The prolonged again window and shortened deck on immediately’s Good Worth or No Cube Monte Carlo SS are design tweaks Chevy meant to provide the automobile an edge on the NASCAR circuit. Let’s see if this uncommon coupe’s value provides it an edge in our voting.
With its splendidly named “Pink Ram” Hemi V8, three-on-the-tree shifting, and menacing ’50s seems to be, yesterday’s 1957 Dodge Sierra wagon was about essentially the most Jalopproved traditional one may need. Not solely that however at $25,000, it seemingly was properly inside our budgets, too, incomes a strong 64 % Good Worth win.
When Dodge returned a V8 to its engine lineup in 1954, it didn’t simply turn into an even bigger drive to be reckoned with on the road, it took its Hemis to the NASCAR circuit as properly, making a reputation for the model in addition to for a younger driver named Richard Petty.
NASCAR has lengthy been an establishment permitting American marques to make their identify, creating the mantra of “Win on Sunday, Promote on Monday.” In fact, everyone knows no person buys automobiles on Monday. Geez, it’s onerous sufficient simply getting off the bed at first of the workweek.
As we speak’s 1987 Chevy Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe represents the Bow Tie model’s try at a particular mannequin that may enhance its possibilities on NASCAR’s high-speed ovals. Considerably sarcastically, the bottom coupe takes its identify from the holiday vacation spot and playground of the wealthy and wannabe wealthy within the principality of Monaco that hosts a snooty System One race somewhat than a beer-fueled NASCAR bash. Through the years, Chevy gave its Monte Carlo an more and more baroque bit of fashion, persevering with with that method even via the mannequin’s late Seventies downsizing.
Issues modified considerably with the reintroduction of the SS mannequin in 1983, which added blackout trim, aggressively styled alloy wheels, and a model-specific “masks” entrance facia it offered a cleaner, extra purposeful look. In 1986, Chevy went even additional, introducing the Aerocoupe, a homologation particular with a folded glass rear window and shortened decklid meant to enhance high-speed stability on the monitor.
For 1986, Chevy modded 200 automobiles with the Aerocoupe package deal, the precise quantity required to satisfy the NSACAR template guidelines. For 1987, the corporate went just a little nuts, constructing over 6,000 of the particular mannequin and including exterior and inside shade choices as properly. That may be the final yr of the Aerocoupe as Chevy was prepping the even slipperier Lumina coupe as its NASCAR contender in 1988.
This Aerocoupe is a kind of ’87s and is claimed all factory-original save for the dealer-installed additions of decrease bodyside molding extensions and a moonroof. It sports activities a clear title, a three-owner historical past, and the boast of simply 76,200 miles on the clock.
Below the hood sits an L69 305 CID V8 that, with its four-barrel carburetor and twin exhausts, manages 180 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque. Don’t snicker; these had been spectacular numbers on the time. Chevy solely supplied a single transmission selection within the Aerocoupe, the company TH200-4R four-speed automated. That could possibly be had with a normal column shift or optionally available console shifter when bucket seats had been requested.
From the manufacturing facility, this Aercoupe was parsimoniously optioned. It eschews these optionally available bucket seats in entrance for the usual bench and lacks a tilt steering wheel. It does have the lacquered and red-trimmed sprint and full gauge cluster, as these bits got here normal. The whole lot seems to be to be in strong form if in want of a radical cleansing and vacuum. It could be a good suggestion to take away the paint safety stickers from the outer door locks as properly.
In accordance with the advert, the paint is “in line with age and manufacturing facility end, some chipping on trunk and some small dings.” The A/C additionally wants a recharge (R12, so good luck with that) or a retrofit to R134 or newer. Apart from these minor points, there doesn’t appear to be something amiss with the automobile, with the vendor boasting that it “begins, runs and drives 100%” and calling it “one of many final reasonably priced unique Aerocoupes obtainable.”
That reasonably priced declare will naturally be up for debate. The advert units a $15,500 price ticket for the automobile, and it’s now time for us all to dive into the feedback and vote to weigh in on simply how reasonably priced that may truly be.
What’s your tackle this Aerocoupe and that $15,500 asking? Does that basically make it an reasonably priced contender? Or, at that value, will this NASCAR wannabe get black-flagged?
You resolve!
Southcoast, Massachusetts, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to DodgeRamshackle for the hookup!
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