By Randy Wades
In a previous Daily Driver article, we talked to our lead writer, Nathan Bagster, about his current daily driver, the Subaru Beatrice. We discussed the overall feel for the vehicle and his plans for future handling modifications. This time around though, we change gears into our first (Not So) Running Projects segment, where I was able to sit down and discuss his pride and joy; the 1978 Monte Carlo, Charlie.
Bagster came across the car in a Craigslist ad back in 2012, a year after graduating high school. The original asking price was $2500 but had been quickly dropping since it had been listed. By the time he had seen it, the price had dropped to $1500.
“I had an idea of what I wanted to buy, I was looking for something that was classic eighties, but not a Camaro. I was picturing a maroon Monte Carlo with the hood bra. I just thought they were rad,” He said, “Then I saw this car online.” He explained that he had a pension for G-body cars, the platform name for a series of GM models that ruled the late ‘70s and well into the ‘80s. “I had owned a number of Cutlass’, and at the time, a Regal, so it was only natural I found something that fits so well in my wheelhouse.”
platform's
For those who don’t know, the G-body chassis began in 1978 as the midsize sedan at the time. The platform spanned a number of models, Monte Carlo, Malibu, Cutlass, Grand Prix, El Camino, and Regals. They sported a body-on-frame build, with independent rear suspension, until the platforms discontinuation in 1988.
An odd bit of trivia for you is that the ’78 to ’81 models are actually considered to be A-bodies, and were renamed G-bodies after the A-body platform was shifted to a front-wheel configuration in 1982. Because of this, any of the models made between those three years are considered ‘honorary’ G-bodies by the community.
Looking Things Over
“When we got there, the car was pretty clearly not a masterpiece.” Bagster then talked about how the car had no interior beyond the dashboard, steering wheel, and a set of cheap racing seats that were precariously attached to the floorboard.
“It was pretty empty, and poking my head around, I found some welded square cuts in the floor pan and trunk pan that screamed roll cage. It led me to believe, the body at least, had once been part of a drag car, and the guy, before the current owner, had thrown it together to sell.” He then went on to describe what the big draw of the car was to him.
“On the floor, there was a Hurst Ratchet shifter. And for someone who was looking to buy a muscle car to beat on, I was basically sold there. But you open the hood and there’s this mammoth V8 staring at you.” Bagster then said the seller hadn’t put any information in the ad other than the combination of ‘V8’. “I was pumped, I expected a small block Chevy, but I was wrong,” He then went on to say the seller was told it was a Pontiac 400, but wasn’t sure.
Bagster then made a quick Google search and determined that it was indeed the engine.
In the history of big V8 engines, one of the biggest names belongs to the ‘Poncho’ 400, the kid brother of the Pontiac 455. Known for its low-end torque, the specifications of this Pontiac engine lead it to be considered a small block and have been heavily sought after by Pontiac racers since its inception in 1967. The engine line ran for 11 years, until its retirement in 1978, and has since gained a cult following among Pontiac gearheads. Most notably known for its original run in the GTOs of the time, this engine also made the Trans-Am a star in the late ‘70s with its role in ‘Smokey And The Bandit’.
“Needless to say, I was sold right there,” Bagster said, he then emulated how the negotiation tactics between his cousin and him, brought the price down to just over half – for a whopping $750. “The guy really needed it gone, he lived in a small trailer park, and just had a baby, so cash was tight and the neighbors were pissed.”
After throwing the cash into the seller’s hand, he left in a cloud of smoke and rubber and never looked back.
What’s In A Name?
Bagster then went on to describe some of the issues with the car over the years; The rat’s nest of wiring under the dashboard that he had to sort out, loose torque converter bolts, and plenty of other rigged-together repairs. “From the time I got it, to about the four-month mark, if the car was run longer than a quick drive to Keene and then shut off, it wouldn’t start back up until it cooled down. It was driving me nuts.”
He went on to explain the problem had been a mess of wiring don’ts that would make an electrician cry, “The positive lead from the battery to the starter was also spliced into three or four other leads, one of which led to the Distributor. Where they all connected, it was balled into a mass of electrical tape and corroded ends. Including a wire that went to nothing in the cowl. I ended up having to rip it all out and start from scratch.”
A few more horror stories later and Bagster was telling me about some of the good times that he had in the car over the years. From bombing around fields late at night to taking a BMW off the line at one point, it was clear that his love of the car was pretty deep. That led to the reasoning for the name ‘Charlie’.
“I thought it was a cool name for a sleek, powerful car that had a huge heart. You see girls on TV named Charlie and they’re usually tough and quick, so I just thought it fitting, much like everything else with the car. I just fit me perfectly.”
Then I asked the big question; Why was it sitting?
Getting Put On The Backburner
“It’s a bit complicated,” he said, “In early 2017, I was thinking about pulling the engine and giving it a rebuild. I had checked a few of the cylinders through a scope and they were marred up. Then not a week later, on my way home, it backfired and started blowing smoke out of the right tailpipe.” He explained that fearing any further damage, he parked the car for the rest of the winter, with plans to pull the engine once the weather warmed up.
“Unfortunately, I never had the chance. At the time I was dealing with some mental health issues and got into a pretty bad car accident, which resulted in my license being taken away. After recovering, I took on three jobs to pay bills and ended up moving into an apartment in Keene, while the car was stashed away in Swanzey.” He went on to explain that while he was figuring out life, being a father, and trying to get back on his feet, there just wasn’t the time or the ability to work on it.
“So then, when I was getting to a point where I could get my license back and be able to get to it, Covid hit and the world was shut down. This basically killed any movement from the DMV and I was put at a standstill. Until now, I’ve got my license back and I’m already putting stuff into motion to get the old girl back up and running.”
The Current State Of Things
“At this point, I’ve had my hands on every part of this car, short of inside the engine. And with the weather warming up, I’m looking to change that,” Bagster stated when asked about his future plans for the car. He went on to explain that he has a donor car (pictured, white) and he plans to rebuild the Monte Carlo from the frame up.
He described his summer plans; Tear the 400 out, lift the body off the frame to start working on the sheet metal – replacing the driver’s floor pan, both rocker panels, and fixing the driver’s rear quarter panel. He also would like to find out what went wrong with the 400, “I want to tear into the engine and see what failed, then figure out if it’s worth rebuilding or selling and finding something else to throw in there.”
There was mention of a possible hybrid engine, between a 350 block he’s been holding onto and the 305 from the white car. “Maybe I’ll try my hand at doing the old-school mods, like throwing those heads on the bigger engine block. Who knows.”
Whatever he decides to do, you can be sure this is a project that we will be following closely, as I hope to do a Built Not Bought article on it one day!
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