1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Hardtop

The first Monte Carlo came out in the fall of 1969 for the 1970 model year.  It was Chevy's version of the Pontiac Grand Prix.  The Grand Prix originally came out in 1962, but starting for the 1969 model year the Grand Prix had a separate, unique body.  The most distinctive feature was a huge hood.  The Grand Prix and Monte Carlo were low-priced entries in the emerging personal-luxury segment, taking on the likes of the Oldsmobile Toronado and Ford Thunderbird.  A long hood, short trunk lid, two doors and lots of luxury touches were characteristics of cars in the personal-luxury car segment.  An exception was the Thunderbird, which offered both four-door and two-door models starting for the 1967 model year.  The Monte Carlo shared many components with the intermediate Chevrolet Chevelle, including the firewall, windshield, trunk lid and rear window.  At the time, there were two wheelbases for Chevelles: two-door models sat on a 112-inch wheelbase, while four-door models had a wheelbase of 116 inches.  But the Monte Carlo was a two-door that sat on the longer 116-inch wheelbase, and the difference was an extra-long hood – the longest in Chevrolet history.  With a base list price of $3,123, the Monte Carlo was $218 more than a comparable Chevelle.

For consignment, a 1972 version of the Monte Carlo that will need some TLC particularly on the body workings.  Steel panels are solid and the paint is driver quality that could use a wet sand and buff.  Or one could turn the key and drive it away and work on it as a project over time.  Either way it's all here on the chrome and badging front, as well as having a rebuilt engine, a lifetime warranty on the transmission and the car runs smoothly.

Exterior
This 1972 Monte Carlo and it is fairly clean with faults in the medium blue metallic paint that was applied in the 1980's for this 2-door hardtop, which has a fairly new vinyl top covering the roof, although severe rust bubbling is showing under nearly every part of the vinyl.  There are plenty of nicely preserved chrome trimmings and they all are retaining a nice blingy shine.  An egg crate grille, single headlights, a rear bumper that works with the rear quarter to house the taillights and there is nothing but sweetness from 1972 here on the Classic Auto Mall floor.   Not to mention the straight panels and decent gaps, we can serve up plenty for your satisfaction.  15-inch rally wheels are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in good raised white type rubber all around from the 45th week of 2022.

Interior
Nice black vinyl showing in faux leather formed panels with snappy embossed tuck and roll and buttoned motif covers the door panels.  A clean door pull and opening handle and armrest are on as well so now we can move to the inside!  To add some class is a nicely preserved burl walnut applique dash, complete with all the buttons, knobs and levers for the drivers visual aid and comfort.  An aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette radio fills the factory hole in the dash with the heater and AC slides above and a black padded topper caps things off nicely.  Slightly faded black carpet is flooding the floors and floats the very well preserved buttoned and tuck and rolled black vinyl front split bench seat.  On top, we note a beautifully tight headliner with no marks on it and a large near showroom bench across the back of the car below this headliner.  We note some heavy surface rust at the bottoms of the inner doors that isn't too far gone to be remediated.

Drivetrain
Now blessing the slightly dusty and patina finished engine bay is a rebuilt and balanced 400ci V8.  A single 4-barrel Holley 650cfm double pumper carburetor sits atop the orange painted block and intake manifold.  Chrome is on for the valve coverings as well as the air cleaner lid.  The hoses are supple and we see a newer brake master cylinder bolted to the booster.  A TH350 3-speed automatic transmission is on back and comes with a lifetime warranty, and a 10-bolt 3.45 geared rear is noted.

Undercarriage
Fairly clean with a light mix of surface rust, factory undercoating and road dirt for this structurally sound environment.  Independent coil springs are seen for the suspension in the front, and a 4 link with coil springs are seen providing the ride in the back.  Power disc brakes are on front and power drums on the rear.  Headers feed down from the mill to surface rusted dual exhaust with Turbo mufflers that run to the rear of the car.

Drive-Ability
A super quick starter, nice driver, smooth runner, good handler, and an overall nice car.  I love the blue and black combo and the blazing chrome trim creates an exhilarating overall look.  My time behind the wheel left me with the opinion of this car being a good cruiser and safe stopper with the only issue noted being the AC blowing warm.

An interesting take on the final year 1st generation for the luxury muscle Monte Carlo.  Well preserved and a turnkey car for sure with a good amount of documentation, and it has all the right stuff!

1H57H2B546903

1-Chevrolet
H-Monte Carlo
57-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
H-350ci V8 2bbl
2-1972
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
546903-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG

ST 72 13857-1972 Monte Carlo 2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
BDY B37??43-Baltimore Body #
TR 708 A52-Black Vinyl Bench
PNT 56 B-Cream Yellow, Black Top
11B-2nd Week November

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.