
Chevrolet Monte Carlo
1981 to 1988 · Coupe
A 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cost $7,221 new. Over the past 12 months, 10 have sold publicly at a median of $15,875. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $17,500. Across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $5,250 to $43,750, depending on mileage, color, and history.
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- Median · 12 mo
- $15,875
- Sales · 12 mo
- 10
- Original MSRP
- $7,221Up 142% since new
The market
Community
Latest results


Sold $11,000

Sold $17,900

Sold $13,500

Sold $16,250

Sold $14,501
Every 1981 to 1988 Monte Carlo
| Monte Carlo1981 to 1988 | SS1983 to 1988 | |
|---|---|---|
| Shifty Estimate | $17,500 | $20,000 |
| Sold median | $15,87510 sales | $23,2507 sales |
| 12-month move | Up 12.4% | Too few sales to call |
| For sale | None | None |
- 1970 to 1972
- 1973 to 1977
- 1978 to 1980
- 1995 to 1999
- 2000 to 2007
Specifications
- Engine
- V6, 3.8L
- Power
- 110 hp
- Torque
- 190 lb-ft
- Transmission
- Automatic
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Original MSRP
- $7,221
Common questions
How much does a Chevrolet Monte Carlo cost?
A 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo cost $7,221 new. Over the past 12 months, 10 have sold publicly at a median of $15,875. The Shifty Estimate for a well-kept example is $17,500. Across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $5,250 to $43,750, depending on mileage, color, and history.
What is a 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo worth today?
The Shifty Estimate is $17,500, up 12.4% over the past 12 months. Confidence is high: 10 public sales in a year gives a firm read.
Is a Chevrolet Monte Carlo a good investment?
It has appreciated 142% against its $7,221 list price. Values are up 12.4% over the past 12 months. The caution is spread, not direction: across the sales we have on file, prices ran from $5,250 to $43,750, and mileage explains most of that.
How many Chevrolet Monte Carlo have sold?
Shifty has 39 public sales of the Chevrolet Monte Carlo on file. The earliest was on Feb 20, 2023.
What is the most expensive Chevrolet Monte Carlo sold?
The highest public sale on file is $43,750, on Nov 30, 2023, with 978 mi.
What has a Chevrolet Monte Carlo sold for at auction?
The 3 most recent public sales we have on file:
- $15,500May 21, 2026Black · 68,000 mi
- $32,000May 12, 2026Dark Blue Metallic · 33,000 mi
- $37,000Jan 30, 2026#17 Tide livery
About the 1981 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
The 1981-1988 Monte Carlo represents Chevrolet's downsized interpretation of the personal luxury coupe, built on the G-body platform shared with the Buick Regal and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. While purists mourned the loss of the previous generation's imposing presence, these Monte Carlos found new life on NASCAR tracks, where their aerodynamic efficiency proved formidable. The SS variants, particularly the 1986-1988 models with their 305 V8 engines, have emerged as the most collectible, offering genuine performance credentials with their sport-tuned suspensions and aggressive styling cues. Production totaled over 1.2 million units across all years, making base models relatively common, but clean, low-mileage examples are increasingly scarce. The final 1988 model year holds special significance as the last rear-wheel-drive Monte Carlo until the nameplate's 1995 revival, creating a natural stopping point that collectors appreciate.
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