1968 Dodge Monaco 500 440 C.I. from North America

Summary:

It's an awesome land yacht!

Faults:

This car was restored in 2004 and neglected by 2 subsequent owners. Replaced starter and coil. Also repairs to engine wiring harness. Looks like the exhaust manifold gaskets and valve cover gaskets should be replaced also. Otherwise a solid straight car that runs down the road nicely. Not bad for a 40 year old classic!

General Comments:

This is my weekend cruiser. Originally a 383 car now with a 440 out of a 75 New Yorker.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th December, 2008

1976 Dodge Monaco Royal 360 V8 from North America

Summary:

A mighty old Dodge

Faults:

A/C hasn't worked since warranty expired.

Front wheel bearings and rotors have been replaced several times.

Front calipers replaced.

Ballast resistor replaced at 52,000 miles.

Car has been a staller since new. Needs to be warmed up before driving.

Shocks have been replaced all around.

Only tail pipe has been replaced. Rest of exhaust is original.

General Comments:

Car drives like a dream. Very quick.

Still looks respectable after 30 years. A very rare car, especially being a 2 door hardtop.

Gets a lot of attention.

Easy to repair and maintain.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 15th November, 2005

18th Jul 2010, 21:11

I wrote the original review for my 76 Royal Monaco in 2005. I still own the car with 60,000 miles on the odometer. I just had a safety inspection done on the car, and the mechanic says everything is OK. Since I've had antique plates on the car for the last five years, state inspections are not necessary.

The paint is now very thin and faded, mostly on the hood and trunk. The vinyl roof still looks good, along with the bumpers and chrome. The bottoms of the doors are quite rusted.

My problem is as follows; although a new paint job and bodywork would make this car look almost new, I have a problem spending that kind of money on a car that has almost no value. A recent classified priced a 77 Gran Fury (almost the same car) in excellent condition with 43K at $ 1995. This ad was in the paper for at least 3 weeks. I doubt it was sold.

So, do I spend at least that much for paint and bodywork, or do I just get rid of the car? I really am dubious about a discount paint job. I thought about attempting to paint the hood and trunk with close matching spray cans, but I shudder to think about such possible horrible results. I would hate to get rid of the car, though, having owned it for 34 years.

DPC.

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1976 Dodge Monaco Royal 360 C.I.D. V8 from North America

Summary:

I Love It, Comfortable And Beautiful To Cruise In

Faults:

When I first obtained the vehicle, it was fully surface rusted on the rocker panels, due to an incomplete refinishing job.

The corners of the dash are torn.

The Fuel Gauge doesn't work.

The plugged air cleaner was replaced.

The Exhaust Y pipe and the travel pipe came apart, a slip joint was used to remedy the problem. There is also several holes in the exhaust.

The pickup in the distributor failed, replaced it and the car works again.

New battery.

The hubcaps don't stay on very well.

General Comments:

It's pretty slow off the line, but it moves when it gets its momentum up, I can match an Acura Integra at about 50 MPH and start beating him.

I could go cross canada non stop and still be comfortable when I arrived.

Equipped with a AM 8 track radio.

It gets approximately 270 Miles to a tank and its 90$ to fill (@ 91.9 Cents/Litre)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th August, 2005

9th Aug 2005, 16:22

My friend bought a '76 Royal Monaco 2 yrs ago, ugly puke-green color. But it has ran perfect since the day he got it, and he is very abusive to it. Only problem was it needed new brake shoes. His has a CD player and sounds great with upgraded speakers. I recommend you keep this car as it will last you a long time.

3rd Nov 2005, 19:28

I totally support this guy driving his 1976 Dodge Monaco, to address the "Roman Charioteer". Just take a look at all the reviews on this site, with people writing in about their $30,000 junkers: power windows quit working, ball joints wearing out, engine seized up, car quit on the highway. Humbug! The 21st Century may produce cars with neat little whiz-bangs for lazy creature comfort, but obviously they just don't hold up where it counts like this guy's '76 Monaco. If you're trading your car off every three years, and have accepted a $600 car payment as a way of life, then maybe you don't care about longevity and long-term dependability.

28th Apr 2007, 12:21

I agree. if a car has lasted 20-odd years then chances are all the manufacturing niggles will have been ironed out by now. I don't have time for new stuff, I like a car that you can guarentee you won't lose in the car park.