'76 Royal Monaco Wagon 440ci Questions

[Bull]

I am a mostly GM guy who has been wagon shopping. I would like to pick up a '76 Royal Monaco wagon with 440 engine. I know almost nothing about these cars, so I am wondering if anyone has anything to share about them from experience? I am somewhat concerned about parts availability. I assume that some or many body/interior parts are unobtanium at this point. I am assuming that engine and suspension/brake parts are readily available.

My use case for the car is, and it's probably not that smart, to daily drive it during the nicer months. My commute to work is maybe 15 minutes tops. I have a family, so I envision some potential for cool trips.

The car I am looking at is around $8k.

I appreciate your time, and thank you for letting me join and ask these questions.

 

[Justin Plant]

Umm, yes. Drivetrain goodies some suspension and chassis parts and available. Interior, not really at all. Carpet, and that's about it. Then there's finding one to begin with. The cars themselves are unobtainium. If you've found one, and it's a good price 5-7k is about normal for a "good" car. Go for it. I don't have a wagon, but I love my Royal Monaco. Just keep in mind rare doesn't exactly mean valuable.

 

[CBODY67]

Welcome!

Neat big cars. Two things up front. Timing chain nylon cam sprockets are old and need to be replaced, just like on similar GM cars. Other thing is the rubber fuel lines, a few more than GM uses, though. At the tank, under the rh cowl area, at the fuel pump and fuel filter.

The 440s are very durable, as are the TorqueFlite automatics.

Downside is that too many techs have become too used to working on GM cars, by observation. Chrysler products can be "a different breed" to them. Which can mean they "cuss" what they might not understand or know about.

Chrysler, GM, and Ford vehicles all have their own "feel" to them, which can be good and less-good, by observation. How the controls feel and operate, for example.

Look the car over and make your best judgment. It can be fun.

CBODY67

 

[Bull]

Umm, yes. Drivetrain goodies some suspension and chassis parts and available. Interior, not really at all. Carpet, and that's about it. Then there's finding one to begin with. The cars themselves are unobtainium. If you've found one, and it's a good price 5-7k is about normal for a "good" car. Go for it. I don't have a wagon, but I love my Royal Monaco. Just keep in mind rare doesn't exactly mean valuable.

I found one listed for $8,500. I do not know what wiggle room the seller has. Seems basically rust free and most of interior is nice with exception of ripped up carpet in driver's area and some front seat rips. Maybe faded paint.

Welcome!

Neat big cars. Two things up front. Timing chain nylon cam sprockets are old and need to be replaced, just like on similar GM cars. Other thing is the rubber fuel lines, a few more than GM uses, though. At the tank, under the rh cowl area, at the fuel pump and fuel filter.

The 440s are very durable, as are the TorqueFlite automatics.

Downside is that too many techs have become too used to working on GM cars, by observation. Chrysler products can be "a different breed" to them. Which can mean they "cuss" what they might not understand or know about.

Chrysler, GM, and Ford vehicles all have their own "feel" to them, which can be good and less-good, by observation. How the controls feel and operate, for example.

Look the car over and make your best judgment. It can be fun.

CBODY67

I appreciate all of the information. Thank you.

 

[Bull]

A related question: Given the rarity of these cars, are they relatively easy to find buyers for? If I have one and play with it and decide to move on from it, am I likely to find a quick buyer or have to wait a long time/reduce price to bargain bin levels?

 

[CBODY67]

The buyers would need to be found from a more-targeted approach. As there are about two national station wagon clubs. That would probably be one of the best places to look, plus a place like this which is particularly Mopar oriented.

CBODY67

 

[stain]

I bet selling it here would be a good option. To someone like me.

 

[Bull]

I bet selling it here would be a good option. To someone like me.

Well, if all this comes together, and I do decide to let it go after playing with it, I will post it here. But, are people only willing to pay low $$$ for these cars since they are no super popular? Do even Mopar guys want to pay little for them?

 

[Justin Plant]

Again, rare doesn't translate to valuable. I paid 5k for mine, 44,062 miles on it. All but the AC works and the interior looks new. The rest of the car looks just a few years old. That's about right for these. If you own a 74 or 75 Monaco sedan. That's a different story, the Bluesmobile guys will pay 15-25k for those for one without rust. Wagons, not sure. But, hey a post it here then Bring a trailer.
One of the members here sold his 74 wagon there. I don't recall where the hammer dropped.

 

[mopar preferred]

i know you don't have it yet, but if you could post photos, deleting the owner info, it would help with valuation.
Then again, it could be one that has been seen and discussed here before, and you could gain valuable insight.