Teardown Time – Disassembly of the Goodguys 2025 Giveaway ’87 Monte Carlo SS Aerocoupe
For gearheads, few things can match the excitement of tearing into a new project car. There’s the anticipation of the modifications and improvements you plan to make, the sense of discovery as you get a closer glimpse of car’s condition beyond the surface, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re starting to make progress toward getting something done.
The team at Goolsby Customs knows this excitement all too well, as they routinely disassemble new projects in preparation for crafting show-winning dream machines for their customers. For months, Jonathan Goolsby and his crew had been itching to tear into the next Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway vehicle, an ’87 Chevy Monte Carlo Aerocoupe. Shortly after the first of the year, they were able to do just that.
Disassembling an old car (and yes, the Monte is officially “old” at 37 years!) is kind of like an archeological dig – what you discover can tell you a lot about a car’s past. It’s also part treasure hunt, as you never know what will turn up in the glovebox, seat cushions, or the deep, dark recesses of the trunk.
In this regard, the Monte Carlo did not disappoint. The more the Goolsby crew got into it, the more interesting discoveries they found. There were several extra switches wired throughout the car, including a cutoff for the taillights and brake lights. There was also a hidden MSD RPM Activated Switch hidden under the dash. Finds like these offer some insight into the car’s potentially checkered past, a history that might have involved evading law enforcement or illicit street racing. And we probably shouldn’t mention the racy photo found at the bottom of the glovebox.
The good news is that the car’s body initially appears solid, which should save the team from having to do extensive sheet metal surgery. Jonathan was also happy that the upholstery and interior were in good shape, which may save us from having to find and replace all the small plastic pieces and fasteners that seem to comprise ’80s-era interiors.
Additional good news is that many of the key components for this build are already arriving at the Goolsby Customs shop. This includes the car’s new foundation – an all-new Roadster Shop SPEC chassis. This is Roadster Shop’s entry-level chassis, and it delivers big value with CNC laser cut and contoured frame rails and crossmembers, a performance-based coil-over front suspension, power rack-and-pinion steering, a four-bar rear suspension, 9-inch rearend, and a lowered ride height. Even better, the frame was already powder coated gold, which will coordinate perfectly with the accent striping that Goodguys has planned for the Aerocoupe.
Another key element that recently arrived is the Chevrolet Performance E-Rod LT4 engine from Gandrud Chevrolet. The supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 engine is the second most powerful engine offered in a regular-production Chevy. The all-aluminum engine has a forged rotating assembly, roller camshaft, direct injection, and is topped with an Eaton supercharger that helps it develop 640-horsepower and 630 lb-ft of torque. Even better, the E-Rod version of this engine is California emissions legal in 1995-and-older vehicles, meaning the lucky winner of this Monte Carlo will have no problem registering and licensing the car no matter where they live in the United States.
The goodie package from Gandrud included the necessary E-Rod pieces, like catalytic converters, an ECU, and wiring. The good folks at Gandrud also supplied us with a great transmission to back this engine – a new 10L90 ten-speed automatic. No doubt about it, this Monte Carlo will deliver incredible seat-of-your-pants performance once it hits the road!
We thought it would be cool to get a glimpse of the Goodguy Aerocoupe teardown process and a preview of some of the great parts the Goolsby team will be using to build this Monte into a serious modern muscle machine. Jonathan tells us the body will soon be stripped so metal work and bodywork can begin, while the team will simultaneously be getting the powertrain assembled in the chassis. We’re looking forward to seeing it all come together – stay tuned!
Interested in seeing the renderings and start of the project? Go to Part 1!
Photos by Goolsby Customs
