Vehicle Description
Heading up the short list of cars from the '80s that are sure to be
future collectables, this 1988 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS coupe makes
a compelling argument. The most sporting version of an all-time
favorite, it has a classic performance look and style that remains
quite appealing, even today.
Burgundy paint may seem anachronistic for a performance car, but
the Monte Carlo was born as a luxury cruiser, so perhaps it's
appropriate here. It appears that this car still wears factory
paint and as a result presents as a pretty impressive survivor.
There are a few minor scratches and swirls here and there, but
overall it's quite impressive for a car fast approaching its 30th
birthday and much of the age could be wiped out with a professional
cut and buff. The sporty urethane chin spoiler and unique nose give
the SS its NASCAR-inspired attitude and a subtle deck lid spoiler
reinforces that this was a grown-up hot rod, not a boy racer.
There's no chrome left on the SS, with its body-colored bumpers and
blacked-out trim, all of which remains in good condition overall,
but this one does have some custom pinstripe work that's subtle and
attractive. The special SS decals are particularly nice on this
car, showing no fading or peeling, indicative of careful
preservation over the past few decades.
You could have any interior you wanted in your Monte Carlos SS as
long as it was burgundy cloth buckets. There's minimal wear, even
in the high-traffic areas like the driver's out seat bolster and
the carpets are protected by a set of matching floor mats. A center
console and 2-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel help with the
sporty feel and the round gauges in a wrap-around panel are a nice
touch. This is a full-sized car with an aggressive edge, so this is
a lot more car for your money than a garden-variety Camaro and
there's room for five adults inside, which is always nice. The
factory Delco stereo still comes with the car, but it has been
replaced by a newer Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo head unit that sounds
great and was professionally fitted to the dash so it looks clean
and tidy. And as a full-sized car, there's a rather large trunk out
back that is in good condition and obviously has nothing to
hide.
Chevrolet's L69 small block V8, displacing 305 cubic inches in the
SS, was the lone powerplant. Topped by a computer-controlled
Rochester 4-barrel carburetor, it's a strong runner with plenty of
old-school muscle car torque and despite being the most modified
engine in history, this one remains bone stock right down to the
factory air cleaner. The engine bay is well-maintained, with plenty
of evidence that someone has always treated this car as something
special and you can't argue with the way this SS goes about its
business. Linked to a 200-4R 4-speed automatic overdrive
transmission, it's a fantastic highway cruiser and pulls down
acceptable fuel economy, at least for a big V8. The suspension is
tuned to be entertaining but you can still feel this car's luxury
coupe origins underneath, so it's great for road trips and the
exhaust system has a pleasant sound that's never annoying. Factory
SS wheels look reminiscent of the IROC-Z alloys and carry 215/65/15
blackwall radials.
Very affordable and very fun, this is one of those cars that will
always be worth about what you've got in it, making it easy to
enjoy a cool piece of '80s muscle without breaking the bank. Call
today!
