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While I’m patiently waiting for news about our host hotel info for the mini meet in Somerset, Ky.. and with such beautiful weather lately.. I’ve been changing the color of my house, slowly, a little each day. By myself. A lot left to be done , and I’ll need to rent an electric hijacker to get the high spots. It’s coming along nicely …

My view today, taking a rest from work and painting the house. Camping at cave run lake with my wife and black lab and our little dash hound that has cancer . Her sister passed earlier this year of old age. Harley is her name and she won’t live to see another camping trip. They both loved to go camping.. this trip is for her, even tho she tires so quickly now. She always responds with a tail wagging when she sees us. Anyway. I will miss her and her sister always. Thought I would share a few pictures of her .. to me , dogs are angels sent from heaven to help us on our journey thru life… And they are thankful to have shared their life with us.. Ron T…

This is my first post. It will be somewhat lengthy. I've been a lurker here for sometime, but decided not to post anything about my project until it was completed. I'm 70 years old, and this will be my last major project. I was a teenager in the first muscle car era, and have owned a ton of them through the years, but this is my first Monte Carlo. To be honest, a Monte Carlo was never even on my radar. While I always admired the body lines/ long hood, they were never thought of as a muscle car by me or anyone that I knew, and I never had heard of the SS 454 model until I came across the subject car. This project started in January of 2024 when I came across an NOS LS-7 454 engine ( Code XCH) at a very good price that was located near me. I wasn't even looking for an engine ( or a project) but I bought the engine because of it's rarity, price, and proximity to me. So then it became "what am I going to put this engine in?" I have owned numerous Chevelles, Camaros, Nova's. and Corvettes through the years. While I like them OK, I was not interested in building another one. As fate would have it, I tripped across a FB ad for this '71 SS454 Monte. I was intrigued, having never heard of this model. I did my research, and it was indeed an SS model complete with the ride leveling system, F41, 12 bolt, shock shields and numbers matching LS-5 / Turbo 400. It was also in terrible shape. I liked the idea of building something a little different, as you don't see very many restored Monte's, at least compared to Chevelles, Camaro's , etc, and as mentioned, I had already owned them. Despite this, I was conflicted. While I've always loved the body lines of the first gen Monte's, there are things about the car that I absolutely hate. The chintzy, wide aluminum trim on the sides that never lines up, and the pseudo-luxury button tufted interior with burl trim mainly. I don't wish to offend anyone here, we all like different things, and I realize that the mentioned items are a big part of what makes a Monte a Monte. Nevertheless, as I formulated plans for this build, I thought what if I built a Monte that maximized the performance attributes of the SS454 model, while minimizing the luxury side? In the end, I suppose this resulted in a "Montelle" since it has so many Chevelle characteristics. Some will say it is a Chevelle wannabe, but I certainly could have built yet another Chevelle if I had been interested in doing so. This particular car turned out to be a perfect candidate for such a build, as I believe it to be rare even among SS454's. It never had air conditioning, power windows, or a vinyl top. Pretty much just the SS454 option and power brakes / steering. I don't know its history, but like to imagine that it was ordered as a "sleeper" by a performance oriented person. My goal was to build Montelle as Chevy might have done, if they didn't already have the Chevelle SS. The side moldings were removed and all of the holes welded up. Ditto the emblems on the sail panels. When the lower moldings were removed of course this left the big side marker lights sitting on the outside of the body panels. Patch panels were welded into their mounting holes, and they were replaced with small marker lights from a '68 GTX. Also I welded up the seams where the headlight bezels attach to the front fenders. This made the front end look even longer and cleaned it up a bit. The headlights can still be replaced, and the bezels would simply come off with the fenders. A steel cowl induction hood was installed and it is operable. The automatic was swapped for a Muncie M22. The 3:31 12 bolt rear was ditched for a 9 inch Ford from Moser with 4:11 gears. This was done mainly so that I could quickly and easily change rear end ratios if i got tired of the 4:11's. The Moser setup is great. It was a true bolt in swap with no issues, and all of the stock F41 suspension parts fit fine. I probably should have opted for disc brakes, but the tab for the rear end was already over $5K.... The body required replacement of both quarter panels, all 4 rear wheel houses, the trunk floor, the trunk floor extensions, the panel between the back glass and the trunk, the trunk lid, the package shelf and extensions, the cowl panels and most of the passenger compartment floor. I installed new front fenders and the cowl hood. The right front fender fit fair, and the left front was terrible, and required a lot of work. The frame was powder coated. M&H electrical fabricators supplied the new wiring harnesses. Their products fit perfectly and are reasonably priced. Get rid of those chopped up harnesses and rusty fuse panel! I did everything including paint, except sand blasting, powder coating, exhaust system and installation of the rear seat upholstery. The color is Azure Turquoise, which is a color used on 1969 Camaros and Chevelles. I wanted a white interior, and as previously mentioned, hate the stock '71 Monte interior, so Chevelle door panels were used. I wish they hadn't come with the Chevelle medallions on them. The bucket seats are Pro Car 90 series seats, and the rear seat cover also came from Pro Car. The seats are a steal for the money and look very similar to stock seats. The pleat pattern also matches the door panels pretty well. A brand new dash (for a '70) was installed with new gauges. The correct LS6 /LS7 6500 RPM redline tach is installed, and I opted for the voltmeter conversion in lieu of an amp meter. That about sums it up. Love it, or hate it, I hope it will encourage you to complete your project. If an old guy like me can do it, so can you!!

Left mine at home but I did see some nice ones there.

I know that dog is looking at you, thinking "you burned those dogs, what's in store for me?"

So, what does the black, pink and red mean. Frankly I don't put much faith in long term forecasts. I don't even put much faith in a forecast for Carlisle two days in advance of a meet there because they are almost ALWAYS wrong so I am not going to worry much about the one you have posted so as of now, I will not shoot the messenger. rob

The yellow one was a member here I think. I did tell the owners that were around there cars about the club.

Now hold on just a minute !. I’ve still not recovered from 95 degrees and 150 % humidity. And you’re talking about snow!!!! . Geez… how about some fall weather if that forecast ! 🍁 chris..

Oh man, sorry but I hate it. Are you kidding me, that car is absolutely gorgeous. The work you did is incredible. I consider myself very much a purest but I would have no problem rolling in that car. Thank you for the incredible pictures and thank you for becoming a member.

So sorry Ron. I miss my lab every day. We planted a tree in the dog pen when it was still up. We call it our ‘ Buddy tree’.

So sorry to hear that about your family members. Have had dogs all my life. But not many though because they’ve all lived long lives.Have 2 now, which is a first for us, both rescues.

Bite your tongue, way to early to be talking about that crap!

First one's an interesting colour...... Kind of the same as a buddy's '72 Duster, but with dark green vinyl.

Definitely nice ones thanks for posting

Sad 😔. Blessings to his wife, young daughters and family. This act is never the solution to anything..

Thank you. I live 2 1/2 hours away but have never been. I would love to go, but the rooms are outrageously priced I understand.. thanks for sharing.

Thanks for posting these! My favorite is the silver (?) '71 in the 4th and 5th pictures.

Welcome. WOW !!! Beautiful job.

Beautiful car, fantastic job you did on it. Welcome to the club.

Looks great, that's a lot of work. I did mine 25 or 30 years ago don't want to do it again.

Looks fantastic. Ill give you my address. 🤣

Now that is beautiful ! Things that I like ,and some leave me wondering. I will tell you this.... there will be a lot of questions about this build. I just hope you get to enjoy your time with it. I've had mine for 25 yrs and never,ever miss a beat. Sure it's gone through some upgrades( a lot the past 4 yrs), but with each of us, searching for the vision we seek with each build . I believe you nailed it !! After all of your work , go and enjoy it, you deserve it ! So, the question is ? Are we going to see it on tour some where, in a magazine shoot, maybe at the Syracuse National's next year( July 17-19 ?) with our group? Now that would be nice to see there for sure. We also have our Eastern Meet in Carlisle Pa., (June 19-21?) . Like I said, BEA-utiful !!

Looks Great Ron!!!!

The great thing about the metal impregnated ( no sealers) is that they can be reused.

He changed his profile pic after learning that he landed on FGMCC’s “Persona non grata” list 🤣😂…

Another local show today, beautiful weather great turnout. 5 first gens that I saw all 5 are club members 😀 Bob and I parked together with his father in law. I got a couple pictures probably between 500 and 600 cars.

Thanks to all who have given input on this. I'm confident now that I didn't leave a part off ( well at least not THIS part, LOL ) and so I will give this back to the powder coater now. Hopefully the rightful owner will claim it.

Thank you very much Mark. I posted a few more, one has a better view of the molded in headlight bezels...

Very nice. Like Dennis, I am a purist on my cars but can appreciate other peoples vision. rob

A few more

Here are a few

Welcome Richard. That is one beautiful well thought out build. All in about a year and a half too. Please post a few more shots of it outside. Congratulations on a job well done. Thanks for the post. Really enjoyed it.

Hi James! Thanks for the warm welcome/kind words. I have previously admired your '72 while lurking on this site. Gorgeous - one of my favorites out of all of the Montes I have seen! Hopefully I will be at the Eastern meet in Carlisle. I will try, as it is not too far for me. Would be great to meet some of you and see the great Monte's in person.

I'll post one soon!

Thank you Willie for the kind words! As far as keeping parts, I kept the load leveler compressor, control valve and the shock shields. That's pretty much it. The engine block had an extra hole in it, the rear end is in a friends Chevelle. I gave the original bench seat and transmission ( needed rebuild) to a friend. Everything else was rough and was scrapped.

First let me say, Welcome to the club Richard!!!! Second your car is gorgeous!!! Would of loved to see it being built while you were building Her!! Also i like the color combo!! One question, did you keep everything that was original and removed!! Another blue one Steve!!! lol

Beautiful job I love it enjoy!!!!

Beautiful color! I see aftermarket hockey sticks. Car is beautiful!

Great view thanks!!!

Nice view of some very nice automobiles thanks for sharing the photos

Some more photos

Huge thanks to Canuck for sending me the article and the tip on the highway closure

Prayers for his wife and two young children. He was a family man and a religious person. May he rest in peace.

I have always used just a stud with washer and bolt. Never liked the hand style twisties. ARP has those valve cover studs. Could it be between the intake and head gasket on the back rail ? have seen them seep oil out of there. Can't see an aluminum billet/cast cover leaking. I do use a cork gasket, 3m trim adhesive on valve cover, white lithium cream on gasket to head (thin coat),helps soften the cork ,so it forms a rail on the gasket. Hope this helps.

Went to the Stray Cats car club car show today in Littleton NC. Seen another first gen there and told him about the club.

Oh ,,, I’ve made a request with the Big Guy there be no 🌪️ tornadoes this time around!!! 😂

Just a note regarding Ron's above post.. when Ron said "Rob Peters is in charge of this" he was only referring to arranging the hotel, Ron is doing all of the other planning and deserves the credit.... or blame 🙂 rob

Well here was today doesnt end..had her out been 3 months .since build started she ran prolly at 75 percent. Carb wasnt open whole way linkage deal but wow. Nailed without downshift and head back. She gonna run any way only thing not new on build was water pump well yu guessed it leakin so git new one comn. Everything be adjusted and wiring be tidey. Almost there

We did.......that's why he's gone.