If the Monte Carlo hadn’t been introduced as a personal luxury car, it could have been adopted into the muscle car niche. Not that every version was a go-fast demon, but the SS 454 was a solid facsimile. Even the base 350 cu. in. V8 could be had with a four-barrel carburetor for a little extra shove down the road. Its styling incorporated the popular long hood/short deck look and reflected the prevailing fascination with European design and culture. It was even named after a city in Monaco, reminding buyers of the glamour of events like the Monaco Grand Prix. No matter its niche, the Monte Carlo was produced over six generations and sold well over 4 million copies. This 1972 Monte Carlo is a project car located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and we have Mitchell G to thank for finding it for us.

The seller intended to complete this project but hasn’t found the time. So far, the car has a Jasper remanufactured 350 V8 with an Edelbrock intake and a four-barrel carburetor off a Corvette. The transmission is an automatic. It is mechanically sound, though it’s hard to say how well it performs since we know nothing about the engine build. The engine bay needs a spa day or two or three. Leaves in the trunk and engine bay channels tell me that the “storage” this car experienced may not have been particularly cushy. The front bumper looks damaged from this angle, too.

Aftermarket covers are installed on the seats, and a non-original radio mars the otherwise stylish instrument panel. That faux veneer was imprinted with a pattern identical to the elm used in Rolls-Royce cars; other than that detail, the dash was the same as the Chevelle’s. The seller reports that the panel and interior lights do not work.

The Monte Carlo was only ever available as a two-door coupe. The vinyl has been removed from this one’s roof and it’s currently painted in primer. It’s hard to tell how nice the rest of the paint is, but we’re advised that the tin worm inhabits the trunk, and photos show rust also in the sills and lower quarters, so it barely matters. The new owner will be in for a paint job eventually.  This 1972 Monte Carlo is advertised here on craigslist for $8500. These 1970s coupes have gained favor in recent years as nostalgia favors their shape and style, but a nice driver-quality Monte Carlo can still be had for around $20k. What do you think of this project car?