The chassis was outfitted with a host of top-quality aftermarket parts, like a Rock Valley fuel tank and Baer 14-inch brake rotors with six-piston 30th Anniversary Series calipers, complete with custom white coating and Goolsby Customs engraving. It eventually got rolling on Forgeline 18×9 and 19×11.5 AL307 wheels with gold centers. They’re wrapped in Michelin Pilot 255/35R18 and 325/30R19 tires.

While the HO 305ci V-8 was a decent performer in its day, it doesn’t measure up to modern performance expectations. That small-block was set aside for a much more potent Chevrolet Performance E-Rod LT4 crate engine from Gandrud Chevrolet. The supercharged 6.2L LT4 is an all-aluminum powerhouse with a forged rotating assembly, roller camshaft, direct injection, and an Eaton supercharger that helps it develop 650 hp and 650 lb-ft of torque. Better still, the E-Rod version of this engine is California emissions legal in 1995 and older vehicles, so the lucky winner of this car will have no problem registering and licensing it.

A PWR aluminum radiator with integral dual fans was installed to cool the new powerplant. Behind the engine is a new 10L90 10-speed automatic transmission, also from Gandrud Chevrolet, which sends power to the rearend via a custom driveshaft from Performance Driveline Engineering.

If you’ve seen any builds from Goolsby Customs, you’re aware that custom metalwork and fabrication are the shop’s key specialties. While the Monte Carlo didn’t require extensive metalwork, there are plenty of subtle modifications, like widened inner wheel housings to accommodate the rear tires and wheels, plus custom-fabricated aluminum inner front fenders that deliver better steering clearance and a cleaner underhood appearance. The Goolsby team did need to fine-tune a previous quarter-panel repair and performed its usual stellar job of dialing in the panel alignment and gaps. The body was then rolled into the paint booth so Jonathan Goolsby could lay down a fresh finish.

“We did four or five color and wheel combos,” rendering artist Eric Brockmeyer says, “but the consensus was that the white really showed the crisp lines of the Monte Carlo, and the gold accents add to the ’80s flavor.” The ideal hue turned out to be GM Summit White, which was applied using BASF materials. It was accented with gold striping, with GG lettering in place of the SS.

Goolsby Customs recently added in-house upholstery services to its long list of capabilities, which made it easier to make progress on the Monte Carlo’s cabin while other work was being done. The original front bucket seats and modified rear bench were upholstered in brown Moore & Giles leather. New door panels were built and upholstered to match, using custom upper sections combined with pre-molded lower pieces with integral speaker pods from Dixie Restoration Depot. The dash and other plastic elements were color-matched using BASF interior paint, while Dakota Digital instruments and new trim pieces from Dixie Restoration Depot aided the facelift.

Finishing elements inside came in the form of a Flaming River tilt column topped by an original wheel and a Hertz stereo head unit feeding an Audison amp and speakers. Wiring from Painless Performance was used to get everything connected, and a Vintage Air HVAC system will help keep temperatures comfortable. Goolsby Edge Edition pedals from Lokar control the acceleration and braking.

Goodguys has always prided itself on ensuring its giveaway vehicles are road proven and perform as good as they look. This Monte Carlo is no exception. In fact, it got an impromptu break-in road trip on the way to its unveiling at the 2024 Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus last summer, when it had to be unloaded from the Goolsby Customs trailer and driven more than 500 miles to get it to its debut. It made the journey without a hitch. Since then, it’s been driven more than 1,500 miles on the 2024 Goodguys Hall of Fame Road Tour and has seen more than 1,500 additional road miles traveling to various Goodguys events.

In other words, this magnificent Monte Carlo is the sort of reliable, first-rate build enthusiasts have come to expect from Goodguys giveaway vehicles. Couple that with its crisp and clean ’80s styling, plus stellar performance from a modern Chevrolet Performance drivetrain and Roadster Shop chassis, and you’ve got an awesome Aerocoupe that is certain to make one lucky winner happy this summer. Just remember to bring your favorite ’80s hair metal Spotify playlist with you!