Hi, new to this site and the hobby. I am currently restoring a 1972 pontiac luxury lemans, it came with the chevrolet 350 cid 2v engine, vin H and was factory painted wild forest green. What I am after is, how rare do you experts think my car is, I am the second owner and It has been in the london area since 72. Thanks for any info on my particular vehicle.
In 1971, the Tempest nameplate was completely retired and Pontiac promoted the LeMans nameplate to full-series status to identify all of its intermediate models, which still included the GTO. At the bottom of the line was the Pontiac T-37, previously known as the Tempest.
For 1972, all Pontiac intermediates were now LeMans models and the low-priced T-37 line was replaced by a stripped LeMans pillared coupe. The top-line intermediate was the Luxury LeMans, available in hardtop sedan and coupe models, featuring plusher interiors than regular LeMans models. The LeMans Sport was available as a two-door hardtop or convertible featuring Strato bucket seats and plush interior fittings from the Luxury LeMans
just bought a rare optioned 1972 Pontiac luxury Lemans Sport coupe; Anaconda Gold with a factory 400 4 barrel dual snorkel, turbo 400 transmission and 12 bolt 3.31 ratio because the car was built in Canada, the 12 bolt option only came with the 455 engine in the USA. White buckets seats and console, black dash pad with wooden trim insert and 140 mph speedometer! I received the PHS from Oshawa Ontario and found out my car is indeed a rare one with only 33 built in Canada with these options
Hi and thanks for the replies. I am currently doing a complete frame off resto. Terry Casmir of st. thomas ontario is currently doing the body and paint. Did a luxury lemans ever come with a manual trans, would love to install one, but I did have the original numbers match TH350 trans rebuilt, abit painted the wrong color. I f I am correct the trans is supposed to be pained silver with orange over spray on the bellhousing. Thanks everyone.
Yeah I am kinda in a toss up, dont want to hurt the cars originality but at the same time kinda want to clone it into a 1972 lemans GT, were those models avalaible in canada?
Did a luxury lemans ever come with a manual trans, would love to install one, but I did have the original numbers match TH350 trans rebuilt,
Sorry to be a little late replying. As far as rarity I don't have exact production numbers handy but as the high end model production numbers would be much lower than T-37 or LeMans - I believe 2dr Luxury LeMans production is bout 1,650 units in 1972. A lot of these body style cars have been sacrified as GTO clones or rebodies. How many do you see? I personally know of only two, Pascal's in Winnipeg and Robin's in Sarnia.
To your question on manual transmission, yes manual was available. I have seen one 1973 4 speed car and as normal 3 speed manual was the standard transmission offered in GM's during this era. In fact the term"standard transmission" to refer to a manual transmission came about from this very fact, the manual was standard equipment.
What would be the correct poverty cap for 14" wheels for a 72. Really want to do the original paint (wildforest green) with the GT white reflective full length stripe kit and bias ply red lines with body colored steel wheels with poverty caps, what do you think about that idea?
Did a luxury lemans ever come with a manual trans, would love to install one, but I did have the original numbers match TH350 trans rebuilt,
Sorry to be a little late replying. As far as rarity I don't have exact production numbers handy but as the high end model production numbers would be much lower than T-37 or LeMans - I believe 2dr Luxury LeMans production is bout 1,650 units in 1972. A lot of these body style cars have been sacrified as GTO clones or rebodies. How many do you see? I personally know of only two, Pascal's in Winnipeg and Robin's in Sarnia.
To your question on manual transmission, yes manual was available. I have seen one 1973 4 speed car and as normal 3 speed manual was the standard transmission offered in GM's during this era. In fact the term"standard transmission" to refer to a manual transmission came about from this very fact, the manual was standard equipment.
Thanks for the info, as I did farther and farther into the history of these cars it really wants to make me not clone it into a lemans GT. Its to bad the automatic really was more popular that a 3 or 4 speed, nothin beats the shift it yourself option, but like you said, the manual trans was a "standard" offering in the lemans.
What would be the correct poverty cap for 14" wheels for a 72. Really want to do the original paint (wildforest green) with the GT white reflective full length stripe kit and bias ply red lines with body colored steel wheels with poverty caps, what do you think about that idea?
The Luxury LeMans option would have included full wheel covers, I will try and find a photo but basically they are a series of circles with a red center that said PMD.
I have to say that your idea is to dramatically change the appearance of the car. By 1972 White letter tires were in style not redlines, although redlines do look nice it would not be in keeping with the car. Your car would have come with whitewall tires either a solid white wall or twin thin whitewalls. I always like the twin thin look, our 70 Tempest had those.
Another thing to consider is that the Luxury LeMans has a lot of body bright work and trim which may conflict with the full length GT stripe. Most Luxury LeMans cars would have been finished with a complementary dual pinstripe along the belt line. The car also has fender skirts which are typically not found on cars with performance oriented rubber.
In short a Luxury LeMans would never have left the factory with Poverty Caps, Steelies, Redlines and a GT stripe.
Photo added:
In Terms of wheel options, Rally II wheels or Honeycomb would have been nice options. I was once offered a '72 Luxo with a 400 Nassau Blue with White interior that had Honeycombs. Still regret to this day not grabbing that one.
You can never go wrong with Rally II's on a Pontiac, they were available on every car in this era. (except Astre!)
-- Edited by 73SC on Monday 4th of January 2010 03:34:59 PM
Did you send to GMs Vintage Vehicle Services for a build sheet on your car? If not, I strongly recommend you do. It will tell you the production numbers, build date, selling dealer as well as all the options on your car.
LUXURY LEMANS BLUE BLOCK (BIG BLOCK) FULLY LOADED.RARE 36 FACTORY OPTION .AC WORKING 100%. BLACK INTERIOR BUCKET SEAT CONSOL.MINT INTERIOR .LEATHER INTERIOR.4BRAND NEW BF GOODRICH TIRES. NEW FACTORY RALLY TWOS WITH STAINLESS BEAUTY RINGS. FACTORY POWER DISK BRAKES,BUILT SHEET. NEW 2.5 INCH DUAL EXHAUST .RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE NEW. INQUIRE CALL 204-612-5888. NO EMAIL PLEASE.
400 4V dual exhaust 250 HP 325 ftld torque M40 3spd auto THM 400 & 12 bolt 3.31 rear axle ratio
Options list taken from original order form; -deluxe seat belts -tinted glass -power windows -front & rear floor mats -door edge guard -body side mouldings electric defroster -sport mirrors
Your car is rare 'now" I am sure there are not many left.... We will check for you
