Quite possibly getting another black Chevy..

My uncle has a 1987 Monte Carlo SS Aero Coupe. He also has an '88 Mustang convertible. He is disabled and cannot work on cars anymore. The Monte needs some work and the mustang is mint so he wants to keep the mustang and get rid of the SS. He would like to see it in my possession because he knows I will take care of it and bring it back to it's glory. He has put a lot of money and new parts into the car since he bought it about a year ago.

What are these cars worth? Should I bother getting it? It needs rust repair in the door jambs and it needs all weather seals they are dry rotted. The interior is also faded and needs to be fixed up. The car runs and drives excellent but I think it needs valve seals because it smokes at start-up but quickly goes away.

Here's a few pics. I would like some honest opinions of what you guys think of the car and what it's worth. I've seen some in real good condition go for $20,000+. Obviously this one is not in that price range.

My ElCamino had the G80, F41 suspension 305 4bbl cept a/c I loved it! Should have dropped a 350 in her when I had the chance.
If the rust is not to bad, I say go for it.

Do it, I had one, they are a nice running smooth going car. And if it's cheap that's even better.

Well.. I love Monte's, hate the. Aero Coupes.. t-tops probably leak. Id give it a reallll good inspection for rust before I made a decision..

Like said, if the price is right snag it! Be a good summer cruiser with a lot of potential, especially in your hands.

Tough to say a price without seeing better pics of the rust, but if it is easily manageable and not rotted, the cars runs great, and looks that good from 10 feet, it is probably about a $5000 car. The Monte SS is a good looking car and I only see their value in good condition going up.

I would think from what I can see in the pics that a good cleaning, some (presumably) minor rust repair, valve seals, and a set of door and T-top seals will make this a pretty darn nice driver. I can't imagine all that would cost you $1000 after purchase price, that is assuming you can do all this work yourself, which you can from what I have sen you doing on those little Gm cars you always seem to have.


Doug

5k is a little steep IMHO, I paid 2600 for mine, 110k miles. No leaks, needed front end work bad. But it was fun, that little 305 wasn't a powerhouse but it was admiralble.

What's he selling it for $ wise if u don't mind?

Some things he replaced within the last year.

Battery
Starter
Battery Cables
Plugs
Cap
Rotor
Wires
Alternator
Water pump
Thermostat
Gas tank and straps
Fuel filter fuel pump
Tires Goodyear eagles GTII less than 1000 miles
Pads rotors wheel cylinders
Trans filter fluid and gasket
Drivers side floor pan replaced
Air cleaner
Catalytic converter
Outer tie rods
Aftermarket dashboard cover and original wheels included

I know there is more I cannot remember right now. T-tops do not leak either.

With that said, he is asking $5,000. He is willing to work with me on a payment plan of $0 down and pay at my own pace. He also said if I take the car and I decide it is too much work I can give it back anytime and he will compensate me for any work I do.

Me and Kayla have been talking about getting a classic convertible for us to cruise around in and I think this is just as good. I took her for a ride in my friends 442 that I had posted and she LOVED the T-tops.

An aero coupe with t-tops will generally run around 4-5k in decent shape which is what your describing. If it needs body and engine work then it'll go for closer to 4k. Just remember that those tops are heavy and they take up alot of space when in the backseat or trunk. Everyone I knew that had t-tops hated them for that, and a few other reasons.

put a big block in it


https://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/meanss/Monte%20SS/?action=view&current=454ss.flv

https://s126.photobucket.com/albums/p112/meanss/Monte%20SS/?start=all

So what I think is that 5k is reasonable given there was only 6252 produced and all the recent work completed. It really does not need much and it could be driven the way it is and still be respectable. I have driven it on several occasions and it is fun to drive and turns a lot of heads. I have to try and find a job now so I can get yet another car (have 4 already) and be able to store it.

I just noticed me and Paul have our threads starting with "quite possibly" lol.

http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php

Hi Tim

Looks like a pretty decent car and sounds like your uncle took good care of it mechanically. As fussy as you are, it wouldn't take you long to clean that interior up. Valve seals not that big of a job.

As you know, being for the northeast, rust and rot are the big problems. Jack it up and get under it with an ice pick and poke around. Being a car guy, you know where to look. I would then look topside very good also. Peel the carpet back and look at the floors and trunk and pillars. Rust and rot are not cheap to repair, sometimes fatal. It is 23 years old.

Seeing how he is financing it without a payment schedule, it would be hard to negotiate the price. I have no idea what they sell for; but if you see some major repairs let him know, so maybe he will adjust the price. Don't be afraid to point out things to him, even though he is your uncle.

Tim, whatever happened to that friend of yours who was in the car accident in FL. I haven't seen him on since he posted one time after the accident.

Tom

I have not talked to him since right after the accident, not sure what's going on with him.


My uncle already had the worst rust repaired. He had the fuel tank removed and replaced ect.. he also had the drivers floor replaced. I will check the passenger side and see whats up with that but I think it is fine.

If I had $5000 cash I probably wouldn't be buying this car. But, given the circumstances, it is a great opportunity to own a rare classic muscle car that I think I am going to jump on. Surprising to me, Kayla actually agrees that I should take the opportunity. SWEET. Need to get rid of my Regal to make some room in the yard and also need to get a job to pay for repairs and storage come winter. (Kayla's suggestions).

I appreciate everyone's advice. Keep it coming, I'd like to hear what everyone thinks.

GasTT wrote:

If I had $5000 cash I probably wouldn't be buying this car. But, given the circumstances, it is a great opportunity to own a rare classic muscle car that I think I am going to jump on. Surprising to me, Kayla actually agrees that I should take the opportunity.

So u don't have 5k but ur going to buy it? I'm guessing on the payment plan? And what rare classic muscle car??? Lol couldn't help myself.

No Moa wrote:

GasTT wrote:

If I had $5000 cash I probably wouldn't be buying this car. But, given the circumstances, it is a great opportunity to own a rare classic muscle car that I think I am going to jump on. Surprising to me, Kayla actually agrees that I should take the opportunity.

So u don't have 5k but ur going to buy it? I'm guessing on the payment plan? And what rare classic muscle car??? Lol couldn't help myself.

What are you trying to say? Is this car not rare? Is it not a muscle car? .... it's only an '87 but it will be an antique in 2 years time.

Yes that is correct I do not have 5k and I am going to buy it on a payment plan. My uncle would rather see his nephew give the car the care and respect it deserves and get his money slowly than sell it outright to some schmuck who is going to destroy it and never see the car again.

it could have been a muscle car if GM put a turbo on that pos 305

if they already did floor work you should put the car on a lift and really check it out good

LOL Ok it's not super fast but it looks cool! Hey if I want to go fast(er) I will drive my Caprice.

As long as the over all condition is good, have the original wheels, and no rust. It would be worth $4500. If power you crave, drop in a 87+truck 350, and a grand national rear end with posi and 3.42s. You will move out much better, but not take away from the stock look.

mean ss wrote:

put a big block in it

Wow, how'd I know you would suggest that.

how to put LT1 in a monte
http://home.comcast.net/~spudmanmike/scrapbook.pdf

V8Killer wrote:

mean ss wrote:

put a big block in it

Wow, how'd I know you would suggest that.

because you know what they need too

IMPALADAKID wrote:

As long as the over all condition is good, have the original wheels, and no rust. It would be worth $4500. If power you crave, drop in a 87+truck 350, and a grand national rear end with posi and 3.42s. You will move out much better, but not take away from the stock look.

Yup, the stock 7.5 rear diffs in the Monte's SUCK BAD! You can break em pretty easy with a 305.

This car has 3.73 posi from the factory. I will probably leave the stock motor in it. Maybe put on some headers, intake, carb, ignition stuff and get rid of the emissions crap and leave it at that. It does come with the original wheels.

GasTT wrote:

carb

What is a carb?............Oh wait, I remember. I seen one of those in a history book.

LOL tell me about it... It's got one of those electronic Rochester carbs..

theirs more emission crap on those motors then what's on are B body's

I know what's involved. There are a million holes in the exhaust manifolds and hoses and tubes all over the place. It will be challenging.

my old cadillac has 307 with probably the same electronic rochester as the 305. get a factory service manual before you start to figure out the vaccum lines, it looks like a bowl of spaghetti with a carb in it. as long as you have the diagram, following the lines wont be tough.

Same setup I got. You saw how it looked last weekend. Only difference is the way the starter, alternator, and a/c are mounted. If you need any guidence then feel free to swing by and use mine as a reference point. I also have a chiltons that shows the wiring diagrams for the ccc system

If it was me I'd use the LT1/4L60E/harness from your Caprice and just sell what's left. Maybe even get enought to get another axle.
5 cars is too many.

Dibs on the roller!

Cool car, the Aero Coupe is rare. Seems like over the past five years I've been seeing less and less Monte SS's. Back in HS they were still all over the place, a few of my friends had them.

I'd say it's worth about 4-4.5K as it sits kinda like how Billy said, if the rust isn't too bad. Check the door bottoms if they haven't been done yet...etc. And the rear frame rails!
I've seen a few of the notchbacks lately on CL for around 8-10 g's with super low original miles, and original paint with the original stripe kits (i'd get the stripe kit if you ever repaint it, it really makes the car)

Make sure you lock the T-tops before you drive the car on the highway! Funny story about it...

boojum wrote:

If it was me I'd use the LT1/4L60E/harness from your Caprice and just sell what's left. Maybe even get enought to get another axle.
5 cars is too many.

Dibs on the roller!

No way. There is never too many.

To each his own for all the "transelvania judges" here. I bought my '87 monte carlo ss areo coupe in '07 at a car show. The guy wanted $4900. I gave him $4300 cash and it was mine. About $3k later in "this and that stuff", and I'm looking at dropping in a 383 from summit and putting in a 700r4 built for stoplight breakaways, tho the 2004r can be built to stand steep horses. I have the common G80 w/3.73's. And it has a dealer option power moon roof that will be taken out and redon/reenforced when I get it painted again. The car has a good story and thats what got my wallet. It has only 83k on the clock now and a new england car with no rot. You'll get alot of looks comments and guys telling you to raise it on 24's...NO! I had that everytime I went to the parts store in Alabama. It is reminder of the good NASCAR days when it wasnt running those toyotas. Earnhardt would have never stood for that b/s. Anyway, its a start, and you will learn ALOT while maintaining and bringing its shine back! GOOD LUCK!!!