1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Description

Good luck finding a cleaner Chevrolet Monte Carlo than this 1986 example. With just 72,602 original miles, this nicely preserved personal luxury coupe is an outstanding specimen of a car that will always have a loyal following. And with V8 power, it's also a lot of fun to drive.

We all know that factory paint from this era almost never lasted north of 10 years, so the owners of this beauty gave her a factory-correct re-spray. Sure, there are some signs of use, but there weren't many cars built in the '80s that still look this good today. The Monte Carlo's chiseled good looks are especially handsome in black, which highlights the curving front fenders and formal roofline. It also highlights irregularities, so it's a good thing that this car is so straight, so even those massive doors open and close easily with excellent gaps all around. Chrome was going out of style when this car was built, so it's restrained in its use of the shiny stuff, showing an excellent original grille, bright stainless rocker moldings, and just a sliver of brightwork on the bumpers. And how about that? A Monte Carlo without a padded roof! This one just keeps getting cooler.

The interior is the burgundy vinyl that was so popular in these cars, and with so few miles, it's no surprise that it's still in excellent condition. The seats remain firm and supportive, the upholstery shows only minor wear, and it looks like there have been floor mats on the carpets since Day One. This particular Monte Carlo was definitely aimed at the luxury car buyer, with loads of power accessories like A/C, a tilt wheel, and cruise control, all of which are fully functional. This particular 2-owner car has lived in Georgia all its life, and the hot sun can be rough on soft interior parts, but this one has effectively hidden from the sun, and as a result the dash pad is excellent and the upholstery shows zero UV damage. The gauges are minimalist, showing only speed and fuel level, but the dash is attractive and you can see shadows of the high-performance SS model in it. There's the original AM/FM/cassette stereo that still sounds decent and even the trunk looks unused, and still carries the original spare and jack assembly.

Fortunately, in 1986 the Monte Carlo was still packing a smooth-running 305 cubic inch V8. It wasn't built for pure horsepower, but it cranks out respectable numbers and enough torque to make driving entertaining. Showing a great deal of originality, it's clear that this car has always been properly maintained, with everything as the factory intended. As a small-block Chevy, it is insanely easy to modify these engines for more power, but somehow the two previous owners have resisted the siren call of horsepower and left it stock for future generations to appreciate. A 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission linked to a 10-bolt rear makes for a bulletproof driveline, and it makes for a superb highway cruiser with an incomparable ride. The only real modification is the great-looking Rally wheels, which wear slightly oversized 255/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A white-letter radials.

If you have been looking for a clean Monte Carlo, look no further. This is a gorgeous survivor or perhaps the foundation of something truly spectacular. Call today!