My New Car - Thanks sYc!

[hvychev]

I just wanted to thank the sYc for the opportunity to network with members to find my latest car. A month or so ago I posted a want ad here on the sYc looking for a pristine 86-88 Monte Carlo SS. I got only two leads, one being an 87 with 11 miles and a VERY hefty price tag, and the other from the member "John" (John Hoer) from Newport News, VA. John e-mailed me a craigslist ad he saw of a very nice 12,000 mile 88 Monte Carlo SS from Greensboro, NC. The problem is that the price was WAY high. I thanked John for sending me the ad and moved on. After looking at a couple more cars I went back to the craigslist ad about a week later and thought, well, it's rediculously priced but what the hell, let's see what we can do here. I made the call. After weeks of negotiations I was able to make a deal at the proper money with the original owner of this absolutely amazing Monte SS. The car is an 88, 12,050 miles, has t-tops, buckets, original tires, all the options, and is the rare black/gold stripes, tan interior combo. The car has EVERY stitch of paperwork (except the original window sticker) including every single insurance card and plate registration since new!

88's are relatively rare with them being made only three months into the 1988 model year so the large number of 87 orders could be filled before they ceased productions on the G Body platform Monte Carlo SS's. This car is an absolute time capsule. I am not kidding, the interior still has the new car smell! It's a bit dusty from sitting for a very long time, but after a nice buff and detail this car is going to be a museum piece. I love seeing 80s GM cars with their original orange peel paint! This car is literally a BRAND NEW 24 year old car.

Again, I wanted to thank John and the sYc. Here is the car after it arrived this evening. In a couple months I will take better pictures and do a members rides feature. I'm finally back in my beloved car hobby!

http://i.imgur.com/i3BYw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/jLvTL.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/GOgSI.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/hLwcK.jpg

[camarojoe]

Awesome! Congrats Frankie!!!

[Xplantdad]

John is good people! Congrats Frank!

[Charley Lillard]

Franky...Welcome back to the nuthouse. Cool car.

[JChlupsa]

Very very neat indeed.

[bashton]

Congrats Frank; good to see your persistance paid off in exactly the way you wanted it to.

Bashton
MCACN Managing Member

[mmcporter]

Love the color combo of the car, as I remember those when they were new. The pinstripe accents are a period vibe also...enjoy it!

[John]

Frank,

Glad to help you out.

.........That is one nice Monte Carlo <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/headbang.gif

.... About a week ago Frank had called me and personally thanked me which shows he is a class act. I just did what any other &quot;car guy&quot; would do.

...... Now you will have a blast detailing that car

.... Glad you got it back home safely <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[Jack350v8]

This car looks absolutely gorgeous! Have fun with it.

[elonblock]

Great find! That's what this hobby is all about.

Elon

[TMagda]

Really nice. Good luck with it! Great looking interior. Those Tonkas over the trunk lid are making me nervous!

[RPOLS3]

Congrats Frank. Those are great cars, between my Dad and I, we've had 3 of them over the years.

Jake

[Donnie]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TMagda</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Those Tonkas over the trunk lid are making me nervous! </div></div>
<span style="font-weight: bold">I was thinking the same thing</span>

[69 Post Sedan]

Congrats Frank. That's my favorite color combo on those Monte Carlo's. Now.....find me one in a Aerocoupe. LOL

Kurt

[Donnie]

Kurt,
i've got a friend that bought a Aerocoupe New. I'll bet it has less then 10,000 miles. last time it was out was when he got Married about 16 or 17 years ago.

[hvychev]

Thanks for all the great comments guys! Yeah, I am really excited about having a car again. Got rid of my last Chevelle almost three years ago, right before my son was born.

[barker]

Congratulations Frank! COOL car and they are hard to find!

[hvychev]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mmcporter</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Love the color combo of the car, as I remember those when they were new. <span style="font-weight: bold"> The pinstripe accents are a period vibe also...enjoy it!</span> </div></div>

mmcporter, I have been agonizing wheather to remove the original owners custom 80s era hand pinstripe or keep it on the car. The car's so original though and it just isn't my style. It's so......well, 80s! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

For the other guys, don't worry about the Tonka trucks, they are secure on that shelf! Those are my original Tonka trucks from when I was a tot circa 1983 or so! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif I still have almost everything I have ever owned!

[SS427]

Way to go Frank and John!!!

[Slashnine]

WoW congrat, that a realy nice car great find!!!

[Stefano]

Cool car.

[SmallHurst]

And I notice the period Eagle GT+4's..... those are getting OLD.

And you are in luck. Kelsey is now reproducing the 215/65/15 EAGLE GT!!!!!! Here is a link to the tires!

Eagle GT's!!! (http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/largepopup/eagle_GTp215-65-R.html)

Great looking ride!!!

Call me if you want the skinny on those tires. My cell is 816-654-3400.

[hvychev]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmallHurst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And I notice the period Eagle GT+4's..... those are getting OLD.

And you are in luck. Kelsey is now reproducing the 215/65/15 EAGLE GT!!!!!! Here is a link to the tires!

Eagle GT's!!! (http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/largepopup/eagle_GTp215-65-R.html)

Great looking ride!!!

Call me if you want the skinny on those tires. My cell is 816-654-3400.
</div></div>

Wow, thanks for the info on the tires Rusty! The plain Eagle GT Style were used for sure on the 85-87 Monte SS's (maybe even earlier). I think the GT+4's were 88 only? I had an 86 Monte SS with its original Eagle GT's and babied them to try and preserve them. I was just looking at the car this morning thinking I should remove these originals but I HATED to think theat the car would have to sit on BF Goodrich Radial TA's or something. I am glad to know that they are repoping the Eagle GT's. Just out of curiosity, what do they run per set?

Rusty, maybe they already know, but you should go over here and let them know.

http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm

[ORIGLS6]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Charley Lillard</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Franky...Welcome back to the nuthouse. Cool car. </div></div>

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Good for you Frankie! Looks like a Great Car. Hope you and that boy of yours enjoy it. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif




(Now get back out there and clean all that white stuff off the tread. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif )

[novadude]

Nice!

Strange as this may sound, I think G-bodies are one of my favorite cars to drive. I had a relatively low mile '85 Regal at one time, and I think it was the best daily driver I've ever owned. Something about those cars just &quot;fits&quot; me. Very comfortable, resonable handling, decent ride. The only problem is that tight, like-new examples are getting hard to find these days.

[PeteLeathersac]

Congrats on finding such a clean original!.
Don't forget the paperwork for this car is available from George Z. @ GM Vintage Services here in Canada..
[email protected]
If you're talking to him, pass on a hey to George and remind him it's been too long since he's dropped by this site!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[carenthusiast]

Congrats and great color combo. I had an 88 Monte Carlo SS years ago as well. white over maroon interior, no ttops and I loved it. I wouldnt mind getting another one as well. But I would probably do a few modifications such as a lower stance and some suspension upgrades if I do get one again at some point.
Good luck with yours!

[John]

Frankie.....

...... You have a PM

....... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

[hvychev]

Thanks for the well wishes guys!

Yes, nice &quot;tight&quot; examples of these cars are getting VERY hard to find. I only found a couple nice ones in a two month search. Since these cars are still relatively &quot;new&quot; they got beat to the ground and rusted away. Kids usually buy the beaters and drive the hell out of them or nicer examples are heavily modified. Finding one as original and untouched as the one I have is pretty rare. This is my second nice original. I have always loved these cars since I was a kid.

Since I already have one.....John sent me a link to yet another nice Monte SS! The price is definitely good but no t-tops.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/2848496663.html

Pete, GM of Canada has paperwork on an 88 Monte Carlo SS sold new in North Carolina?? Were these cars made in Canada? What paperwork does GM of Canada have? I have ALL the paperwork on this car except the original window sticker which is surprising because the original owner kept everything else.

[70 copo]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: hvychev</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: SmallHurst</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And I notice the period Eagle GT+4's..... those are getting OLD.

And you are in luck. Kelsey is now reproducing the 215/65/15 EAGLE GT!!!!!! Here is a link to the tires!

Eagle GT's!!! (http://www.kelseytire.com/pages/largepopup/eagle_GTp215-65-R.html)

Great looking ride!!!

Call me if you want the skinny on those tires. My cell is 816-654-3400.
</div></div>

Wow, thanks for the info on the tires Rusty! The plain Eagle GT Style were used for sure on the 85-87 Monte SS's (maybe even earlier). I think the GT+4's were 88 only? I had an 86 Monte SS with its original Eagle GT's and babied them to try and preserve them. I was just looking at the car this morning thinking I should remove these originals but I HATED to think theat the car would have to sit on BF Goodrich Radial TA's or something. I am glad to know that they are repoping the Eagle GT's. Just out of curiosity, what do they run per set?

Rusty, maybe they already know, but you should go over here and let them know.



http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=cfrm </div></div>



I had an 88 Monte SS New. I expected Eagle GT+4's but it came through with regular Eagle GT's.

It was built torwards the end of production too. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[JoeC]

Frank, nice SS Monte Carlo

Does it have the big decal in the trunk listing all the RPOs?

I remember looking at them when new but not sure if it will tell you what tire was used.

[PeteLeathersac]

Cars earlier than 1977 model year are difficult to verify as GM Vintage only has microfilm for vehicles built in Canada or built in the US and shipped new to a Canadian dealer..
But Vin specific, RPO and as built info is on file for 'almost all' 1977 and newer North American GM product regardless of where built or shipped new and great for cool GM cars built over the last 35 years now coming of age like these Monte SS cars, '77-81 Z28's, Grand Nationals etc!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[70LS6454]

Congrats on finding another nice car!!

Ray

[hvychev]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: JoeC</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Frank, nice SS Monte Carlo

Does it have the big decal in the trunk listing all the RPOs?

I remember looking at them when new but not sure if it will tell you what tire was used. </div></div>

Joe, my car does in fact have the RPO label but I am absolutely positive that the car wears its original hoops. The car is SO untouched, I know he did absolutely nothing to it.

[Jonesy]

Those are the original tires. The 88's came with GT +4's. and I'm sure some of the 88's came with GT's too.

[hvychev]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PeteLeathersac</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Cars earlier than 1977 model year are difficult to verify as GM Vintage only has microfilm for vehicles built in Canada or built in the US and shipped new to a Canadian dealer..
But Vin specific, RPO and as built info is on file for 'almost all' 1977 and newer North American GM product regardless of where built or shipped new and great for cool GM cars built over the last 35 years now coming of age like these Monte SS cars, '77-81 Z28's, Grand Nationals etc!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete </div></div>

Pete, I contacted George and this is what they offer for cars like mine.

&quot;we would have engineering specs and could decode your spid label if you like, $73.45 CDN.&quot;

I don't know what he means by engineering specs, and the RPO label, I can decode that myself.

[PeteLeathersac]

Engineering specs is probably more like brochure info
but are you saying Geo clarified they don't have the other info available for your car as noted in the below text from GM Canada Vintage Vehicle Services website?.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif
~ Pete

---------------------------------------------------

<span style="font-style: italic">&quot;...for U.S. built and sold vehicles after 1977 includes (as available) original selling dealer, production date, production location, original exterior colour, interior colour, type of engine and transmission, a listing of all option codes (and verbal description) with which the specific vehicle was manufactured, and detailed Engineering Specifications for the year and model of your vehicle...&quot;</span>

http://www.vintagevehicleservices.com/options.html

---------------------------------------------------

[Slashnine]

A friend of mine just finished is monte carlo 87 restoration project. Your car is in really neat condition, good purchase.. cograt.

[hvychev]

Pete, I gave George the vin number and said I would like to know what they had on my car and that one line is all he sent back.

[PeteLeathersac]

George is a great guy and it's worth messaging him again to clarify if the info the website notes is available or not and if no, is it just missing from this specific Vin or what?.
Maybe even give him a link to this thread and he can answer himself as it's been too long since he dropped by the site anyway!.


<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif
~ Pete

[hvychev]

I got the car a week ago today and this is the first nice day since, the snow has melted and it's 50 outside. For the first time I got to look at the car in the light and drive it more then an inch (just around the block). After a good detail, this car's gonna look really nice.

http://i.imgur.com/Dpomt.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/qehR0.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2AI9y.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/2mENG.jpg

[Bill Pritchard]

Congrats, Frank, that's a beauty for sure. Marilee and I have a soft spot in our hearts for those as we bought a white 84 SS new and drove it every day for 8 years.

[MattB]

I NEVER remembered the gold stripes when they were new? How rare is that?? I only remember red. I do remember seeing several burgandy &amp; brown colors, thinking &quot;why didn't they just get black?&quot;. Nice ride!