If you walked into a Pontiac dealership in 1972 looking for a mid-size car, you might have come away confused. They offered the T-37, LeMans, LeMans Sport, and GTO, all based on the same car. The GTO was an option by then and the LeMans Sport looked practically the same for a few dollars less. There were no GTO convertibles that year, but you could get one as a LeMans Sport. Confused yet? This ’72 LeMans Sport has likely been sitting for years, described as a barn find by the dealer/seller. It’s in rough shape and there’s no title, but it can be found in Alexandria, Alabama. Here on eBay, the no reserve auction has reached $1,582.
GTO production had dropped significantly from its peak in the mid-1960s. Just 5,807 GTOs were built in 1972 and those were only available with a metal roof. But the number of LeMans Sport convertibles wasn’t far behind at 3,438 and had the GTO snout and could be ordered with a 400 cubic inch V8. According to the VIN on this car, it came with a 2-barrel carburetor. 1972 would be the last year of this generation of GM’s intermediates and the ‘73s would all adopt “Colonnade” styling.
This ’72 LeMans has led a hard life. It took a direct hit in the rear end with the bumper buckled in the middle, yet the trunk lid looks to have escaped unharmed. The red paint is old and faded and there are other dents and dings almost everywhere you look. We’re told the trunk pan has some rust (perhaps due to being exposed from the accident) and we wouldn’t be surprised to find more. The convertible top is a total loss, and we don’t know if the hardware is all there.
Inside the car, the interior looks somewhat intact though extremely dirty. You’d have to do a deep cleaning to determine what needs to be replaced beyond the material on the bucket seats. And the back seat is missing with that space occupied by trim parts off the car. The dash pad looks good as does the woodgrain material around the instrument cluster and on the console where the Turbo-Hydramatic shifter resides. The seller has not attempted to start the car, so it’s a crapshoot as to whether the current drivetrain is usable.
For me, the saving grace on this car maybe its visual similarity to a GTO which was a low production automobile that year and not available as a convertible. But you’re going to need a sizeable piggy bank to finance bringing this one back from the brink. And with no title.
Russ, in 1972 if you walked into a Pontiac dealership there was at least one more choice; the Lemans GT. I know because I bought one.
Seems to me this car here is a good candidate for GTO clone.
No title . Seller/dealer ! Get info on title and a bill of sale , notarized and backed up somewhat and this is sold ..
Right, a quick Google search says Alabama doesn’t require titles on cars 35 years old or older. That should be something automatically checked by this site, it often takes only 30 seconds to find out a states requirement.
So far, the tan Le Mans park in the next spot over has more interest from bidders. It will be interesting to see where both auctions end up.
Steve R
No titles issued by the State of Alabama for motor vehicles 1975 and older. Vehicles are sold with a bill of sale and a license receipt IF the car is currently registered.
This is WELL KNOWN by folks in the collector car world. Seller/dealer is doing NOTHING illegal or immoral!
That’s the way it is like it or not.
Just making it easier on a sale . Got to make worth while for some one. Every state. Different.
Just making it easier on a sale . Got to make worth while for some one. Every state. Different.
You forgot the Luxury LeMans.
Loved my 73 Luxury Lemans, still searching for a loaded on, this car can be a nice clone, red w a white interior white convertible top, PMD wheels w white letter tires and warm that 400 up,Vintage air,
I got to ride in a Lux Lemans sedan during my grandpa’s funeral back in 1974. I seem to recall it had brocade cloth interior and fender skirts. Pale green, just like this convertible used to be (?). Yet another repaint in resale red over an original color much preferred in 2021!
Here is how I remember the Luxury Lemans.
I live in AL, my two 1965’s and my 1970 still have titles from the states they were purchased from. When I’ve gone to register older cars, DMV doesn’t even look at the titles, they use the bill-of sale to register it. The state does not require titles for any vehicle 35 years old or older. Another bonus is the year-of-manufacture tags, I pay a 1 time fee, and the tags have a permanent registration without yearly renewal and do not have restrictions for use as the vintage tag has. Two of my cars have YOM tags, the other is a personalized tag on a Barber Motorsports Park plate.