A barn find is usually a classic car that has been rediscovered after being stored. But things are as simple as they sound. While some barn finds emerge into the light as salvageable cars, others are discovered in derelict condition, often ruined beyond repair. But regardless of that, barn finds are decidedly cool, especially if you're a fan of classic cars. And this 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo is no exception.
Stored in a dirty barn for about 20 years, this 1970s muscle coupe came out of its resting place in a rather poor condition. I wish I could say it's covered in dust, but the layer is so thick that you can't see through the windows. "Dirt" is a better word there. On top of that, it's missing the gearbox.
But despite sitting for so long, the Monte Carlo comes back to life with a new battery. Sure, the 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) V8 isn't running as smooth as it used to back in the day, but it fires up, and that's good news for whoever will want to restore this ride. And the guys over at YouTube's "IowaClassicCar" say that the Monte Carlo was sold with a 454-cubic-inch (along with a Turbo 400 transmission) too, so there's a lot of hot-rodding potential to be explored.
But you can't really assess a dirty barn find, so the Monte Carlo gets a much-deserved bath. And under that thick layer of dirt lies a surprisingly decent body. This car has been repaired in the past, but it's still amazing that the fenders and side skirts don't show significant signs of rust.
And all those brown patches you see might actually be the coupe's original paint. This Monte Carlo was originally finished in copper and someone repainted it black at some point. And the combination resulted in a cool patina that I wouldn't mind having on a classic muscle car. All told, this Chevy doesn't even need a new coat of paint. It has "rat rod" written all over it.
As a brief reminder, the Monte Carlo debuted in 1970 as a premium alternative to Chevy coupes like the Chevelle and Malibu. It was the brand's first vehicle marketed as a "personal luxury car." The nameplate remained in production until 1987 (it was then revived from 1994 to 2007), but none of the generations that followed were as cool as the original Monte Carlo.
Of course, the fact that the first-gen coupe was introduced right before the demise of the muscle car also played a key role. Chevrolet sold it with a range of Turbo-Fire V8 engines, ranging from the entry-level 350 to the range-topping, 454-cubic-inch (7.4-liter). The latter was good for a healthy 365 horsepower in 1971.
But that's enough history for one day, hit the play button below to see this 1972 Monte Carlo fire up and get a bath for the first time in decades.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
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