Ron Posted November 20, 2020 Share Posted November 20, 2020 Hi, Ron here, I am in Wa. Just south of Seattle. I have had my Monte (ss454) since 1978 when I was a Jr. In high school. We have been through a lot together and now she is in need of restoration and has been parked (garaged) for almost 30 yrs. It is complete with about 115000 miles, but needs bodywork and interior which I hope to complete some day. However lately inhage been thinking of putting her up for sale just not sure what to value her for or if that is what i really want to do??? Just thougt I would throw this out there and see what the interest is 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome Ron! She's a beauty! Any pics of the interior? What options does she have? I see the fiber optics for the washer fluid but no air ride pump. Pics of bad areas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 Yeah that washer fluid fibre is something for that time, Air ride is there as are all correct dates etc... she is just partially disassembled but all is right. It has tilt steering, air, power locks, and manual windows, tach etc.,buckets and console, map light on mirror, standard hubcaps (but added Rally's) am 8 track stereo (cassete deck in now but still have orig) bumper guards, 256 gears, I have had this so long there is no question about it's authenticity even have the build sheet. Back in the day I was told they did not exist my buddies had never even heard of one until i showed them this one. Not sure yet what I'm going to do yet There is a long funny story on how I ended up with this one maybe I will post it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome Ron, I would restore it if it's mine. You may never find another. I might be interested if you decide to sell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 That is exactly why I still have it... they are irreplacable, especialy one with history and which took me through my school days... if I do sell I know will always regret it... but not sure I will ever get to it??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Cool story. Nicely optioned. Would love to read about how you got it. What about just making it road worthy and enjoy it again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome Ron. Great history. I agree with Tom make it a driver and it will get your blood pumping and just do the little things. It will keep you smiling. And than do a little more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Ron, I would keep it do what you need to get it driving. You probably wont find another one reasonable anyhow. Good luck either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SandSpyder Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 I agree you should rebuild it.... but if you think otherwise I would be interested also! I’m actually excited you are so close. Feel free to reach out if you want to swap stories. The photos posted make it look pretty good, and I love the plate if it’s authentic! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome! Great car you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 1 hour ago, SandSpyder said: I agree you should rebuild it.... but if you think otherwise I would be interested also! I’m actually excited you are so close. Feel free to reach out if you want to swap stories. The photos posted make it look pretty good, and I love the plate if it’s authentic! Plate is real, we should talk sometime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1Bad454 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome Ron! Nice car. Let's hear the story. 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Posted November 21, 2020 Author Share Posted November 21, 2020 Ok here is the long story, It starts in 1978 when I was 16 and tired of driving Mom’s Station Wagon...after saving enough money to by my first car, a 1968 Nova I had my freedom. 8 months, 1 red light, 2 cars, a telephone pole, Later and I was again driving the Wagon with the fake wood stickers on the sides. Not cool... So, back to work, and parting out what was left of the Nova and a few months later I had enough to by a cheap beater and insurance and had been looking at what I could afford then I saw my first ss454 Monte in the want ads, I called and talked to the owner and made arrangement to see it the next Sunday even though he was going to be away he said feel free to look it over inside and out and left it unlocked. Once I saw it I knew I had to have it! Over the next couple days I kept calling but no answer, the third day he answered I told him who I was and that I wanted the car he said he remembered talking with me and he felt bad but had cash in hand and the car just drove away.... well it was more than I had saved and would have had to borrow from Dad to get it anyway so maybe for the best and I could get on to buying something I could get on the road right away, but it was Heartbreaking... the next week my Dad and I were going to probably buy one of the cars I had already looked at but before leaving my Mom kept saying here’s a Monte... here’s another bla bla bla . I said I wasn’t interested that I wanted the first one because it was a ss454 . anyway, as we left she had called and got an address for a Monte in the area we were heading and made us take that along we went to see the car I thought I was going to by and after a drive by my Dad said let’s go see what this one is... when we pulled up to the address there it was ss454 the lady that had it had no idea what it was but I did, we did not go back to that other car a 4 door 1968 malibu with a 307... Dad loaned me some money saying first to pay him then to buy tires (they were toast) then insurance, until then it stays in the garage... a month later I had his money and paid him back in cash, he handed it back to me and said buy your tires and insurance and put me on a payment plan for his share. good lessons for a kid that they just don’t teach anymore. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbarnette Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Great story! Thanks for sharing, I agree with the others here. If nothing else, get her road worthy and drive her. You can’t replace that history. My story is similar. I was 16 years old in 1978 when I purchased my 71. I was $300 short of the asking price, so my dad loaned me the money. I still have her today. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willie Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Welcome Ron, great story!!!! I would do the same getting her running and enjoy her!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Love the story! Get her up and running and enjoy her!!! Too many good memories! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted November 21, 2020 Share Posted November 21, 2020 Great story, thanks for sharing. My parents also loaned me Money to help me buy my 70 Monte when I was 19 in 1996. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
714024SPEED Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 Welcome ! Great story but I don't think the end should be you sold it. Get it up and running and enjoy the old girl for a little longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rsorg Posted November 22, 2020 Share Posted November 22, 2020 ron, great story, I also drove a 75 ford esquire station wagon in 1978,with the fake wood sides ,then when i was a so. in high school bought my 72 custom from the original owner,who also lives in plainfield il.I would have a hard time selling my car but know one day I have to let her go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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