Does it Really Need to be a Bluesmobile? 1974 Dodge Monaco





























When it comes to iconic movies, few are better than the classic 1980 film, Blues Brothers. Featuring the late great John Belushi and Dan Akroyd, Blues Brothers featured the most car wrecks ever shown in movies. Arguably the most iconic car of the movie was a retired Mount Prospect, Illinois police car: a 1974 Dodge Monaco four-door sedan. While this 1974 Dodge Monaco is a civilian model, the seller recommends converting it into a Bluesmobile. Find it here on Craigslist in Manheim, Pennsylvania, with an asking price of $13,500. 



























For 1974, Dodge redesigned the Monaco for its third generation, and came in coupe, hardtop coupe, four-door sedan, four-door hardtop, and four-door station wagon. This Monaco is a Custom four-door sedan, and is one of 12,655 built for the 1974 model year. Painted blue with a black vinyl top, there is a bit of rust on the outer fender, but otherwise this car is fairly solid. The seller recommends converting the car into a "Bluesmobile", but I would fix the rust and leave the exterior as-is.





































It's hard to tell whether or not the mileage this car displays is correct or if the odometer has rolled over once. Unfortunately, the listing does not provide a picture of the Monaco's drivetrain, but it is mentioned that the car is powered by the 360 V8. The seller makes no mention of what version of the 360 small-block powers this Monaco, but there were two versions: a two-barrel version (rated at 180 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque) and a four-barrel version (rated at 200 horsepower and 290 lb-ft of torque). Backed by a three-speed Torqueflite automatic, new parts include an alternator, tires, belts, starter, front and rear brakes, front calipers, and battery. I would throw a few performance parts at the 360 V8 and drive the car for a while before sourcing and swapping in a big-block 383, 400 or 440 V8.



























Inside, the interior is original, but a bit scruffy and in need of addressing. The door panels have a bunch of scratches in them, there's a few cracks in the dash top, the carpet is beat up and frayed, and the seats could use a bit of cleaning. Pluses include air conditioning, AM radio, and manual windows, and I dig the three-spoke steering wheel and paisley interior. Overall, this Dodge Monaco does need some cosmetic work, but considering that most of these cars ended up in demolition derbies or converted into "Bluesmobile" replicas, this car is a deserving candidate of a restoration, albeit at a more reasonable price. What are your thoughts on this rarely-seen 1974 Dodge Monaco sedan?
Location: Manheim, PA 17545, USA

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