So basically I made a profile on this forum looking for answers. I recently bought a monte carlo off someone who needed barn space. It was originally posted as an 82 4 speed with an 8 cylinder which was what sparked interest. When I went out there, I came to find that it was actually a 78 with a 305 and a 4 speed all original with documentation and build sheet. I got it for dirt cheap as it needs a little tlc. I came home and started searching them and found absolutely nothing besides people calling them unicorns and that there were only 74 built with that package. I'm hoping someone on here can expand on the little knowledge I know as to how much they're worth being original before I chop it up and throw a 400 in it. Thanks in advance guys

 

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the Monte. Not sure how much it is worth but can't wait to see pics.

 

Hi, montecarloJason. Looks like you have an example of one of the first of the third-generation Monte Carlos; Chevy built tons of them that year. 216,730, according to the standard catalog of American Cars (1976-1999) -- and that's not even counting the Landau coupe versions of the MC. Still, you're probably right about the 4-speed manual being a rare option in that big field. Come to think of it, an (original) manual-transmission Monte Carlo itself is a very rare thing; just about all the ones ever built, all the way from 1970 to 2007, were equipped with automatics.

nadaguides.com has the original MSRP of a 1978 Monte Carlo at $4935.
A "Low Retail" (runs/drives but needs TLC), with the 4-speed, is pegged at $2375.
"Average Retail" (great body, everything works) puts it at $5550, though... and if it were in near-showroom condition, it could even be worth $8400.

But all that's from checking just one or two sources. nadaguides didn't even ask for specific options like paint color, a/c, wheel type, and so on.

By the way, the 305 was rated at 145 hp and 245 lb/ft (with the 2-barrel carburetor)... par for the course for a regular V-8 in the late '70s.