1972 Pontiac Lemans Sport Convertible on 2040-cars

Pontiac didn't make a GTO Convertible in 1972...  or did they?

The GTO started life as an option package on the 1964 Pontiac Tempest.  By the following year, the GTO was its own model, separate from the Tempest.  However, in 1972, the GTO went back to being an option package rather than a separate model line.  In the meantime, the Le Mans had replaced the Tempest in Pontiac's line-up.  So for 1972-73, the GTO was an option package on the Le Mans.

In 1972, the GTO option was only offered on the hardtop Le Mans - there was no 1972 GTO Convertible.  However, one could order the 1972 Le Mans Sport Convertible with any of the three GTO engines and the "Endura" option.  This was the name Pontiac has given to its new plastic collision-resistant bumper that was introduced on the 1968 GTO.  Its unique look defined the GTO style for many years.  On the 1972 model year, the Endura option gave the Le Mans the GTO front bumper, hood, and body moldings; and deleted all of the "Le Mans" badging.  Making it what many people call the "GTO in all but name."

The Good

 
• This is a one-owner car.  It comes with exceptional provenance including the original window sticker, owner's manual, dealer's invoice, option sheet, etc. (see photos).
 
• Even though it is currently in New Hampshire, this is a California car.  It was originally purchased there and spent the majority of it's life there.  As a result, there are no major rust problems.
 
• When the original mufflers were replaced some time ago, they were replaced with dual Cherry Bombs.  Other than that one item, this car is 100% original.  No other aftermarket parts, tweaks, or modifications of any kind.  You could not ask for a better platform for a restoration project.
 
• The 1972 Le Mans Sport Convertible with the Endura option is somewhere between rare and very rare.  Pontiac only made 3,438 Le Mans convertibles in total that year.  It is not clear how many were ordered with the Endura option, but it is definitely less than a couple hundred and could be as few as 20 to 30.  How many of those are still on the road?  Not very many!
 
• While this car is being sold mainly as restoration project, it is a completely road-worthy, running, and licensed car right now.  You could have great fun driving it just as it is.

The Bad

 
• This is not a museum piece - it has been driven for nearly 40 years and shows it in some areas:
 
• There is some surface rust.  Nothing major, and all areas that are classic problems for this car, like the corners of the trunk and trunk lid, are near perfect (see photos).
 
• There is some chipping of the paint near the front bumper and peeling of the clear coat in spots.
 
• The upholstery has several tears and worn spots.
 
• The transmission leaks.  Most likely the rear seal needs replacement.  The leak is not excessive and regular topping off with fluid takes care of it.

The Ugly

 
• The convertible top needs replacement.  The mechanism is still good, it goes up and down electrically with no problems, but the vinyl is torn and the rear window (which is actually glass on this car) is entirely missing.