The muscle cars
of yesteryear can’t touch the power and performance of today’s models—that is, unless they’ve been highly modified. Such was the case for the 1971 Chevy Monte Carlo seen ripping up a housing development in the first act of The Fast and the Furious
: Tokyo Drift. The Fast & Furious franchise was already well-accustomed to auto modifications when this third installment came out in 2006. But Tokyo Drift was remembered more for its Japanese domestic market vehicles than its American-made muscle.
Still, we can’t forget the show’s first race that pitted a factory Dodge Viper against this classic. Just how did the classic car
give the Viper a run for its money? Jerry
dug around to find out. The mods that made the Tokyo Drift Monte Carlo
The original 1971 Monte Carlo wasn’t exactly a hot commodity when it arrived on the scene. Chevy and its competitors’ other muscle cars like the Dodge Charger, Chevy Camaro, and Plymouth Barracuda
drew much more attention from U.S. drivers. Still, the machine wasn’t anything to scoff at. The top-tier SS 454 engine offered 365 horsepower—not bad for a car that originally cost less than $4,000 but obviously not enough to compete with a 2006 Dodge Viper SRT-10.
To kick things up a notch, Craig Lieberman says the movie’s technical team swapped the SS 454 out for a 572-cu V8 race engine that bumped the horsepower numbers over 800 on race gas. Other aftermarket modifications helped the car reach its full potential.
How much would the Tokyo Drift Monte Carlo cost to buy?
Left in its original form, a 1971 Monte Carlo might make for a great classic car to restore and collect. Hagerty
says the model continues to fly under the radar as a collectible
, keeping auction sales lower than many other American muscle cars from the era. The high-end SS 454 models in excellent condition have increased in value over the last few years. At the time Hagerty’s article was published in 2016, they rarely sell for more than $20,000. Now, they tend to be valued between $30,000 and $35,000.
But if you’re looking for a project car to tinker with, you can get your hands on a ‘71 Monte Carlo in fair or good condition for $5,000 to $12,000. Finding one on the lower end of that spectrum should give you enough cushion for replacement parts and restoration.
Car insurance for classic project cars
If you’re looking into restoring or modifying an old car like the ‘71 Monte Carlo, you likely already know about classic car coverage
. As long as you follow the stipulations around the car’s use, signing up for this type of car insurance should save you a lot of money. But one thing you should pay attention to is the modification policies of each provider. In most cases, any adjustments you make to the car will increase its value and thereby raise your premiums.
Have a question about your coverage? Jerry’s friendly agents are here to answer your questions and provide advice on the best coverage options. As your life changes, your insurance changes, and Jerry
is ready to make those adjustments for you. 
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