In early 1963, Pontiac marketing revolved around performance, much of that derived from the brand’s participation and support of NASCAR and NHRA competition. That involvement was in direct controversion to the Automobile Manufacturers of America agreement to suspend motorsports activities after the horrific 1955 LeMans crash that took 83 lives and injured 180. Despite this, most, if not all, American car manufacturers had continued to support privateer racers through backdoor efforts. GM issued an edict in 1963 that these clandestine efforts would cease immediately. Pontiac would have to find another way to generate excitement with the youth market. Enter the Pontiac GTO.
The Pontiac GTO is often cited as the first real muscle car. Legendary Pontiac leaders John Z. DeLorean, Russ Gee, and Bill Collins conceived a factory hot rod using the mid-sized Pontiac Tempest. By swapping the Tempest’s 326 cubic-inch V8 with the considerably more powerful 389 from the full-size Catalina, and adding a host of other go-fast goodies, they could make an affordable and potent performer. There was a hurdle, though. GM had a decree that engines in excess of 330 cubic inches could not be installed in mid-size passenger cars. Pontiac got around this by saying the rule did not apply to engines offered as options. The trio approached former Pontiac president and soon-to-be GM Vice President Pete Estes to sign off on the idea, and an initial run of 5,000 cars was slated. The new Tempest option package would be called the Pontiac GTO, lifting the name directly from the famous racing Ferrari 250 GTO.
To say the Pontiac GTO was well received would be a bit of an understatement. The initial run of cars was to be 5,000 units. By the end of the 1964 model year, 32,450 GTOs had left the factory. That more than doubled for 1965, to 75,342 GTOs rolling out of dealerships.
In 1966, the Pontiac GTO became its own model. 1968 brought the second-generation GTO with a full redesign. It was slightly smaller, with a lower height, overall length, and a shortened wheelbase. Headlights were horizontally oriented, and the chrome front bumper was replaced by the Endura body-color painted flexible impact bumper. The redesign would last until 1972.
The 1972 Pontiac GTO would no longer be a separate model, but reverted to a $353.88 trim package for the Pontiac LeMans and LeMans Sport coupes. The base engine for the ’72 GTO was the Ram Air 400 (previously known as the Ram Air III) rated at 250 net horsepower. Optional 455 cubic-inch engines were available, with the base 455 rated at the same horsepower as the 400, but with far more torque. The 455HO was rated at 300 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. Production had peaked in 1966 with 96,946 Goats rolling off the production line, but remained strong until 1970. By 1972, sales had slipped to just over 5,800 units.
Our feature 1972 Pontiac GTO convertible is resplendent in Lucerne Blue with white GTO stripes over a brilliant white vinyl interior and a white vinyl convertible top. It has had a major power upgrade in the form of an LS 5.7-liter V8 producing 350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, sourced from a much newer Holden Monaro-based 2004 GTO. There is a custom Ram Air intake for the LS, and it is backed by a 4L60E four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. This lovingly restored GTO is equipped with a rear spoiler, hood-mounted tachometer, re-chromed rear bumper, power disc brakes, air conditioning, power windows, tilt formula steering wheel, aftermarket Bluetooth stereo, and aftermarket under-dash gauges.
This handsome and potent 1972 Pontiac GTO convertible is currently for sale at Volo Auto Sales for $82,998.
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Comments
Do not know exact but tend to prefer this instead of Cadillac Celestiq
Worthless with out the original Pontiac engine.
It’s worth more this way. The classic car market has changed to cars that can be driven safely and efficiently with lots of dependable power.
Not worthless, but would have been nice to have original Pontiac engine.. esp now that can rebuild with forged parts. I’ve got a ’69 Grand Prix that someone stuck an aluminum head, hi-perf Chevy 383.. problem is the AC plenum won’t fit, but I don’t care. I’ve got three other 60s Pontiacs that are ‘all Pontiac’.
My dad was a Poncho man and he would agree
Shame
I disagree, , numbers matching is overrated, All that means is “It’s an old car” ! With the powertrain upgrade it is now a “restomod” which provides Modern Technology. Much better than as built in 1972, 50 YEARS AGO. If you plan on driving it rather than just looking at it, this is a smart buy!
Is a personal choice as to how much it’s worth. I’d rather pay big money for an original condition car than one that’s been frame-off restored – both can bring a bundle. But fixing up these muscle cars with better engines, overdrive transmissions, better suspension/brakes, etc adds to driveability and longevity. This one also has a cut dashboard.. not a big deal with a plastic bezel, but former owner did it to my ’67 Grand Prix metal “dash-wrapping” bezel to install a CD player.. .is okay for me, but will see if a buyer cares (will be selling it).
BEAUTIFUL ride, but I don’t understand why people feel a need to put those whale-tail spoilers on ’68-’72 GTOs – I think was stock only on a Judge. Is like putting a Continental tail on various 50s cars.
This is probably a Lemans Sport with GTO endura nose option. Pontiac never built a convertible GTO in 1972 and technically 3 were built and it is not likely this one is one of the 3.
TOM is 100% correct NO convertible GTOs ever made in 1972. This is a rebadged LeMans
Tom is definitely correct. still it’s a very beautiful Lemans Sport, or Lemans GT convertible, but not a GTO.
I did not know this.. thanks for the info.
Ain’t no way I’d give anybody 83,000 for a Chevy motor. Now if it had the original Pontiac motor yes it’s probably worth that but since it’s been butched it ain’t worth crap
Reading these comments I don’t think some people get the hot rod and custom hobby/industry.
Wonder what they’d think about the guy who converted a ’68 Mustang to electric drive train.
“The story of an all-electric, record-shattering ’68 Mustang” on youtube.
‘We took the Monster to the grand opening of the San Antonio Speedway last night and set a number of new personal records. We now have a 0-60 time of 1.91 seconds and ran the 1/4 in 10.24 at 140MPH.’
Pontiac DID NOT officially offer the GTO option as a convertible in 1972. Brett: did you bother to look up the phs documentation or even ask the seller as to whether it was a tribute , or lemans rebadged as a GTO??
GM authority has lost credibility with this article .
What you could fo is order a T37 convertible and get the GTO trim package the title should say T37 or lemans
Why people do this to a classic is sickening,you just depreciated a gem by swapping the engine stupid
So, there was at one point believed to have been one 72 GTO convertible, but now that is believed to have been wrong. There were none. Had this been a real GTO, it would have been worth more with a Pontiac engine. Even Pro Touring. Especially since the LS that was installed was such a mundane one. It isn’t about “better” or hot rodding, it is about what people who actually are willing to spend the money will spend it on. LS guys will buy a Buick, Chevelle, Olds…..whatever. That increases supply. Pontiac guys will only entertain Pontiacs.
Kinda hard to believe since the last GTO convert’s were built in 1971…..
Since it is a custom Pontiac, shoild have shoved a 455 mill into the engine bay; and that’s my 10 cent opinion!
Definitely sounds like false advertising. Buyer beware.
I can’t even begin to express my sadness at this engine situation.
Mayne if it was just a LeMans but not a GTO