I really didn’t mean to write up two Monte Cristos this week. It just happened. It’s all Jason Bagge’s fault.
Many of you are likely familiar with Jason, as I’ve posted many of his finds and refurbishments both here and on Riverside Green in the past. Well just a few days ago he found this car, a Landau, with swivel buckets and center console with floor shift.
Oh, and the extremely uncommon Power Sky Roof.
As he related on Tuesday: “Welp. Cruising season is upon us shortly-and I need to work on the 454 Caprice. This rust free 1976 Monte Carlo Landau with a floor shifter, power windows, swivel buckets and a CA1 skyroof popped up 30 minutes ago. 400 small block. I bought it. For 2500 bucks-I wasn't gonna let this slip by. She runs and sounds good too. Totally stock and untouched.”
It was up in Potlatch, Idaho, so he initially wasn’t sure when he’d get it out to home base in Spokane. But lo and behold, yesterday he posted that she had arrived.
“Damn. Those guys in Potlatch decided to drop off the Monte just now. I didn't have to go get it. This thing is sick. Sunroof works, windows work, runs and sounds good, brakes are good, lights work, gas gauge works-headed to get some gas for it now and then probably begin the cleaning process.”
“No rust either. This car is gonna be pretty fun. I was looking for the column shifter and forgot it's on the floor. 2500 bucks? Are you kidding me? I just scored.”
This seems a much better deal than the base Monte I posted on Sunday. Sure, it was pristine but it was also freaking thirty five grand.
And what do you do with a car like that? Every mile it loses value. And you’ll drive yourself crazy every time you drive it, worrying it will get scratched, dented, or taken out by a runaway dump truck.
Whereas this car is ready to hop in, drive and enjoy. And it’s…er, seasoned, so you can drive it painlessly to the grocery store or Walmart and not worry about anything happening to it. Heck, an extra door ding will just give it more character!
And it has the 400 V8, a sun roof, and those awesome swiveling buckets with the center console. All in all, not a bad cruiser for this spring and summer!
And make no mistake: Jason will be performing his magic on it and it will be looking even better in no time! I’ll keep you all posted.
Lynn agrees with Erik, a high option car like this deserves a re-spray and NOT with a rattle can….
A third Monte Carlo wouldn’t bother me, keep them coming!
That’s a brave man opening the sunroof. More photos please, once Jason cleans this one up.