1970 Monte Carlo Restoration Information

1970 Monte Carlo By Chevrolet

In 1970 Chevrolet introduced a brand new model to its ever-growing car lineup dubbed the 1970 Monte Carlo. Sharing its platform with the already existing and successful A-Body platform, the Monte Carlo layout was stretched ahead of the firewall to make it 210.2-inch and was originally known as the A-Body Special platform. 

The Monte Carlo would eventually go on to its own unique G-Body platform but let’s not get ahead of ourselves now… The development of the Monte Carlo started as Chevrolet’s version of the Pontiac Grand Prix which had been outselling and cornering the personal luxury car market since its introduction in 1968. 

Conceptualized by Elliot M. (Pete) Estes (general manager of Chevrolet) and Chevrolet’s chief stylist, David Holls, the Monte Carlo was modeled after the styling of the Cadillac Eldorado, although much of the body and structure was shared with Chevrolet’s platform sharing Chevelle. The firewall, windshield, decklid, and rear window were the same as the Chevelle, however, the exterior is where Monte Carlo takes a departure from its platform sharing predecessor.

The new exterior utilized “coke bottle styling” that featured concealed windshield wipers and an optional light monitoring system. Although the Monte Carlo was a bit late to the personal luxury car party (compared to the Buick Riviera and Pontiac Grand Prix), the Monte Carlo went on to become one of the most popular and best-selling models in GM history.

The styling of the 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is distinguished by its chromed rectangular grille having a fine grid pattern of 720 small squares with two horizontal dividers and centered within it, a chrome and red crest emblem decorated by a Corinthian helmet, typically referred to as the “knight’s crest.”

Round headlamps with rounded chrome bezels and circular parking lamps inserted into the front bumper directly below the headlamps completed the luxurious frontend. The hood featured a very subtle yet fitting hood spear with no vertical hood ornament, much like its competition the Pontiac Grand Prix. The rear end featured tail lights with elegant chrome trim around the perimeter of the lens only, really hitting on those luxury feels.

On the interior, the Monte Carlo didn’t depart too far from its platform sharing Chevelle.

It featured an almost identical dashboard to the Chevelle with the added touch of luxury in the form of fake wood trim. Power windows, air conditioning, power seats, “rally” wheels, bucket seats, center console, and full instrumentation, are but a few optional pieces of equipment available, making the price of a fully equipped Monte Carlo more than $5,000.

Standard in the 1970-model-year Monte Carlo was Chevrolet’s 350 cubic in “Turbo-Fire” small-block V8 engine rated for 250 hp at 4500 RPM with a two-barrel carburetor.

However, sticking with GM & Chevrolet’s tried and true methods the Monte Carlo could have been ordered in an array of different engine sizes. Optional engine sizes included Chevrolet’s four-barrel carbureted Turbo-Fire 350 small block V8, a Turbo-Fire 400 with a two-barrel carburetor, and the Turbo-Jet 400 with a four-barrel carburetor.

Those who were looking to get both luxury and performance out of the 1970 Monte Carlo could have opted for the optional SS 454 package for a whopping $420. This package included a 454 CID Turbo-Jet 454 engine with a four-barrel carburetor, rated at 360 hp at 4800 rpm. It also included heavy-duty suspension, wider tires, “SS 454” badging, and an automatic load-leveling rear suspension. A Turbo Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission was the only transmission available for this package. Although the Monte Carlo SS 454 was quite a fast car it would only make up less than 3% of Chevy Monte Carlos sold in 1970.

Shifting gear in the 70 Monte Carlo was a slew of transmission options.

Standard in the 1970 Monte Carlo is a column-mounted 3-speed Synchro-Mesh manual transmission that could be mated to either of the 350 ci power plants. In addition to the manual column shifter, buyers could have opted for a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (on 350 CID engines only), three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic, or a four-speed manual. Most Monte Carlos for the 1970-model-year utilized the Turbo-Hydramatic gearbox to shift those gears.

During the early months of the 1970 model year immediately following its introduction on September 18, 1969, the Flint, Michigan assembly plant (where most Monte Carlos were built) underwent a strike that limited the overall model-year sales.

Chevrolet projected sales before the debut of the 1970 Monte Carlo to be around 185,000 but due to the strike, around 145,000 Monte Carlos were sold for the model year. During those early months, Monte Carlos were in short supply, with full-scale production not happening until February 1970, leaving many would-be buyers very disappointed (this is even touched on in a televised Chevrolet Ad from 1970 seen below).

Despite this disruption in the supply chain, Monte Carlos sold well and often at full list price, making it a profitable model for Chevrolet. However, the optional SS 454 Monte Carlos did not sell so well in 1970, with only 3,823 units. This had mostly to do with the comparable 1970 Chevelle LS5 & LS6 that plain and simply outperformed the SS 454 Monte Carlos, which were also not marketed traditionally as one of GM’s muscle cars.

Around 145,000 Monte Carlos were produced for the 1970 model-year.

1970 Monte Carlo OEM Brochure

Model Options

Models:

  • Monte Carlo
  • Monte Carlo SS 454

Body Style:

  • two-door hardtop

Dimensions:

  • Length: 206.5 inches
  • Height: 52.9 inches
  • Width: 76 inches
  • Wheelbase: 116 inches

Engine Options:

  • 350 cubic in “Turbo-Fire” small-block V8 (standard)
    • two-barrel carb
    • 250 horsepower at 4500 RPM 
  • 350 cubic in “Turbo-Fire” small-block V8 (optional)
    • four-barrel carb
    • 300 horsepower at 4800 RPM
  • 400 cubic in “Turbo-Fire” small-block V8 (optional)
    •  two-barrel carb
    • 265 horsepower at 4800 RPM
  • 402 cubic in “Turbo-Jet” big-block V8 (optional)
    • four-barrel carb
    • 330 horsepower at 4800 RPM
  • 454 cubic in “Turbo-Jet” big-block V8 (optional)
    • four-barrel carb
    • 360 horsepower at 4800 RPM

*The two Chevrolet 400 CID V8s offered this year was actually two different designs. The two-barrel carbureted Turbo-Fire 400 was a Small Block Chevrolet V8 engine, similar but different internally to the 350, while the Turbo-Jet 400 was a slightly enlarged version of the 396 CID big-block V8 and had an actual displacement of 402 CID.*

Available Transmissions:

  • Three-speed Synchro-Mesh manual transmission (standard)
  • Two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission (optional)
  • Three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic (optional)
  • Four-speed manual (optional)

 

Estimated Production Numbers:

  • Sport Coupe: ~ 142,153
  • SS 454: ~ 3,823
  • Total Production ~ 145,976

1970 Monte Carlo Factory Options

Regular Production Option (RPO)

RPO CodeEquipmentQuantity1970 Price (USD)Today’s Price (USD)*estimated*
A01Tinted Windows112,402$42.15 $280.40
A31Power Windows15,619$64.60 $429.57
A414-way Power Bench Seat630$73.75 $490.62
A464-way Power Bucket Seats540$73.75 $490.62
A51Strato-Bucket Seats and Console24,670$123.75 $823.24
A90Electric Trunk Release980$14.75 $98.12
B85Belt Reveal Molding900
C08Vinyl Roof118,387$126.40 $840.87
C60Air Conditioning101,307$384.15 $2,555.54
D55Front Compartment Console (requires A51)24,670$54.90 $365.22
K30Cruise Control175$57.95 $385.51
LS3Engine – V8, 402 Cu. In., 4-bbl carburetor7,456$162.50 $1,081.02
L48Engine – V8, 350 Cu. In.47,158$69.95 $465.34
LF6Engine – V8, 400 Cu. In., 2-bbl carburetor$63.20 $420.43
L65Engine – V8, 350 Cu. In., 2-bbl carburetor70,944$47.40 $315.33
(base V8, not an option on Monte Carlo)
G67Automatic Level Control (SS only)3,823Included with Z20
G80Rear Axle – Positraction15,911$43.05 $286.39
M204-Speed Transmission$184.80 $184.80
M35Powerglide Transmission7,507$174.25 $1,159.19
M383-Speed Automatic Transmission, TH350$221.80 $221.80
N10Dual Exhaust16,641$30.55 $203.23
N33Adjustable Steering Column23,648$46.30 $308.01
N40Power Steering143,494$102.25 $680.21
P90G70x15 White Stripe Tires141,305$46.95 $312.33
T58Rear Fender Skirts31,400
U46Lamp Monitoring$26.35 $175.29
ZJ7Special Wheel, Hub Cap & Trim Ring56,639$31.60 $210.22
Z20Monte Carlo SS3,823$420.25 $2,795.69
Radio (excluding 8-track)126,123
8-Track11,970
Rally Wheels30,071
Wire or Colour-keyed Wheel Covers56,639

Note: Due to the 1970 Monte Carlo being a shared platform with Chevelle some RPOs cross over and are not included on this list. Included on this list are RPOs that are exclusive to Monte Carlo and are reported by First Generation Monte Carlo website. Fun fact, options that do cross over are often more expensive than the same option for a Chevelle.

1970 Color Combinations

Color SamplesPAINT CODE – SALES NAMELUCITERINSHED-MASONDITZLER

10 – Classic White5040LA-18028631

14 – Cortez Silver5032LA-21082059

17 – Shadow Gray5113LA-191032604

19 – Tuxedo Black88LA-9469300

25 – Astro Blue5123LA-22612165

28 – Fathom Blue5124LA-22642166

34 – Misty Turquoise5119LA-22652168

45 – Green Mist5122LA-22682171

48 – Forest Green5116LA-22692173

50 – Gobi Beige5121LA-2270D2175

55 – Champagne Gold5120LA-2271D2178

58 – Autumn Gold5117LA-22722179

63 – Desert Sand5125LA-22752183

75 – Cranberry Red5118LHA-2278F2189

78 – Black Cherry5063LHA-2107M50700

25/10 – Astro Blue / Classic White

25/28 – Astro Blue / Fathom Blue

28/25 – Fathom Blue / Astro Blue

34/10 – Misty Turquoise / Classic White

63/10 – Desert Sand / Classic White

55/10 – Champagne Gold / Classic White

58/10 – Autumn Gold / Classic White

Vintage 1970 Monte Carlo Commercial

video via youtube joehamer227

1970 Monte Carlo Additional Links

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