David Mau

With so many books seeming to have incomplete or incorrect information in them, isn't it refreshing when you can actually recommend one wholeheartedly like this? Thanks, Mark. I'm sure this will be of value to many of our members. Dave

That would be TOO COOL, Jake! Let us know what the outcome of this is. Dave

Hmmmmm, that's a good question, Bob. I would think that from the factory a dual exhaust system without chrome tips/extensions would be downturned, but I can't say for sure! The factory style sure looks great, though. My car is probably on its third or fourth exhaust system (the most recent being put on 2 1/2 years ago) and being an SS I put the repro chrome tips on it. Didn't want to spend a lot more money on the OEM ones when they look the same! If I didn't have an SS, but put on a new dual exhaust system, I'd probably still have the pipes straight out the back and with the SS chrome tips. Nothing wrong with adding a little something "extra" and in my opinion you can't beat the factory muscle car look! The actual car used as a basis for drawing up the FGMCC logo was a beautifully-restored '70 402/4-speed car and it had the SS chrome exhaust tips on it, too. Considering that a lot of people on the site/in the club are interested in performance, I thought it was appropriate to have a factory-appearing, performance oriented Monte represent the club in the logo... so it's got the chrome tips, rally wheels and white letter tires. Dave

I guess I'd describe them as being rectangular-shaped with rounded corners. They were the same chrome tips that were also used on the Chevelle SS, and I believe that OEM versions as well as repros are available from parts suppliers. Dave

Very nice, Jake! I'm with Steve on the valve covers, too. Dave

I think that if it were real, the footnote under the 1970 Monte Carlo values in the Old Cars Price Guide would read something like this: NOTE: Add 35 percent for SS 454. Add 25 percent for 402 engine option. SS 454 cars equipped with 4-speed manual transmission, value inestimable. Unfortunately, though, I have to agree with virtually everyone else here; that copy of the build sheet appears to be modified - just like the car. I work with type fonts on a daily basis in my profession, and it's pretty obvious to me that the line calling out the "M20 4 SPEED MANUAL" is typed in a different font than the rest of the build sheet. Andreas also pointed out that the justification of that one line is out of whack as well. A photocopy won't usually show that something has been "pasted up" - but if you've got a photocopy, then you've got the original. Show me that original, please. That said, it appears to be a very nice "phantom car". I wish I could read what all it says about the car on the show sign. Is it being shown as a "phantom" or is it being passed off as a genuine, factory-built 4-speed SS454? If it were mine, I'd lose those incorrect "SS" emblems on the console and rearend. Every time I see incorrect and/or additional emblems on a car I'm always reminded of an article in a magazine where they were creating a "clone" of sorts and added extra emblems in places where there weren't any on the original model they were copying. The caption underneath the photo showing the incorrectly-placed (additional) emblems said something like, "Additional emblems are a nice touch on a bogus machine". Hmmmmm, I wonder... is someone over-compensating for something? I would've found this whole car more believable (even though it appears to be a real SS454) without that close-but-no-cigar build sheet copy and without those additional "SS" emblems that weren't on the original cars. Dave P.S. Did 402 and 350-powered 4-speed cars have a black or a white shifter ball from the factory? It seems that in most pictures I see of 4-speed cars they're white, but the one in this car is black. Simple to change, I know, but I'm curious.

That's cool, Jake! I've never torn my interior apart looking for my car's buildsheet, but after talking with Vaughn about it at the get-together in Penticton last weekend I think that I may be checking the bucket seat shells before too long... Dave

Capri, The RPO B85 'Belt Moldings' or 'Belt Reveal Moldings' were optional on any '70-'72 Monte Carlo, and they were also included as part of the '72-only 'Custom' package. The word 'Belt' is short for the term 'beltline' - which refers to a car body's midsection (top of doors/bottom of side windows). Correct "SS" letter emblems for both '70 and '71 are white-filled. As mentioned, repros have been made for years that are red-filled, but as far as I know they were never that way from the factory. I believe that early Impala SS and Nova SS models originally had some red-filled "SS" letters, however. Considering that the "SS" letters on '70/'71 Monte Carlos are always positioned against black backgrounds it makes sense that they're white-filled for better contrast and therefore visibility and readability. The Chevrolet design staff knew what they were doing. A gal I used to work with got a kick out of showing me how she could touch up the rocket emblems on the side of her '69 Cutlass convertible with her red nail polish. Watch out for Revlon Red-filled emblems! Hope this helps, Dave

Hey, that's really cool, Kelly! And yes, Vaughn's a great guy. I'm looking forward to seeing him again and meeting you next month in BC at our Peach City Beach Cruise gathering! Dave

You're welcome, Jim. Well, the NMCOA's annual "Monte Carlo Nationals" judging is likely a bit more precise than the FGMCC's - as they have specific judges who just might use some sort of a point system, but I can't say for sure. I know that from reading the NMCOA club publication that the judging system/class breakdowns are always being refined from year to year. For more information about the NMCOA's class breakdowns, etc. I'd check out the NMCOA website at www.montecarloclub.com . I also wouldn't hesitate to contact John Harvey if more information is needed. I've exchanged a few e-mails with him and he's a great guy and will likely be able to address any questions in a timely manner. Hmmmmmm, I wonder if having redline tires would bump you into the "Street" class for NMCOA judging instead of the "Stock" class? Dave

You're welcome, Jim. No stupid questions here - we can all learn from 'em! I wouldn't consider either the FGMCC or the NMCOA shows and judging to be "concours"-type events. They're not that strict with correctness and all, but when it comes to splitting hairs between two cars in any given class, it is my understanding that the one which is the most correct or at the top of the class at an NMCOA meet will prevail. So, if there was a tie between your car (with the redline tires) and another in the stock class (with narrow white stripe tires), the other car would likely win the NMCOA "Stock" award because of the correctness issue. I know that the NMCOA would put an otherwise stock Monte Carlo into the "Street" class for having a set of aftermarket wheels and beefy tires on it, but if there was a tie between that car and one that was just as nice with similar wheels/tires AND a nicer engine compartment - perhaps with some chrome added in - that car would likely win. I've read for years in the NMCOA publication that if you want to win an award in any given class, then put your car in the class that it is built to the top of - if that makes sense. The two official FGMCC Western Meets that I've attended have been more casual with regards to judging, as any member who wants to participate in judging, can. Everyone simply votes for the car they feel best represents each award, except for ones like the "President's Choice" award, where only the club pres votes for that one. Aaron (Canuck) has won the "Best Stock" award before at our meets, and although his car is basically stock, it does have a bit of a rumble to the chrome-tipped dual exhaust and he's sporting beefy white letter BFGoodrich Radial T/As - neither of which items are truly "stock". Redlines or not, if more people vote for your car in the stock class because it's basically stock at the FGMCC Eastern Meet, then I think you'd be the winner. We didn't do a points-type judging at the Western Meets. Hope this helps, Dave

I guess it would be up to the judge and/or show/class that the car is entered in. If it were a concours event I don't think that redlines on a '72 would be deemed correct, as most models seem to have been available with redlines only through '69. Points would likely be deducted for having them on a '72 car - at least in the "stock" class. If it's not a concours event, however, I think that redlines might be considered "era correct", being as how they were a musclecar-era item and that era is generally regarded as continuing through '72. In that case a judge may consider them to be a nice touch - especially considering that the first gen Monte Carlo made its debut in late '69 as a '70, and had its beginning in 1968. As far as a shop manual being used for "gospel" because it's a printed piece, I don't know that I'd count on that to argue correctness with for a concours event, either. Sometimes manuals and brochures will list optional equipment that was originally planned for production, but then never actually offered. If one could use the 1970 Accessory Brochure as "gospel" for correctness, then a '70 Monte Carlo convertible would have to be considered factory stock and "correct" - even though none were ever built as regular production cars. I believe that one of my GM factory manuals lists a VIN prefix code number for a '70 Monte Carlo convertible body style as well - which is a different number than the 13857 that a lot of us recognize as being for the "2-door sport coupe". Dave

You're welcome for the info, Doug. Good luck with your Monte purchase! NYGEL - To elaborate a little more about your question... The indicators on the top of the front fenders are small chrome housings mounted about 6" back from the leading edges. On the back sides (facing the interior) are where you can see the little round circles (they look kind of like round LEDs and are fed their light via the fiber optic lines) glowing to indicate when lights are on. As mentioned in my previous post, the aft portion of my system isn't complete - but I believe the rear housing (for monitoring tail lights) was black and it was mounted on the rear package tray. It would be visible to the driver without having to turn around as he/she looked into the rearview mirror - as long as a passenger wasn't sitting in the center of the rear seat. I don't remember paying much attention to the housings on the fenders of my car when I bought it, and then one night when I was out in it I noticed the little round circles glowing. Not long after that I noticed that the passenger side wasn't glowing anymore, so I checked and sure enough - that headlight was out! Dave

Hi Doug, According to my "Chevrolet SS Muscle Car Red Book", it lists the U46 Lamp Monitoring ("Vigilight" light sentinel system) option as being installed in 5,755 '70 Chevelles and Monte Carlos. Unfortunately, the two models are combined as far as option production figures, so I can't say for sure how many Monte Carlos specifically came with the option. I don't think it would be too far-fetched to split the number approximately in half between the Chevelle and Monte Carlo or perhaps tip a few more to the Monte Carlo. Using that scenario, you're looking at a ballpark figure of some 3,000+ '70 Monte Carlos with the option. Chevelles had a higher production number than Monte Carlos, but I would guess that a higher percentage of Monte Carlos had the option than Chevelles did. Also according to the "Red Book", the Vigilite Lamp Monitoring option was installed in 2,757 '68 Chevelles and 2,041 Chevelles in '69. Yes, '70 was the last year for the option - which was available on many Chevrolet models from '68-'70. My '70 SS454 has it, but I believe the rear package tray had been replaced before I bought the car and whoever did so didn't bother with re-installing the aft portion of the system. I know that club VP Rob Peters' '70 is also equipped with the fairly rare option. Hope this is of help, Dave P.S. - I see this is your first post. Welcome to the FGMCC!

I can't say regarding all models equipped with dual exhaust, but the '70-'71 SS454 cars all ended with the rectangular chrome tips poking out from underneath the rear bumper, just like the '69-'72 Chevelle SS. I don't think you can beat that "factory performance" look. The Monte Carlo that is graphically depicted in our club logo is based on an actual beautifully-restored White and Black over Black '70 402/4-speed car, and yes, it has the same chrome tips. Dave

Yeah, it's too long for a single installment - but I think that with some editing we could make it work as a "two-parter" spread over two publications. I'll "think" Readers Digest. Dave

Sounds great! Originally Posted By: Greg Riley Yes, it would be fine for you to use the story in Monte Memories. However, I do work under contract for OCW, and they must be credited. Please say something like, "an edited version of this story first appeared in the Feb 7, 2008 issue of Old Cars Weekly." Thank you, Greg. I'm sure that many more club members would enjoy reading it - and having it in a copy of the newsletter. Giving credit to Old Cars Weekly is not a problem. Originally Posted By: Greg Riley I'm keeping my eyes out for a 1st Gen Monte. I doubt if I will stumble onto an SS-454 in my price range. If I can find a decent small block car a 383 might do. Maybe with a Tremec, or 700R4. I want a nice long distance cruiser with A/C and all the trimmings. Cool. That would make for a fantastic car! It sounds to me like you might enjoy being an official member of the FGMCC. We'd love to have you as a member, and for only $20/year dues you simply can't beat it. Originally Posted By: Greg Riley Did that bench seat SS-454 on E-Bay sell? I think it was in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. It seemed like a very nice car, too bad it didn't have buckets and a console. Greg I personally don't have much time to follow E-Bay, but I do occasionally check out the links that others provide here to take a peek at the cars. I recall seeing one not too long ago that looked similar to Monte Monte, and if I remember right I think that someone here mentioned that it did sell. If it would've had buckets and a console, I take it that you would've checked into it further to see if it might possibly had been yours, eh? That would really be something to find your old friend again! I love reading stories like that. Dave

Wow, Greg - WHAT A STORY! Our club newsletter, "The Knight", has a regular column called "Monte Memories" which features stories that are first gen Monte Carlo-related. I am the editor of the column and stories are submitted to me for inclusion. Along with adding an introductory paragraph, I do my best to correct spelling, add appropriate punctuation, etc., and then send the final version to club VP Rob Peters, who in turn puts the newsletters together. Would it be alright with you if we used such a version of your story for an installment (or maybe two - LOL) of "Monte Memories"? ROB - What do you think? Thanks, Dave

Yes, that would be cool! Thanks for making it available and welcome to the FGMCC website. Dave

Although this is very vague, I've read that many SS454 cars were "triple black". Regardless of color, they were typically (but not always) equipped with many options. A fully "loaded" SS454 would've sold for about $5,000 in '70/'71 - which was quite a bit for a brand-new Chevy back then. Dave P.S. - CAPRI - The "gauge dash" was the "U14 Special Instrumentation" package, which was optional on every '70-'72 Chevelle, El Camino and Monte Carlo - regardless of whether the car was an SS or not. This substituted the large fuel gauge for a tachometer, and placed the fuel gauge in one of the small gauge locations, as well as substituting the other idiot lights for gauges.

You're welcome, Kelly. We all can benefit when questions are asked. Dave

Kelly, Yes, the "SS454" rocker panel emblems attach to the existing trim and are centered on the thick (upper) black-painted stripe area. As far as the rear panel/trim, it's easy to see why you're confused. I believe the terms "center piece" and "upper side moldings" that others have referred to are the small horizontal bright pieces (there are three of them) that trim the top of the rear panel right below the trunklid edge. The black portion is simply the rear body panel area that is located below the trunk lid, between the tail lights and above the bumper - which is painted black on a '71 SS454. I believe that the lower horizontal trim pieces (above the bumper) are the same for all '70/'71 Monte Carlos, so your car should have them already. Hope this helps, Dave

A friend of ours has a beautifully-restored '55 Chevy Bel Air. Appearance-wise the car is pretty stock except for the Cragar S/S wheels and white letter tires, and he did an excellent job on it. He attends quite a few shows with it, and he's told me about how so many people are "know-it-alls" and then ask him stupid questions on top of it! He said he should have a whiffle bat with him so that he could whack 'em upside the head when they do that so everyone at the show would know what kind of a character they are by their swollen red ear! WHACK! "What was that?" "Oh, it sounds like Cecil's just dealing with another know-it-all again!" Dave

Yes, they appear to be the correct tips to me - at least from what I can see in the photograph. I received my new chrome tips for Christmas '05, and put them on the car last May to finish off the new exhaust system. They're the original-style repros (like Grease mentioned - about $60 for the pair) and they're great! The helpers at Year One put mine in Santa's bag. I don't think you can beat the factory chrome tip look to finish off a muscle car's dual exhaust system. Hey, they're even depicted on the FGMCC logo car! Dave

Great story, MM. Congratulations on your cool find and welcome to the FGMCC! Just make sure that Spritle and Chim Chim aren't stowing away in the trunk before you go to bed and you should sleep just fine. In '79 or '80 a friend of mine bought his first car, a 1970 Road Runner, from the original owner. It was bone stock and had never been modified in any way, and it had bucket seats with a column-shifted automatic transmission. Yup, consoles w/floor shifts were extra-cost options on them, too - as they were on many intermediate-sized cars of the era - even though they may have been ordered with the bucket seats. A fellow I used to work with had a '72 Monte Carlo and it was the same way as well. But getting back to your car, can't you just hear Speed talking about it the way he did about the GRX?... "What a fabulous car. I must drive it." Enjoy! Dave