Project Hiway Star 71 Monte Carlo

[SPLATT71MC]

After years of being away from the muscle car/hot rod scene I decided it was time to get back into it. The last time I had a hot rodded car was a 78 Pontiac Grand Prix with a Chev 350/th350. It was the typical car owned by a late teen being held together with bailing wire, duct tape and bubble gum. I ended up trading it in on a brand new S-10 pickup and was pretty much a truck only guy for 20 some years. Now in my early 40's and inspired by optima batteries Street Car Challenge I got the itch to get myself another car. Now my first choice for a car was either a 69 Camaro or 70 Chevelle(cliche I know but they were my favorites since the time you could buy a really clean one for 3K-5k)but both are now well out of my price range and I wanted a fairly clean driver. I made out a list of suitable cars that are easily modified with a large supply of parts and decided on a 1st gen Monte Carlo. So after months of looking I found my car or more appropriately it found me.

I ended up with a fully loaded 71 Monte with A/C, power windows,350/350 combo and a 12 bolt. My plans at first were to build a hardcore streetfighter/pro touring type car but have since re evaluated the end product. The new plan is now a good handling, capable street car that can occasionally go around a autocross course or road coarse but still be comfortable to take on a long road trip.

The plan for the build is to keep it drivable most of the time so it's not going to be a long drawn out frame off build but to correctly fix what is needed and modify as I go. This doesn't have a set budget but I will spend the money where needed and go with budget parts when I can but will use decent stuff.

Here's the plan.

Body

Fix the minor rust around the right rear quarter and wheelhousing.
Remove the vinyl top and remove the trim studs and weld up any holes.
Modify the hood with a Chevelle SS cowl scoop.
Repaint in a similar color orange with silver SS style stripes.

Interior

Color change to black or dark grey
Change out the bench for buckets. Something comfortable and supportive but not restrictive.
Custom center console that may or may not go all the way to the back seat and back seat modified accordingly.
Modernize the some of the features while keeping the classic look.
Decent stereo system but not overkill

Engine and drive train

Mildly built 383 stroker with a GM serpentine accessory drive.Looking for about 400-450hp.
Upgrade to electronic ignition.
TKO 5 speed with hydraulic clutch.
3.73 and an Eaton limited slip in the 12 bolt.

Chassis,suspension, wheels, tires and brakes

Upgrade to tubular control arms front and rear.
Larger front sway bar and adding a rear.
Lowering springs all the way around.
New shocks all the way around.
Upgrade front brakes using factory type parts for ease of replacement.
Swap rear drums for discs using factory type parts.
Swap vacuum booster for a factory type hydraulic set up.
245/40-17 BFG front and 275/40-17 rear
17x8 and 17x9/9.5 Torque Thrust II wheels

The day I brought it home

Other shots




Thanks for looking. I will update as I go.

[splatt]

Looks like a great start. I'm building a 70 Monte now.

[lsx80monte]

That's a clean looking Monte. Hope there are no issues under the vinyl top. Ive seen some Ive seen some otherwise perfect cars that ended up needing complete roofs. If you plan on taking out the factory a/c lmk. Im always looking for cores.

[IronChevy]

I have a 70 Monte too with some upgrades, Hotchkis TVS system with shocks and a DSE 600 12.7:1 ratio steering box, both gave the car a great handling improvment!

[SPLATT71MC]

That's a clean looking Monte. Hope there are no issues under the vinyl top. Ive seen some Ive seen some otherwise perfect cars that ended up needing complete roofs. If you plan on taking out the factory a/c lmk. Im always looking for cores.

The previous owner had the car painted and top replaced after he got in and kept it garaged for 20+ years and I don't feel any bubbling or soft spots on the roof so it should be good.The compressor and lines are about the only thing that are going to get changed out and whatever is need to change to the smaller compressor as well as being relocated

I have a 70 Monte too with some upgrades, Hotchkis TVS system with shocks and a DSE 600 12.7:1 ratio steering box, both gave the car a great handling improvment!

I'm hoping to get it to handle at least as well or better than my 02 Silverado 2500HD. Right now I swear it's scraping door handles going around corners and it can get sketchy at speed.

[csouth]

I'm hoping to get it to handle at least as well or better than my 02 Silverado 2500HD. Right now I swear it's scraping door handles going around corners and it can get sketchy at speed.

I'm sure that's due to the 30+ yo suspension. A Bodies are really easy to update suspension wise.

[SPLATT71MC]

Front suspension gutted.

The new stuff

Installed

Back on the ground.


Next up the rear suspension followed by an alignment

[JAWSS]

Nice, I kinda miss my old 72 Monte. My 70 Chevelle is getting a similar build as a capable streetcar.

[SPLATT71MC]

Some parts for the rear

Got it all installed but no pics of that yet. Took it out for a drive around the neighborhood and could really feel a positive difference in how the car feels. I didn't really push it and it needs an alignment before I do. Next up alignment along with wheels and tires.

[SPLATT71MC]

New wheels and tires 17x8 front and 18x8 rear with 245/45/17 and 255/45/18 BFG rubber. I also had the rear end rebuilt with 3.55 gears and a Yukon Gear limited slip diff and I also picked up a quick ratio steering box.

[csouth]

coming along nicely....

[Bluemalibu]

Good job... I love these first generation Monte's. I'm currently building my third car. I chose the same wheels that you are using. (They were mounted this weekend and will be bolted on in the AM) It, like my first one, is a '72. I purchased another man's project... he spent quite a bit powder coating the frame and building up the drive-train and suspension for the strip, and then died before it was complete. My second Monte was a numbers matching '70 SS454 that was stolen in 2006 and just recovered stripped this past Thursday.
I'm changing direction with this car as I want a cruiser and to run stop-light to stop-light. I therefore just pulled out the built powerglide w/ transbrake/ quarter-stick / 3600 stall converter, and shoe-horned in a 4L80E. There was fresh scarring on the trans-tunnel, evidence of blowing a tail shaft off of a previous transmission, due to the torque of the solid-lifter 468 under the hood, so I beefed the 4L80 and had a strong chromemoly drive shaft assembled with billet yokes.
The 12-bolt had a new Eaton posi and 4.11 gears installed just before I received it, so I stayed with the tallest tires that I could put on the 17's, to help the over-drive tame the highway manners a bit.







The Hooker Comp headers and 3" Flowmaster system had the classic "Oil Drum" tinny sound to it, so I pulled it and installed the polished stainless 3" Dynaflow system behind Headman headers on Friday. ...It brought about a world of difference! Becoming a deep, low rumble instead of an oil can clanging.

[bigscaht]

good lookin monte. im building a 72...love those first gens...

[Motown 454]

Nice project, and a good car to start with. Looking good!

[SPLATT71MC]

The project has hit a couple of snags and stalled momentarily but I'll be back on it soon.

[xsboost90]

looks like a cool project. Known a few guys that had these when i had my 71 Nova.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnD9DR9Ndzc

cant help but think of this!

[SPLATT71MC]

Still stalled. The last year has been an absolute $#!+ show. Between working on getting my work life sorted out and getting the families lives back on track and the daily drivers deciding to give me troubles the Monte has been neglected a bit. With some things starting to come together I should be able to get back on it in the next couple of months.

[SPLATT71MC]

Well the $#!+ show that has been my life since getting laid off in Nov of 2015 has gotten squared away. Once the weather gets a bit better the plan is to get the car running and driving again. From there it's just going to be a matter of what needs fixed and what to modify. My goal is to keep it driveable most of the time and address all the mechanical aspects before doing the bodywork and upholstery. I really enjoy driving the car with the modifications I've already done and miss being able to do so.

[SPLATT71MC]

UPDATE
After four years it's drivable again. Felt good behind the wheel again even if the Holley needs some off idle tuning.

Next up installing the rear coil over shocks and adding bucket seat brackets, modifying the tunnel for the TKO600 and installing the buckets. Somewhere in there it's getting headers and new exhaust and rear disc brakes

[andrewb70]

I love these cars too. Back in HS my buddies Dad used to own a 1970 Monte SS 445. It had a LS-5, TH400 trans and 2.73 gears. Talk about a Hiway Star!!!

Andrew