1972 455 HO/4spd Lemans Sport Convertible For Sale

[The Boss]

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMuZDyFX3j8

http://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.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1763-72_lemans_sport_convertible_phs.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1764-2011_09_27_15.40.23.jpg
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[njsteve]

HOLY &@%$! That is one amazing car.

You beat me: you have one more option than my Firebird has: 35 vs 34. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif

That is an incredible piece of iron. One of the rarest 455HO cars that was ever made. In the best color, too.

Best of luck on the sale.

[al8apex]

I worked at that Pontiac plant in 71 and through 73 as a General Motors Institute co-op student (6 weeks at the plant, 6 weeks in Flint at school)

I was fascinated by the &quot;cool&quot; cars as they went down the line, all the purple coded parts meant a &quot;good&quot; one ... 4 speeds too, I may have seen this one being built, can't remember though ...

I was there for the buildout of the 72's and noticed that the last of the convertibles were all going to Florida and a dealer in Las Vegas and they were LOADED, nearly $5k sticker or more like this one

It seemed odd to me that so many were going to Las Vegas, knowing how small that town was back then ...

It also seemed odd that all of the convertibles were nearly fully loaded with options too ...

OK, back to this century, awesome car, good luck with the sale ...

Why does it have a GTO sticker on the side if its a Lemans. Back in the day when I was a kid I street raced a 71 GTO HO 455 that had just had extensive work done at the local speed shop with my 66 Vette 427-425. I snuffed it.

[The Boss]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: frankk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Why does it have a GTO sticker on the side if its a Lemans. Back in the day when I was a kid I street raced a 71 GTO HO 455 that had just had extensive work done at the local speed shop with my 66 Vette 427-425. I snuffed it. </div></div>

I'm sure you did - you kind of had him killed in the power/weight ratio! I'd be disappointed if you didn't.

The GTO stickers are no longer on it - they came off within the first week of my getting it but it's a real good question. Somewhere in it's ownership somebody decided it was the elusive 1 of 1 GTO convertible that so many publications have claimed were built in 1972. Other than the Pontiac nameplates on the front grill, dash, and deck lid, there are no emblems or nameplates of any kind in or on the car. In an old picture I have of the car taken prior to it's paint job you can see the decals were there.

Paul Zazarine wrote a column in Musclecar Review about the car back in 1999 when it was in Hemmings listed as a GTO convertible as he had been chasing the rumor for years as well. Turns out the car does not have the W62 GTO option and no evidence has ever surfaced that in fact 1 was ever built - we've all been chasing a ghost.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1769-old_photo.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1770-musclecar_review.jpg

[Fast67VelleN2O]

Has any of the GTO wagons shown up yet?

[The Boss]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Fast67VelleN2O</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Has any of the GTO wagons shown up yet? </div></div>

That's another rumor that's never been substantiated although many of the Lemans Sport wagons were built with the $41.00 Endura front end option (GTO nose) so a couple of emblems later and you were all set.

[daverd]

There was an original 455 ho 4speed convertible
Le Mans in the Boston area owned and bought
By a woman new the car needs a total resto
It was blue with black Interior and top
Unitized ignition
The car needed a total resto
Frame ect rusted out car
Was sold fell off the face of the earth
Buddy that found it wanted to buy it to
Strip it out .....this was about 12 years ago

[Keith Tedford]

Our '72 Lemans Sport had the &quot;Lemans Sport&quot; emblems on the front fenders. I believe the '71 had them on the rear part of the quarter panel. I would think that this car has been massaged a little. Beautiful colour scheme just the same. The '72 had a slightly massaged '70 455. It was considerably quicker than our L78 Chevelle but wouldn't have been a match for the COPO car and definitely not be in the L72 Corvette league. It really isn't worth bragging about to beat a car that weighs a thousand pounds more and has a lot less hp too.

[The Boss]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Keith Tedford</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Our '72 Lemans Sport had the &quot;Lemans Sport&quot; emblems on the front fenders. I believe the '71 had them on the rear part of the quarter panel. I would think that this car has been massaged a little.</div></div>

Keith, I appreciate your input but you are incorrect. The regular nose Lemans Sports did have the script on the fenders behind the wheel but the Endura nosed cars did not as the air extractors behind the front wheels would have interfered with their location. You will also note the 455 emblems forward on the fender are specific to the 455 models only - all others (350-400) had the engine call-outs on the rocker molding at the heel of the front fenders.

In fact, take a look at the green automatic 455HO that Nickey sold - no emblems there.

http://www.nickeychicagoinc.com/1972-pontiac-lemans-sport-455-h-o/

Also, the 72 HO was vastly different from the 70 455. The 72 had the round port heads vs the 70's d-ports, had an aluminum intake vs the cast iron one in 70 and had lower compression to comply with the newer federal &amp; corporate mandates. A minor cam change and a thinner head gasket and these engines wake up nicely - properly set up 71 &amp; 72 HO's in Pure Stock are pulling 12 second quarter times on a regular basis. My 71 GT-37 with a 455HO/T400/3:08 12 bolt with a 12&quot; no stall converter is pulling 13.60's on Wide Ovals and I'm just getting started with it.

[Charley Lillard]

Good info..I feel like I'm learning stuff.

[Tracker1]

The '72 had a slightly massaged '70 455. [/quote]

Umm, no. That's like saying an LS6 454 is a slightly massaged version of an LS5.

[The Boss]

My son gets a chance to drive most of my cars - oh to be 17 again! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/laugh.gif

Not his first burnout, I'm sure it won't be his last....the one on the street is a little harder to see.

http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1816-patrick_in_72_ho.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1817-2011_10_08_16.16.25.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1818-2011_09_26_08.06.29.jpg

[The Boss]

Feel free to PM or e-mail with offers if you are interested. [email protected]

[daverd]

Not to go off topic but I love those GT 37s!!!

[The Boss]

Thanks Dave.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Keith Tedford</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Our '72 Lemans Sport had the &quot;Lemans Sport&quot; emblems on the front fenders. I believe the '71 had them on the rear part of the quarter panel. I would think that this car has been massaged a little. Beautiful colour scheme just the same. The '72 had a slightly massaged '70 455. It was considerably quicker than our L78 Chevelle but wouldn't have been a match for the COPO car and definitely not be in the L72 Corvette league. It really isn't worth bragging about to beat a car that weighs a thousand pounds more and has a lot less hp too. </div></div> Not bragging at all Keith... far from it. We were 20 year olds,knew next to nothing about horsepower to weight. Just stating a fact.

[The Boss]

Now that Christmas is over, it's time to get yourself what you really wanted!

[The Boss]

Bringing this back up - let me know what you have for trades. I've been looking for one of these lately if any of you have one....6 spd only.

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/visitor/wta/bilder/2.jpg

[njsteve]

Here's one with 2000 miles, but its a T-top car:


http://forums.performanceyears.com/forums/showthread.php?t=717627

http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/cto/3528432383.html

[The Boss]

Thanks Steve, found one of the speedway convertibles but the owner's son wants him to keep it.

[The Boss]

Price has been adjusted to $135,000 obo.

Link (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lemans-Convertible-/111029835322?_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649&amp;ssPageName= STRK:MESELX:IT&amp;forcev4exp=true)

[The Boss]

Available again...only drove it once this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMuZDyFX3j8&amp;list=TLwJoxwXVqfnwgR5jr_Ux8QdL CW7JVpQDG

[The Boss]

New price is $110,000 obo.

[The Boss]

100,000 ?

[ddmrk]

Very Very Nice Car !!! good luck

[Andyd426]

What's the mileage on the car and where in CT are you?-Thanks

[The Boss]

72 or 73,000 Andy - I'm in Sandy Hook.

[Stefano]

I'm digging it too.

[TMagda]

Hey Boss,

Any chance you know Tommy Santella? Lives in Sandy Hook, drives a Prowler in the summer and builds pools. Grew up with him in Norwalk.

[The Boss]

Can't say that I do, and I haven't seen a Prowler around here in ages.

Round Port, 4 Speed A-Body convertibles don't come this cheap! 35 Options, unrestored with 1 repaint wearing <span style="font-weight: bold">EVERY</span> original body panel and drive line component. Christmas is here - come pick up you present! <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

[The Boss]

$100,000.

[The Boss]

Sale pending.

[The Boss]

Car is still available - buyer failed to perform.

[GTO_DON]

Most guys his age need CIALIS. NO BALLS NO GLORY

[The Boss]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most guys his age need CIALIS. NO BALLS NO GLORY </div></div>

Extenuating circumstances - I get it, I've been there, I know it - the no call back bull is what bothers me. Texting multiple times &amp; saying I'll call you later this morning and then not, or asking for additional details but then not answering your phone when I call back - well, that's weak.

We are all adults, I can take a &quot;sorry I just can't do it right now&quot; just as easily as I can &quot;send me your wire info&quot;.

Life goes on, right Don? <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

Some guys they just give up living
And start dying little by little, piece by piece,
Some guys come home from work and wash up,
And go racin' in the street.

[scorpio ps]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: GTO_DON</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Most guys his age need CIALIS. NO BALLS NO GLORY </div></div>

Hey what wrong with CIALIS. Perhaps he was dreaming and woke up, or came to his senses. Lol….

[The Boss]

I just found the production data...

From page 1.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">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 &amp; 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.</div></div>

This page shows a total of 16 M22/LS5 23867 models being built - with 2 of those being the LeMans GT's that would leave a production of 14 LeMans Sport convertibles. So, out of the total production of 16 or 14 depending upon how you split it, 4- 4spds have survived.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/01/full-5151-9228-72abodypowertrainusage.jpg

[Sport_GT]

I am the owner of this RARE Lemans Sport GT 1972 Convertible. The only one sold in Canada.
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/01/full-18342-9373-lemans_gt_72.png

[Sport_GT]

Sorry, I am the owner of one of these...

[GTO_DON]

very cool. What color is yours?

[The Boss]

Looks like Sundance to me Don.

[69LM1]

Here is SportGT's image:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/01/full-18342-9373-lemans_gt_72.png


Rich

[Sport_GT]

This picture is before frame off. Color is Sundance orange.455HO, TH400, front disc brake, GT option, Ram Air, tilt+power steering, handling package (Y96)

[SuperNovaSS]

Why are you posting pictures of your car in someone else's for sale ad?


Jason

[Sport_GT]

Sorry, I am new on this site and I probably post something at the wrong place! I will not do it again!

[John]

..... That's okay.....

...Welcome to the site.... there is a lot of good info here.... and we all like to see photos.

<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif

[GTO_DON]

Especially when its close to my heart. Im sure Chris [bo$$] didnt mind. Wish mine was a 455. At least i have the 3rd pedal to help make the difference.http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/02/full-887-9462-002.jpg

[The Boss]

$90,000 OBO if anyone is interested, looking for a quick sale.

[email protected]

[The Boss]

How about some recent pictures....I have a fresh set of honeycombs for the car, these tires/wheels are just for storage.

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-5151-13026-img_3619_1280x960.jpg
http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2014/06/full-5151-13027-img_3610_1280x960.jpg
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[The Boss]

PHS again if anyone missed it - 35 factor options, 1 of 16 4spds built, 1 of 4 known 4spd survivors and the one with the most options out off all known 455HO convertibles. Unrestored with 1 repaint, fully numbers matching with all original body panels. New photos on page 5.



http://www.yenko.net/attachments/usergals/2012/12/full-5151-1763-72_lemans_sport_convertible_phs.jpg

[Cubera2014]

Wow! Great car and IMO for what it's worth, a great price! Somebody is gonna get a sweet ride.

[The Boss]

The new year brings new priorities and some of my cars will be going. Car will be listed in Hemmings this weekend - with a higher price.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMuZDyFX3j8

[The Boss]

Car is still here, not using, looking for something different.

Will trade for something interesting, 69 TA would be nice.

[The Boss]

Bump

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics/usergals/2016/06/full-5151-44695-img_3619_1280x960.jpg

[RST]

Sent you a PM.

[The Boss]

Bump

[flyingn]

what so weird is with all those rare options, no safe t track.

[The Boss]

Not on the list but the rear is a posi.

[The Boss]

Any interest at any price? I'm in the mood to sell them all today!

[Stefano]

You sure have some Kool and interesting cars. GLWS.

[The Boss]

Thanks but it's no fun when you have to move 3 cars to get to the one you want to drive, or you have to charge the battery before it will start, or it's got bad gas, or....you get the idea.

You either own your possessions or they own you. I'd like to get down to 4 or 5 cars that all run &amp; need no work - then I could enjoy them.

[TimG]

I know the feeling, it takes me 30 minutes to get my Cobra out from between lifts.

[The Boss]

Car is still here, may go through the motions to pull it out this weekend - only two cars out in front of it &amp; one is on a trailer so I won't need to find a battery for it. <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/wink.gif

Currently priced at $99,000 - will consider offers, trade for 69 TA or other interesting trades.

Top HP drop top built in 1972 &amp; the most options of any of them - this is the one to own.

[The Boss]

New Pricing:

1972 LeMans Sport Convertible 455HO/4spd $87,900

[The Boss]

New Pricing:

1972 LeMans Sport Convertible 455HO/4spd $86,900

[The Boss]

Almost time for the top to go down, time for the price to go up?

Also got a call from Mike at Barrett Jackson this afternoon about consigning this to Mohegan Sun. He'd like to get it in early so they could use it in some of the advertising.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMuZDyFX3j8

[The Boss]

Just giving everyone a heads up here - Mike Tramontano from Barrett-Jackson has been hitting me up weekly to consign this car to the Mohegan Sun auction in June. I'd rather sell it off one of the boards and save everyone the fees, but I won't be keeping the car here another year. Step up now if you want to do something or have a 69 TA you want to trade, otherwise it will be available on the block.

Thanks SYC,

Chris

[The Boss]

New Price - $80,000 come & get it!

[The Boss]

Make an offer.

Car is in town at my shop getting a new gas tank put it, going for a detailing and I'll have the stripes on it by the end of the week.

[The Boss]

Stripes are on and she's looking pretty!

Gas tank went in and all of the old/dry rubber lines were replaced. Next up are the powder coated boxed lower control arms and the Y99 rear sway bar I've been hoarding for 20+ years. Then it will be the NOS 14" honecombs and the Firestone wide ovals, dashpad replaced, radio/8 track sent out for repairs.....endless.

She's running beautifully now & loving the attention - going to be a shame to let her go.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=459286&d=1500756381

[The Boss]

New price $75,000.

[The Boss]

Still here and it's almost time to drop the top.

[carnut4life]

I was just talking to one of my Pontiac friends about this car last weekend, can't believe it hasn't sold yet, a holy grail Pontiac in my opinion. If had I the space and money this car would be in my garage for sure!

[The Boss]

Thanks!

No different than a 71 Judge convertible and a car you "shouldn't" have been able to order.

I can't believe it hasn't sold yet either.