Every now and then, I like to use the phrase, “honest beater”. That means that there is no deception to the car you’re looking at…everything is up front and it’s up to you whether or not you choose to take on the project. I’ve owned quite a few of them and I find them to be plenty of fun so long as they function. I guess that’s the split between an honest beater and an absolute pile of crap…one functions, one is just barely worth more than scrap metal. At least with a beater, you can get out and drive it with no issues for your conscience to attend to. Rain? Ha! As long as the wipers work and there isn’t exhaust fumes pouring into the car, let it rain, you’ll be fine. I can keep making the same clichéd jokes about angry neighbors, embarrassed significant others, and whatnot, but the truth is you are the one driving the car. You are the one not making a car payment. You are the one that is keeping a little bit of history on the streets.

Speaking of history, tell me this 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo isn’t a throwback to the 1980s. Sidepipes, Centerlines and raised white letter tires? All that’s missing is about three more inches of ride height in the back and you’d be somebody! 1970s Monte Carlos, along with pretty much every other GM A-body of this era, were popular because at the time, they represented a nice middle ground between genuine tanks like the Caprice and what were perceived compacts, like the Nova…nevermind the Chevette, Monza or the beleaguered Vega. And unlike the Camaro, you could reasonably fit your buddies in the back and go driving somewhere, no problem. And if you were paying attention to NASCAR at all back then, you got to see Monte Carlos hauling tail on the high banks in between crashes and the occasional fistfight.

This particular Monte has seen better days, no doubt. There’s bubbling on the rear wheelwells, the interior needs bleach wipes, carpeting, a new steering wheel and Jesus, and like most Chevrolet products that haven’t been kept factory perfect, the small-block under hood could be just about anything…as long as it runs, don’t ask too many questions. But just think of the noise that will blast out of those sidepipes. Imagine those Auto Drags, cleaned up with fresh BFG T/As on them. Imagine the tail up in the air, even just a little bit, and the 350 loping at idle, healthy and fat on high-test fuel. Imagine an interior that properly reflects the personal luxury coupe market this car chased, instead of the local trailer park it currently shows. 

For $2,600, we see a worthwhile weekend project. ACC sells carpet kits for a couple of hundred bucks so remove and burn what’s in there before it causes an epidemic. Get some fresh tires, make a date with the pressure washer and tune up that 350, and from there you can start to save coins and plan out something impressive. Or you can just improve on what’s there. Just leave the sidepipes…society could use a bit of an obnoxious touch nowadays!

Craigslist Link: 1977 Chevrolet Monte Carlo