You could find a clean standard Monte (preferably with no vinyl) and use your doors, front clip and any other SS parts to convert that car and then sell the parts you remove from that car to recoup your money that way.
Save it or scrap it?
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That is the reason I am up I’m air about saving this car. This is the first 83 SS I have come across. I’ve had 6 Monte’s and a 3 cutlasses through out the years. The front body mount is the only reason I’m questioning if it’s worth it or not. I have the tools and the know how although this would be the most involved project rust wise I have ever tackled.
You will never recoup the money - time you put into it and don't think because it is somewhat rare it will be worth $$. My 1984 mustang GT turbo convertible is rare - 6,256 GT convertibles made, 731 GT turbo convertibles made, and 1 GT turbo convertible light academy blue. Still not worth $$ - Yea I know it's a ford.
There is extensive rust throughout that I would be concerned about, another area I see in your pictures is the rear seat area that looks like you will have to rebuild the support for the body mount and I am betting once you start cutting you will find both sides will need this done.
I did this area on my Regal and it was quite time consuming with good amount of fabrication to rebuild the entire area.
You may have to travel to a state, or states that have minimal rust issues. Finding this type of vehicle in the northeast is rare, unless it was a car that has been sitting in a garage for many years, or a very limited use vehicle....driven on Sundays only.
No offense to the Monte guys, but 83s aren't particularly noteworthy other than being first year of reintroduction to the market.
Boring steering wheel, no buckets, funky interior color choice, steel wheels.
What amazes me is the number of bench seat Monte SS that were built in the following years. Bench seat in the "image/performance" model?
Pretty sure I have the body mount if you decide to go down that road
You could rebody, but then it's not a "real" SS anymore for people into that
Boring steering wheel, no buckets, funky interior color choice, steel wheels.
What amazes me is the number of bench seat Monte SS that were built in the following years. Bench seat in the "image/performance" model?
Pretty sure I have the body mount if you decide to go down that road
You could rebody, but then it's not a "real" SS anymore for people into that
Agree that. Amazing that people will spend all that time patching in pieces to a questionable car rather than import a better body. Especially a car with a pretty large production run.
Limited production or even rare does not always equal more value or desirability.
I’m not to concerned about keeping it a original SS it will be mostly a strip car. I also don’t plan on Selling it, it will end up going to one of my sons when the time comes. I do agree with the majority of you I should find another car or shell at least. I am on a limited budget for now so buying another car will deplete that completely.
In 83 and 84 you only got two colors, blue or white. AND......no factory sunroofs on G-body Monte SS. Why? Probably because of bench seats. 🙂 I don't know. Monte options were strange. Back in '83, it's not like people were falling all over themselves to get into a Monte SS. Nice cars, but they were rather subdued. I never talked to anyone saying "I'm going to go get me a new 83 Monte SS."
This 83 better be a labor of love to get that puppy back up and on the road safe. I'd pass on it myself. And it's not like it's an Aero coupe or something worth a couple of dollars more. You'd have tons invested in metal work/parts/labor getting that puppy just basically ready for paint (doing it right) and for what? Peel back that layer and I'll bet there's more in that story as to where all the rust is. If that's something that someone sees as a challenge...then go for it. Otherwise, drop the wrench and back away slowly.
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