Pontiac customers had one last chance in 1972 to buy a LeMans with the classic A-Body styling before the car received a complete redesign the following year, featuring a more modern look that became known as the Colonnade. While the fourth-generation cars from 1973 to 1977 have a sleek appearance and were very successful, it’s the third-generation offerings that strike me as the most exciting of the bunch, and this 1972 Pontiac Luxury LeMans seems to have plenty of positives for the next owner to enjoy. This hardtop is in Oakland, Maryland, and can be found here on eBay, where the lone bid of $20,000 hasn’t met the reserve. Nice find, Curvette, and thanks for sharing your tip here!
Pontiac offered several different trim levels for the LeMans in ’72, with the Luxury LeMans being the top-of-the-line. The seller reports that he recently found this one in a local garage, and while no history or other details are provided, the exterior condition is described as if it had just come out of a showroom. The white paint and blue vinyl top are also said to be a rare color combination, and though neither is positively confirmed to be original, I’m guessing there’s a good chance it’s a survivor that’s been well cared for and garaged for most of its life.
The mileage is listed as 47,059, and from the looks of the interior, I seriously doubt that the odometer has rolled over. The condition inside seems to be strong just about everywhere, with no obvious tears in the seats, no visible cracks on the dash, and a headliner that appears much like it would have when the car was brand new. Even the carpet still looks decent, and I’m not spotting much of anything in here that would benefit from any immediate attention.
The 350 was a popular engine choice of the period, and that’s what’s under the hood here, with the bay appearing clean and in good order. If this V8 has been properly maintained, there may be lots of reliable life left for the next driver to enjoy, and this one seems ready to cruise capably just the way it is. I’m thinking preservation is the goal here, and while it’ll be entirely up to the future owner to decide whether this one gets modified or left alone, I’d like to see it stay as is indefinitely. Any thoughts to share on this 1972 Pontiac Luxury LeMans?
For me, the only way this BEAUTY could be better, would be for it to have buckets and a console! Should make the next owner very happy! GLWTA!! :-)
And that’s from a mopar man! Yeah, it actually looks pretty sharp even with the skirts and vinyl roof, two options that I am really not a fan of
Couldn’t have been too much Luxury with no A/C
A/C on any car was a rarity under the early ’80..until 1975, A/C was an OPTION on Cadillac Calais and Deville models.
Very nice. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing, nice vinyl top, and the fender skirts make it unique. The side profile almost looks like someone left a ’72 Bonneville in the dryer a bit too long.
I usually think skirts are unnecessary, but they work with this color combination. I’d probably leave them on there.
“Luxury Lemans” LOL . No A/C, no power windows . . So. sad that more of the option boxes weren’t checked when this was ordered . I have never been a fan of fender shirts. I hated these fender skirts when the owners came into our tire shop for new tires / flat repairs. What a PAIN in the butt. Especially when the owners drove them on muddy dirt roads.
Fender skirts are also a great way to rust out your rear inner and outer wheel lips
One of my Texas cousins had a ‘72 Luxury LeMans. It was white (think maybe it had a vinyl top delete – if not the top was white). Interior was tan Morrokide. It had PW, PL, A/C, Rallye II wheels with era correct white walls, (no bumper guards – a plus IMO) and a 400-V8. Nice car and pretty fair tire smoker. I think that fender skirts add a nice touch to a car IF the car was designed to have them (as in the case here along with my 1956 Thunderbird or any large luxury car of the era). However, I understand the frustration caused by people who don’t clean and care for their cars. Never could figure out why some people will pay lots of money for a vehicle and not care for it. I guess to each his/her own. Nice car (add Vintage Aire it’s HOT down here in Louisiana)!
My hatred of fender skirts also comes from running Goodyear stores in the rust belt. However, before Goodyear,I worked in a Pontiac store (1972-1975) while in college. Our dealership was in a very affluent neighborhood where the women/wives drove these, Cutlass Supremes, or Mercedes. So I agree with the style of the fender skirts on these. Very unusual to see “a stripper” Luxury LeManns. Everyone that I have seen has A/C, power windows, locks, driver’s seat and buckets. It just doesn’t look right with a bench. If I found one in my neighborhood at a good price. I would buy it and install a 455 or hot 400. Nothing wrong with the 350, just I love torque to the access!
Very nice. But I’m guessing unrealistic reserve.
Had a few 71/72 LeMans, GTO & T37s. This thing is hideous. Bumper guards on the front ruin the already questionable grill. Rear trunk trim and guards must be rare as they are ugly. The side trim and skirts seem to have been designed by a part time pimp. Sad as the 70/72 hardtop had a much better side profile than the Chevelle( had one of them too). With all that added garbage it looks like a kid with too many model parts built it. And a 350? Lol
The color , top, and skirts make it look like a luxerey cruiser instead of a mid size GM,its sharp,,some yrs ago one just like this was for sale in my town in Wi, don’t know what they wanted for it , maybe shoulda got it.
NO A/C ? This one’s a No Sale.
As a “luxury” model, I can’t understand someone ordering – or buying it with no A/C. It should have come as a fully loaded automobile straight out of the factory.
That aside, it is a striking looking car. I’m amused by the opinions of it expressed here, from ‘I love it’s to ‘I think it’s hideous.’
nice survivor. i sure hope it’s had a timing chain done to it just finished a 68 400 for a GTO that did have a chain. took the motor apart and found all the plastic in the pan and stuck in the oil pump screen. also found 6 slightly bent push rods and yet it ran great. skirts were standard on this, but they look ridiculous as does the fat white walls. no a/c is a deal breaker. really love the pole barn in the backdrop. i will take 1 of them.
GM used them on practically everything back then, but Mopar and Ford also used them. I worked in a gas station starting when I was 16 or so back around 1968, replaced a ton of them, but Olds and Pontiac’s were the most frequent offenders from what I remember.
I would temper your “GM used them on practically everything”. Caprices, Caddys, Buick Electras, & Olds 98s, maybe Pontiac Bonnevilles/ Grandvilles were about it.
Pontiac actual went to the steel timing set finally in 1971. Pre-’71 engines almost always had a sprocket go bad by 50k miles. This car should be Ok. Pontiac weren’t the only ones either. Ford small blocks in the late ’60s were notorious for the same problem.
Looks to be a nice car. On this one the internet has spoken and $20k is about right, auction ended not sold so you might still be able to reach out to the seller and work out a fair purchase price. That is if the seller doesn’t have the reserve set at Barrett Jackson prices
Would be a nice car, without all the added body side moldings, and the fender skirts. Luxury Lemans, I don’t think so, no a/c, then cross off the luxury. I looked at the ad on eBay and it had been stopped account at 20 grand the reserve had not been met. IMHO the owner should have taken the 20 grand and run.
I’ve always liked these LMs, and the 4-door hardtops, too. I think the skirts add a sleek side to them, much like my ’70 & ’72 Caprices. And I live in Mn.
With Astro Ventilation adding a/c to this car shouldn’t be hard, knocking out the center dash plug and adding a couple of underdash vents. If you’re very, very lucky you might be able to score a factory piece.
Regardless of the name of the trim this was still when you paid for every line item and very little packaging. Reading all the comments to the contrary is side splitting. This is a handsome and well kept car.
This is a hard pass at 20k
Also :
it’s the third-generation offerings that strike me as the most exciting of the bunch
No- nice try . Those are the catalogue build generation with zero flavor and style .
No AC seems odd by today’s standard to define anything as “luxury”, however back then luxury was more about style, ride quality and comfort (and yes, a lot of especially older folks didn’t even use AC in their homes), so not a stretch by 1972 standards.
I haven’t used ac in my cars in the last decade unless carrying complaining passengers.
I didn’t grow up with it and don’t care for it now. 72% humidity and 91 degrees isn’t too bad with a breeze.