The Monte Carlo was Chevrolet’s personal luxury car and was in its third year in 1972. The cars were little changed and the emphasis on luxury was increased with the discontinuance of the SS 454 package. Yet, the engine was still offered but only found 1,268 buyers that year. This car is said to be one of them and the seller’s documentation tends to support the claim. Located in Ridgefield, Oregon, this project has been in storage for years and needs almost everything. The Chevy is available here on craigslist for $4,900.
Though the 454 cubic inch V8 was still available in 1972, it has been detuned for lower emissions and lead-free gasoline. And, the horsepower rating was changed to SAE net, so the numbers were down from 285 to 270. Before you get excited about the 454 with this car, it only has the block and everything off it has been stripped clean. But we’re told it’s the original block, though it’s no longer in the car. The automobile still has its build sheet to help verify authenticity.
A TH-400 automatic transmission came with this Chevy when new, but it’s long gone. And its 12-bolt rear end has been swapped out for a 10-bolt. The seller has owned the machine for about a decade, and we assume the time has come to let it go as no progress has been made to restore it at 118,000 miles. Paperwork shows the vehicle was sold new in Portland and has apparently never lived elsewhere.
The original color of this Monte was Pewter Silver with a matching interior, which should have appeared striking back in the day. Rust is present although perhaps not overwhelming, though you may have to replace the driver’s side rear quarter panel and the panel below the missing rear window glass has corrosion, as well. The interior is mostly complete, except for half of the back seat. The seller has provided a video clip though the photos seem to accurately tell the story.
A rare example that I hope gets restored. I found a reproduction replacement rear package shelf for the Malibu; the picture above is from a review from the piece installed in a Monte – so…at least that task can be checked off the long list.
The engine block doesn’t look very promising.
The rear axle is gone, the block looks beyond salvageable. So restoration is a dream, just a builder for a gear head. Going to say it, strong LS and a 9″ Ford and for any of you haters, a modern roller camshaft engine seems to be the only option today with today’s engine oils. Breaking in a flat tappet camshaft engine is a crap shoot. Yeah used an additive and total fail. My machine shop is in total agreement and lifters alone will be a major expense for my little Ford. This is my last build and cost is crazy, compared to what I have done in the past. Keeping the older cars running properly and healthy is getting tough!
Stock or not, I hope someone puts this car back together and not strip it for parts or something like that. These cars are getting much harder to find and fewer are on the road every day. Someone please save this car.
Scrap
Almost all the good stuff is gone so it looks to be a money pit to me
What a shame, it was a nicely optioned car per the Build Sheet.
But putting it back to original (or close) would cost way more than it’d be worth. Might be fiscally worth it were it a Custom with that original block. But then you’d need to acquire correct/date coded heads, water pump, intake, rear diff, carb etc.
And yes, these cars… especially the SS 454’s and other big block specimens are few and far between and even more rare to find numbers matching and with corroborating documentation.
I remember as a kid my grandmother had one with the big block bought it brand new it was beautiful,no idea whatever happened to it
Yep….looks like a service man’s car by the bumper sticker…..have we seen this one before ?
I agree w Davey Boy somebody please save this car !? it deserves it & like he said getting rarer to find solid cars like this that haven’ t rusted apart from years of sitting ; which was only good if actually sitting in a barn ; garage or lean to??!! even if the original block can’t be saved ;? which I think any good engine builder maybe able to do ; ( maybe even soak the block w marvel mystery oil & additional oil )?; it still worth buying the car w ceased engine just for the $$& originality of b c it s only original once!!
I am not one that only loves camaro’s and chevelles but the monte never did it for me , i actually prefer the 80’s plastic monte SS !
So this in only junk in my eyes …
YOLO
Would be very surprised if this 72 Monte actually came in this car from the factory. I’ve never seen one and as a multiple Monte owner, I’ve owned all first generation Monte Carlo’s. Monte Carlo dropped the SS feature in 72. The only way you could own a Monte Carlo with a 454 from the factory was to buy one in 1970 or 71. In 1972 the biggest engine you could get in a Monte was a 400 in what was classified as a Monte Carlo Custom. If the 454 that comes with this car came in it from the factory it could only have been as a result of a a factory order special or modification by the dealer before the car was sold. You could not get a Monte in 72 with a 454 in it. I said all of that to say this: “Buyers be ware”.
When I rebuilt the 454 in my garage meets matching Monte I added the roller rockers and a healthy cam along with a high rise manifold, headers and a Holly 750 double pumper. Raised the stock 360 ponies to 500. But still a numbers matching SS Monte.
Sorry, but you’re wrong John. You COULD get a 454 in a ‘72.
I understand that you could Glen, that wasn’t my point. My point was that I Have never seen one and I’ve been going to car shows all over the US for more than 20 years. What I’m betting that with such low production numbers that most of them have been wrapped around a pole like a lot of the genuine first gen SS Montes which is why they are so rare at car shows. Also, paper documentation is something that anyone should go over meticulously in search of modifications. That is much more easily accomplished today than it was in years past. If you bought an SS 454 Monte like mine you got a metal cowl tag with the dealer paper work with all the car’s information on it. There is no reproducing that and is the best indication of a genuine car after the number stamped on the frame, cowl, dash and door.
You said: “If you bought an SS 454 Monte like mine you got a metal cowl tag with the dealer paper work with all the car’s information on it”.
It wasn’t a “cowl tag”. It was called a Protecto-O-Plate (POP). The POP contained some of the same info that was stamped on the cowl tag, but not all. The POP actually contained more specific info as to the motor, trans, diff, carb, build date, original owners name and address, etc.
Furthermore, the POP was stamped by the selling dealership upon delivery to the buyer. Which is why they will vary somewhat in terms of specifics stamped into them.
You also said: “In 1972 the biggest engine you could get in a Monte was a 400 in what was classified as a Monte Carlo Custom”.
Wrong again. I know two people who have documented ‘72 Customs with the 454. You could order a Custom with ANY of the motors available.
Finally, the best indication of the authenticity of these cars is the Build Sheet. Those built at the Flint, Michigan plant won’t have a Build Sheet, so the POP and original sales order/invoice is the best indication of authenticity.
I DO agree with your statement about the scarcity of the cars, John. Which is why I made sure both of my SS’s had their POP and Build Sheet before I negotiated the purchase…not to mention miles of receipts, pictures and other items.
Glen, thanks for your reply correcting my misuse of the term “cowl tag” instead of the correct term “protecto plate”, you are absolutely correct, and I knew better. I’ll just have to take your word for the Monte Custom having a 454, I have just never seen one and I’ll bet that particular factory order special or COPO (Central Office Production Order) as they were referred to by GM was a rare ask. Like the 400 with a 4 speed, very few of them also.
Seen lots of Montes with 454’s and 4 speeds put in them after manufacture but no 72 Monte Custom with a factory 454. Although my 1970 SS 454 Monte has the protecto plate with the original dealer paperwork, it was manufactured in Flint, Michigan so I have no build sheet. I have looked in every conceivable place they were placed when they went down the assembly line, between the springs and the seat, the bucket seat backs, even the top of the fuel tank, when I replaced the sending unit. But no build sheet.
Oh man, John… could you imagine if they actually put a 4 speed behind our SS’s? That would be a wicked combo. Same goes for a drop top. Chevrolet literature shows that they had actually planned one, even had a VIN designated for it. I guess management just refused to give it a thumbs up.
I guess the assembly line workers in Flint actually adhered to the strict orders of disposing of the build sheets on the line. I bet you no one could’ve predicted just how much these time capsules hidden in cars would mean 50 years later…At least you’ve got docs to authenticate your SS… no one can ever question that it’s real.