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!!