Marks71

When I did my first Monte, I used 1/8 Masonite and covered it with the same vinyl as the seats. I also did a vinyl covered 5/16x3/4 strip that butt up against the upper seat back. I think if you go with the stained wood, you may be surprised how fast the sun bleaches all the color out of it.

Lots of photos was a good thing. Would definitely need to see it, mainly due to the bubbling paint. Could be a high dollar fix, which is too bad because the rest of it looks to be really nice. Are those bumper guards in the right location? But its rarity could help it offset these issues. I’m familiar with the area. You might want to hire Glen and Mongo as chaperones.

Welcome Ben, keep us posted on your build.

Really like the color combo. I like the contrasting color of the dash pad too. Don’t think I’ve seen that before. Well optioned car.

Congratulations Jim on purchasing one of the nicest Monte’s out there. Welcome to the club.

Definitely seen that before. Who could forget all that stuff hanging from the dash.

Welcome , Jim, Scott and Greg, glad you joined.

Welcome Branden. Thanks for the photos. Keep us updated.

Nice one. Aside from the headliner and some minor details, it doesn’t appear to need much of anything. The front seat upholstery works well with the interior. Anyone who is not familiar with these cars would never know.

Welcome to the site Houston. Looking forward to seeing some photos. Hope you join in as a member.

There are tools for pressing out the old and pressing in the new bushings. Got mine on Amazon. Energy Suspension brand.

Not sure if you saw the video on it. The video is pretty telling.

Watched the video and there’s too much going on with that one for me. With all the other issues, the fact it needs paint and most likely rust repair, puts it over the edge in my opinion. I’ve seen a few of their videos and they are all up front with any issues, but in my experience, most of the time when water is getting in the trunk from the rear window, it’s more than just a sealing issue.

Before I got my first car, a 71 Monte, I would use my parents 68 Impala. That trunk would hold 3, but any more than 2 and it was quite obvious there was something in there. Would park in the back row to unload. Never got busted.

Nothing within about 80 miles from me. California is #5 for functioning drive ins. Which makes sense. After all we have the weather for them. There is still only 15 in the entire state though, down from 220 at the peak. Increasing property values pretty much killed them. In my old stomping grounds we had around 9 within less than a 20 mile radius. After the speakers went away there was just a wire with a small pad that clipped on the antenna mast. For those of us that had the antenna in the windshield there was a tab attached to the wire that slipped under the windshield trim that would let that same pad rest on the windshield. Of course you had to have a working radio.

Was unaware, I’m definitely passing this along. Thanks Joe

The old saying of “what goes around comes around” can also be a good thing.

Has the look of a GN. I agree with Joe on the trim. The grill too. Needs a bit of attention underneath also. But even they refer to it as a fixer upper, which seemed a bit unfair. But maybe there’s a little more to the dark photos than meets the eye. More Armorall!

Aaron, is that a teardrop I see on the windshield? Someone is sure getting a beautiful car.

Welcome Doni. Beautiful car. Wasn’t aware the 4 speed was available for 72.

It has some nice curb appeal. That being said, the vinyl top is failing along the trim in the trunk area. Someone’s idea of a custom touch by putting the Limited plate and crest on the quarters does not work. No heater hoses. Bad core? The freshly painted engine (missing the flywheel cover) makes those headers look even worse. But for 17.5k, (if it’s not a flood car) I guess those types of issues could be expected.

Welcome Bruce, good luck on your search.

Good looking car. The interior has the controls for AC. Don’t see any signs of it having a compressor on the inner fender. Could have been replaced though. I’d be surprised if it was an SS.

Glad you were able to post some photos Bob. No worries about what stage your Monte is in. Most of us have been there, either with our Montes or another model. Just keep plugging along and you’ll get there. This is the point when being a member is most valuable. There is a whole heck of a lot of info here to help you along.

Welcome to the club Pat. I think you’ll find it quite helpful.