1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo #3356

The 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo was billed as "America's most attainable luxury car." The personal-luxury Monte Carlo flaunted a cleaner front-end appearance with parking lights flanking a fresh wide-mesh grille. Rear ends stuck with tall vertical taillights but added a horizontal bright trim strip above the bumper. Top engine was the 270-horsepower 454-cubic-inch V-8, followed by a 240-horsepower 402-cubic-inch V-8 -- still called a "396”. The 454 V-8 cost an extra $261, while the 402 added $142 to a Monte's sticker. Californians had to be content with a 165 or 175-horsepower 350-cubic-inch V8 because the larger engines failed to meet that state's emissions standards. “Owning a Monte Carlo is kind of like having your cake and driving it too," Chevrolet insisted, blending the best virtues of the luxury car and the sporty car. Base-priced at $3,362, the Monte Carlo could be fitted with a long list of luxury conveniences to suit its owner.

Years back, long before the cookie cutter way of ordering a new vehicle as we know it today, one could check the boxes and build the car of their dreams. Be it mild or wild, just about any combination could be made to happen if you checked the right boxes. For consignment, a car whose boxes were checked very early in the 1972 model year, before production began to be exact. Don Sherwood of Sherwood Chevrolet recalls how he ordered 4 1972 Monte Carlos under a special GM promotion with one of them being the car you see here. This car's Protect-O-Plate was struck on 8/9/71 indicating that the car went into some kind of internal hold before being produced. Unfortunately GM killed the SS option for the 1972 Monte Carlo on 8/17/71 as per the factory assembly manual. This car would then be built after submitting the order to the Baltimore, MD production facility again with some insider information from the Baltimore plant. Its birthday is 9/29/71 which is one of the earliest W code Monte Carlos found. The car was delivered new with the SS454 rocker molding, and the original owner took delivery on 10/2/71. Amassing a mere 32,787 miles from the time it was new until 2009 when it went to Colorado Springs, Colorado. But the story doesn't end there...read on to learn more about this anomaly of a car that technically doesn't exist.

Exterior
Factory applied Midnight Bronze paint covers the all original exterior body panels which are straight and true with only the rear quarter panels and decklid being stripped and repainted in October of 2010 @ 32,787 miles. No rust was found during this process. A black vinyl top covers the expansive roof, and its surrounding trim was repainted during the October 2010 paint work. All original badging and trim is seen as well as the new for 1972 front wide mesh grille with the only hood spear insert emblem being replaced. Original bumpers appear in very nice condition, as well as original brite work. Chrome drip moldings (roof and body) are in good condition straight and true. A stainless rocker molding is present and looks also in good condition. We need to note that at one point the rocker moldings were removed and the holes for the SS454 emblems are punched and not drilled, an excellent indicator that backs up the story of the car being delivered new with said moldings. The build sheet corroborates this with the option of C01 marked BODY EMB VAR 2. The P02 wheel covers are original to the car and are wrapped in thin redline rubber. A matching original spare sits within the trunk with its original label and a matching P02 wheel cover. The trunk mat under the carpeting is factory original also. Speaking of the trunk, it still has its original, as delivered 1971 trunk emblem.

Interior
A swing of the large door reveals a vertical stitched textured and buttoned black vinyl over some lower quarter black carpeting. Stretching between these two panels are wonderfully preserved firm but supple excellent original condition black vinyl buckets seats, which flank a center console that houses the locking glovebox/armrest, jet throttle like automatic 2 posted with center horizontal bar shifter, then some burl which covers a hidden ashtray and lighter. The console narrows as it goes under the dash then dies into the carpet as it reaches the firewall. Speaking of the dash, beautiful burl and black vinyl house a gauge package, the factory installed AM 8 Track radio, and all correct gauges to keep you up to date during your cruise. Fronting the dash is an NK2 steering wheel that utilizes power steering to assist with the cornering. Original carpeting covers the floors and is protected by the original rubber floor mats and the original black headliner hangs proudly above. They're only original once and this interior is as original as they come and can be used for others performing restorations on their own cars.

Drivetrain
For all you technical guru's when it comes to factory correct prepare to achieve nirvana by lifting the hood. Lifting the long Midnight Bronze hood we are met with things just about as factory correct as they can get. Between the inner plastic fender liners, which were replaced when the engine was out for a freshening in February of 2010, is a glistening numbers matching 454ci LS5 V8. Rated at 270hp and fed by its original 4bbl Quadrajet carburetor this engine can really spin the tires. A quick rundown of original parts in this engine bay include: the radiator, water pump (early 1971 date code), voltage regulator, alternator, distributor, smog pump, and A/C compressor. All this originality is topped with a 1970 454 LS6 air cleaner assembly, but don't fret, the original air cleaner is included. Also, the starter was replaced but the original is included which needs a solenoid repair. Bolted to this muscle mill is a numbers matching, date code correct TH400 3-speed automatic that sends power back to the original and date coded 3.31 Positraction geared 12-bolt axle. We also note the use of the Cadillac sharp nose canister for the G67 level ride system, not the blunt nose version used for the 1970 and 1971 model years.

Undercarriage
The never any rust mantra holds here and only minor surface rust on some panels, frame, suspension and rockers. Up front we see power disc brakes and independent front suspension as well as the correct original engine cross member decal. On the rear are power drum brakes along with a 4 link and coil spring suspension. The original compressor and original date coded Super Lift rear shocks are present and function fine and dandy. Dual exhaust and stock style mufflers help the exhale of this luxury muscle car.

Drive-Ability
A quick turn of the key and the big V8 came to life. After a brief warm up period, I slipped the Jet handle shifter into D and was off to prowl for some unexpecting prey. The 454 cuber has endless power and the exhaust is music to any car lover's ears. Handling was great for a car of this size and braking was very good. I tested the level ride system by having my partner in crime and crack decoder ride in the trunk and it works like a charm. With the luxury appointments in this interior, I almost forgot I was at the helm of a big block muscle car, pure bliss. I only had 2 frowns on my drive, one was the AC was blowing warm and the 2nd was that I had to keep my trip short so as not to log too many clicks on this low mileage example's odometer.

Possibly one of the earliest built W code Monte Carlo's and most correct car still existing. If you compare the options code of a 1970/1971 Z20 SS car to this one you'll see they're identically equipped mechanically, so in 1972 Chevrolet killed the SS but a savvy buyer could order one sans SS emblems. All original metal, mostly original paint, order invoice, shipper sheet, build sheet, Protect-O-Plate, and an original interior. This IS the car that every Chevrolet muscle car owner needs and it's presently awaiting you in the North wing of our hallowed Classic Auto Mall.

VIN DECODE
1H57W2B520587
1-Chevrolet
H-Monte Carlo
57-2 Door Hardtop Sport Coupe
W-454ci V8 4bbl 270hp
2-1972
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
520587-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
ST 72-13857-1972 Monte Carlo 2 Door Sport Coupe
BDY B080719-Baltimore Body #
TR 708A51-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT 68B-Midnight Bronze, Black Vinyl Top
09C-3rd Week September Build

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.