Monte Carlo Opinion?

[WingCharger]

I recently found a very solid 1972 350 Auto Chevy Monte Carlo for sale.

Monte's are the only Chevys I have ever really liked. It is yellow, and the engine is currently removed and was undergoing a rebuild. It is numbers matching. I am not sure what options the car has, but the only rust repair needed is in the trunk. (Like I would use that anyway )
The guy is only 40 minutes from me, and I am trying to convince my dad to go look at it. The price is at $1500, and I have emailed him several times about the car, and I just asked if he would move on the price, and am waiting for a response.
Here is a pic:

Looks like a good project.

Think the thing is worth $1500? If not, any opinions?
I have always like Monte's, but the black one in this video really made me start looking for them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtKhOWhwmOQ
They made them with 454's in 1970 and '71, so one would drop right in this baby. Yes, the thing is a bit rough and a bit rusty, but what can I expect for a first project muscle car?


Sorry about this dribble into Chevy Territory, but I am getting desperate for any old muscle car I like.

[69bronzeT5]

Not a big fan of those years. I like the 80's the best. I'd get a Duster or something like that. Look at my Duster for example, $800.

[Ghoste]

The part about being desperate is the part where you can easily end up disappointed.  It's usually the fist chapter in those half finished projects for sale.

[WingCharger]

The part about being desperate is the part where you can easily end up disappointed.  It's usually the fist chapter in those half finished projects for sale.

Nah...I not the kind of person to let a POS stay a POS for long.
I have like Monte Carlos for a long time. Even back before I was really into Mopars. (AMC at the time, which is kinda like that weird cousin that always shows up at the family reunion.)
If a mopar came up for sale near me, I would sell the Monte to buy it...but I live in a mopar deprived area apparently. No solid $800 Dusters here unfortunately.

[Ghoste]

Alright I can understand that.  But know that taking it from pos to a driveable car is always more than you think it will be and when the roadblocks come it's easier to hang on to a car you love.  Aside from raining on your parade, go for it.

[WingCharger]

Alright I can understand that.  But know that taking it from pos to a driveable car is always more than you think it will be and when the roadblocks come it's easier to hang on to a car you love.  Aside from raining on your parade, go for it.

Any muscle car I get relatively soon will just be a runner. Engine, and nothing. Maybe a cheap disc brake set, and structurally important rust fixed.  That's because it would have to be a daily driver too. Kinda hard to do, but a guy I know drives a older Firebird daily while still hotrodding it. If a car has some basic body rust, why go through the trouble to have all that done when it really isnt that important, and it is expensive. Anyway, I am still unsure if the car is worth $1500?

[TK73]

LOVE EM!!  LOVE EM!!   

My first car was a '72 - 350/350

Had a '76 also...

[Harlow]

1500 sounds high to me, especially with the engine out and rust issues. Remember to have a road worthy car your gonna have to finish that engine rebuild, most likely new tires and countless other odds and ends...

[TK73]

PS: as far as $1500... not sure about that.

[Finn]

My mom had a blue monte carlo, same year as in that video I think.
Apparently it was a tank and had a problem with frying the wiring according to my dad lol
I started paying more attention to them after I saw that completely bad ass one in Tokyo Drift (Hey, I borrowed the dvd from my friend!).
Later I was working a job on the movie set that had all the remaining stunt cars, I think I posted pics of them at some point.
I like their versatility/price but I agree with these guys, 1500 bucks for an engine out project sounds iffy.

I had my charger all calc'd out to get it as a daily driver for 3000 bucks plus the price of the car.
Ive since added a zero.

[WingCharger]

Monte's are one of the few GM products I actually like.

[Tilar]

I always liked the first gen Monte Carlo. There is one in Dayton on Ebay but it looks like it's been rode hard and put up wet. It's sitting at 1k and says it comes with a parts car.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1972-Chevrolet-Monte-Carlo_W0QQitemZ250339506042QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item250339506042&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

I think $1500 would be at the high end but you probably wouldn't get hurt on it at that price.

[Nacho-RT74]

Not a big fan of those years. I like the 80's the best.

[Harlow]

About the engine guys...if the thing is completely torn down, I might just sell the block and heads and other crap, and buy a 400 a guy has advertised near me, or maybe a 454.

Don't expect to get much for a 350 block and heads. I'd keep your eye out and keep saving money, unless he goes down $500+ on the price and you really like it.

[Charger-Bodie]

Keep in mind that those cars even though fairly cool, are kinda oddballs so parts aren't as readily available as some Chevy cars and can be even more pricey than Mopar stuff.

[WingCharger]

Keep in mind that those cars even though fairly cool, are kinda oddballs so parts aren't as readily available as some Chevy cars and can be even more pricey than Mopar stuff.

Most drivetrain parts interchange between the Chevelle and Monte Carlo. Oddball exceptions being the Z-Bar, and a few tranny parts.

[rav440]

at what point is a chevy #s matching ?  the only GM car that i think has #s stamped is a VETTE , and that my be a long shot . as far as i know MOPAR is the omly true #s matching cars because the vin is stamped on the block & trans from 1968 on . i may be wrong ..... but

[Ghoste]

The numbers stamping was a federally legislated thing to cut down on car theft.  Vettes did chassis stamping long before it was law I think.

[Sublime/Sixpack]

 Personally I like the early Monte Carlo and if I found an excellent one for a  good price I'd be temped to buy it, but I think it might be wise if you cooled your heels on this one.  Of course that has to be your decision!  
But consider that first you said it was solid, then you said it is a bit rough and has a bit of rust, and then theres the rusty trunk floor, and the engine's out of the car.       Is the trans and rearend good?  Power brake booster good, or is it sucking air? The heater core good? Or do these things need rebuilding or replacing? You won't know because you can't start it up and drive it.  Has it ever been painted?  If so, what might be lurking under that repaint?  I'd be more concerned about how much money and time this car would cost in the long run then the initial 1500 bucks.    

Good luck with your decision.

[greenpigs]

  I had a 73 in high school and an 88 SS a few years back so I have a soft spot or Montes. The SS started again in 73 along with the 454 which means squat in your case. The car isn't worth much more even with the original powertrain and would just be a play thing. Not much demand for small blocks so I would go for 1K tops. My plan back in high school was to drop a caddy 500 in the 73.

[WingCharger]

I had a 73 in high school and an 88 SS a few years back so I have a soft spot or Montes. The SS started again in 73 along with the 454 which means squat in your case. The car isn't worth much more even with the original powertrain and would just be a play thing. Not much demand for small blocks so I would go for 1K tops. My plan back in high school was to drop a caddy 500 in the 73.

THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!!! Wait, a old car buddy of mine knows were a 500 from a ambulance is...

[A383Wing]

You do know that the original name for our Chargers was to be "Monte Carlo" don't ya?