For Sale: 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in Lithia Springs, Georgia

There's only one way to spell full-sized luxury with a Chevy bowtie on it: Monte Carlo. This particular 1978 Monte Carlo was repainted just last year so it looks so fresh and so clean, and with a crate motor, oversized rolling stock, and a clean interior, it's got all the makings of a future collectable.

Finished in beautiful burgundy paint, which is fairly close to what it was wearing when it was new, the Monte Carlo has an upscale, elegant look that works perfectly on the dramatic shape. Modern paints provide a depth and shine they just couldn't manage back in the '70s, and while it's not perfect, we haven't seen many that are better, either. Those sculpted fenders show no signs of accident damage, and running one's hands down the flanks there's no sign of previous repairs. They spent a good amount of time buffing the paint, which has a nice gloss and while it's not perfect, it certainly is eye-catching. There's no goofy padded roof and while there's still plenty of chrome, it only accentuates the look rather than dominating it. Things like the plastic filler panels around the taillights and below the trunk lid are in good shape, which is unusual since these parts always fell apart over time. From any angle, this is a great-looking car with a lot of style.

Although the car was built during the height of the disco era, the interior is remarkably tasteful and well-executed, and looks fantastic even today. The vinyl split front bench is comfortable, which shouldn't be a surprise since it was re-covered just last year. It also appears that the headliner was dressed up a bit, but the rest looks to be original. Door panels are excellent, the original carpets are protected by matching floor mats, and the dash pad hasn't been baked by the sun. Options include factory A/C, which has been converted to R134a refrigerant (needs a recharge), and an AM/FM stereo radio in the center of the dash. The back seat is original and in excellent shape (some of the photos have reflections that make it look lumpy, but it is not), and the trunk offers clean floors and a correct space-saver spare with jack assembly.

About 20,000 miles ago, the original owner had the dealership install a crate 350 under the hood, and it's a notable improvement over the original. By 1977, the big horsepower engines were gone, but this 350 offers a 4-barrel carburetor, aluminum intake manifold, and a brand new true dual exhaust system with Flowmaster mufflers that really wake it up compared to the stocker. A recent tune-up includes new plugs, wires, distributor cap, rotor, and other components, so it starts quickly and easily and rumbles along with a properly authoritative soundtrack. Power brakes and steering are welcome additions to the heavy luxury cruiser, and a TH350 3-speed automatic transmission shifts unobtrusively because, after all, this is a luxury car. Floors and undercarriage are extremely clean with zero issues. Finishing it off is a set of polished Torque Thrust wheels that glitter against the burgundy paint and wear fresh performance radials.

Class never goes out of fashion, and this Monte Carlo has always been a first-class ride. With plenty of upgrades and a gorgeous look, this car is going to get some attention. Call today!