UPDATE – There’s an old expression, “Third time’s a Charm,” that would seem to be appropriate for this clean and very green 1972 Dodge Monaco 9-Passenger Wagon. This is the third time we’ve featured it on Barn Finds in the past eight months. The two previous times had this Dodge calling Sidney, British Columbia, Canada its home. Last May it was listed for $27,500 and three months later it was listed again for $26,900. It’s now located south of the Canadian border in sunny Sun City, Arizona, and is for sale here on craigslist with a much-lowered asking price of $17,850. Another Tony Award to super-spotter Tony Primo for sending this Mopar long roof our way. The seller is still referring to it as a Sport Wagon, even though I couldn’t find any mention of that model in the 1972 Dodge sales literature. The only thing that makes it sporty looking to me are the Rallye wheels and raised white letter Goodyear Eagle GTII tires. It has the standard Monaco power plant (360-cubic inch, 2-barrel V8), but if it had been ordered with the optional 4-barrel 440, that would make this long green grocery getter a little bit sportier. It has a clean Arizona title and was recently featured on “Ghouls & Gasoline” on the YouTube Channel. Here’s the most recent write up from last August from our car writing wonder-from-down-under, my Aussie buddy Adam Clarke.
FROM 8/17/2024: Practicality is often a key consideration when an enthusiast begins their quest for a classic to park in their garage. The harsh reality is that a two-seat sports car won’t offer an engaging experience for a large family, but this 1972 Dodge Monaco Sport Wagon would. It presents beautifully, features a retrimmed interior, and the third-row seating provides room for the whole family. It is a turnkey proposition that you could drive home today. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this beauty.
Dodge released its Second Generation Monaco range in 1969, with cars remaining on sale until its replacement hit showroom floors for 1974. The 1972 model year may have been the most significant for the badge because the company performed a significant restyle that gave the range a lighter and more elegant appearance. This Wagon is a three-owner classic that underwent a repaint in its original Fiesta Green Metallic approximately twenty years ago. Its current condition suggests it has been treated respectfully because the paint retains a healthy shine and no evidence of deterioration or major issues. Examining the photos reveals a couple of minor panel imperfections, but they aren’t severe enough to warrant immediate attention. I believe that one of those paintless dent companies might be able to improve the situation, and it is an option I would examine. One of the Wagon’s distinctive features is the hidden headlights that give the front a clean and crisp appearance. There is no evidence of rust or other nasty surprises, and the trim and glass look excellent. The seller added the 17″ Magnum 500 wheels, and while I like the look, I’m still not sold on the spinners.
This Dodge features the entry-level 360ci V8 that sends 175hp and 285 ft/lbs of torque to a heavy-duty rear end via a three-speed A-727 automatic transmission. The Monaco is a big vehicle, but the power-assisted steering and front disc brakes should make driving fairly effortless. It is not a muscle wagon, although the ability to cruise effortlessly for hours at 70mph makes it ideal for family adventures. The seller claims that this beauty is essentially unmolested, but they recently added a 2½” TTI exhaust and Flowmaster mufflers, an electronic ignition, and an MSD coil and plug wires. It appears to have no mechanical shortcomings, with the seller suggesting the buyer could fly in and drive it home. There are few better ways to gain an intimate understanding of your new purchase, and depending on where you live, it is a great way to explore parts of the country you may never have seen previously.
If this Dodge’s exterior makes a positive impression, the interior lifts that to a far higher level. The seller recently completed a complete retrim utilizing products from SMS. They remained true to the Wagon’s origins, selecting the correct Green Elk and Green Coachman vinyl. It appears the Wagon also received a new carpet set and other interior hardware because criticizing its condition is virtually impossible. There is no evidence of wear or damage and no signs of broken plastic. The Monaco features the versatility of third-row seating, and although the seller describes it as a nine-seater, I probably wouldn’t squeeze three people onto the third-row. The two-way tailgate and rear step improve access, while the Wagon also comes with a power back window and a factory AM radio with the optional rear speaker.
The seller listed this 1972 Dodge Monaco Wagon in beautiful Sidney, British Columbia, Canada. They set their price at $26,900, and while that isn’t pocket change, it is worth noting that this classic appears to need nothing. The seller is confident that the new owner could fly in and drive it home without raising a sweat. If a family Wagon ideal for cross-country adventures is on your Wish List, this Dodge might be worth pursuing further.
I always thought that Adam Clarke was a Kiwi. Doesn’t he hail from New Zealand?
Beautiful wagon. The only disappointment I see is no A/C. The price seems fair for what you’re getting.
YUP… for that kind of money… it had better have the 440 and A/C!!
Looks like it has moved to Phoenix Arizona and the price of $17,850 in US dollars.
That was where the seller should have listed it to begin with. They are 20 miles apart and the Phoenix CL will see a lot more traffic.
The seller was also wise to drop the price. At some point, if your car, or anything else, isn’t selling you need to reevaluate your ad, revamp the description, lower the price, change platform and/or location.
Steve R
A 440 in 1972 wasnt gonna make this 4700 lb wagon all that sporty anyhow. If you are gonna drive it and enjoy it youll appreciate a 2V 360 when and if premium hits $6 a gallon again. As far as AC ive never had a vehicle without AC and even in the 100* midwest im an arm out the window guy unless im dressed up. This wagon is perfect as is, in my opinion
Perfect “velvet hammer” combo of sport and luxury, IMHO….Fomoco would have been a Mercury Marauder wagon if one existed.
Who needs the third row anyway? The seats fold flat so you have a much longer area to stretch out and “relax” at the drive-in. Oh wait..there are no drive-ins any more…
Tulsa, Oklahoma has the Admiral Twin. Still runs to a packed crowed every summer!
There are 2 very popular drive-ins within 20 miles of where I sit writing this. And yes this Dodge would be perfect for a visit.
Gas a six bucks a pop? Not a chance. I have been told by many sources, that as of very very recently, forces are in work that will half the price per gallon. Done deal they say. Time to bring back 7 liter engines with triple four barrels.
Not a thing wrong with that car in and out except for no A/C. 360 motor is plenty big enough, its not a spots car. I’m even impressed with the 3-way tailgate.
Where it is located, no one will ever buy any car without air. The fires of the great down below don’t compare to the summer heat there. I am sure inhabitants of the dark world are regularly offered to be transferred there and they politely decline. Oh wait, I am told it is a “dry heat”, so it must be okay. Why would anyone ever hang out there, much less make a home there? Must be a mental illness of self abuse.
Curt. It’s a little of both. I lived there for 12 before sanity (sort of) kicked back in. Now I’m about 100 miles north of the Phoenix area. Still can get hot here but not nearly as bad or definitely not as long.
Nice car, but no air in Phoenix explains why it’s for sale.
No such thing as a “Monaco sport wagon.” “Sport” is a buzzword that gets attached to cars in order to charge more for them.
Price is still appalling for such a poorly optioned car with a small block. I owned a ’72 Polara Custom wagon (one notch below this model originally), and I can say from decades of experience that the 360 is, to say the least, underwhelming in these big wagons. Mine was well-optioned, had icy AC, and even with a fair amount if rust sold for more than half the asking of this one. My father bought the Polara new in ’72, I learned to drive in it, inherited it in 2004, and sold it in 2017. I know these cars like the back of my hand, and there are so many things amiss with this one that even at 10k, I likely would pass on it.
That said, I’m in the market for one of these or a ’73, or a ’74 T&C or Imperial 4dr, something similar. Anyone selling?
I’m a fool for longroofs and this one looks great to me (if a bit steep considering no ac) I’d want the power up around 225hp as well if possible to have a little more fun with. I imagine that rear overhang will let you step the tail out smartly if the suspension is set up right. Perhaps Pastor Ron could elaborate on observed lacunae in the presentation?
If you’re asking what’s amiss – Very poorly optioned, tailgate trim wrong, taillight lenses wrong, wheels and tires wrong, name badges missing, broken grille… There’s more, but those are the painfully obvious ones.
If you re-cam it, drop in a 4bbl, and make other changes, then yes you could probably get more out of it. But the Holley 2bbl that came on these things was thirsty while delivering little more oomph than the thriftier 318, power-wise (I drove a lot of them). My Polara was strong, but not that strong. I often chastised dad for not ordering it with a 383/4. I had a loaded ’68 Monaco wagon (sold in 2002 and still kicking myself) that had a 383/4, and it used less fuel than the Polara, despite being a heavier car by about 600 pounds. I tweaked my ’72 by putting a Carter BBD in place of the factory Holley, and removing the government garbage under the hood, and it performed better with fewer tune-ups. But I was NEVER interested in building any kind of muscle car; I’m a cruiser, not a speeder.
I understand Chrysler was facing one its many dalliances with bankruptcy, but was every one of their cars in this period painted this sickening shade of green?
It’s refreshing to see a nice looking wagon on this website, especially when my memory of these old wagons usually has a spare tire sticking out from under the rear quarter panel from rot that’s accumulated being that I’m from the Boston area.
Yeah, the price is a little high, but it really is a sharp looking wagon and I like those flip up headlights. Don’t see that very often.
Mike Brady called from beyond the grave, and he wants his wagon back, LOL! The 360 isn’t a bad motor, and more power can be had by doing some light machine work on the motor, to reverse the effects of low compression forced by the primitive 1970’s anti-smog gear, combined with the usual hot rod hop-ups (headers, low restriction exhaust, intake and aftermarket EFI, with a blower for good measure. If you don’t care about numbers matching, the crate motor is always an option. As for no A/C, can you say “Vintage Air”? Sure you can! This car’s condition is exceptional, and its limitations are easily remedied. Most of these have long since rusted away before being consigned to the crusher at the local junkyard, so this one’s a keeper!
Love it and no useless air conditioning. Where I live, we don’t need it. Air just eats gas and you can’t tell me retrofitting to 134A works. I had it done to a car years ago, leaked out constantly. Yeah, maybe it wasn’t done right, but R12 is still the best. My 1976 Monte Carlo blew 44 degrees at the vents, never laaked a drop in 100,000 miles. Price is a bit high with rust I see bubbling under that green paint.