Pontiac didn't make a GTO Convertible in 1972... or did they?

The GTO started life as an option package on the 1964 Pontiac Tempest. By the following year, the GTO was its own model, separate from the Tempest. However, in 1972, the GTO went back to being an option package rather than a separate model line. In the meantime, the Le Mans had replaced the Tempest in Pontiac's line-up. So for 1972-73, the GTO was an option package on the Le Mans.

In 1972, the GTO option was only offered on the hardtop Le Mans - there was no 1972 GTO Convertible. However, one could order the 1972 Le Mans Sport Convertible with any of the three GTO engines and the "Endura" option. This was the name Pontiac has given to its new plastic collision-resistant bumper that was introduced on the 1968 GTO. Its unique look defined the GTO style for many years. On the 1972 model year, the Endura option gave the Le Mans the GTO front bumper, hood, and body moldings; and deleted all of the "Le Mans" badging. Making it what many people call the "GTO in all but name."

The Good

This is a one-owner car. It comes with exceptional provenance including the original window sticker, owner's manual, dealer's invoice, option sheet, etc. (see photos).
Even though it is currently in New Hampshire, this is a California car. It was originally purchased there and spent the majority of it's life there. As a result, there are no major rust problems.
When the original mufflers were replaced some time ago, they were replaced with dual Cherry Bombs. Other than that one item, this car is 100% original. No other aftermarket parts, tweaks, or modifications of any kind. You could not ask for a better platform for a restoration project.
The 1972 Le Mans Sport Convertible with the Endura option is somewhere between rare and very rare. Pontiac only made 3,438 Le Mans convertibles in total that year. It is not clear how many were ordered with the Endura option, but it is definitely less than a couple hundred and could be as few as 20 to 30. How many of those are still on the road? Not very many!
While this car is being sold mainly as restoration project, it is a completely road-worthy, running, and licensed car right now. You could have great fun driving it just as it is.

The Bad

This is not a museum piece - it has been driven for nearly 40 years and shows it in some areas:
There is some surface rust. Nothing major, and all areas that are classic problems for this car, like the corners of the trunk and trunk lid, are near perfect (see photos).
There is some chipping of the paint near the front bumper and peeling of the clear coat in spots.
The upholstery has several tears and worn spots.
The transmission leaks. Most likely the rear seal needs replacement. The leak is not excessive and regular topping off with fluid takes care of it.

The Ugly

The convertible top needs replacement. The mechanism is still good, it goes up and down electrically with no problems, but the vinyl is torn and the rear window (which is actually glass on this car) is entirely missing.

Auto Services in New Hampshire

Tisdell Transmission ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Auto Transmission

Address: 27 Ash St, East-Derry

Phone: (603) 432-3201

Precision Towing & Recovery ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Towing

Address: Meredith

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Mike`s Mast Rd Auto Inc ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service

Address: 208 Mast Rd, New-Boston

Phone: (603) 497-2200

Karstoks Automotive ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Consultants

Address: 21 Londonderry Tpke, Hooksett

Phone: (603) 836-5077

Jim`s Alignment Service ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Wheels-Aligning & Balancing

Address: 594 Main St, Sanbornville

Phone: (207) 324-4448

Greater Lowell Buick ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, New Car Dealers

Address: 733 Rogers St, Nashua

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Auto blog

Why Pontiac should come back and how it can be relevant again

Mon, Apr 17 2017

When I was a kid growing up in Metro Detroit, our family was always entwined in the General Motors empire. My dad and some of our relatives worked for GM in various capacities, and we had our fair share of Chevrolet, GMC, and even Buick products in our humble driveway. However, it was my Uncle Ed that always had a vehicle from the one GM brand that always appealed to me the most: Pontiac. Seeing him pull up in his Pontiac 6000 and later the '90s era Grand Prix sedan that replaced it was always an exciting occasion, and both of these models also reflected the playful spirit that once defined the Pontiac brand. Back when Pontiac first got its performance groove on in the '60s, names such as GTO, Firebird, as well as Bonneville became iconic nameplates in the broader muscle car era. The '80s saw Pontiac lose some of its styling heritage, but also try new things at the same time including turbocharging as well as the mid-engine sports car with the flawed but still sleek Pontiac Fiero. When the Pontiac brand was shuttered in 2009, it was a mere few years after I earned my drivers license, and also when Pontiac was just beginning to regain some of its lost luster. Granted cookie cutter efforts like the Pontiac G3, (Chevrolet Aveo) G5, (Chevrolet Cobalt) and G6 (Chevrolet Malibu) certainly did not help matters during Pontiac's final years on the market, but two models in particular offered a compelling glimpse into what could've been for the storied brand. The first was the Pontiac Solstice roadster/coupe. Originally introduced as a concept back in 2004, and championed by everyone's fighter jet flying auto executive Bob Lutz, the Solstice was designed to be a serious competitor to the Mazda Miata, and while its interior ergonomics were flawed and the top solution not ideal. It proved to be a fun little car to drive, and also a sales success for Pontiac with initial demand exceeding expectations.This was especially due to its lineup of engines with the 2.0 liter LHU turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 260 horsepower in GXP variants. The second and (inarguably my favorite Pontiac model) was the Pontiac G8 sedan. Originating in Australia as the Holden Commodore VE, the G8 was designed to rectify the multitude of sins created by the last generation Bonneville. Front wheel drive was pitched in favor of rear wheel drive, and for the first time in a long time interior ergonomics and cladding free exterior styling were key building blocks for success.

Wanted: 1967 Pontiac GTO for a special Father's Day

Thu, 07 Jun 2012

Jim Sharp of Elkhorn, Wisconsin needs a red 1967 Pontiac GTO to make his dad's Father's Day, possibly his last one, something extra special.
Back in the '60s, Jim's dad, Ken, drove a cherry red 1967 GTO to California for a job. He met a girl, got married and decided his wife's 1965 Ford Mustang was more fuel efficient than the Goat and the GTO was sold. As the story almost always goes, Ken has had seller's regret ever since.
Jim always meant to find a 1967 GTO and, with his dad's help, restore it. But life got in the way, time slipped by and Ken was recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer and given about three months to live.

GM recalling 8.4M cars, 8.2M related to ignition problems

Mon, 30 Jun 2014

General Motors today announced a truly massive recall covering some 8.4 million vehicles in North America. Most significantly, 8.2 million examples of the affected vehicles are being called back due to "unintended ignition key rotation," though GM spokesperson Alan Adler tells Autoblog that this issue is not like the infamous Chevy Cobalt ignition switch fiasco.
For the sake of perspective, translated to US population, this total recall figure would equal a car for each resident of New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Montana, Delaware, South Dakota, Alaska, North Dakota, the District of Columbia, Vermont and Wyoming. Combined. Here's how it all breaks down:
7,610,862 vehicles in North America being recalled for unintended ignition key rotation. 6,805,679 are in the United States.

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