The sounds! The starter sound cranking, the whoosh when it started, the whine of that 350 tranny, even the push of air when you hit the brakes. Wow, every one teleported me back to 1972 in my Grandma’s new 1972 Impala.
I had the pleasure of growing up with my Dad's 76 Monte, absolutely stunning and a dream to drive. Like your 72, even the ignition and directional sounds bring me right back! You have a BEAUTIFUL piece of history right there, shame they can't make 'em more like this! Miss my Dad, miss that car, and miss the old days. Thanks for dusting off those memories for me.
Hey Adam, your low mileage Monte Carlo is stunning!! One of the classiest Chevrolets ever made. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous Monte Carlo with us!! 👍👍🙂
Frank had one of these - Chevy went beyond themselves with this one. Check out the taillights, very stylish. His had the 454 and it sailed down the highway …
Beautiful. I love the narrow strip of painted roof adjacent the edges of the vinyl top. Cadillac did that too, through 1973, on hardtops. To me, at first glance, the rear taillights etc. scream Oldsmobile. Lovely car. Thank you!
And the different eras of Ford starters: The old 1960s sounding starters lasted until maybe the early to mid 1980s, and then they changed to a similar looking starter which sounded a little different - the cranking 'tone' was a little lower on the later ones. Then in the early 1990s, they went with the smaller gear reduction starters, which sound like a Toyota or Honda.
These early 1970's Monte Carlos were beautifully styled personal luxury vehicles. I worked part time in a local service station in 1973. A regular customer owned a black-on-black 1971 SS 454 that he brought to the station for routine maintenance service. It was simply gorgeous. I loved just driving that Monte in and out of the service bay. At the time, I knew it was a very special car. It was many years later when I discovered that it was only 1 of 1,919 SS 454 Monte Carlos manufactured by Chevrolet that model year.
I think what I like the most about Adam’s channel is that his house and garage look like mine. There’s a modesty that’s missing from a lot of car channels.
I got my driver’s license in 1972. My father bought a new Skylark that year which was a very nice car too. The local Chevrolet dealership had a Monte Carlo on the lot and I tried to talk my father into buying that instead but it was several hundred dollars more. Several hundred doesn’t sound like much today, but in 1972 it was the difference between affordability and more than my parents could handle. The 1972 Monte Carlo has always been my favorite.
I remember growing up as a kid in the 70's seeing these all over the neighborhoods. The owners generally really liked them too and were happy with the combination of style and power the tried and true Small block 350 gave. My favorite years are the 81 to 88 Montes with the 305 4 BBL V8 and 200 R4 transmission that gave decent power and mid to high twenties gas mileage on a highway trip!
I had a 72 Monte Carlo with a 350/4bbl back in high school. Now it wasn't an 1800 mile original but it was a solid and drove great. My dad got mad at me over something stupid and when I left it parked at his house one weekend he pulled the engine and transmission out. That was 1985. The car is still setting in his field behind his house. It's been pretty well stripped now and is beyond restoration.
Very beautiful Monte Carlo. Love the color and condition is just unbelievable. I think this is my second favorite after the 1972 Marquis Brougham coupe.
I remember sitting in the back of that car in the early 70’s. Same color, same car and just beautiful! I remember the ride feeling similar to the 70’s el dorado that my mom had… I really miss these older cars. And it has to be the 72 Monte Carlo for me! Thanks for Sharing
I wish I still had my Monte. I bought used in 77. I graduated HS 78. My buddy’s dad had an auto parts store. He laughed when I said it will be a classic one day😏
Very nice car! I have been a Ford fan my entire life, but the '72 Monte Carlo was the first Chevrolet that I ever really liked, aside from the Corvette. The styling was just superb on that car. And to have one with such low mileage is truly amazing!
I love that generation. My late brother in law drove a silver one with a black top. He always had cool cars. Thanks for reminding me of him and his car!
Your enthusiasm for classic cars really shows. Not only do I get to hear wonderful cars like this. I also get to see them go down the road as their designers intended. Epic.
Had a ’72 during the 80’s. Silver Green metallic with black vinyl top and interior. Black bucket seats and console with the dual arm shifter. Corvette rims and 350. Awesome car.
That sound... it really takes us back. There is something ethereal, almost primordial to the ears of an aging baby boomer... of a small block Chevy coming to life.
I miss my 1970 Monte. Took out the 350 and put in a 406ci motor with around 400hp. Also, of the 24 cars I've owned in my lifetime, the Monte had THE LOUDEST horn.
@@RareClassicCars True, unless the original owner was absolutely diligent with keeping the coolant fresh they corroded badly. You got lucky, the owners were good with maintenance! It happens on rare occasions. My Dad was like that with his 1974 Olds Delta 88 Royal two door, with the rocket 350, in metallic green, with the vinyl green hardtop.
This drive along was a blast! I love the sights/sounds and smells of these older cars. The gauge cluster bears a lot of styling resemblance to that of my 67 Impala. I love the "whine" of the transmission through 1st gear (I have the TH400) on these older transmissions as well.
Great memories of my first car a 1971 monte carlo with console and bucket seats. Both my newborn daughters came home in that car. I drove it for 20 years. It always look very classy.
Watching you start that Monte immediately teleported me back to sitting on the couch with my Mom, watching my all time favorite mid-70s game show “Split Second” hosted by Tom Kennedy. The bonus round had the contestant pick one of five mid-range GM vehicles, and if it started they’d win it. The cool part? They didn’t use sound effects; either the contestant got it to start, or if they didn’t pick the right car, a stage manager would start the winning car (to ensure the prize was for real). My personal fave? Any time they featured a Chevy Chevelle Laguna (wagon or coupe - loved them both)
@@MNBluestater You’re right! That show was perfect for the ADD in all of us lol. And oh man I was such a huge fanboy of Tom Kennedy. To me he epitomized 70s charm without the ick factor.
This channel is such a gem. I thoroughly enjoyed this drive along. Makes me regret selling my 68 Deville a few years ago even more. I need an old boat back in my life again.
My dad had a 71 when I was in high school, triple black, rally wheels, bucket seats, console with the horseshoe shifter, I wish I could find it, I loved that car.
Now here's a car that brings back memories. My parents had a 1977 Monte Carlo when I was little--the next model, but very similar on the inside, with the same engine (and that same eight-track player with the mirrored tape door). It was metallic chocolate brown with a tan vinyl landau roof. My father custom-ordered it--the first, and I believe last, time he ever did that--and he regretted telling four-year-old me about it, because I reportedly asked him if it was ready just about every day until it arrived. :)
Great video! I purchased a 1972 Monte Carlo in 1975 a three year old with 36,000 miles on it. I owned it until last year 2021 and it had 160,000 and the motor still ran quietly and strong! The only thing I did to the engine was a new timing chain. Oh yeah, it was only 7 dollars to fill it up back in 75!
My parents had the exact same car growing up. There is a pic of me as a baby washing it in the drive. Every time I see one in that color blue, it really takes be back in time.
1st Gen M/Cs were beautiful, 2nd gens looked good too. You could get these in a Super Sport model with a 4 speed manual trans. at least in 1970 and 71.✊😏
The SS454 package mandated a TH400 transmission. Chevrolet records show they never varied from that by building an SS with a 4 speed. The small block and 402 big block cars were available with a 4 speed, but not the SS.
Adam, I love all your cars but I have to say this Monte is my favorite especially since I had my own buckskin colored 77 Monte with swivel buckets and rally wheels. Bought that Monte new and had for 18 years. Wish I had never sold it. Really smooth driving and riding and as you said effortless steering.
That car and it's condition is a showstopper. I've always had a soft spot for the Monte Carlo or a Cutlass too, all the way into the mid 80's. We've had quite a few Montees in the family, mostly later 70's and a few early 80's models way back when. This takes me back. Before I came along my parents in the mid 70's had a burgundy 74 Landau and I always liked seeing it in pictures. I more than enjoyed this one as I've been waiting, thanks Adam.
Great to see this Monte, Adam. My very first new car was a ‘72 Monte Carlo (350 V8) in Sequoia green with white vinyl top and rally wheel rings/hub. I wanted an 8-track, but would have made payments too much!! It will be fifty years ago in July since I bought it for about $3,600 (Memphis, TN) and I still think it was a beautifully designed car. Thanks for your interesting and unique channel.
Great car! My friend and I rented a large garage back in 1999 whose previous owner had passed away, for storage as well as some light work to be done on our project cars. We were told that the garage/metal storage unit was a 'mess' and had cars and equipment still in it. In the corner was a 71 MC, dark gold or greenish gold on blk. The keys were in the door. There was a note inside. "Title missing, does not run". Well, we played with it and got it running. Seemed to be a bare bones car. P/S, Pdiscs, AM radio, bench seat, column shift A/T, F78 tires..But upon further inspection, this thing had the 350 4bbl ( i forget the code) with dual exhaust ( long rotted off) and 3.42 posi rear as factory equipment. Odometer said 5k, but we didn't know for sure, yet the engine looked untouched. There were 2 of those special fan shrouds in the trunk and apparently they go for big $. The car got sold to a collector in 01.
My Mom drove ta 1972 Monte Carlo - Got it when I was 7 and gave it to my brother 8 years later, many memories of busting my lip on the back of the front seat when she would stop to fast lol
I bought a 1971 Monte Carlo in 1973 with 22,000 miles from the Chev dealer. It came with a 402 Big Block. After having the Big Block I would prefer it over the small block because I believe the road feel and extra weight worked well.
Our Commonwealths Attorney had a 72 that I used to work on for him. I had a 72 grand Prix at the same time he had that. Beautiful car and has so much more class than ANY of the new ones.
Absoutely stunning. Actually quite unbelievable there are still cars out there practically brand new that are 45-50 yrs old. These cars and many others up to the newer ones around 1978-80 will live on for the next 50 yrs or more while we have floating cars and EVs during these times now.
My girlfriend had a first gen Monte Carlo in the late 70's . Dark orange with a black vinyl top. I think it had the 400 in it but not sure, I would get up and move. It was totaled in the winter with ice on a local bridge as she was driving to work. She was ok and that car would have been fixed today but was scraped back then. Beautiful car !
Essentially you are doing the new car test drive of a 1972 new car buyer. What a treat. Hope you enjoy it for many more miles. Drive ‘em if you’ve got ‘em. I rewatched the 1969 Eldorado feature video and would love to see a road test of some of the early channel feature such as it and the black Riviera.
Wow, what a beautiful car! I have always loved the first gen Montes and seeing one that is in this original of condition and not modified is very rare. Love the side skirts. 1800 miles only (!!!!)
Great looking vehicle for it's 50 year age. They certainly don't make vehicles to be as durable and dependable as this like back in the day. It appears the clock doesn't seem to be working which is a shame, although most electric clocks tend to fail in the older cars. I also noticed the fuel gauge going up and down depending on which direction you were turning. The older cars didn't have gauge stabilisers when the fuel in the tank sloshes around. Be very proud of this vehicle. It is a pure gem for a 50 year old!
*Neighbor two doors down had a 72 with the same trim and engine but a light metallic green interior and exterior, very stylish car and seemed to be very reliable for them over the years too.*
Beautiful Monte. And the best year for them if I may say. The first generation Monte is arguably the nicest Chevy design ever. So refreshing to see one with whitewalls, wheel covers, and fender skirts. So many of them have been changed over to Rally wheels and white letter tires- yuk!
Awesome Monte Carlo, Adam. I had to laugh when you mentioned being nervous of other drivers in such a low mileage and irreplaceable classic. Having driven around Detroit, I’d be much more worried about the road conditions… particularly the heaving concrete at the expansion joints. Shops that replace struts and do alignments there must be busy! 😉 Cheers, John 👍👍👍
Our roads are pretty nasty. I wouldn't even try and do a restomod with huge wheels and rubber bands for tires up here. But then I'm 62 and love these for as they were.
The early to mid 1970s was the peak of inefficient U.S. auto design. I recall auto review magazines and used car books in the late '70s mentioning this - the new downsized models in '77 and '78 always getting high marks for much more efficient (higher) interior/exterior ratios. But as a kid back then I found it just meant we got uglier (boxier) cars as part of the deal. They managed to impose ever-stricter safety and emissions regulations starting in the early '70s, not always with great results when it came to operation of these good-looking cars! Fuel efficiency and safety have dictated design ever since.
While I never owned one, I had a few friends that did and they always impressed me. One in particular, a 72 402 powered car with posi and 3:23's out back comes to mind. Living in Minnesota, the car was on the lake every winter taking him to his favorite ice fishing spot. It was a beast in deep snow and would drag it's gas tank leaving a pretty distinctive set of tracks. We're all spoiled with AWD and FWD now, but for the younger generation who never experienced RWD.... many of them were quite a bit better than one would think.
takes me back to '71 when a neighbor was the first in town to own a Monte - very similar tours same color in and out with 350 2b. It was a mover that was known as the "poor man's Eldo", but I thought of it as more of a wise guy's Chevelle.
A friend had a 1970 Monte Carlo, 402 four speed, triple black, not an SS, really nice lower mileage very rare car. He sold it for the concern you mentioned, he couldn’t enjoy driving it anymore for worry about damage from other drivers.
I've always had a soft spot for the Chevy Monte Carlo. My sister's first car, used, was either a 73 or 74 Monte Carlo. Fun to drive. To this day I love the instrument style and layout. Her's was a cream color with a black naugahide ( faux leather ) interior. She loved that car and kept it for years.
70 threw 72 I would want one truly fully equipped then you know you have arrived your at the high end of the Chevy Spectrum Monte Carlo is a personal luxury coupe your a cut above Caprice.
Years ago I tried selling cars. I was at a Chrysler dealership and we had to attend a seminar on the new RAM. The guy hosting it was also the star of a video exposing the greater benefits of the RAM over the Silverado. A few months later I had moved to a Chevy dealer and was attending a similar seminar. Sure enough the same guy was now telling us the benefits of the Silverado over the RAM.
I saw the Eldorado in it also! In the lines of the rear quarter sheet metal. And the fender skirts! I also saw a bit of Grand Prix. And from the rear, Oldsmobile. This is a really special car. The styling elements are so subtle, yet the overall look is quite substantial. A less is more kind of thing.
Thanks for the flashback to my long-departed '72 Chevelle, with the exact same 350-2V and Turbo 350. The sounds, the effortless torque, and quick/tight steering all come back to me now, and it was so reliable too. People today don't know how nice some of the American cars of this era were to drive, including those with the small block Chevy 350, and the 327 that preceded it.
OMG that is an amazing car and I remember that my uncle had one and drove it till the last wheel fell off. I remember that he loved it too much and was very passionate about owning his car. This brings back so many memories and you are a very lucky man to own that one.
I had a 1973 model with 350 4 barrel and A/C but otherwise it was a base model because it was an ugly color of pea-ish green. I inherited it from my grandmother who knew the salesman and the dealership couldn't move it before the end of the month. So my Grandma got a great deal on a great car. I have to be honest and say I liked the gorgeous exaggerated fender design in 1973. I believe I read somewhere that the fenders were a John DeLorean design? The doors seemed to weigh 500+ pounds each. While putting on chains for the second time that day in Northern CA. I noticed that the door blocked the freezing wind so I left it open. While bent over with my head down below the door latch panel securing the left rear chain. The wind blew that heavy door and smashed my head. Hard. I'm lucky I didn't get knocked out and frozen to death. If you find a low milage 1973, that you don't want, let me know. LOL. I put a lot of freeway miles, mostly I-5 and I-10, on it as my folks lived in Medford, Oregon and I went to med school in LA and then to San Antonio for residency. I nervously took my best friends gorgeous sister on a date in ~ 1982. Not great judgement but I still remember driving a mile or two in the car and she blurted out. Wow, this car rides great. And it did. It broke a valve spring that I fixed myself. And a thermostat went out. It's amazing that fixing the thermostat was removing two easily accessible bolts after walking a couple of miles to K-Mart for a new t-stat and gasket. Try that on any modern car...like a BMW. Thanks for showing us the beautiful 1972 Monte Carlo. The Blue is nice.
K Mart? You probably could've picked up some yellow Accel spark plug wires and a chrome air filter and maybe some chrome valve covers while you were there. I never did see Cragar wheels for sale in K Mart though, at least not where I grew up.
@@DanEBoyd It was the closest store so we took a shot. It goes to show you how ubiquitous the Chevy Small Block was back then that, in 1983, K-Mart carried T-stats for them. I was in school and broke so no chrome or Cragars for me. A friend of mine had an early BMW, 1970 2002(?), and asked me if I could help him change his thermostat. It was this bizarre contraption that took us all day. I guess that since it gets cold in Germany, this thing would open up to the inside heater very early before anything went to the radiator. Complex hose routing, etc. This was just after I did my Monte Carlo that was so cheap, simple and easy to change.
What a beautiful 72 I have a 85 with the same color my parents had a 72 and my auntie still has her blue two toned 72 my dream car is a 72 such a nice body!
The sounds! The starter sound cranking, the whoosh when it started, the whine of that 350 tranny, even the push of air when you hit the brakes. Wow, every one teleported me back to 1972 in my Grandma’s new 1972 Impala.
Reminds me of my ‘73 Cemtury.
Love the sound of a small block V8 - especially when pulling out from a corner.
I had the pleasure of growing up with my Dad's 76 Monte, absolutely stunning and a dream to drive. Like your 72, even the ignition and directional sounds bring me right back! You have a BEAUTIFUL piece of history right there, shame they can't make 'em more like this!
Miss my Dad, miss that car, and miss the old days. Thanks for dusting off those memories for me.
Always liked that body style of the Monte! 👍🙂
Hey Adam, your low mileage Monte Carlo is stunning!! One of the classiest Chevrolets ever made. Thanks for sharing this gorgeous Monte Carlo with us!! 👍👍🙂
Frank had one of these - Chevy went beyond themselves with this one. Check out the taillights, very stylish.
His had the 454 and it sailed down the highway …
I just noticed that the Monte Carlo's taillights are very similar to the 1971-72 Oldsmobile 98 taillights.
Beautiful. I love the narrow strip of painted roof adjacent the edges of the vinyl top. Cadillac did that too, through 1973, on hardtops.
To me, at first glance, the rear taillights etc. scream Oldsmobile.
Lovely car. Thank you!
@CH67guy1
True about the taillamps, indeed they do look like they are from the Olds 98 of similar vintage.
They are called "halo vinyl tops" and they are super cool!
Now that's a classy car-
What a nice Monte! Thanks for sharing!
Cool rides, I really enjoyed the peaceful drive video of the Monte you just published. Take care!
Even as a small child I could identify the distinct sounds of starters on the big three.
Same here- the big three plus Toyota and Honda all had distinct sounds. It was fun to call them out.
And the different eras of Ford starters: The old 1960s sounding starters lasted until maybe the early to mid 1980s, and then they changed to a similar looking starter which sounded a little different - the cranking 'tone' was a little lower on the later ones. Then in the early 1990s, they went with the smaller gear reduction starters, which sound like a Toyota or Honda.
It let's you know it's ready to go!!
*Chrysler starters sound the best.*
@@joeskeptical4762 lmao no they don't. The GM starters sounded the best!! A nice crisp start on a great car like the Monte Carlos
These early 1970's Monte Carlos were beautifully styled personal luxury vehicles. I worked part time in a local service station in 1973. A regular customer owned a black-on-black 1971 SS 454 that he brought to the station for routine maintenance service. It was simply gorgeous. I loved just driving that Monte in and out of the service bay. At the time, I knew it was a very special car. It was many years later when I discovered that it was only 1 of 1,919 SS 454 Monte Carlos manufactured by Chevrolet that model year.
I have a '70 SS454 that I've resto-modded, and a '71, 4 speed 402 to restore next. I've had several. They are great cars.
This is my favorite car so far! Thank you for sharing!
I think what I like the most about Adam’s channel is that his house and garage look like mine. There’s a modesty that’s missing from a lot of car channels.
Watching that gas hand swing when you hit the pedal, and turn corners is classic.
Beauty of a machine! I would be paranoid driving a car that nice in traffic. And those kamikaze deer you have encountered before...
I got my driver’s license in 1972. My father bought a new Skylark that year which was a very nice car too. The local Chevrolet dealership had a Monte Carlo on the lot and I tried to talk my father into buying that instead but it was several hundred dollars more. Several hundred doesn’t sound like much today, but in 1972 it was the difference between affordability and more than my parents could handle. The 1972 Monte Carlo has always been my favorite.
I remember growing up as a kid in the 70's seeing these all over the neighborhoods. The owners generally really liked them too and were happy with the combination of style and power the tried and true Small block 350 gave. My favorite years are the 81 to 88 Montes with the 305 4 BBL V8 and 200 R4 transmission that gave decent power and mid to high twenties gas mileage on a highway trip!
Off topic but were the 200 R4's pretty bad like the 700 R4's? Or nah?
What a marvelous time machine!
Beautiful car! So many memories of riding around in my dad's Monte Carlo in the '70's...WOW! Thanks Adam!! :)
I had a 72 Monte Carlo with a 350/4bbl back in high school. Now it wasn't an 1800 mile original but it was a solid and drove great. My dad got mad at me over something stupid and when I left it parked at his house one weekend he pulled the engine and transmission out. That was 1985. The car is still setting in his field behind his house. It's been pretty well stripped now and is beyond restoration.
Very beautiful Monte Carlo. Love the color and condition is just unbelievable. I think this is my second favorite after the 1972 Marquis Brougham coupe.
I remember sitting in the back of that car in the early 70’s. Same color, same car and just beautiful! I remember the ride feeling similar to the 70’s el dorado that my mom had… I really miss these older cars. And it has to be the 72 Monte Carlo for me! Thanks for Sharing
I wish I still had my Monte. I bought used in 77. I graduated HS 78. My buddy’s dad had an auto parts store. He laughed when I said it will be a classic one day😏
My '70 Bel Air had the 350. What a sweet running engine. Smooth, quiet and torquey
My Mom had one of these. Bought new in 1972 and she drove it until 1990. Your video brings back a lot of memories, especially the sounds.
I’d take an unrestored low mileage car any day over a restored one. Gorgeous car.
Class Act Sir ! Thanks for sharing
Very nice car! I have been a Ford fan my entire life, but the '72 Monte Carlo was the first Chevrolet that I ever really liked, aside from the Corvette. The styling was just superb on that car. And to have one with such low mileage is truly amazing!
I love that generation. My late brother in law drove a silver one with a black top. He always had cool cars. Thanks for reminding me of him and his car!
Beautiful Monte Carlo! Makes me wish I still had my '72 Chevelle Malibu 2 dr hardtop
Your enthusiasm for classic cars really shows. Not only do I get to hear wonderful cars like this. I also get to see them go down the road as their designers intended. Epic.
Had a ’72 during the 80’s. Silver Green metallic with black vinyl top and interior. Black bucket seats and console with the dual arm shifter. Corvette rims and 350. Awesome car.
LOVE the skirts, white walls, and wire wheel covers(sort of wire) same as my 1971 Corvette has or will have. Car is freaking awesome..
My favorite car, of all the cars I've owned, was my 1974 Monte Carlo. Thanks for the memories!
That sound... it really takes us back. There is something ethereal, almost primordial to the ears of an aging baby boomer... of a small block Chevy coming to life.
Just like a fine wine they just get better with age.Thanks for taking me for a cruise and forget life for a few minutes.
Fantastic time capsule thanks for the ride suddenly I’m 13 years old again!
I miss my 1970 Monte. Took out the 350 and put in a 406ci motor with around 400hp. Also, of the 24 cars I've owned in my lifetime, the Monte had THE LOUDEST horn.
A car that sat for 50 yrs and even the heater core is still good...? You live a charmed life...
I had to recore the radiator. Heater core seems ok so far, but to your point, they normally are not.
@@RareClassicCars True, unless the original owner was absolutely diligent with keeping the coolant fresh they corroded badly. You got lucky, the owners were good with maintenance! It happens on rare occasions. My Dad was like that with his 1974 Olds Delta 88 Royal
two door, with the rocket 350, in metallic green, with the vinyl green hardtop.
This drive along was a blast! I love the sights/sounds and smells of these older cars. The gauge cluster bears a lot of styling resemblance to that of my 67 Impala. I love the "whine" of the transmission through 1st gear (I have the TH400) on these older transmissions as well.
Great memories of my first car a 1971 monte carlo with console and bucket seats. Both my newborn daughters came home in that car. I drove it for 20 years. It always look very classy.
Glad I went along on this ride
I really miss my 1st Gen Monte's
Watching you start that Monte immediately teleported me back to sitting on the couch with my Mom, watching my all time favorite mid-70s game show “Split Second” hosted by Tom Kennedy. The bonus round had the contestant pick one of five mid-range GM vehicles, and if it started they’d win it. The cool part? They didn’t use sound effects; either the contestant got it to start, or if they didn’t pick the right car, a stage manager would start the winning car (to ensure the prize was for real). My personal fave? Any time they featured a Chevy Chevelle Laguna (wagon or coupe - loved them both)
Loved that show too-it was basically Jeopardy on speed. Tom Kennedy was phenomenal.
@@MNBluestater You’re right! That show was perfect for the ADD in all of us lol. And oh man I was such a huge fanboy of Tom Kennedy. To me he epitomized 70s charm without the ick factor.
There are a handful of 70's episodes of "Split Second" on You Tube. Among them are a few episodes in black and white from earlier in the run.
This channel is such a gem. I thoroughly enjoyed this drive along. Makes me regret selling my 68 Deville a few years ago even more. I need an old boat back in my life again.
My dad had a 71 when I was in high school, triple black, rally wheels, bucket seats, console with the horseshoe shifter, I wish I could find it, I loved that car.
The start-up reminded me of how there is an “art” to awakening a “non-fuel-injected” car……!!!
Push the gas pedal to the floor and release. This presets the automatic choke.
Now here's a car that brings back memories. My parents had a 1977 Monte Carlo when I was little--the next model, but very similar on the inside, with the same engine (and that same eight-track player with the mirrored tape door). It was metallic chocolate brown with a tan vinyl landau roof. My father custom-ordered it--the first, and I believe last, time he ever did that--and he regretted telling four-year-old me about it, because I reportedly asked him if it was ready just about every day until it arrived. :)
Great video! I purchased a 1972 Monte Carlo in 1975 a three year old with 36,000 miles on it.
I owned it until last year 2021 and it had 160,000 and the motor still ran quietly and strong!
The only thing I did to the engine was a new timing chain. Oh yeah, it was only 7 dollars to fill it up back in 75!
My parents had the exact same car growing up. There is a pic of me as a baby washing it in the drive. Every time I see one in that color blue, it really takes be back in time.
1st Gen M/Cs were beautiful, 2nd gens looked good too. You could get these in a Super Sport model with a 4 speed manual trans. at least in 1970 and 71.✊😏
The SS454 package mandated a TH400 transmission. Chevrolet records show they never varied from that by building an SS with a 4 speed. The small block and 402 big block cars were available with a 4 speed, but not the SS.
Adam, I love all your cars but I have to say this Monte is my favorite especially since I had my own buckskin colored 77 Monte with swivel buckets and rally wheels. Bought that Monte new and had for 18 years. Wish I had never sold it. Really smooth driving and riding and as you said effortless steering.
I Couldn't agree more, Adam! These cars had "Soul". Modern ones, while infinitely improved, are basically an Appliance. Just my two.
That car and it's condition is a showstopper. I've always had a soft spot for the Monte Carlo or a Cutlass too, all the way into the mid 80's.
We've had quite a few Montees in the family, mostly later 70's and a few early 80's models way back when. This takes me back. Before I came along my parents in the mid 70's had a burgundy 74 Landau and I always liked seeing it in pictures.
I more than enjoyed this one as I've been waiting, thanks Adam.
Great to see this Monte, Adam. My very first new car was a ‘72 Monte Carlo (350 V8) in Sequoia green with white vinyl top and rally wheel rings/hub. I wanted an 8-track, but would have made payments too much!! It will be fifty years ago in July since I bought it for about $3,600 (Memphis, TN) and I still think it was a beautifully designed car.
Thanks for your interesting and unique channel.
Man, I wish you could still get a decent brand new car sub $20K nowadays. I guess with inflation that would cost $33K today lol
Here's the beautiful Monte Carlo firing up. Gotta love the sound of the Small Block Chevy 350.
Great car! My friend and I rented a large garage back in 1999 whose previous owner had passed away, for storage as well as some light work to be done on our project cars. We were told that the garage/metal storage unit was a 'mess' and had cars and equipment still in it. In the corner was a 71 MC, dark gold or greenish gold on blk. The keys were in the door. There was a note inside. "Title missing, does not run". Well, we played with it and got it running. Seemed to be a bare bones car. P/S, Pdiscs, AM radio, bench seat, column shift A/T, F78 tires..But upon further inspection, this thing had the 350 4bbl ( i forget the code) with dual exhaust ( long rotted off) and 3.42 posi rear as factory equipment. Odometer said 5k, but we didn't know for sure, yet the engine looked untouched. There were 2 of those special fan shrouds in the trunk and apparently they go for big $. The car got sold to a collector in 01.
Thank you Adam. This is such a treat. Wow wow wow.
One of the more popular body styles of the Monte Carlo.
I loved the Colonnade cars of the 70s
This is an exquisite example of the era.
My Mom drove ta 1972 Monte Carlo - Got it when I was 7 and gave it to my brother 8 years later, many memories of busting my lip on the back of the front seat when she would stop to fast lol
I bought a 1971 Monte Carlo in 1973 with 22,000 miles from the Chev dealer. It came with a 402 Big Block. After having the Big Block I would prefer it over the small block because I believe the road feel and extra weight worked well.
Our Commonwealths Attorney had a 72 that I used to work on for him. I had a 72 grand Prix at the same time he had that. Beautiful car and has so much more class than ANY of the new ones.
INCREDIBLE, essentially a new 50 year old car.
Absoutely stunning. Actually quite unbelievable there are still cars out there practically brand new that are 45-50 yrs old. These cars and many others up to the newer ones around 1978-80 will live on for the next 50 yrs or more while we have floating cars and EVs during these times now.
I had a 72 and it was one of the best cars I ever owned.
My girlfriend had a first gen Monte Carlo in the late 70's . Dark orange with a black vinyl top. I think it had the 400 in it but not sure, I would get up and move. It was totaled in the winter with ice on a local bridge as she was driving to work. She was ok and that car would have been fixed today but was scraped back then. Beautiful car !
One of my favorite cars.. yours is amazing!
Essentially you are doing the new car test drive of a 1972 new car buyer. What a treat.
Hope you enjoy it for many more miles. Drive ‘em if you’ve got ‘em.
I rewatched the 1969 Eldorado feature video and would love to see a road test of some of the early channel feature such as it and the black Riviera.
Wow, what a beautiful car! I have always loved the first gen Montes and seeing one that is in this original of condition and not modified is very rare. Love the side skirts. 1800 miles only (!!!!)
This may sound weird but I can still recall how those cars smelled when new!
Smell is very strong memory
I still have a memory of the smell of my new 77 Monte. A truly beautiful car.
Holy Rose Food! A brand new 72 Monte Carlo, beautiful!
Great looking vehicle for it's 50 year age. They certainly don't make vehicles to be as durable and dependable as this like back in the day. It appears the clock doesn't seem to be working which is a shame, although most electric clocks tend to fail in the older cars. I also noticed the fuel gauge going up and down depending on which direction you were turning. The older cars didn't have gauge stabilisers when the fuel in the tank sloshes around. Be very proud of this vehicle. It is a pure gem for a 50 year old!
*Neighbor two doors down had a 72 with the same trim and engine but a light metallic green interior and exterior, very stylish car and seemed to be very reliable for them over the years too.*
Your cars are amazing. I really have been enjoying watching all your videos the last 8 months.
Beautiful Monte. And the best year for them if I may say. The first generation Monte is arguably the nicest Chevy design ever. So refreshing to see one with whitewalls, wheel covers, and fender skirts. So many of them have been changed over to Rally wheels and white letter tires- yuk!
Great car, I own his cousin Pontiac Luxury Lemans 1972 with same engine/trans since 1995, still a pleasure to drive!
Awesome Monte Carlo, Adam. I had to laugh when you mentioned being nervous of other drivers in such a low mileage and irreplaceable classic. Having driven around Detroit, I’d be much more worried about the road conditions… particularly the heaving concrete at the expansion joints. Shops that replace struts and do alignments there must be busy! 😉 Cheers, John 👍👍👍
Our roads are pretty nasty. I wouldn't even try and do a restomod with huge wheels and rubber bands for tires up here. But then I'm 62 and love these for as they were.
The most astonishing design element with this era of cars is the excess size did not equate to interior room!
The early to mid 1970s was the peak of inefficient U.S. auto design. I recall auto review magazines and used car books in the late '70s mentioning this - the new downsized models in '77 and '78 always getting high marks for much more efficient (higher) interior/exterior ratios. But as a kid back then I found it just meant we got uglier (boxier) cars as part of the deal. They managed to impose ever-stricter safety and emissions regulations starting in the early '70s, not always with great results when it came to operation of these good-looking cars! Fuel efficiency and safety have dictated design ever since.
While I never owned one, I had a few friends that did and they always impressed me. One in particular, a 72 402 powered car with posi and 3:23's out back comes to mind. Living in Minnesota, the car was on the lake every winter taking him to his favorite ice fishing spot. It was a beast in deep snow and would drag it's gas tank leaving a pretty distinctive set of tracks. We're all spoiled with AWD and FWD now, but for the younger generation who never experienced RWD.... many of them were quite a bit better than one would think.
A friend of mine when I was in the Navy had one of these. It was a later model with the rectangular over under headlights.
Black on black
My dad used to love those Monte Carlos. He tried to buy one once but couldn't make a deal. He always said they look like a baby Cadillac
Your dad was astute - it was the taillights.
Wow. I love that car, my neighbor had a gold one just like that when I was a kid.
takes me back to '71 when a neighbor was the first in town to own a Monte - very similar tours same color in and out with 350 2b. It was a mover that was known as the "poor man's Eldo", but I thought of it as more of a wise guy's Chevelle.
A friend had a 1970 Monte Carlo, 402 four speed, triple black, not an SS, really nice lower mileage very rare car. He sold it for the concern you mentioned, he couldn’t enjoy driving it anymore for worry about damage from other drivers.
Just a perfect ride.
I've always had a soft spot for the Chevy Monte Carlo. My sister's first car, used, was either a 73 or 74 Monte Carlo. Fun to drive. To this day I love the instrument style and layout. Her's was a cream color with a black naugahide ( faux leather ) interior. She loved that car and kept it for years.
70 threw 72 I would want one truly fully equipped then you know you have arrived your at the high end of the Chevy Spectrum Monte Carlo is a personal luxury coupe your a cut above Caprice.
Adam you’ve kept the magic I used to feel driving these cars.
Years ago I tried selling cars. I was at a Chrysler dealership and we had to attend a seminar on the new RAM. The guy hosting it was also the star of a video exposing the greater benefits of the RAM over the Silverado. A few months later I had moved to a Chevy dealer and was attending a similar seminar. Sure enough the same guy was now telling us the benefits of the Silverado over the RAM.
Hi Adam, awesome '72 Monte Carlo. I love the fact that it has the fender skirts. Beautiful and luxurious. Thanks for sharing!
This a Great Story of what the customer wanted
OMG I am in love! Beautiful car and one of my all time favorite models from GM. Thanks for sharing.
It looks like a baby Eldorado, which is exactly what GM was going for.
I saw the Eldorado in it also! In the lines of the rear quarter sheet metal. And the fender skirts!
I also saw a bit of Grand Prix.
And from the rear, Oldsmobile.
This is a really special car. The styling elements are so subtle, yet the overall look is quite substantial. A less is more kind of thing.
Thanks for the flashback to my long-departed '72 Chevelle, with the exact same 350-2V and Turbo 350. The sounds, the effortless torque, and quick/tight steering all come back to me now, and it was so reliable too. People today don't know how nice some of the American cars of this era were to drive, including those with the small block Chevy 350, and the 327 that preceded it.
OMG that is an amazing car and I remember that my uncle had one and drove it till the last wheel fell off. I remember that he loved it too much and was very passionate about owning his car. This brings back so many memories and you are a very lucky man to own that one.
I had a 1973 model with 350 4 barrel and A/C but otherwise it was a base model because it was an ugly color of pea-ish green. I inherited it from my grandmother who knew the salesman and the dealership couldn't move it before the end of the month. So my Grandma got a great deal on a great car. I have to be honest and say I liked the gorgeous exaggerated fender design in 1973. I believe I read somewhere that the fenders were a John DeLorean design?
The doors seemed to weigh 500+ pounds each. While putting on chains for the second time that day in Northern CA. I noticed that the door blocked the freezing wind so I left it open. While bent over with my head down below the door latch panel securing the left rear chain. The wind blew that heavy door and smashed my head. Hard. I'm lucky I didn't get knocked out and frozen to death. If you find a low milage 1973, that you don't want, let me know. LOL.
I put a lot of freeway miles, mostly I-5 and I-10, on it as my folks lived in Medford, Oregon and I went to med school in LA and then to San Antonio for residency. I nervously took my best friends gorgeous sister on a date in ~ 1982. Not great judgement but I still remember driving a mile or two in the car and she blurted out. Wow, this car rides great. And it did.
It broke a valve spring that I fixed myself. And a thermostat went out. It's amazing that fixing the thermostat was removing two easily accessible bolts after walking a couple of miles to K-Mart for a new t-stat and gasket. Try that on any modern car...like a BMW. Thanks for showing us the beautiful 1972 Monte Carlo. The Blue is nice.
K Mart? You probably could've picked up some yellow Accel spark plug wires and a chrome air filter and maybe some chrome valve covers while you were there. I never did see Cragar wheels for sale in K Mart though, at least not where I grew up.
@@DanEBoyd It was the closest store so we took a shot. It goes to show you how ubiquitous the Chevy Small Block was back then that, in 1983, K-Mart carried T-stats for them.
I was in school and broke so no chrome or Cragars for me.
A friend of mine had an early BMW, 1970 2002(?), and asked me if I could help him change his thermostat. It was this bizarre contraption that took us all day. I guess that since it gets cold in Germany, this thing would open up to the inside heater very early before anything went to the radiator. Complex hose routing, etc. This was just after I did my Monte Carlo that was so cheap, simple and easy to change.
I am a Ford guy since High School but the Monte Carlo was a great car.
What a beautiful 72 I have a 85 with the same color my parents had a 72 and my auntie still has her blue two toned 72 my dream car is a 72 such a nice body!
Wow, what a time capsule! Beautiful car Adam.