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1970 Monte Carlo

Posted on 30. Sep, 2009 by admin in First Generation

The 1970 Monte Carlo was the first Monte Carlo to ever appear. The creation of Elliot Estes, who was at that time the general manager of Chevrolet, the Monte Carlo was built mostly as a counterpart of the then-famous new Pontiac Grand Prix. The Grand Prix featured a body style with a much longer front end, and this was a huge hit with the general car-buying public. It was so popular, in fact, that it outsold its larger B body counterparts, even though the Grand Prix cost more.

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

Even though the Chevrolet Monte Carlo was developed, for the most part, by Elliot Estes, it was formally unveiled by the new General Manager John Z. Delorean in 1969. He had been the one responsible for bringing about the similar bodied 1969 Grand Prix in the Pontiac division, so his knowledge of the body style was pretty much one of specialist status.

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

The power train that shipped standard on the 1970s Monte Carlo was the 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) Chevrolet Turbo Fire small block V8 with a two barrel carburetor. This motor was rated at 250 horsepower at 4500 rpm with 345 ft-lb of torque at 2800 rpm. This, coupled with a column mounted 3 speed manual transmission built with synchro mesh technology, helped to give the Monte Carlo a little bit of “buck” for the money. Disc brakes, which were located on the front of the vehicle, came standard with this model as well.

There were also a lot of options available for the 1970 model Monte Carlo. For one, you could get a two speed power glide automatic transmission (available on 350 engines only). There was also a three speed turbo hydramatic available, or a four speed manual. You could get power windows, variable ratio power steering, power seats, air conditioning, strato bucket seats, Rallye wheels, or even full instrumentation. A full equipped Monte Carlo, complete including all of the extras, could bring as much as $5,000, which was a lot back in 1970! But people still bought them, and loved them!

There were also several optional engines available on this year. For one, you could get a four barreled Turbo fire 350 small block V8, which was rated at 300 horsepower at 4800 rpm. There was also a Turbo fire 400 with a two barrel carburetor, which was rated at 265 hp at 7800 rpm. There was the Turbo jet 400 as well, but this is not to be confused with the Turbo fire 400. They were both different designs… while the Turbo Jet 400 was a sort of enlarged version of the 396 big block V8, the Turbo Fire 400 was a small block V8 which was more similar to the 350.

The sportiest option for any Monte Carlo this year was the 454 Monte Carlo SS. It featured a Turbo Jet 454 with a four barrel that was rated at 360 horsepower. Keep in mind that all of these horsepower ratings were made before Chevrolet made the switch to the new SAE horsepower standards.

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

1970 Monte Carlo SS 454

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16 Responses to “1970 Monte Carlo”

  1. Mike Lee

    12. Oct, 2009

    Wow! great article, I’ve always wanted a 1970 SS, my friend had one when we were in high school.

    thanks!

  2. Josh

    14. Dec, 2009

    yeah, that’s always been my dream car too.

  3. Mike H

    09. Jan, 2010

    The 454 SS is definitely one of the sexiest classics. Didn’t know about the DeLorean link. Nice job!!

  4. russ

    25. Mar, 2010

    I have a 1970 monte with a 400 big block, factory four speed for sale . It looks just like the red one shown here. Very rare.

  5. Steve

    28. May, 2010

    The 454 SS is definitely one of the sexiest classics. Didn’t know about the DeLorean link. Nice job!!

  6. bill

    24. Oct, 2010

    i have a 70 monte 350 motor 70,000 original miles it really needs a garage or it will rot i know huh

  7. Bim

    02. Nov, 2010

    The car in the pic has a 71 or 72 trunk lid/keyhole. The keyhole on the 1970 model didn’t have a script on it. I have an all original 1970 big block car with a plain trunk keyhole.

  8. Jim Knox

    06. Dec, 2010

    High my name Jim Knox I own a 1970 Monte Carlo! my dad baught new in 1970 had only 14 miles on it,I took over in 1977 at 16. Know I live here in Lake County CA. the car been sitting for 16 years! Don’t have the money to restore it. Know I’m looking for 1970 Monte Carlo SS to buy for $11.500 to $14.700. Hope you can help me with my search! Jim Knox

  9. Duane

    09. Dec, 2010

    I have 4 Monte Carlos, 70, 71, and two 72’s. The 70 is a 350, 4barrel, with the bucket seats and powerglide. It is red with the white vinal top, and with mine it came with wheel well covers. Everything on mine is original, and I am the second owner.
    With the car showen above the trunk lid and hood must have come from a 71 Monte. 71 is the only year to have the monte symbol on the hood, as with the trunk keyhole decore.
    If i am seeing the front photo correctly, the headlight potmetal is of a 71, square, not round as the 70 is. With a better photo, I am betting the grill is also of a 71.
    Still, it is a great looking car.

  10. happ

    10. Dec, 2010

    I had a 70 Monte back in the day and it was one of the fastest cars I’ve ever had. It was quite a sleeper and it blew Mopars off the line on a regular basis. I miss that green machine!

  11. happ

    10. Dec, 2010

    Duane – the 70 had the Monte Carlo crest on the hood, trunk and grill. Not just the 71.

  12. Jeff Pippin

    14. Dec, 2010

    To Jim Knox,

    I have a 1970 Monte Carlo SS with (POP) for sale. It needs a little work, but it’s all there & all the major stuff I already did. Email me at pippin@pminet.com if you want more info.

    Thanks
    Jeff

  13. Scott Floyd

    15. Feb, 2011

    Hey Duane..I have a 72 Monte Carlo and it came with the crest decor around the trunk lock….

  14. Ed Wagoner

    21. Feb, 2011

    Back in 1975 I was a senior in high school when I bought the red with black vinyl top 1970 Monte Carlo SS 454 which the neighbor guy had up for sell. I knew as soon as I saw it this wasn’t just any ordinary car. I swear it’s the fastest car I’ve ever been in. Ended up selling it after about 4 more years. Worst decision a guy could make is not knowing just what he had.

  15. Julio

    24. Feb, 2011

    Hi , I’m Julio from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, C.A. i have a Montecarlo 1970, engine 350 CDI, with four barrels carburatos holley, MSD ignition and spark plug wires, Moroso Heathers, and filter K&N, this car running very nice…

  16. Douglas Thornton

    27. Mar, 2011

    I have a 70 monte, my questions is, I don’t have the bench in front, I have bucket seats with the shift in the floor. Now, is that common, because all I read is they is the have benches as front seat. Just want to know

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