Imagine it is 1984. Your high school parking lot is full of lame 1970s cars and a few remnants of a performance past. Then, the rich kid shows up in a Monte Carlo SS, and envy crept it. He even had a nice girl sitting shotgun, but you simply can’t take the car off your mind. It’s made an imprint, yet you never bought the object of your lust. Our Pick of the Day is that very car you never had a chance to own—this 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Sherman, Texas.
People like to complain about the 1980s, but where does that leave people like me—folks who came of age during this decade? I didn’t know any better that new cars were wheezing shells of their former selves, but it made no difference to me because new model years meant styling changes and redesigns. The first glimmer of hope appeared late in the 1983 model year with the L69 305, which was available for the Camaro Z/28.
Chevrolet also introduced a NASCAR homologation special at the same time, but for the mid-size Monte Carlo. Like most famous homologation specials before it (Dodge Charger Daytona and Plymouth Road Runner Superbird), the brand-new Monte Carlo SS was developed to certify aerodynamic modifications for NASCAR. Though General Motors previously had sat out the heyday of NASCAR racing, the 1980s were a different story.
Only available in White or Dark Blue Metallic, with special White and Blue split-bench seats and door trim, the SS also came standard with a L69 305ci V8 (rated at 175 horsepower for the SS) with robust (for the time) 9.5:1 compression, four-barrel carburetor, TH350 three-speed automatic, F41 Sport Suspension, 3.42 performance axle, dual exhaust system, special 15×7 Rally wheels, P215/65-15 GT white-letter Goodyears, gauge package including tachometer, automatic transmission, rear spoiler, special SS stripes, special SS black moldings and grille, and sport mirrors.
Thanks to revised engine calibration, the 305 had a five-horsepower bump to 180 for 1984. An optional 3.73 gear helped make the Monte feel like classic muscle if you squinted and imagined. Standard transmission continued to be a TH350, but a four-speed TH200-4R including overdrive was optional later in the model year. Now there were three colors in the palette, with Silver Metallic being new. Wheels continued to be the same 15×7 Rallys with detail differences. Monte Carlo SS production jumped almost 20,000 units to 24,050 for 1984, its first full model year.
This White 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS features just 36,768 miles on the odometer. The Dark Blue split bench interior means the transmission shifter is on the column. Other features include power steering and front disc brakes (both standard), air conditioning (upgraded to R134a), 215/65R15 tires, power windows, cruise control tilt wheel, rear defroster and, most of all, clean CARFAX. Aftermarket Pioneer AM/FM/CD player isn’t circa 1984, but you must have a Quiet Riot CD, no?
About that rich kid: you never saw him after graduation, but you did get the girl. Now’s your chance to get the car if you shell out $29,950.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
