There are a lot of cars on here that you can buy at any given time - even rare ones that if you woke up one morning and decided you HAD to have one, you could find one for sale. Then there are cars that were produced in such small numbers and have such low survivability that only a handful of people could at any time claim to own one....this is one of those cars.
In 1972, for whatever reason, Pontiac would not allow you to build a GTO Convertible. Judges were removed from the option list mid-year in 1971 so to build a real top flight Pontiac - you had to know your way through the options sheet. Production of HO convertibles was low with only 33 total being produced. Of those, 7 were Lemans GT's and 26 were Lemans Sports. We only have a breakdown on the GT production with 2 being built as 4spds and 5 automatics - no breakdown on the other 26 exists, but using the same ratio we could expect 8 4spds and 18 automatics, similar in ratio to the 70 & 71 Judge convertible production. According to Dan Jensen who's been tracking these for a few decades and Jim Mattison at PHS only 12 of the total 33 are known to exist - 3 GT's (all automatics) and 9 of the Sports, 5 of those being automatic and 4 being 4spds.
Ordering the 455HO engine in an A-body in 72 forced some mandatory options. The T-41 Endura option (GTO hood, fenders and front bumper), RAM AIR, a 12 bolt rear axle and the new for 72 Unitized Ignition - checking off the box for a 4spd got you an M-22, there was no other choice. Although only available on GTO's in coupe or hardtop form, you could order your ultimate HO in a Lemans Convertible. That’s how this car got started but luckily for us, the walk through the order form didn't end there!
Normal options like power steering and power brakes were ordered, as were the performance oriented ones like in-dash gauges & ride/handling package. Honeycomb wheels, custom interior, body color sport mirrors and vinyl stripes helped in the appearance department and for comfort you got Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Seat and Tilt Wheel. A stereo radio made its way in and so did the stereo 8 track in fact when everything was said & done 35 options were checked off on the list making it the most optioned HO Lemans Convertible known to have survived.
This car was built in December of 1971 at the Pontiac Assembly plant where all convertibles were built and was shipped to its selling dealership in Kissimmee Florida. It is believed to have spent its entire life there as past titles show it being there back into the 80's. In the 41 years since, the car has only received one repaint, still wearing every rust free body panel it left the factory with. It has lived a well-cared for life and retains every numbers matching drive line component including the complete engine with carb & distributor, transmission and rear axle. It shows as a survivor should - honestly wearing marks and character picked up through the years. I purchased it a little over a year ago from Merritt Island and had it shipped here to Connecticut.
I honestly don’t know what the value on this car is but would have to think it is somewhere in the RA III Judge convertible range ($125,000-$185,000) not cheap, but not RA IV Judge Convertible barn find money either. My goals are changing and although this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me, I’ve decided to sell the car and would like to do so before the end of the year (fiscal cliff & all that BS!). I’ll price it at $150,000 and let whoever’s interested make what offers they think are reasonable. I’ll consider partial trades but ultimately will need the majority in cash for what I want to do. There are a couple videos of the car on YouTube and that should give you an idea of how she runs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMuZDyFX3j8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlYJYY01kdE
You are more than welcome to come see & inspect the car or have a representative do so on your behalf. Please e-mail me
[email protected] if you have any questions, include your phone number so I can call you back. Thanks, Chris.
