Monte Carlo goes through overhaul

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This article was published 23/06/2023 (1195 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

She likes a vehicle that looks slick, clean and is a bit aggressive on the road, so when 21-year-old Sam came across a used Monte Carlo in Brandon that needed a little love and attention — she knew she had to have it.

“I was actually looking at a different vehicle, and this one had just come in that day and was up on the lift. So, even before they brought out the car I was originally going to buy, one look at the Monte Carlo and I said, ‘I’m getting that one,’” said Sam, who goes by her one name. “I always have,” she added.

That was six years ago when the restoration started on her two-door 2002 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Dale Earnhardt edition, which is a rare vehicle, since only a limited number were ever produced.

Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a seven-time NASCAR Cup racing champion, known as the fearless “Intimidator” who died in a crash on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 at the wheel of his Monte Carlo.

The Earnhardt edition was black with a red perimeter racing stripe, silver metallic ground effects and Earnhardt’s signature, along with his famous No. 3 stylized in a racing graphic.

“These cars aren’t as popular here as they are in the United States, and that’s because of NASCAR,” said Sam. “This is one of 3,333 that was manufactured, but when I bought it, I decided to completely flip it.”

Sam started with an overall paint job including the skirts, which are the panels on each side of the car just beneath the driver and passenger doors designed to increase aerodynamic performance.

A new sunroof was installed, as was the headliner — that’s the material covering the ceiling of a vehicle — which was changed from tan to black.

Completely rusted out were the rocker panels and the quarter panels, which had to be rebuilt, said Sam, who had help with most of the major undertaking from her friend Alistair, who does bodywork in the automotive industry.

Rocker panels are crucial when it comes to vehicle safety, providing structural reinforcement to the cabin of the vehicle. And the two quarter panels that are between the rear doors and the trunk, wrap around the wheel well.

In perfect working order in the Monte Carlo were the power windows, mirrors, locks, tilt steering, cruise, air conditioning, heated seats, integrated garage door opener and power driver and passenger seats.

There were many doubters in Sam’s life when she first bought the Monte Carlo who pointed out that it wouldn’t be worth the investment because of the low “book value,” which is how a car is valued based on year, make, model, condition and mileage.

“People would say don’t do it, don’t do it. But now when they see the car, I hear, ‘Oh wow, I can’t believe you actually did it, it looks amazing,’” Sam said.

“Even at red lights, people will pull up and roll down their window to ask me what year it is — and where I got it. The best was the first day I had it on the road after the fresh paint job — I had three different people come up and ask about it.”

Sam has another Monte Carlo, a 2003 model with its Victory Red factory paint job, a 1991 white GMC Sierra and a Honda motorcycle.

When Sam is not working on her own vehicles, she’s at her full-time job as a polisher for SSZC Custom Detailing in the Wheat City. She polishes semi-trucks — removing clear coat damage like scratches and swirl marks and does repairs on vehicles for Manitoba Public Insurance.

She has always been around cars and trucks, she said, and added that her dad is a heavy-duty mechanic who has a love of fixing them up.

“I grew up with lots of guys in my life, and I never really liked girly stuff,” Sam said. “I was always, ‘Oh look, a vehicle,’ rather than, ‘Oh look, a Barbie.’ Or, going shopping, instead of buying a Barbie, I’m buying a Hot Wheels car. Plus, I have a younger brother who is also very into vehicles, so we kind of just feed off one another.”

There are still a few fixes and adjustments to come, Sam said. Due to a factory default, the brand-new headlights on the passenger side need to be returned and replaced, but she said she’s happy with the performance of the V-6 engine.

“We just hit 230,000 kilometres … And since I don’t have too, too many kilometres on there yet, I’m going to wait until I hit at least 300,000, before I rebuild the engine.”

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @enviromichele