1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

Over the past 105 years, Chevrolet has built such a vast empire of lovable offerings that some of them just seem to get overlooked.  Possibly the most substantial victim of that unfortunate phenomenon is the storied Monte Carlo.  Introduced in 1970, and proudly parked in over half a million driveways during its first three years of production, the brand's personal luxury coupe was decidedly cool.  And, not as ostentatious as a Corvette or as boorish as a Camaro, the car spent most of its life as the poster child for evolving automotive tastes.

This first year scaled down Monte is a solid cruiser that's benefitted from a well performed restoration.  A new engine, intake & carburetor, cooling system overhaul, fuel system overhaul, and brake system overhaul have moved this once luxo-muscle cruiser from daily driver status to show winner and crowd wower.  With over 17K invested in the redux, not including labor, you simply won't find more muscle and luxury for the money!

Exterior
A respray of Pewter Silver Metallic paint with only a few minor inclusions, plenty of brite work, and a denim blue painted top drapes this '78 “Luxo-Mod”, (Look! Up in the sky, it's a muscle car…no its a luxury car!).  True to form, a 1978 second gen Monte Carlo through and through, it sports a long, long hood, and a short, (for the era), trunk deck.  All badging trim work and chrome and neoprene bumpers are very clean and dimple and rust free.  Styling cues from the previous generation have been carried over and show with the coke bottle bulged out front and rear quarter panels.  Even the front and rear, with an egg crate chrome grille, square glass headlights, and segmented tail lights give a nod back to the prior year styling.  Early style 15-inch rally wheels and 205/75R15 blackwall tires are noted on all 4 corners.

Interior
A changeover to black is the color for the interior and it encompasses not only the seats and carpet but the dash, door panels, and headliner.  A combination of new and old black vinyl draws your eyes to the seating which are late model buckets up front and a rear full bench, all of which have virtually no marks or stains and certainly no rips or tears.   The door panels are very clean vinyl and plastic coverings with all working cranks and a toggle for the exterior mirror.  A black vinyl padded dash covers the top and cascades down to envelope the heater slides and modern AM/FM stereo.  Some gauges reside mounted to the bottom of the dash while others are flanked by the speedometer and clock in the main cluster.  A standard GM Monte Carlo steering wheel fronts the dash.  Black carpet, showing very well and we note an aftermarket black console with cupholders between the front buckets.  A nice tight dark blue broadcloth headliner is above all this luxury and originality.

Drivetrain
Taking a gaze into the engine bay one sees the new replacement engine under a litany of hoses, ducting and wiring.  This is a 305ci V8 engine, with an Edelbrock intake manifold and 4-barrel carburetor on top.  Some chrome for the Edelbrock valve covers and beehive style air cleaner assembly add just the right amount of bling.  A 350 Turbo 3-speed automatic transmission is on back and a 10-bolt rear axle finishes the drivetrain up nicely.  The engine is well detailed and just a slight bit of dust and some minor corrosion can be seen throughout, but I will admit I do miss the 1/2 mile long fan shroud from the prior year.

Undercarriage
Up on the lift we can see the meat of the operation from underside, we note power steering, power front disc brakes along with power drums on the rear.  Single exhaust with a Turbo style muffler along with the usual suspects having some surface rust.  The frame is sturdy, as are rockers and floor pans.  Independent suspension with coil springs provide the ride in front, and a 4 link with coil springs have the rear covered.

Drive-Ability
I love test driving malaise era cars, mainly due to growing up with these all around me on the road, and this one left me with a smile on my face.  It fired right up, idled smoothly, although the catalytic converter did have a slight rattle until warmed up and took off in a flash.  It is a very smooth ride, with nice acceleration and decent handling.  All functions, with the exception of the wipers needing some assistance with being parked were indeed…functioning.  

The 78 Monte Carlo is easily the nicest A-Body car that General Motors ever produced due to it not looking like anything else on the road.  This example, with its great stance, wonderful repaint, redone interior and slightly beefed up engine and you could not ask for anything else…well…you could, for it to be in your garage.  A redone to almost new 44-year-old car, now that's something to be said.

1Z37U8B531649

1-Chevrolet
Z-Monte Carlo
37-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
U-305ci V8 2bbl
8-1978
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
531649-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.