Pontiac’s GTO led the way in 1964 for a host of mid-size muscle car competitors. Sales peaked in 1966 at 97,000 copies but dropped to about 10,500 units in 1971. That led Pontiac to discontinue the car as a full series product, dropping back to a LeMans option in ’72. The seller’s 1972 GOAT has been PHS-documented, so it appears to be the real deal rather than a clone. Located in West Babylon, New York, it’s available here on craigslist where the seller is hoping to net $19,750. We’re grateful to Tony Primo for bringing this tip to us!
GTOs built in 1972 are the rarest of the pre-Colonnade GOATs of 1973 and the Ventura-based 1974 product. Only 5,807 GTOs were recorded in 1972, and just 1,578 came with a 4-speed like the seller’s car. It doesn’t appear as though any GTO convertibles were produced that year. Given its apparent rarity today, we’re surprised the asking price for this one isn’t higher. What makes it a bit unusual is that it’s a bench seat GOAT, which was probably ordered far less than buckets (remember, everything about a ’72 GTO was an extra).
It would be nice if the seller had provided some of the Pontiac Historical Services details, and the photos are typical craigslist in that there aren’t many of them, and they could be more revealing. Adding to the odd nature of the car, it has drum brakes all around rather than power-assisted front disc components. It does have a set of gauges and a sportier handling package.
There is no mention of originality (paint, upholstery) or whether the auto runs as well as it looks at 94,000+ miles. The seller should expect a flood of questions of which some of the answers could have been built into the listing.
That’s a bright red paint. What did Pontiac call that shade ?
Love the bench seat 4sp. combo. Muncie transmission in there. 3.55 gears were probable from the factory.
Thanks Dixon, and good eye again Primo. 👍
That’s 1972 Pontiac paint code 75 (Cardinal Red)
No, the color is ‘pull me over and give me a ticket officer’
So so bright red paint, easy to find in a three mile parking lot. I do like the front bumper setup
Three plus weeks in the market for an underpriced factory 4spd muscle car that looks good in the pictures less than an hours drive from a population center with millions of people should send up red flags brighter than this cars paint color. There is a chance it’s legitimate, I’d call if I lived within a couple of hours, you’d have to, just in case. But, good deals don’t last, something feels off.
Steve R
Yep. It’d be gone before you could get the number punched in.
You know what we used to say about having a bench seat car and working the gears on a floor shifter while your girlfriend sat next to you. 😁
No Sarcasm, but I don’t actually
Oops?
It looks like whoever ordered the GTO options for the LeMans they went as conservative as possible. No buckets, console or discs. No 455 either! Still it’s a nice looking car that’s probably fun to drive too.
Bench seat, taxi cab interior, 4 speed, drum brakes. This was ordered with lighter weight components, with some street action in mind. I had a similarly-equipped 70 Torino Cobra. I love it.
owner should spend some money and redo the carpet. it would help out the interior. window crank handle on the floor is no help either
bench seat & drum brakes is a no go in a GTO!
Front discs were an option on the 72GTO? Huh.
Bench seat 4 spd car is what got my attention and 1 interior pic of just the bench seat? Cut the shifter right outta the picture ummm why? Peace!
Love a bench seat and four speed, so I can overlook my usual disdain for the color red. Again though, another CL ad that is doing the car, nor the seller, any favors. It behooves me how some sellers think less is more when it comes to advertising a vehicle for sale. This seller mentions PHS docs, but not one pic of it. No rear shots, let alone inside trunk, undercarriage, etc. I’ve yet to see serious buyers ever complain about an ad having too many pics.
I am shocked no candy bottom complainers haven’t complained about no A/C yet.
& no power windows & no power brakes & no cruise control. & some might even ask “why aren’t there any wipers?”.
It has a Ram Air hood, but the air cleaner is not the correct one for Ram Air induction. As someone else has pointed out, something is off here. I can’t imagine, by 1972, a high performance vehicle not having front disc brakes as standard equipment, but it turns out they were optional on this vehicle. Just another example of how the GM of that era nickel-and-dimed the buyer for anything beyond the basics!
Seems like I’ve seen a 1st generation Camaro with a bench seat before. It’s been a lot of years ago though. I’ve slept since then. I was think it happened every once in awhile with these old cars.
And I recall seeing a mustang with a bench seat and column shifter also
If this car is legit there’s plenty to work with here. Will make a great project.I’d add every thing that I like as long as it’s period correct. For under 20k you can still enjoy and break even at the very least if you decide to sell it later. Hey it’s a real 72 GTO.
Bench seat is pretty rare but not in a value adding way.
I think maybe all bench seat stick shift GTO/Lemans came with a uniquely curved shifter to shift properly with the bench seat. I wonder if there was any 3 speed/bench seat cars?
The bench seat will sure start some conversations with all the so-called experts at the car shows and gatherings.
PHS would go a long ways here.
A friend of mine ordered his Verdoro green ’68 GTO with hide-a-ways, Rally II wheels, red lines, cruise control, ps, and a black vinyl LeMans bench seat for its center armrest. It had a floor mounted 3 speed, and wasn’t that difficult to shift.
I had a 1969 Road Runner with a bench seat and 4 speed. And as plain Jane as it could be.