1974 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Cp 350 V8 Hydro-matic on 2040-cars

1974 CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO!

RUNS PERFECT!

NEW INTERIOR!

SERIOUS BIDDERS ONLY!  IT COSTS A LOT TO LIST!

Introduced on September 18, 1969, the Monte Carlo was only available as a four person luxury two door coupe. An American mid-size vehicle that originally designed as a personal luxury vehicle, the Chevrolet Monte Carlo was unveiled at the height of GM muscle car power era. Originally created as Chevy's answer to the new A-body Pontiac Grand Prix, Monte Carlo was the creation of Elliot M. Estes, general manager of Chevrolet and Chevrolet's chief stylist, Dave Holls. The styling of the Monte Carlo closely mimicked the more contemporary Cadillac Eldorado, though much of the body and structure were shared with the Chevelle.

Showcased alongside the Buick Riviera and the Pontiac Grand Prix, the Monte Carlo had a bit of competition in the gentlemen's performance market. The Monte Carlo shared a very short period in the limelight as a muscle car, shortly following its introduction the vehicle fell out of favor in Detroit.

The Monte Carlo was originally intended as competition to the Ford Thunderbird for the 1970 model year, and has continued to last through six generations to date. Closely based on a contemporary mid-sized sedan, all Monte Carlos have remained as two-door coupes. From the beginning, the Monte Carlo has been one of GM's largest successes on the NASCAR stock car racing circuit.

Fitted with the longest ever hood on a Chevrolet, the Monte Carlo rode on a 116 inch wheelbase, and was based on the A-body Chevelle platform with 6 footer hood. Though any Chevelle engine was available, all Monte Carlos came standard with at least a 350 cubic inch V8 engine. To create a more muscular appearance, bulges were added to the fenders. Except for the fake wood trim, the Monte Carlo shared basically the same dashboard as the Chevelle. The base price was $3,123, and cost more $218 more than the Chevelle Malibu.

A fully equipped Monte Carlo cost more than $5,000 with all of the various options. These options included three-speed manual being replaced by two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, or four-speed manual, though most Monte Carlo's carried the Turbo-Hydramatic. Other available options included Four Season Air Conditioning, power seats, Variable-Ratio Power Steering, power windows, Strato bucket seats, full instrumentation, Rallye wheels and much more.

The Monte Carlo SS 454 package was the most sporting option and received an updated blacked-out rear body panel in 1971. The new package also included front and rear stabilizer bars and dash control knows with international symbols and heavy-duty front and rear suspension. A variety of models came with new rubber rear bumper inserts. The LS-5 454 was rated at 365 bhp, which was an increase of 5 bhp, despite falling horsepower rating for other GM motors this year. Priced at $420, the SS package included a standard Turbo-Jet 454 of 454 in? (7.4 L) with a four-barrel carburetor which was rated at 360 hp (269 kW) at 4800 rpm and 500 ft•lbf (678 N•m) of torque at 3500 rpm.

The package included wider tires, heavy-duty suspension, and an automatic load-leveling rear suspension. Though it cost $222 extra, the Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was a required option with the SS package. Although only counting for less than 3% of Monte Carlo's sales in 1970, the SS was quite a fast ride, that was comparably equipped to the Chevelle SS 454, and only weighed a bit more. From its introduction until 1972, the vehicle remained virtually unchanged when the SS package was deleted and replaced by the Custom package which appeared as a one-year only offering. This Custom package featured a special suspension and other options available with the SS option. But unline the SSpackage, it was available with any engine on the roster. The 454 in? V8 engine remained optional in Monte Carlos all the way through 1975.

Unfortunately, sales were limited in 1970 when a labor strike cut into profits and dropped sales at 130,657 rather than the projected 185,000. Most Monte Carlos sold for full list price, which in the end paid of and made it a profitable year. The SS 454s only accounted for 3,823 units of 1970 Monte Carlo sales.

Only slight styling updates were made on the 1971 Monte Carlo, including slimmer, vertical taillights. The SS model received new ‘European symbol knobs,' and the option of a four-spoke steering wheel. The small-block Turbo Fire 400 was deleted though mechanically everything else remained the same. Despite the reduction in compression ratio, the SS 454 engine was raised to a nominal 365 gross.

In 1972 the Monte Carlo received a Cadillac-like eggcrate grille that was very similar to the '71 Chevy Caprice. The final year for the first generation design, the grille and metal rear trim molding highlighted the updates for the '72 model. An industry-wide switch to SAE nt hp numbers helped lead to a reduction in the rated power of all Chevy engines, though the engine stayed the same. In addition to the optional Strato bucket seats, the new availability of all-vinyl upholstery with the standard bench seat was the only update in the interior trim.

The standard engine in California was the 4-barrel carbureted 350, to comply with more strict emissions standards. Turbo Hydramatic was the only transmission available in California.

The second generation of Monte Carlo's were introduced in 1973 and featured new Chevy parts along with a sleek new look. Still retaining its 116-inch wheelbase, the new design of the body was highlighted with deep curves that were borrowed from the GM Colonnade coupe.

A brand new redesigned Monte Carlo was released alongside other GM intermediates in 1973. Following the pattern of other GM mid-size vehicle, this second generation of Monte Carlos no longer featured a hardtop, but instead a pillared coupe with rear side opera windows and a frameless door glass. New styling features included dual headlights that were positioned beside an egg-crate grille with a Monte Carlo emblem in front, and vertical taillights that were placed above the bumper. In 1973 federally mandated 5 mph bumpers required that all passengers vehicles sold in the U.S. with the 5 mph requirement extended to rear bumpers.

The basic all-coil suspension was carried over along with the separate body-on-frame construction. The '73 Monte Carlo showcased a variety of innovations to improve both the ride and handling these features included standard radial-ply tires, high-caster steering, Pliacell shock absorbers, and front and rear anti-roll bars. The radial-tuned system was included in the standard Monte Carlo when the automatic transmission was ordered, as well as retained ‘traditional' steering and bias-ply tires. This earned the Monte Carlo S label.

A brand new, wraparound cockpit-style instrument panel was featured inside the '73 Monte Carlo. This panel was quite similar to other contemporary Pontiacs, Buicks and Oldsmobiles where the gauges and other instruments were centered within easy reach of the driver. Retained in the 1973 model was the simulated burl elm trim. ‘Strato Bucket' seats of brand new design were an optional option, while a split bench seat was standard. Floor console with shifter and storage compartment was also optional. Able to swivel nearly 90 degrees to permit easy entry to both driver and front passenger, the bucket seats were of a one-piece high-back design. Available cloth and vinyl trims were offered with both bucket and bench seats.

Named Motor Trend's 'Car of the Year' for 1973, the acclaim was found in the styling and emphasis of the Euro-style ride and handling. A new sales record was reached for Chevrolet for this year with nearly 250,000 units sold for the model year.

The Monte Carlo Landau was the new model for 1973 and was basically an ‘S' with Turbine II wheels, driver and passenger-side sport mirrors and a rear quarter Landau vinyl roof.

The recipient of only minor detail updates for the 1974 model year, the Monte Carlo received a revised grille in the front, along with taller and slimmer vertical tailings in the rear of the vehicle. The license plate was relocated slightly and a larger 5mph rear bumper was another additional update. Discontinued, the base Monte Carlo with only manual transmission, standard suspension and bias-ply tires was deleted in '74, leaving only the 'S' and 'Landau' models. These models did have radial-ply tires and upgraded suspensions, as well as standard power steering and front disc brakes.

Setting a whole new sales record of over 300,000 units despite the Arab Oil Embargo of late 1973 and early 1974 that greatly depleted the sales of standard and intermediate-sized vehicles in favor of smaller compacts, the Monte Carlo continued to set a new sales record for the year. The Monte Carlo continued to lead in the intermediate personal luxury car sales, with the Grand Prix placing second.

BUYER MUST PICKUP THE CAR OR MAKE THERE OWN ARRANGEMENTS FOR SHIPPING!