Vehicle Description
Chevy's Monte Carlo has done it all, from the banks of Talladega to
the show field. This nicely preserved 1972 Monte Carlo offers
period-perfect good looks, a great-running small block, and
incredible value for the final year run of the 1st generation car
that was always an upscale alternative to the Chevelle.
This very straight Monte Carlo looks downright perfect in Code 57
Golden Brown paint, which is both an ideal '70s color that fits the
Monte's era, and a color that looks sporty and sophisticated today.
From almost any angle, it sure looks like original paint (or at the
very least, an older respray), and while there are some touch-ups
here and there, it would be a mistake to repaint it in any other
shade in our opinion. Uniform and even panel alignment also
suggests that this has always been an extremely clean car that
needed no major surgery. The first generation Monte Carlo was a
huge hit, and the aggressive fender flares, tidy proportions, and
what might be the longest hood ever put on a General Motors
two-door still look fantastic today. The details like the raised
fenders are still crisp, the chrome and trim is in excellent
condition (the molding might very well be recent), and all the
original badges and markings have been retained. A clean Light
Covert padded vinyl roof gives it a formal look, with no signs of
major damage or rust underneath.
Although GM called the Monte Carlo a "personal" luxury car, there's
plenty of room inside. The Code 735 Dark Saddle interior appears to
be almost entirely original, and if that's the case, you have a
good idea of how much someone cared for it. All the buttons on the
tufted seats and door panels remain in place and the dash pad shows
no cracking or UV damage. The gauge panel was similar to that found
in a Chevelle (in fact, Monte Carlo dashes are often used to create
fake SS Chevelles) and the gauges are in excellent condition with
bright markings and needles. The burled walnut appliques are crisp
and clear and a grippy original steering wheel makes it easy to get
comfortable when hitting the road. It's not heavily optioned, but
the important one, factory A/C, is a welcome addition, as is the
AM/8-Track radio that still rests in the dash and provides the
period tunes. I feel like listening to Foghat every time I sit in
this Monte. There's also a nicely appointed trunk with a full-sized
bias-ply spare and jack set that might just be original.
Personal luxury also meant performance, with this Monte Carlo
packing a numbers matching 350 cubic inch V8 topped by a
stock-style carburetor. Even though it's always been
well-maintained and properly cared for, it's not hard to believe
this is a clean car that's always lived an easy life. Orange valve
covers match the Chevy orange enamel on the block, and the black
snorkeled air cleaner is in great shape and may even be the car's
original unit. It's a small block car that was built to cruise, so
the TH350 3-speed automatic transmission was the appropriate
choice, and it spins a 12-bolt rear full of easy-cruising gears
that give the big coupe great highway manners. Underneath it's very
solid, with no frame damage and original floors, as well as a
stock-style exhaust system that sounds great without being
intrusive. And there's simply no better rolling stock on one of
these cars than a set of factory Rallys, with these wearing a newer
set of fat 215/75/15 whitewall radials.
Experts keep expecting these 1st generation Montes to skyrocket in
value, so perhaps this is the one that will be the smart investment
for the future. Call today!