By this time in the holiday season, many people reach a point where they’ve heard enough jingle bells on the radio and are ready to move on. Still others can’t seem to get enough.
Either way, very few people will get through the month of December without remembering the old Dr. Seuss tale of The Grinch and his two-sizes-too-small heart. The Pick of the Day is a green-on-green 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo that evokes a Grinch-like vibe with its color scheme. All that’s missing is a road trip to Whoville.
The Monte Carlo was classified as a “personal luxury car” and only sold as a two-door coupe. It first launched for the 1970 model year, sharing a platform with Pontiac’s Grand Prix. Though the Monte Carlo had a hiatus between 1989 and 1994, it lived on until being discontinued after model year 2007.
A private seller in Crown Point, Indiana, is advertising a particularly nice Monte Carlo on ClassicCars.com. Showing its factory Gulf Green paint job, the car is said to be all-original.
The seller is proud of the car’s condition: “Everything works including the A/C. Every light, gauge, mechanical and electrical all in perfect working order. An amazing time piece in amazing condition.”
The seller indicates that the Monte Carlo has new Cooper Cobra raised-white-letter tires and a new exhaust system. The undercarriage has been undercoated, and aside from a bit of surface rust on the driver rear quarter, the body is clean. Even the vinyl roof (in matching green, of course) appears to be in good condition.
For model year 1972, Chevrolet offered four different engines in the Monte Carlo. Power for this example comes from a 5.7-liter (350cid) V8 paired with a column-shifted three-speed automatic transmission. The most performance-minded Monte Carlos in the first-generation series came equipped in SS trim, with a 454-cubic-inch big-block V8.
Cosmetically, the car’s nose was reworked slightly in 1972 to move parking lamps further out on the grille. The Monte Carlo would get a fully redesigned body for the following model year.
Stepping inside the cabin, a green-cloth bench seat up front provides lots of leg room, and the woodgrain-trimmed instrument cluster helps convey the sense of luxury that Chevrolet was going for. Instrumentation includes a 120-mph speedometer, a fuel gauge, and an analog clock.
Whether or not your perspective on holiday cheer aligns with the ill-tempered Grinch, this Monte Carlo would make a memorable sleigh ride to get you through the season.
The seller is asking $18,900 or best offer.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Always like the Monte Carlo. It’s funny how a 350 small block looks tiny in that spacious under hood compartment. This car will sell quick I think…
Jeff Dreamcarsellers.com
I agree I think this car will go pretty quick. I’ve always liked this first-gen Monte. I love the color on this example!
As an owner of 70 monte these cars are very dependable
Hi, could u contact me so that we could disuse things about the car.
Hi Rhein! The best way to get in touch with the seller is to visit their listing on ClassicCars.com and send them a message. Here is the link: https://classiccars.com/listings/view/1425978/1972-chevrolet-monte-carlo-for-sale-in-crown-point-indiana-46307
Very nice looking car , Indiana is a rust belt state . So when the ad states that the undercarriage has been undercoated I would be concerned that a lot of corrosion
Concerns have been covered over to look good for the buyer . So keep this in mind .
Not trying to be a doom slayer here but body work can be very expensive.
I really liked the 1st generation Really did not like the 2nd or any other.
I’ve always been a fan of Monte Carlo styling, but the first gen cars are special to me. A last-gen Monte is an unlikely, but possible, addition to our garage as a Grocery Car/Taxi/Corvette Companion.
https://disaffectedmusings.com/2020/06/23/solstice-drive/
Back in the late 70’s the fastest car in Estacada, Oregon was a 454 Monte Carlo. At the time, my co-pilot and I were going city to city and finding the fastest/quickest car they had and racing it. We found the Monte Carlo at I believe the only drive thru and we all traveled in convoy to the local straight road. The ‘Monte” was fast but no match for the ‘Mouse that Roared” 1969 Hurst S/C Rambler. I raced him 3 times and he lost time each attempt. He was very angry as his engine cost more than my whole $900 car. With big block torque and go-cart weight, the SC could not help its power to weight ratio. The only factory built car at that time with a better power to weight that was affordable was an A/C Cobra, you know the one where your head sticks up over the windshield and it looks like you are in a clown car. Unlike the 96 Viper where it is all you can do to reach the pedals with the seat all the way forward. Ah, those were the days…
Restored a 71 Monte years ago. Never liked the color of this one. Mine was originally this color. Changed it to metal flake cherry/ black interior during rebuild. Had the car for fifteen years before selling the car back to the original owner. Loved that first gen montes.
All Monta Carlo are 2 door
Brought a 71 in the dark green with a 350 back from California to Minnesota in 1983 as my first car. Loved the surprising power of the 350. The only thing missing on this is the console shifter which also included a factory tach.
Welcome the 350 because the SS 402 handled like a pig!
In snow or on icy winter roads these Monte’s with a big block have the worst Understeer! Oh you could turn the Steering Wheel- but you are still going to go straight!
This One looks right.