UPDATE 4/23/2022 – Reader Pat L. recently pointed out that this Monte Carlo has been relisted here on craigslist after it failed to find a buyer on eBay. The seller now has a set asking price of $12,900 and states that they don’t have much room to wiggle on the price. It looks like a sweet find, so will you be making the seller an offer close to their asking price?

The Monte Carlo was introduced to the Chevrolet line-up for the 1970 model year and was initially marketed as the debut personal luxury car of the brand.  The first-generation cars lasted through 1972, and while the nameplate ultimately went on for six generations, that first body style has really stood the test of time and still looks great today.  An SS model was available in ’70 and ’71, which included a 454 cubic inch V8, and although the Super Sport package was dropped for ’72 the 454 was still available as an option.  Although the 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo for sale here on eBay didn’t originally come with a 454, it’s had one transplanted under the hood, and if you’ve been in the market for an early Monte Carlo this one may be worth checking out.  It’s located in Walkersville, Maryland, and so far nobody has placed the opening bid of $8,900.

The car is said to be a good driver and a fun ride, and by all accounts, it definitely looks the part.  And while the car seems to be complete, there is rust popping through some parts of the body, which the seller is upfront about.  There’s also an area underneath that looks like a crack in the floorboard, and even though the seller thinks this would be a good candidate for restoration, he also says the car is still presentable just like it is.  Given the rust that can be seen, maybe the latter is the best option for a ’72 Monte, and just keep on enjoying it as a driver.

The good news is that this is a factory big block car, with a 454 now in place of the original 402.  Unfortunately, the only piece of information we get about the 454 is that it has been cammed up, with no word on its background or how well it runs.  There is a short video posted that includes a segment with the engine running, but instead of hearing the motor, our ears are treated to Roundabout.  I like Yes as much as the next guy, but in this case, I’d have preferred the sound of the 454.  The Turbo 400 is original to the car, which is said to have had a rebuild within the last 5k miles and includes a 2,800 stall.  Also original is the car’s 12 Bolt rear end.

Inside, things are looking decent for a driver, and those vertical instruments going up the side of the windshield give the interior a pretty mean-looking disposition.  The car also has power windows, power door locks, a tilt wheel, power steering, and power disc brakes.  What are your thoughts on this 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo?  Is it worth the time and money for restoration, or better to just enjoy cruising around in it the way it is?