One-Owner Carport Find: 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo
Based on the G-platform of the popular Pontiac Grand Prix, Chevrolet introduced the Monte Carlo in 1970. It was Chevy’s first automobile marketed in the personal luxury space. It, too, would be quite successful though it wouldn’t peak in sales until the 1973-77 second-generation editions. This ’72 Monte Carlo resides in the carport of a boarded-up Florida house and doesn’t run, but that may be due to an extended idle period. From Loxahatchee in the Sunshine State, this Chevy is available here on eBay where the latest bid of $3,650 hasn’t picked the lock on the reserve.
The introductions of the Monte Carlo for both 1970 and 1971 were beset with labor issues at General Motors, so neither model year lived up to its potential (158,000 copies in 1970 and 128,000 in 1971). However, no such problems existed in 1972 when production reached 188,000 units. While the Monte Carlo shared its infrastructure with Pontiac, it looked more like a Chevelle than a Grand Prix (IMO). The dashboard with lifted directly from a Malibu with wood-grained inlays that would rival a Rolls-Royce in appearance.
Other than a subtle grille change, the 1972 Monte Carlo was pretty much the same car as a 1971. The standard engine was a 350 cubic inch V8 that produced 165 hp SAE Net with a 2-barrel carburetor. There’s a 350 in the seller’s mobile, but we don’t know if it’s that one or the 4-barrel that only gleaned 10 extra horses. An automatic transmission is present, likely a 3-speed TH-350. The car has had the same owner since 1973 and is not running, but we don’t know why. From just sitting and not used?
The body and paint present well and the odometer reading is 17,000 miles. That’s probably 117,000 though the seller says 174,000. The house where the car hangs out has plywood on the windows, which could be leftover from Hurricane Season or the occupants moved out long ago and left the Chevy behind (check out all the dust on the steering column). This looks like a sweet ride and if nothing much is ailing it and the reserve isn’t too high, this might be a nice weekend driver for Cars & Coffee.
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Comments
I shouldn’t,but somehow I like that color on this car.
Ugh. Will someone please go back to the late 60s/early 70s and say “Enough green, already”?
Yes. The green appliances, green shag carpeting in every apartment, green bath towels and wash rags. Green porcelain sinks and toilets!
Looks like the fuel tank is extra, extra full. Or maybe it’s just that the fuel gage is not working. Ha.
I seem to remember GM fuel gauges of that era going to full and beyond when the ignition was switched off.
Nice to see someone left the original radio intact and installed a Craig AM/FM/Cassette under the dash. Easily removed
The car is drivable but doesn’t run??
That is a lotnof rust on the panel above the radiator and on the air cleaner.
I noticed thenroof is painted Usually it is vinyl. Pretty rare option.
$6500 when I looked. Not very far away. Am keeping an eye on it.
Well good luck to the winner. It won’t be me. Too high and a bit scary (rust)
Lots of rust bubbles on the edges of the hood and trunk , and looks like a little on the roof panel too. that, and the really rusty radiator support cover would really warrant a good looking over before any bidding went on, at least for me.
I like the description , in one paragraph it says the car is drivable , and then the seller states its not running
My first car in highschool was 1970 monte carlo in 1983. Now to this day im kicking myself for selling it i loved that car. I restored back then it was a looker .
WARNING! There is/was a LOT of moisture in this area, possibly even flood waters. A close inspection is a must here.
It is interesting how much more reasonable the price is on this vs. a Chevelle of this year.
I bought a new one in 72 (don’t shoot me) I traded in a 69 chevelle ss 396. Because of high insurance premiums, it was a love, hate car, it was a beautiful car inside and out (that was the love) the hate was it needed a ten mile clear stretch of road to pass a snail, and I swear the 350 got worse fuel mileage than the 396.
Cool color, so many bland colors today. Love those shades or green back then.
Beware rust. I bought one of these out of garage when I was in college in Maine ’80. Not long after I was driving down a two lane road at 50mph. The car dropped to the ground and went into a spin as the entire rear went flying past me across the road into a field. Nothing hit anything! Lucky to be alive!
Can you imagine the musty smell in the interior?? Ugh!
Just looked the bids over 10K. For a non running project that appears to be a rust bucket?
I call that Forrest Gump Syndrome. Stupid is as stupid does. And paying more than $3500 for this rusty moldy non-running specimen is just plain, well, stupid.
Pretty unique color even for the early 70s,I believe GM called it citrus green(kinda fitting for a Florida car)
This shade for ‘71 was called “Lime Green Poly”. Not sure if it changed or not for ‘72.
it’s an A body, not G. Definitely a Chevelle derivative. All running gear and interior parts are direct Chevelle replacement items.
Correct: Info provided by OPG
From 1966 to 1970 –
“A-Body” cars include – Chevrolet: Chevelle, Malibu, Malibu SS, El Camino. Buick: Special, Skylark, Sportwagon. Oldsmobile: F-85, Cutlass, Vista Cruiser. Pontiac: Tempest, LeMans, GTO.
“G-Body” cars include – Chevrolet: Monte Carlo, Pontiac: Grand Prix (’69-’70).
From 1971 to 1975 –
“A Body” cars include – Chevrolet: Chevelle, Malibu, Laguna, Monte Carlo. Buick: Skylark and Century, Regal, Sportwagon. Oldsmobile: F-85, Cutlass. Pontiac: Tempest, LeMans, Grand Am, GTO (’71-’73), Grand Prix.
From 1981 to 1985 –
“G-Body” cars include – Buick: Regal. Chevrolet: Malibu, El Camino, Monte Carlo. Oldsmobile: Cutlass. Pontiac: Bonneville, Grand Prix (’82-’85 all).
I spent my youth near the Milford Proving grounds, and my father was friends with many folks that worked there. There is a lot of commonality with the Chevelle. Back in the day, I believe that although GM called it the G body, all the engineers referred to the A-Body (Chevelle, etc.) and the A-Special Body (Monte Carlo and GP)
For what it’s worth
Is the house for sale?
If so someone drop an address so I can check it out thru a realtors.
Don’t need any more project cars, had enough and they’re all since gone.
Just want a retirement home now in sunny warm weather!
Man….$13,603 at this moment in time. I had a 70 in exactly the same color but with the vinyl top also the same color. 350 horse 350 made it fun to drive but this is a lot of money for a car you don’t know what may be wrong with it. Really miss mine but not that much.
Looks like tin worms got this one
I like how the standard Monte Carlo used the Chevelle SS style instrument panel. The SS Monte Carlo would have a tach in place of the fuel gauge I believe. The Malibu only had the long sweeping speedometer, wwwhich I always thought was too grocery getter for that car. One of the best looking instrument panels ever!
I guess the comments about the green of the late 60s and early 70s is no different to the ugly harvest gold and rust of the 1970s, the mob, an almond of the 1980s, the hunter green, country blue, and border on every wall of the 1990s, the beige and beige on beige of the start of the new century with stainless steel on every kitchen appliance, and now in 2020s we have over 1000 shades of gray and maybe 5 boring color choices for cars, white, gray, silver, black and if you’re lucky a blue or red.
I fear the new owner may find themselves upside-down on this once they start fixing the rust–especially what you CAN’T see in these photos. Start with a new deck lid. Hood next? Doors? And that doesn’t even consider what’s lurking underneath or the mechanical condition. At the present point, with a bid over $13K, I have to wonder if bidders are taking that into consideration. There have to be better MCs out there, even IF they’re a bit more money, it would be money well spent.
Was this cause submerged in salt water there was a lot of hurricanes in Florida this past year I know I’m an insurance adjuster I handled a lot of claims there and a lot of total losses just saying?
“The vehicle is drivable.”…”Car is NOT running.”
Whaaat?
You all know how creative realtors and used car salespeople can be. Drivable could mean with the car in neutral it could roll down hill like a soap box racer. With the engine not running it would have Armstrong steering and worse then hydraulic brakes and probably the emergency brake to stop it. I believe a thorough inspection would be the only way to bid confident on this car which possibly could have been setting in flood water.