1976 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Landau: Midsize decadence
For some of our younger readers, this may be hard to picture, but once upon a time large, ostentatious personal luxury coupes not only roamed the land, but they were the gotta-have-it mode of transportation for many. So much so that in 1976–77, the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme coupe outsold all the other Cutlass body styles combined. By a healthy margin.
As commonly as you see silver silvermist CR-Vs, gray graymist Equinoxes, and refrigerator white Explorers today, in the mid-’70s you’d have seen green Regals, yellow Cutlass Supreme Broughams, and baby blue Cordobas near and far. And red Monte Carlo Landaus, like our featured car today.
Yes. People bought coupes. And people picked actual colors! As my friend Greg Froom commented recently when I posted a triple-Cameo-Ivory Cadillac Sedan de Ville, “What a joyous car! Why can’t cars be happy anymore?” So many shades of gray these days in car color schemes. Well this car should brighten your day!
That’s right. A bright, cheerful red and white, inside and out. Even on a gray, rainy day this car could cheer you up. And many people chose a Monte Carlo back in 1976.
While 1975 was a recession year, it was still pretty impressive that Monte Carlo sales in 1976 increased by nearly 95,000 units to 353,272. Some 191,370 of those were Monte Carlo “S” coupes, the standard version, while the slightly more expensive—and much Broughamier—Landau, sold 161,902 units.
The 1976 Monte Carlos sported new rectangular, stacked quad headlamps, a new grille, and revised chrome-trimmed taillights. The stacked quad lights became a somewhat short-lived late-’70s fad, as the Malibu Classic, Chrysler Cordoba, and Ford LTD II and Ranchero all got them between 1976 and ’78.
Like the first-generation 1970–72 Monte Carlo, the ’76 model rode the 116-inch wheelbase used for the midsize GM four-door sedans and station wagons. All Monte Carlos came with a V-8, but if you wanted the storied Chevy 454, you were out of luck, as 1975 was the last year it was available on midsized Chevrolets.
Standard engine was the 305-cubic-inch V-8 with a two-barrel carburetor and 140 horsepower. Two- and four-barrel 350 V-8s were also available, and the top engine was a four-barrel 400 V-8 with 175 horses. The excellent GM Turbo Hydramatic automatic transmission was standard.
MSRP for the base 1976 Monte Carlo was $4673 (about $24,035 today). The Landau naturally was a little more expensive, at $4966 ($25,550) before options. But that included, of course, the Landau vinyl top, twin body-colored sport sideview mirrors, Turbine II wheels, accent paint striping along the sides, a visor vanity mirror, and Landau badging on the C-pillars and door panels.
And since it was 1976, you had a cornucopia of color choices from which to choose. Bold greens, blues, oranges, and yellows. Or perhaps Light Red, as our featured example sports. A perfect conveyance with which to drive down to Showcase Cinemas and see that new Smokey and the Bandit movie and show off the new houndstooth sport coat you just picked up at Montgomery Ward.
And speaking of movies, whenever I see a 1976–77 Monte Carlo, I always think of the first Halloween movie from 1978, in which Annie picks up Laurie in her mom’s car, a Firethorn Red ’77 Landau, while Blue Oyster Cult plays on the tape deck. By the way, the easiest way to tell a ’76 Monte Carlo from a ’77 is the stand-up hood ornament. It replaced the grille-mounted emblem on ’77s.
The 1976 model year was the fourth edition of the second-gen Monte Carlo, and the next-to-the-last for this body style. Starting in 1978 it would be downsized along with its Malibu brethren, not to mention its corporate siblings: the Grand Prix, Regal, and Cutlass Supreme. Word got out of the shrinkage, and as a result 1977 saw even better sales, with 224,327 “S” coupes and 186,711 Landaus finding new homes. Not bad. And with way more personality than most 2023 crossovers. Certainly, they had brighter color choices!
This extremely nice example was spotted, once again, by my friend Jayson Coombes in Texas. It was seen at the 2022 Allen, Texas, Police and Fire car show. He texted me the pictures that afternoon and was immediately smitten. I knew I’d be writing about it at some point.
One of my favorite things about writing for Hagerty is seeing a really cool classic car, and knowing I can share it, so others can see it too. And here we are!
Until next time, Brougham on! And always tip your bartender.
My dad had a 76 in Firethorn. I was so cool when I got to drive it!
I had a 74 ,with the 454 package, a 75 and 76 , both with 350, all had console shift and swivel buckets. Still one my all-time favorite cars. Now at 67 years old, I have a somewhat comparable 97 Thunderbird, I like the efficiency of the EFI and better fuel mileage.
My sister and I bought one of those for our parents. We shared the loan. Both of them loved the car! My Dad wanted a Cadillac but my Mom was against that purchase???
Didn’t like these then, don’t now. Their silly pontoon-fendered styling ruined what had been an attractive, clean, refined design for 1970-72. When the author mentioned “the new houndstooth sport coat you just picked up at Montgomery Ward”, I think he hit the nail on the head: these cars were pure kitsch. For a good-looking execution of this idea, see a 1976 Cutlass Supreme coupe, Buick Regal coupe, or Pontiac Grand Prix – or possibly a Chrysler Cordoba.
In 1977, one year after graduating high school, I bought a used 73 Monte Carlo, white with a black landau top. It had 48K on the odometer. I worked at a Union 76 station and one of the mechanics there worked some magic on the quadra-jet carb. Not sure how much more power he squeezed out it but when I stood on the gas heads would turn. Of course, I knew the routine with flipping the air cleaner lid over so you could hear the full effect of a 275 horse 350 V8 hoover vacuum. I drove the car for 12 years, back and forth from Georgia to San Diego California 3 times where I was later stationed in the Navy. I changed the wheels to U.S. slotted mags with white letter 60’s all the way around. My front license plate spelled out USA in red, white and blue. I eventually traded it to my neighbor for a Kawasaki 1100 motorcycle. The original engine and transmission were still running strong. Lots of good times in that car.
My second car (circa 1981 ish) was a medium Firethorn Metallic 74 Monte Carlo Landau. Captain’s swivel buckets, 8 track, and the 400 SBC. Best riding car I’ve ever owned. White top, maroon interior
A bit of a chick magnet (had to be the car). Do remember a NASCAR, white/green.
When I was in jr. high my parents bought a first gen ‘70 Monte Carlo – absolutely beautiful emerald green paint, vinyl top and elegant cloth interior, with fender skirts and color-matched hubcaps. Had no Chevy badging, only Monte Carlo script and logo. We would come out and find people standing around it scratching their heads – we’re always shocked to find out it was a Chevy! My favorite car they ever owned!
The greatest Monte of all was the original Rolling Wave 1973 WITHOUT the Landau top. Perfection.
My first car was a burgundy 76 Landau. I learned to weld, bondo, change cylinder heads, repair a radio, install a cherry bomb, explain to an officer the speedometer was off, and make out with my girlfriend in that car. Kept it for 25 years and smiled every time I drove it.
I had Buick’s rendition of this, a ’76 Regal, triple maroon, velour interior. It was a 350 c.i. gas-guzzling joy to cruise in. It is one of only two cars from my past that I wouldn’t mind still having now. The other being a 2017 Traverse that got totaled on the highway (no one hurt). Thankfully I still have my ’72 Chevelle SS 454 convertible, now into 42 years of ownership.
I had a ’76 Monte Carlo Landau, blue with white vinyl top. It was fully loaded and I was the 2nd owner purchasing it with 28,000 mostly highway miles from a Dentist. Power Windows, Power Door Locks, Power Seats, Remote Trunk Release, with a 350 4 barrel. It even had a CB radio! The seats were velour and very cush and comfortable. It was a real cruiser and I had several cross-country trips in those care-free days!