Pace Car Find! 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo

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In 1972, the Monte Carlo was in its third year as Chevy’s personal luxury car. Part Chevelle and part Pontiac Grand Prix, the car’s popularity would grow from year to year. This edition was ordered by a local Richmond, Virginia dealer for use as the pace car at a NASCAR race at the local raceway in ‘72. The seller bought the car a dozen years ago to restore but got no further than removing the vinyl top. It’s said to be in running order but is going to need work. Located in Gentry, Arkansas, the Monte Carlo is available here on eBay for the Buy It Now price of $16,000.  The Make Offer button has also been activated.

Chevy was a late bloomer getting into the market space that the Thunderbird, Grand Prix, and others that had blazed the trail years earlier. With more than a passing resemblance to the Chevelle, Chevrolet delivered 145,976 copies the first year out (1970). There was a dip to 128,600 the following year, but that can be attributed to labor issues at GM that lingered for a few months. Production bounced back to 180,819 for 1972, including this interesting example.

Hechler Chevrolet in Richmond secured this ’72 Monte Carlo for on-track duty at the speedway. The seller says it’s optioned like a Chevelle Super Sport, but that likely applies to convenience appointments as it’s powered by a 350 cubic inch V8. Wearing now-faded Orange Flame paint with a tan interior and vinyl top, it must have been privately sold after its NASCAR responsibilities were over.  Some of the options that help distinguish this car include bucket seats with a console, a sport steering wheel, a factory tachometer and gauges, and a 12-bolt rear end.

Most of the Issues with the body focus on the roof. Upon removing the vinyl material, the seller bought a new filler panel as a replacement piece and then determined a better roof might be the best answer. The seller is a paint and body man, so I would defer to his judgment on a project like this. He acquired a green donor car (sans a front end) that will be included with the sale if the buyer decides to go the route the seller had intended.

This car is said to run, drive and stop well, but given the mildew all over the place suggests that it hasn’t been used much lately. The odometer has flipped to just past 100,000 miles, so you must at least entertain that the drivetrain could use a refreshing. The interior is showing its age, with some cracks appearing in the seats, and the headliner is seriously drooping, perhaps connected with the problems the seller believes to lie in the roof.

The interesting history behind this car might warrant an uptick in the selling price, but it’s not an official NASCAR pace car with decals to commemorate the event. Hagerty estimates that one of these cars in Fair condition is a $10,000 proposition at best. But given the possible need to saw off the old roof and replace it with another one sounds like a big challenge to me. And then you’d have another half of a car to do something with if you take both cars home with you.

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Comments

  1. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    Wow, those production numbers are pretty impressive, I had no idea that the Monte was that popular. By contrast, Buick only produced about 40,000 copies of the Riviera each year for 63-65.

    Like 6
  2. Schanester

    Just an FYI sorta thing. All of those Options on the inside and underneath being referred to a Chevelle SS…actually had nothing to do with any Super Sport…because every single 1 of those options could be bought on any flat hood 2 door Malibu Sport Coupe, Convertibles, El Caminos, and Yes on Monte’s from 70 thru 72. I owned one. The Buckets were option code A51, the Needle Gauges with Tach was option U14. The floor shift with console was option D55…12 bolt rear end…etc etc. Nothing special…just considered upgrades is all. I’ve been having this exact same conversation with people for the last 40 years lol…and just another FYI…more Factory Chevelle SS’s came with a Bench Seat and Column shift and standard gauges because it was Standard Equipment…if ya wanted anything else, check the box’s and pay extra for them.

    Like 23
  3. Steve R

    Nice story, with no proof, designed to get someone to pay double what the realistic asking price should be. It’s, loaded, but not uncommon, in the 80’s me and friends would pick similarly equipped Monte Carlo’s clean at the local You Pull It wrecking yards.

    Steve R

    Like 15
  4. Donald Huff

    Steve,

    If the story is made up, at least he did a good job. Hechler Chevy was the big dealer on the east side of Richmond where the track is. I have a friend who worked there with a couple of brothers in law in the late 1970’s. It’s long gone, so any records that might support the claims are MIA for sure.

    Even if the records exist . . . . they add maybe $100 to the value of the car IF you are a historian of the Richmond Fairgrounds track in those days.

    Like 9
    • Don Eladio

      …which pretty much no one is, lol.

      Like 1
  5. James Martin

    Well they always say proof is in the pudding. No proof here. And the pudding needs alot of attention. Have seen alot of montes go for alot less. Think made up story to get people to pay over twice what car is worth. 2500- 5000 grand would be more affordable. With the work needing to be done, would be better off finding a nearly restored one for 16 grand.

    Like 8
    • Matt in Michigan

      Agreed, that’s a ridiculously high price to be asking for that car

      Like 3
  6. Steve Clinton

    I am sure there are plenty of decent MCs out there for $14,000 as opposed to this mess.

    Like 2
    • Steven Brown

      I have a friend the got a 1972 triple black 4 speed 350 12 bolt at Mecum this January2021 for 20k in mint

      Like 1
  7. bull

    Just another OVERPRICED stock Monte Carlo that needs a restoration with a seller story trying justify their huge asking price.

    Common sellers buyer’s aren’t that stupid!

    Like 6
  8. Kevin

    I’ve always liked these,but there’s 455,000 1st generation Montes to choose from….minus the ones that are long gone,but I’d pass on this one.

    Like 0
  9. Richard Pyle

    I wouldn’t pay a penny over 3000 story means nothing it still needs restored and its no fun putting a roof on one I think it would make a good donor car

    Like 0

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