1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS

Description

“With big engine, handling package, and a host of keen options, Chevrolet’s new personal car becomes a gentleman’s bomb,” is how Car Life magazine summarized the new Monte Carlo SS. The 1970 Monte Carlo was Chevy’s first “personal luxury” automobile. Based on the Chevelle’s A-body platform, the engineers and designers created the “A-body Special” chassis by extending the wheelbase ahead of the firewall. This created a longer hood—at six feet the longest hood ever on a Chevy—which proportioned the Monte Carlo more elegantly. The 1971 and ’72 Monte Carlos are similar, featuring only minor trim and detail differences. Because the Monte Carlo was mechanically identical to the Chevelle, they shared most of the same drivetrains, up to the massive 454 cu-in 365 horsepower LS5 V8 exclusive to the Monte Carlo SS model.

Only 1,919 SS models were produced in 1971, including this very original Monte Carlo. Sadly, this would be the last year of the luxurious beast. Beautifully preserved and fully documented with the original assembly line Build Sheet, original window sticker, and dealer Bill of Sale, and powered by the LS5 454 and Turbo 400 automatic, this highly optioned 1971 Monte Carlo SS is truly genuine Chevrolet.

Highlights

• One of only 1,919 Monte Carlo SS produced for 1971

• Last year for the Monte Carlo SS model

• Listed in the First Generation Monte Carlo Club SS 454 Registry

• Original window sticker and factory assembly line Build Sheet

• Powered by an LS5 454 cu-in V8 generating 365 hp, the only engine available on the Monte Carlo SS

• Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 three-speed automatic with console and “horseshoe” shifter

• Finished in Lime Green (43) with Black vinyl top (B) and Jade Vinyl Bucket Seat (733) interior

• The chassis number (138571K188013) decodes as:

  • 1 – Chevrolet

  • 38 – Monte Carlo

  • 57 – Two-door Sport Coupe

  • 1 – 1971 model year

  • K – Kansas City, Missouri, final assembly plant

  • 188013 – Sequential production number starting at 100001

• The factory options on this 1971 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS include:

  • 922 – 43-43 Lime Green

  • 733 – Jade Vinyl Interior

  • AU3 – Power Door Lock System ($46.35)

  • A01 – Soft-Ray Tinted Glass ($46.35)

  • A31 – Power Windows ($127.45)

  • A51 – Strato-Bucket Front Seats ($136.95)

  • B37 – Floor Mats Front & Rear ($12.65)

  • B93 – Door Edge Guards ($6.35)

  • C60 – Four-Season Air Conditioning ($407.60)

  • D55 – Center Console ($59.00)

  • M40 – Turbo Hydra-Matic ($237.60)

  • N60 – Power Steering ($115.90)

  • U79 – AM/FM/Stereo Radio ($237.10)

  • V30 – Front and Rear Bumper Guards ($15.60)

  • Z20 – Monte Carlo SS Equipment ($484.50) including:

    • LS5 454 cu-in engine

    • Dual exhaust

    • Automatic Level Control

    • Wide-Oval wide-stripe tires

    • Rally wheels

    • Special chassis components

Features

• Recent maintenance includes:

  • New radiator

  • New heater core

  • New belts and hoses

  • Engine oil and filter replaced

  • Transmission oil and filter replaced

• Aftermarket AM/FM radio

• Aftermarket Oil Pressure, Ampere, and Water Temperature gauges

• Front bucket seats with fold-forward backs

• Soft-touch instrument panel knobs with Euro icons

• Factory instrumentation includes:

  • 120 mph speedometer

  • Oil pressure

  • Temperature

  • Fuel level

  • Generator

• Dome light

• Door pull straps

• Fisher Body step plates

• Seat belts

• Cigar/cigarette lighter and ash tray

• Floor mats

Known Imperfections

• All factory Automatic Level Control parts are present, but compressor does not work

• Minor imperfections in original bumpers and original trim

• Left turn signal on dash lights up when you hit the brakes

Included

• Original AM/FM radio

• Factory assembly line Build Sheet

• Original window sticker

• Original warranty card

• Dealer Bill of Sale

• Original Tennessee temporary license tag

Ownership History

On 30 June 1972, Arnold Turner drove his brand new 1971 Monte Carlo SS home to Gamaliel, Kentucky, from Cunningham-Kelley Chevrolet in Hartsville, Tennessee, wearing temporary Tennessee license plate 089209W. Heavily optioned, the car stickered at $5,331.60, almost as much as a Corvette that year, but Mr. Turner’s trade-in brought it down to a manageable $3,825.00. Maybe not so coincidentally, Cunningham-Kelley Chevrolet was the sponsor of NASCAR racer Clifton “Coo Coo” Marlin and his #14 Monte Carlo. Arnold Turner’s SS remained in salt-free southern Kentucky until the southern Indiana consignor purchased it two years ago. Now showing 115,195 miles, believed original, the consignor states that the Monte Carlo is “not a rotisserie restoration car but a very nice show quality driver that runs and drives great. It looks to be all original sheet metal including floors and trunk. It has had one repaint about 10 years ago but shows very well.”