor says it is virtually untouched even as to detailing, it
did not need to be done. Within these clean confines is a numbers
matching 350ci V8, (casting number 3970010 if you are checking),
and on top under the factory spit shined black air cleaner covering
a single 2 barrel carburetor. On the back is a TH350 numbers
matching 3-speed automatic transmission. The rear axle weighs in as
a 10 bolt and 2.73 gears. Some new hoses, a differential gasket,
fuel filter, and a full coolant flush have been performed in the
last 8 weeks of this consignor's possession.
Undercarriage
Up on the lift it is amazingly preserved with a shiny fuel tank and
factory appearance undercoating with no peeling or cracking. Some
surface rust on the usual suspects like springs, driveshaft and
rear undercarriage supports, but all unremarkable as to structural
stability. We note no drips or oiling from the underside of the V8,
and independent coil springs for the front suspension and a 4 link
with coil springs for the rear. Power disc braking is in front, and
power drums for the back.
Drive-Ability
I love test driving these low mileage large Detroit iron cars, and
this one left me with a smile on my face. I slipped through the
swivel seat and grabbed the wheel and turned the key, and I was off
like a prom dress to the test track. Here it performed flawlessly,
with no creaks, complaints, and great acceleration. Braking was
bias free on the panic stop and steering was a breeze with no slop
whatsoever. All functions were working just fab even the AC was
cold, and the tilt wheel got it just right for my driving position
...baby bear,and frankly for the slightly portly build that I carry
around, the swivel buckets are a godsend.
An incredible barn find, all original with some minor maintenance
performed, and no need for any restoration because doing so would
actually devalue this car. Early 1970's color scheme, swivel seat
option, and smooth running low mileage car ripe for the collector
picking. It will be difficult to match a find like this, and then
if you do the owner must be willing to part with it!
1H57H31600621
1-Chevrolet
H-Monte Carlo
57-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
H-350ci V8 2bbl 145hp
3-1973
1-Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Assy Plant
600621-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 73 1AH57-1973 Monte Carlo 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY OS036466-Oshawa Body #
TR 735-Light Neutral Vinyl
PNT 46T-Dark Green Gold Metallic, Light Neutral Top
03A-1st Week March Build
C08-Vinyl Roof
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle ...for more information please contact the seller.
