Vehicle Description
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!
