So, to fix, or not to fix, 1988 Monte SS

[CopperNick]

115 vs 120?? We talking a turbo here because the primary mill for the Monte Carlo's at that point was the 305. Now I cheerfully concede that there is a lot that can be done with a 305, the lose it and go BBC or LSX brigade not withstanding. Still I do think that the stated top speed in mph was more of a factory affectation that anything those cars were truly capable of, fresh from the dealer floor. And I do stand by my contention that the 88 Monte's were leftovers from 87. Whether Myth or Myth-stake, it makes more sense for the factory, which was already tooling up to go front wheel drive, to tweak the leftovers rather than do a last year/one year only that would, I agree, keep the lines and plants working but, would extend the conversion time needed to rework the lines to handle the front wheel models.



Nick

 

[64nailhead]

Parts car for sure imho.

If the frame is good, then please save it.

 

[ck80]

115 vs 120?? We talking a turbo here because the primary mill for the Monte Carlo's at that point was the 305. Now I cheerfully concede that there is a lot that can be done with a 305, the lose it and go BBC or LSX brigade not withstanding. Still I do think that the stated top speed in mph was more of a factory affectation that anything those cars were truly capable of, fresh from the dealer floor. And I do stand by my contention that the 88 Monte's were leftovers from 87. Whether Myth or Myth-stake, it makes more sense for the factory, which was already tooling up to go front wheel drive, to tweak the leftovers rather than do a last year/one year only that would, I agree, keep the lines and plants working but, would extend the conversion time needed to rework the lines to handle the front wheel models.



Nick

As far as I remember, it was the Pontiac Assembly Plant in Pontiac MI that handled the 1988 cars.

It was not converted to FWD, it made the rwd gbodies till Dec 11, then continued with the Fieros till August the following year, then shut down permanently... no conversion to make FWD, just scrapped.

 

[CopperNick]

Ah, well.



Nick

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

115 vs 120?? We talking a turbo here because the primary mill for the Monte Carlo's at that point was the 305. Now I cheerfully concede that there is a lot that can be done with a 305, the lose it and go BBC or LSX brigade not withstanding. Still I do think that the stated top speed in mph was more of a factory affectation that anything those cars were truly capable of, fresh from the dealer floor.

There are people out there who think the Aerocoupe back glass made the car faster in the FACTORY configuration. Stock drivetrain, etc, that 175hp 305 would go high speed because of that back glass.

 

[CopperNick]

Wasn't the Aerocoupe created so that GM could offer them to the Nascar teams? Seem to recall they had to make a certain number of street legal units before France et al would okay them for use in Grand National events. Kind of like the Ford Talledega where they brought the front grille forwar/out to make it flush with the fenders for better air flow. A guy I knew had two of them, an heir and a spare; and lost both of them in a garage fire!



Nick

 

[Built6spdMCSS]

Yup, so many had to be on the street for NASCAR to use them. People saw what Dale did on the track with a built racecar and thought their street car could do the same.

Real world aerodynamics, that bubble back was more stable at high speed. Street driving, it's ugly as all hell haha.

 

[scarborough]

So, I decided to give this thing it's own thread. Pick it alaprt, parsie it, not skin off my back. It fell into my lap, about 15 miles from home, and so i saved it - whole for now.
Wife gave the ok, and, asked if I'd build her a fast purple car out of it.

Turns out she likes the looks of the Monte much better than my regals..

Now: the guy they hired did butcher the qtr
Panel:


View attachment 204908

Stoory goes, rear quarter was cut and then interest in the car was lost and it got parked. Would need the drop-off, wheelhouse, and at least an 80% quarter on that side. I guess it could maybe be pieced from smaller patches thar are offeed but I doubt it.

It's got some rust of the type I've seen fixed here - on the package tray near the deck lid, soft-spot on one outer rocker, then your normal issues like door hinges etc. Definitely work.
View attachment 204925
Driver seat was updated with something black leather and no passenger. Heating box was removed. B&m shifter installed and supposedly never driven with. Transmission is actually a Th-350C MV4 case casting. Frame is realy nice, just pine trees did the car no favors on the exterior.
View attachment 204926
View attachment 204929

For me I wasn't really wanting or looking for a car, but, didn't want to see it go in for scrap or somewhere usable stuff would get trashed in an effort to get some other part.
View attachment 204927
View attachment 204928


So the question is, you know, they did build 16,000 of these cars in '88. Is this one better served becoming parts for others that may be in better shape? Given demand and all the rest, would it make a desirable project car these days? Ot, to I just do some backyard and redneck fixes to get it bombing around town?

part it out. considering the time, money and the headache you can find a nice roller are nicer car to work with . rust is hard to totally to get rid of you will never kill all that rust. just my two cents

 

[ck80]

part it out. considering the time, money and the headache you can find a nice roller are nicer car to work with . rust is hard to totally to get rid of you will never kill all that rust. just my two cents

Whelp, it is, reluctantly, going to be a parts car I think. Maybe it will get a body tub swap at best.

The rear tray is non existent. As in, there is nothing on either side aside from the brackets that help hold the trim panel down.



I hate to do it, I really do. The front and rear windshield aren't even firmly held in. Rather than re-seal they tried to silicone over it which.... didn't really work as time had shown. If I gently push from inside the whole thing is going to come out, your choice front or rear.

I'll probably box up the 88-specific parts. The 3-wire wiper motor, the gauge cluster, etc. Save those for a rainy day. The wiring harness on this thing shows a TON of modifications.

Noticed some black plastic where the cowl trim panel was removed by the PO on either end, not used to seeing this wonder if it was made by someone to, again, work on water leaks? Or was it factory attempt at same.

 

[DSPbuilt]

Damn that thing is RUSTY! 😢