My absolute favorite classic car color combination is a red exterior with a white interior. The contrast really pops, and as a volunteer firefighter, the colors feel right at home with me. Years ago, I owned a 1972 Buick Skylark Convertible in this color combination, and hopefully, one day I will own another. If you share a similar favorite color palette, a 1972 Pontiac LeMans convertible in the exact shade I described is available on Facebook Marketplace for $39,900 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Special thanks to Tony Primo for the lead.
In 1972 the bright shade of red that I admire, paint code 75, was shared across the GM brands but identified under different names. For my former Buick, the color was called Fire Red, for the Pontiac LeMans convertible being sold, the color was called Cardinal Red. The exterior of the LeMans looks exceptional and the white pinstriping compliments the white convertible top. While some would argue that the LeMans should wear Rally II wheels to give it a sportier appearance, I actually like the look of the factory hubcaps as you rarely see them anymore.
The original owner who ordered this 1972 LeMans convertible checked one very important box on the option list and ordered the Pontiac with the T-41 Endura Styling Option. This rare option, which cost $41 and offered on the 1971-1972 LeMans models, would give the car the GTO nose with its ram air hood, impact-absorbing Endura plastic front bumper, and functional, dual-louvered front fender air extractors. As the GTO convertible was discontinued by 1972, ordering a LeMans convertible with the T-41 option was the closest you could get to a factory-built convertible with the same look. In addition, buyers saved money by not having to pay the high insurance premium that came along with an actual GTO. The seller notes the LeMans has all the original body panels, never had any rust, and was treated to a respray in the original color a few years back.
The interior, likewise, has also been kept in excellent condition and the while the white bucket seats may require a little extra care to keep clean; the next owner will appreciate them when the convertible top is down on a hot sunny day. The LeMans also features the console floor shift, tilt steering wheel, and power steering, disc brakes, top, and windows. If you choose to keep the top up, the LeMans also has factory cold air conditioning.
Under the GTO style hood lies a 350 cubic inch V8 which was rebuilt along with the transmission a few years back. It’s not a rip roaring big block but will certainly get you to your destination quickly with the V8 rumble and will be a little more economical at the gas station. The seller proclaims the LeMans runs and drives excellent. To me, this is an all-around great classic which will always draw a crowd wherever you go. Would you like to drive this LeMans convertible?
I like this, although I definitely would add Pontiac Rally II wheels. White letter tires? Sure – but a thin whitewall would compliment the “LeMans with-a-2bbl” vibe. The current ‘thick’ whitewalls scream 1982. Dual exhaust; the Pontiac V8 has a distinct exhaust note. Being a convertible and the aftermarket having kits for the GTO available, this would be a simple upgrade if not already done.
Came here to say the same thing! :-)
A set of pinstripe Wide Ovals sitting on Rallye IIs would look sweet. Though like the author stated, nowadays seeing either a manufacturer’s Rallye wheel, various versions of Magnums or poverty caps on a majority of cars, I must confess, it is kinda refreshing to see a basic old set of wheel covers. Definitely a uniquely optioned LeMans here.
I’d keep the wheel covers, as an opportunity to explain just how a la carte car options used to be that the Rally wheels weren’t bundled in with the Endura nose option.
Those Enduro front facials make those front ends looks great.
Back around 72-73 there was a kid in the next town over from me whose mother had a gold with black vinyl top 72 LeMans 4 door hardtop, with Rally II’s, a 400 4bbl and the Endura Styling Package (though I think the original price was around $75, not $41?). His parents were ordering a new car and he had just gotten his license. He somehow convinced them to trick out the LeMans a little since he was going to be sharing it. The Rally II’s were mounted on white walls and it had a black bench seat interior with column shift automatic, but it was still a pretty cool car!
IMHO. These Enduro Pontiac Tempest/GTO’s were the best looking of the bunch. Arrest Me Red isn’t my favorite color, but this car, with the white interior is sweet!
I saw one of these back in 91-92 while doing some remodeling work in Mass. It was painted in a French lilac color with a white interior, hub caps if I remember correctly. Lady owner asked me to focus on the job I was there to do. Striking car.
Gave a 150 bucks for a vert body just like this, when I still had my T-37, LeMans & GTOs. Gave up on Pontiac after those and a 77 T/A. Been Mopar or no car ever since.
nice convert. not sure about the 40k but somebody paid it. GONE!
I thought it was gone, but a new ad is up…
https://www.craigslist.org/view/d/west-palm-beach-owner-1972-pontiac/8bMTeExHWjVCFMPACMbXYv
love this car i am building a 71 with a big block 400 in it out of a Grand Prix. Full QA1 racing suspention i painted it a deep metalic orange and went with a black interior. I went with 20 inch back rims and 18s on the front in the 5 spoke retro style. This car pictured is a good deal for the $ I am $10,000 Canadian into mine not includeing the car. These car are a tone of fun to drive.
Marty
Great looking car. I’ve owned a 1970 Chevelle Malibu convertible for almost 40 years. Red/white 350 4BBL, 350TH, it can hold its own in modern traffic. The front discs are adequate and best of all, it’s reliable. It gets driven around 200 miles a year. Same points in it from the 90s. I throw away perfectly good looking tires every five years. It’s a great take my wife to lunch car.
They don’t need a big block. A -body does just fine w/a 350. PMD rally ll’s would look much,much better – those caps do not look anywhere near as cool as the ones on a ’68-’72 Skylark.I like the Lemans sport,as well
I have owned three 1972 Lemans Wagons with the “GTO” front end option.
Made for good looking wagons!
You are correct about the color(s) combination Chris. A guy I knew in 1967 had a red 442 with white guts that was just a stand out! And he was meticulous about keeping the interior clean. BUT, we had a turquoise-ish/lime green-ish ( not sure of the Pontiac paint name) ’72 LeMans Convertible with white interior and white top the GTO nose on the lot for about a week. Since I lived 1/2 block from the dealership I walked by it everyday and left a trail of drool from there to the building. Just beautiful! We also had a LeMans wagon with the 400 engine and the GTO front end. It lasted about 1 month on the lot and the new owner was ecstatic to get it. Funny, I don’t remember the color!
Looks fantastic. A 1972 Pontiac LeMans was on my short list along with the Oldsmobile Cutlass when I was finishing high school. But my parents wisely put the money into my college education instead of a new car. Agree that red exterior with white bucket seats are a winning combination which is a sad commentary
on modern cars with depressing drab interiors. Rally Ii wheels would improve the look of the car immensely for curb appeal. The 350-2 barrel V8 had 160 net horsepower so is fine for normal driving. My dream car would have been the 2 door coupe instead of the rag top in the Midwest but there is no denying classic car buyers would want the rarer convertible in 2026.
$ 41 is the correct amount for the Endura front end in 1971 and 72 on a Pontiac Lemans .
Automotive Deal of the Century.
It is a gorgeous color combination. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I have a 72 sundance orange lemans sport hardtop ordered with the t-41 clip. Same interior. I replaced the 350 2v with a 72 YS block 400 stroked out to 462 ci. Fun car.
Also unlike chevy, pontiac v8 s are all the same diminsions outside. No big or small blocks.