1973 Chevrolet Monte Carlo S Coupe

From the 1973 sales brochure: “The 1973 Monte Carlo S. Its qualities of elegance, silence, comfort and the relaxing feeling of stability, result in a personal luxury car of first rank; a car which combines American comfort with European handling. But only your experience can truly bring out Monte Carlo's quality. Drive it. We believe you will agree that in Monte Carlo, Chevrolet is indeed building a better way to see the U.S.A.”.

For consignment, a two-owner '73 Monte Carlo in original condition with a non-verified 44,307 miles on the odometer. This was garage-kept and pampered by its first owners who had for almost 50 years. They must've read the brochure, tested the car, and fell in love and the affair ended only when age sadly trumped the ability to drive. Recent service and paint care assure that this car is show ready…this is no “diamond in the rough”…it's an original-condition Monte Carlo from 1973 in fantastic condition. We'd hate to overuse the term “time capsule” but there's no getting around it.

Exterior
Funny how color preferences and trends change through the years. In 1973, you had the option of four different shades of green. This one got the nod for Green-Gold Metallic and like everyone's kitchen appliances back in the day, it's decidedly a shade of avocado. Classic! It has a great shine thanks to a recent clay bar and ceramic coating treatment and the beige vinyl roof, while tucked and together, does show a bit of discoloration, simply a function of time. The chrome is absolutely gleaming while the sculpted taillights and side markers are in preserved condition. The grid pattern grille was new for this model and looks great and the bright wheel-opening moldings were also specific to the “S”. In this case, it looks like one of the moldings is askew probably due to a slight tap to the front right fender, (that did not actually damage the paint). One other minor ding near a bumper but beyond that, you would be hard pressed to find faults with the exterior.

Interior
Light Neutral and ivory are tough colors. Not only do they show dirt more than black or green would, but any natural discoloration is going to be evident too and that seems to be the case with the door cards and seats where mixed materials have veered from their original colors over the years. That said, the condition is very good and old-school push-button locks and crank windows are the norm. The split bench seat really conjures up memories of the family car; this one has some wear on the top of the driver's side seat. The back seats continue the button-back and pleated design and are in good condition though suffering from some of those color issues. The soft-rim steering wheel was an “S” feature and buyers were promised a “sure grip feel”. The woodgrain on the steering wheel is described as “Carpathian burled elm vinyl” in the brochure…in case you thought it was just normal wood vinyl! Just beyond the wheel is the column shifter, (automatic). The dash is simple; two gauges give you fuel levels, gear selection, and speedometer/odometer. Other information is provided by idiot lights in their own gauge bezels. There's an analog clock, (not working), an AM/FM radio, and AC controls. The low pile brown carpet and ivory, perforated headliner look very good. This car is equipped with plastic pockets to hold shoulder belts to the ceiling, not just clips. The trunk looks super clean and stock with a gray flannel mat, spare tire, and jack.

Drivetrain
The correct 350ci L65 V8 with a 2 barrel carburetor is here, (thrill-seekers could have opted for a 454 in '73 with 100 more horsepower…and probably higher insurance), and transfers the spin to the back wheels through a Turbo Hydramatic 350 automatic 3-speed transmission which is numbers matching. The power then heads back to a 10 bolt rear with Positraction 2.73 gears. Power brakes were standard in the S and are disc up front and drum in the rear and were recently serviced. Other than some surface rust on exposed metal parts, the engine bay is in spectacular original condition.

Undercarriage
The surface rust on the usual places, (heavy metal parts, driveshaft, etc.), is really inconsequential because the undercarriage is in very fine condition. This has always been a Pennsylvania car and the undercarriage is proof that the car was very well cared for. That said, we have seepage at the pinion seal and drips on the oil pan, oil filter and crossmember. Our brochure boasted “longer travel springs” and front and rear stabilizer bars for “a truly relaxing feeling of stability.". Relaxing or not, it's all there. The single exhaust is free of holes or breaks.

Drivability
As a child of the 70's, the inside of this car is a very familiar place. The gear selector, shared by any number of GM cars, feels like an old friend. Start the car, pull towards you and down…yep, I got this! Off we went in the smooth riding Monte which absorbed imperfections on our test loop with grace. Not surprisingly, the car felt heavier than the modern cars we use daily nowadays but had adequate low end power and acceleration. Remember…this is the personal luxury version of the Monte Carlo, not the muscle car, so don't expect any red-light adventures. The brakes, which were serviced recently, worked great. We lost track of time…partly because the analog clock is non-functional…but mostly because the ride was so quiet and smooth.

Unless there's a millennial out there with a penchant for mid-70's GM cars, (hey, there are some!), this car will likely be very attractive to people who grew up in this era. Being carpooled around by moms or headed out to adventures on the weekends, this car brings it all back. An incredible rare opportunity to pick up a very original 1973 Monte Carlo, basically rust-free and low mileage. How to be green in 2024? Buy a period-correct '73!

1H57H3B603695

1-Chevrolet
H-Monte Carlo
57-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
H-350ci L65 2bbl 145hp V8
3-1973
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
603695-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 73 1AH57-1973 Monte Carlo 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY B382632-Baltimore Body #
TR 731 A52-Light Neutral Cloth Split Bench
PNT 46T-Green Gold Metallic, Neutral Vinyl Top

Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.

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