Oh no, there’s that dreaded “L” word again. No, not that “L” word; the Luxury “L” word. And as you look at the early ’70s, luxury started to creep into the automotive lexicon replacing the “P” word, performance. Cohabitating for a bit as they did in 1972, it didn’t take “L” long to ultimately push out “P”. And for further review, here’s an example of the “L” onslaught, a 1972 Pontiac Luxury LeMans. It is located in Milford, Massachusetts and is available here on craigslist for $9,800. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip!
In 1972, Pontiac had many bases covered with their mid-sized, “A” body platform. Besides the stretched out Grand Prix, there was a LeMans, a LeMans Sport, LeMans GT, Luxury LeMans and the venerable GTO. The Luxury LeMans, new for ’72, was offered in two different body styles, a two-door hardtop and a four-door hardtop such as this example. It was a car signaling the move to more affordable luxury that would soon become inherent with all domestic auto producers.
This Luxury LeMans example is magnificent, showing only 62K gently generated miles. The what appears to be mostly original “Springfield Green” enamel finish, still presents very well. It is a typical ’70s color that some may consider bland; I like it but then I have that “green” thing going when it comes to car colors. The hardtop design (no “B” pillar or door window frames) portrays a very open and breezy design, not to mention what it does to enhance peripheral visibility. Unfortunately, this design went away for domestic cars in ’74 or ’75 over safety concerns related to roof strength. The seller states that the vinyl top is original so this LeMans has been properly stored. Vinyl tops, all the rage in this era, are notorious rust breeding pits but that’s not an issue in this case. Truth be told, GM “A” body cars from the mid-’60s through the early ’70s are rust-prone in general. This LeMans is a Massachusetts based car now, don’t know about its prior life, but winter roads in that part of the world are renowned for the auto body damage that they can inflict. No worries though, the seller has included two images of the underside and it shows as new.
So, what really constitutes the luxury aspect of this LeMans? Extra, tacked on, stainless steel trim, fender skirts, a fancy script badge, and wire-wheel covers. That’s about it. What would be the marketing draw? I can’t say, you would have to be able to get into the heads of prospective 1972 buyers to find out what would attract them to a Luxury LeMans as opposed to a more pedestrian model LeMans, a nice car in its own right. My subjective comment is that the fender skirts ruin the look. It’s one of those, “just because you can, doesn’t mean you should” kind of things. Lot’s of ’50s cars or long angular bodied models like ’60s Cadillacs wore skirts well; an early ’70s GM intermediate? Not so much so. Nevertheless, 45K + copies of the Luxury LeMans were produced in ’72 so I would say my dystopian view of fender skirts is in the considerable minority.
Moving inside is pretty standard LeMans affair. The complementing Morrokide/fabric weave upholstery is in perfect condition. The same can be said for the carpet, dash and headliner. The luxury component? Lots of faux wood veneer and that’s about it. It is an inviting environment and looks comfortable but it’s doubtful that the lap of luxury is much different than the lap of a lesser LeMans. The seller doesn’t sing the interior’s praises other than to say that it features AC and AM/FM stereo which he refers to as “rare”.
No surprise under the hood, it’s a commonly found Pontiac 350 CI, V8 engine that develops 160 net HP. While the game could be up’d to include a 455 CI engine, this example’s 350 motor is much more typical. The seller’s comment regarding this LeMans’ motoring capability is, “Runs and drives 100%.” And there is no reason to suspect anything other than that. The engine compartment is tidy and original, it appears as Pontiac intended. While a V8 engine was standard fare in the Luxury LeMans, so was a three-speed manual transmission, something that seems out of synch with an automobile promoting a luxury aura. Nevertheless, this Pontiac has the typically found three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic unit.
The seller asks a very pertinent question, “Where’s the next one”? Great question as there may not be another in existence, certainly in this pristine a condition. A GTO moniker is pretty much a ticket to longevity and preservation, a LeMans, less so, especially a four-door example. This beautiful Pontiac, enhanced by the fact that it is a Pontiac, a venerable discontinued marque, is absolutely worthy of preservation. The seller adds, “Ready to drive and enjoy now.” I would agree, wouldn’t you?
Jim you left out the T37. I remember when these were sitting in every parking lot. I’m usually wouldn’t buy a four door but I like this.
Arthell64:
’71 was the last year for the T37, replaced by the base LeMans. The GT-37 was replaced in ’72 by the LeMans Sport.
After a little online research Jim you are correct. I had a friend in high school that had a t-37 with a 455ho automatic. I was amazed that they built a Pontiac with a rubber mat.
I wonder if Pontiac produced a luxury lemans with a 455ho?
Nice LeMans! Did not realize these came in a 4 door hardtop. Why ditch the fender skirts, they continue the lines of the car….. Green was THE color in the 70s as every manufacturer used the color. Car must have been garaged frequently, otherwise the vinyl top would have rusted. Purchased a 1970 Chevelle 2 door HT with vinyl roof, although garaged, within 5 months returned to the dealer to replace vinyl has it started to pit around the rear window. Dealer changed without any debate!
I myself am okay with a 4 door car. I’m completely on the same page as Jim about fender skirts on all but a few certain cars. I personally prefer a much more basic looking car but that’s just me. That being said, for a person that likes their car a bit more dressed up, this is a beautiful example and hopefully it ends up in the right hands of someone that will love it and enjoy it.
This car just screams early 70’s. Colors, trim, ‘theme’, all fit the era perfectly. Extra nice condition. I like it.
That four-door hardtop body style sure looks odd today. I guess as Jim points out they have been out of production for 45 years.
Those gawd-awful rubber bumpers on the front and the back appear to be added on. They certainly weren’t part of the factory equipment in 72. Otherwise, this is one beautiful find. Just because this isn’t a performance oriented LeMans doesn’t make it any less worthy of preservation.
JC Whitney?
Front and rear bumper guards are a factory option.
When these came out I was really attracted to them. They exuded Class in a smaller package. As a 17 year old they were far beyond my eager means. Never see them around any more. GLWS.
When these came out I was really attracted to them. They exuded Class in a smaller package. As a 17 year old they were far beyond my meager means. Never see them around any more. GLWS.
I used to live minutes from Mass in upstate New York. Roads had salt dumped in them from late Nov to late March. No way this car was driven in salt, or if it was, very little. I have worked on cars since the late 1960s. While not a two door or a GTO, I owned two this color, this is a real nice version of a car that screams the 70s. Buy, wax it, Fluid Film the floors, frame and drive.
I’m surprised to see vent windows on the front doors of this 4 door HARDTOP.
I thought mid size GM ’68-72 cars only got the vent windows if there was a frame around the side glass of 2 & 4 door cars.
Not sure why GM tooled up BOTH vent & not vent windows – that would mean a lot more tooling, cost, & parts needed. One would think all GM vent windows would have gone away in ’68(like on camaro/firebird), or at the very latest, in ’69.
Amazing all the choices of body styles, colors inside & outside & options avail back then, compared to the joke of choices you have today.
This car was originally purchased by Gladys. Gladys was a typical mid-century housewife until last year, when her husband George died in a tragic accident. George’s life insurance left Gladys comfortable, but not wealthy, and she decided to treat herself to a new luxury car. She was accustomed to mid-sized cars, but she was disappointed that there were no classy, prestigious cars in that class. While at the Pontiac dealer, she caught a glimpse of a green four-door hardtop LeMans being prepped by a shop tech. When she saw the tech install a fender skirt, she knew she had found what she was looking for. Gladys had to be careful. If she spent too freely, people may start to question whether George’s accident was truly an accident, and that was the last thing she wanted…..
The Luxury LeMans was just the beginning.
“Unfortunately, this design went away for domestic cars in ’74 or ’75 over safety concerns related to roof strength. ”
Pontiac intermediate 4 door hardtops ran model years 1966-1972; the car here is the latest year.
Large GM 4 door hardtops continued through ML 1976, Chrysler through ML 1978.
The 1972 Luxury Lemans was all about dazzeling the consumer with extra gingerbread; the body looks way different – better – with the chrome band removed, and retrofitted with GTO and Lemans Sport parts. Strangely Pontiac only offered any Lemans 4 door hardtop in this “luxury” trim model, and with no available T-41 option, despite making a 1973 endura nosed Grand Am in 2 door and 4 door models.
Ditch the fender skirts, add a set of Rally IIs and I’m set
The “fender skirts” are more of a rear quarter lower panel, an integral part of the rear quarter panel. It would make as much sense as to remove the front fenders. There was never an option of this body style to not have these in place.
My Grandma had a ’72 Lemans sedan – it was very nice but basic compared to the Luxury Lemans. That 350 could burn rubber easily – I know cause Grandma showed me! The luxury model was tastefully done for sure. And yes those bumper guards were a factory yet rarely ordered option!
Chrome front valance was standard on 1971 in 1972 Luxury Lemans but there’s not a clear view of it in his photos.
My ’72 LeMans had the chrome valance under the bumper. It wasn’t a Luxury Lemans exclusive the the grille was.
A closeup of the rear end has a Strausbaugh Pontiac sticker, which was in Glen Rock, PA. So probably always a northern car.
I had this exact car in silver but it was stolen and ended up in an impound yard 5 states away.
That was too bad because it was a great driving car.
I owned a 73 Luxury Lemans , different body had the slope back, colonnade style, black, white interior and full white roof, 2 door, with every option including power windows doors and seats, took off the skirts and had appliance spoke wheels and nice 1.5 inch whitewalls, owned in in 78,79, great car, not another around like it, everyone had Monte Carlos Regals and Grand Prixs, New York Disco Days, still miss it
Leave it as -is…the fender skirts on this one add to the luxury look, but those dang, huge bumper over-riders have got to go!
She’s very classy. I’d like to take her out for a few doughnuts for ole time sake…
About a week ago I commented on a tri-5 Chevy that I didn’t like the skirts. Oddly enough, I like them on these.
Nifty car! I would make this a daily driver in nice weather.
The “luxury” LeMans added the center armrest too. Notta big deal.
A lot of these 68-72 mid size GM cars were destroyed in the Enduro race craze of the mid 1980s . By then you could pick these cars up for less than $100.00 . My first Enduro car was a 70 Lemans coupe that I got for free I can remember seeing so many of these cars running out there, but usually out of 150 cars that started a 100 lap race only about 10 would finish, the rest would get stacked by a bucket loader in the infield . Its nice to see one so original !
Big ’71-76 full size GM cars were occasional seen with fender skirts & wore them well too.
I had a ’72 Luxury LeMans coupe along with a Springfield Green LeMans hardtop coupe with the black vinyl roof and green vinyl interior.
The Luxury LeMans had the extras mentioned along with the cast metal grilles with 2 ribs crossing each. The brushed trim on the lower edge of the trunklid and rear quarters over the rear bumper. Rear taillights were similar to the ones on ’71 GTO’s.
The interior had extra sound deadening material, carpeted lower door panels with red reflectors and pull straps. Cloth inserts on the seats. The bucket seat/console interior got all vinyl and a LML script badge on the right side of the dash.
I had a 73, Black w white top and interior, every Option in the book, loved that LML engraved in the rear seat, spent much time back there, being my first car, w the drive in movies and all, summer of 78