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

Two Crests Automotive ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Customizing, Auto Oil & Lube

Address: 66 State Route 101A, Hollis

Phone: (603) 716-3086

Pro Sound ★★★★★

Automobile Parts & Supplies, Automobile Radios & Stereo Systems, Consumer Electronics

Address: 369 S Broadway, Newton-Junction

Phone: (603) 890-3200

North Reading Subaru ★★★★★

New Car Dealers

Address: 260 Main St, Pelham

Phone: (603) 463-0247

Merchants Auto ★★★★★

Used Car Dealers

Address: 1278 Hooksett Rd, Suncook

Phone: (877) 240-8423

Las Truck & Auto ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service

Address: 20 Lomar Park, New-Ipswich

Phone: (978) 433-0001

Ken Stewart Transmission Co ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Automobile Parts & Supplies, Auto Transmission

Address: 549 W Broadway, Rindge

Phone: (978) 632-1090

Auto blog

NHTSA investigating 550k Pontiac G6 models, 320k Honda Odysseys

Mon, 10 Jun 2013

According to two separate reports in The Detroit News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching investigations into 550,000 Pontiac G6 (pictured above) and 320,000 Honda Odyssey (pictured right) models. The G6 models are all from the 2005 to 2007 model years, while the Odyssey minivans are from the 2003 and 2004 model years. The two NHTSA probes are not related.
In the case of the G6, this is an upgrade to an original investigation that started in February after NHTSA received "hundreds of reports" that the brake lights on these cars may malfunction. According to The Detroit News, the lights may come on when the brake pedal is not depressed, and likewise, the brake lights may not illuminate when the pedal has been pushed. General Motors was able to provide NHTSA with a significant number of warranty claims, including 1,100 reports that could potentially relate to this problem, one of which indicates a vehicle crash.
For Honda, the NHTSA probe concerns airbags that may deploy unexpectedly. The government agency received six complaints from 2003-04 Odyssey owners saying that the front airbags suddenly went off without a crash. The Detroit News reports that three of the six owners sustained injuries from these incidents. Additionally, NHTSA has received 41 complaints from owners saying the vehicle's airbag warning light had illuminated.

How to turn a Pontiac Fiero into a trackday car

Fri, 17 Oct 2014

Imagine hitting the track in a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports coupe that's affordable and has pretty good parts availability. It might sound like a pipe dream, but it's actually quite possible, if you're willing to think a little outside the box. The Pontiac Fiero is out there just waiting for a little work to turn it into a competent racing machine.
Think about it for a second. Of course, we would all like to be snaking through the curves in something exotic, but what happens when you crash or something breaks? The bills are going to mount up quickly. However, if you ball up a Fiero at the track, as long as you're not hurt, then it's not a huge tragedy.
That's basically the story of Steven Snyder in a new video from Drive starring Matt Farah. Snyder wanted to go to the track cheaply and ended up with an awesome little Fiero with a huge wing and a claimed 220 horsepower at the wheels thanks to a V6 from a Chevrolet Lumina. Check out the video to see how this pint-size Pontiac performs.

Watch as Hot Rod goes from El Paso to LA the hard way

Tue, 21 Feb 2012

There are few things simultaneously more romantic and idiotic than taking a road trip in a beaten-down heap of a car. Trust us. We know. David Freiburger and Mike Finnegan of Hot Rod Magazine fame recently undertook an epic trip from El Paso, Texas to Los Angeles with the express goal of doing so for under $1,500, including the purchase price of a vehicle, food, lodging, repairs and, most importantly, fuel. With this in mind, the duo settled on a 1972 Pontiac Catalina for a lofty $650. Hilarity ensues.
Realizing that no one actually wants a Catalina sulking around the shop, Freiburger and Finnegan put the car up for auction on eBay Motors the instant they had the title in hand. By the time they rolled into Hot Rod HQ, the vehicle sold for a little over $500.
The video is part of a new series called Roadkill that should document similar adventures. Keep your eyes peeled for more calamity-soaked clips in the near future. In the meantime, hit the jump to check it out yourself.

1972 Pontiac Lemans Sport Convertible on 2040-cars