Make: | Chevrolet |
Model: | Monte Carlo |
Type: | Hardtop |
Trim: | -- |
Year: | 1972 |
Mileage: | 75708 |
VIN: | 1H57J2B504169 |
Color: | Brown |
Engine: | 350 V8 |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Transmission: | Automatic |
Interior color: | Dark Saddle |
Vehicle Title: | Clear |
Item location: | La Vergne, Tennessee, United States |
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!