The Camaro and Corvette might be the best-known Chevy performance cars from the 1980s, but if you were a NASCAR fan when Dale Earnhardt and Darrell Waltrip were pounding ovals, you’ll definitely have a soft spot for the G-body Monte Carlo.
The third-gen Monte built between 1981 and 1988 used the same platform as the the Olds Cutlass Supreme, Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Regal, and like those cars, it was more personal luxury car than road burner, at least in its basic form.
But starting in 1983, Chevy offered an SS version, with sporty color-coded bumpers and trim, a new, slightly more aerodynamic nose, and a 305 cu-in (5.0-liter) V8 with a modest 180 hp (183 PS). By 1987, when the car pictured here was built, it was still making the same power, despite Camaro buyers that year having the choice of a 215 hp 305-cube V8, or a 225 hp 350 (5.7) if they went for the IROC-Z.
Related: Try Not To Laugh As A Chevy Monte Carlo Loses A Wheel While Doing Donuts
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So the SS isn’t the quickest bow-tie muscle car, but it certainly looks the part with its sinister black paint, red graphics and deep-dish alloy wheels. We’re not so sure about the burgundy velour interior, but it certainly screams “1980s.” And with just 607.8 miles on the clock, this car really will deliver an authentic 1980s experience. It’s had just one owner from new and has recently been serviced and recommissioned ready for sale.
Air conditioning, a full complement of power devices and factory fitted cruise control means you can go slowly in style, and while this isn’t the much rarer fastback Aerocoupe body style developed to increase NASCAR speeds and offered in 1986 and 1987, many will prefer the classic formal look with the near-vertical rear window.
Missouri-based classic car dealership Daniel Schmitt & Co. has the timewarp Monte up for $59,900, which looks decent value when you consider that an example of the Chevy’s (admittedly more powerful) turbo-V6 Buick Grand National cousin with similar miles on the clock sold for over $100k recently. And when it comes down to it, it doesn’t look that much different from the highly collectable Buick GNX, and one of those with sub-1k miles would set you back over $200,000.
Would you take this Monte Carlo over a Camaro of the same period? Leave a comment and let us know.
