The Custom Cloud Monte Carlo is a special breed. Like the Stutz Blackhawk, the Excalibur, and the Zimmer Golden Spirit, the Custom Cloud occupied a special period in time when glitz and ostentation were coveted like a well-quaffed mullet.
Like the other neo-classic cruisers, the Custom Cloud was a whole lot more than just a one-off special.
Back in the mid-70’s, Monte Carlo owners in search of a bit more pomp and circumstance could take their car to Custom Cloud Motors, Inc. in Miama, FL.
The Custom Cloud project originally started out as just a Rolls-Royce-inspired front clip–complete with the Flying lady hood ornament and RR grill–but soon it developed into an entire exterior package.
For just $2,395 plus the cost of the car and installation you could turn your Monte Carlo into a glitzy faux-roller. However, with a Rolls-Royce-aping grill, hood ornament, logo and even name, the Custom Cloud project ran into some serious legal trouble and the British marque demanded it be canned or changed.
The company made some design tweaks but at that point the buzz had worn off and the company was eventually bought and sold several times and, just like The Knacks’ music career post-“My Sharona,” it slowly faded into obscurity.
As for production numbers, well, those are a bit harder to come by. Some say up to 700 kits were built while others peg the actual number around 100. That’s a huge difference but hey, this was Miami in the 70’s… details like production numbers weren’t exactly in vogue.
Behind the knock-off Rolls Royce grills sits a heavily chocked 350ci V8 mated to a turbo hydra-matic automatic transmission. You also get power steering, power brakes, power windows, power seat, A/C, and a tilt wheel.
Best of all, you get a unique creation– seriously. From what we’ve gleaned the Custom Cloud was never offered as a convertible, which means your $19,500 gets you a custom, one-off knock-off. And you don’t see that everyday.
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