1986 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Sport Coupe review from North America

Sagging head liner from the get go.

Had a smoked transmission when I first got it.

Rebuilt carb because some one had used a Zip tie to hold the failed electric choke open, and that ended up letting unfiltered air into the carb.

Trans failed again (my fault for buying a bone yard trans, running it low on fluid and putting a shift kit in)

Rear frame rails non existent, due to the class 4 receiver that was bolted to the rear of the car when I first got it, this car saw salt water!

All the usiall other "Rotty Carlo" rust/rot spots.

Needed tuneup.

Rear brake line broke, no rear brakes in the end LOL.

I loved this car, it was my first set of wheels. It was in the Wantad listed for 250 bucks with a blown transmission. The guy I got it from dropped it down to 200 bucks to offset the 50 dollar tow to my school.

Even with all the stuff listed above when it was all fixed it was a very reliable car. Pump the gas twice, and it would spark up no matter what, on hot or very cold days, just touching the key It would start faster than some of the newest cars out there.

I did all the work to the car my self. I rebuilt the carb myself, it was very responsive after that, some one who calls a Quadrajet a "Quadrabog" is some one that has no clue how to tune a carb unless the name of it begins with H

I put a hooker cat-back 21/2" dual exhaust for a Monte SS or a Grand National on it, it sounded very nice! I also installed a Monte SS computer, it has a better fuel/spark strategy. When the first trans failed I installed a 2004R with a Gil Younger shift kit, from a Monte SS in. It had a nice popping shift after that! In the end when I floored it even with the 2.29 highway gears in the rear it still did a one legged peel out for about 10 feet.

I like the body style of the 4th generation Monte's the best 81-88 there much lighter looking than the 73-80 style, the 70-72 style is also a nice looking car.

I liked this car so much I bought a '83 monte that's pretty close to mint, I am doing a frame off restoration, its getting a 450+ HP 355, a TH350, and a Ford 9" with 3.55's and a Detroit locker. In honor of my original ride, it will be painted the same Metallic deep blue, and sport all SS goodies, with a SS nose, spoiler a F41 suspension package, a 12:1 ratio steering box, and a floor shift (ratcheting)

I got rid of my first ride in early 2001, I had put close to 8K on the clock (not quite sure, the speedo didn't work right when the transmissions where changed) I took all the good stuff I had put on it off, and sent it off to the junkyard to eventually be made into razor blades and Hyundai's. It was like saying good

bye to a good friend, my first car I had lots of fun in.