[gtoric]

Can someone describe for me the differences between the 1970, 1971, and 1972 Tempest, LeMans and GTO tail light lenses? Photos would be helpful. How many different variants in each year? Did different models have different lenses within each year?

[PB]

Here's what I've gathered....

70 GTO, has stainless trim, I believe lemans did not get the trim
71 GTO, has 3 Fins b/n lights...also used on '72 Luxury Lemans ....71 GT 37 and T37 were plain...no fins, like '72's
72 GTO, has smooth finish without fins or stainless trim. Also with std. lemans

Not sure if stainless trim was standard on GTO or if it was on all GTO / Lemans...


first 2 are '72's...orbit is the '70...next one is a 70 lemans..blue 71 GT-37

[PB]

Here's a '71 '71's edges are painted argent silver, including the fins.

[PB]

Another interesting thing to note is there is variants between some tail light lenses and the housings themselves. Some are deeper (recessed) than others. I do not know if this is a plant thing or a year thing or MFG thing. Basically, you have to match the lense to the housing. Some do not interchange. I think some found this out when purchasing after market lenses.

[Held for Ransom]

Yes, the '70 had 2 different styles...
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=436754

[gtoric]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Yes, the '70 had 2 different styles...
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=436754

Mike, do both of those lenses have the GUIDE 70 markings? The different mounting design would suggest different bumper designs as well. Different year bumpers?

[PB]

Originally Posted by Held for Ransom

Yes, the '70 had 2 different styles...
http://www.forums.maxperformanceinc....d.php?t=436754

Was this a '70 only thing HFR??? or are there other years this is found?

[pontiacpetey]

I kind of like the silver painted.

[davesjudge]

The repro '71 lenses I purchased from our host were not the best of fit, and did not have the argent silver finish on the ribs. Anyone know where I can get of somewhat correct '71 lenses?

[PB]

Originally Posted by davesjudge

The repro '71 lenses I purchased from our host were not the best of fit, and did not have the argent silver finish on the ribs. Anyone know where I can get of somewhat correct '71 lenses?

A friend of mine has a set of '71 lenses he has on his '72. He want's 72 lenses...if you have a nice set of '72 lenses (original) I believe he would trade you straight up. I believe they are in good condition.

[Drew W]

Based on Pat's descriptions my '72 LeMans Sport seems to have '71 lenses?

[uforacing]

Originally Posted by Drew W

Based on Pat's descriptions my '72 LeMans Sport seems to have '71 lenses?

My 72 GTO had the same ones.

[Lloyd-TX]

Originally Posted by Drew W

Based on Pat's descriptions my '72 LeMans Sport seems to have '71 lenses?

Yep!

The ONLY '72 to use the ribbed, "1971 style" lenses was the Luxury LeMans.

[hopper146]

Originally Posted by Drew W

Based on Pat's descriptions my '72 LeMans Sport seems to have '71 lenses?

Mine too...except im 99.999% sure they've never been changed....sooo...i'm thinking the 72 GTO's had the dividers with the silver on them.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by hopper146

Mine too...except im 99.999% sure they've never been changed....sooo...i'm thinking the 72 GTO's had the dividers with the silver on them.

My own experience, most '72 GTO builds had the "smoothie" style rear tailights. End of the model year, with different plants, hard to say, what came in them. Also pulled a few very nice stainless trimmed '70 GTO/ '70 LeMans Sport lens out of early built '71 LeMans Sports. In the mid '80's when I began pulling '70-72 tailights, wheels, AM-FM's, rally gauges, swaybars, boxed arms, fenders, hoods, etc, every once in a blue moon I'd find busted rib but otherwise intact "'71 GTO" taillight(s) in a real '72 GTO, but those were usually on '72 GTO's that had been through quite a few owners. If I ran into a fellow who had owned a 72 GTO at a local show, he typically had owned it for years and as collectible cars, they were just beginning to come out of the daily driver (crash & smash) era. During the late 80's-90's, '72 T41 LeMans were fairly common in the local and regional yards, & I eventually picked up well over a dozen as parts cars. Only occasionally one would come across a '72 in a yard, that actually had the GTO option. Either which way, while yard hunting, I usually "cleaned" em, if the yard wasn't crazy on their prices.

[AJD1964]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

Also pulled a few very nice stainless trimmed '70 GTO/ '70 LeMans Sport lens out of early built '71 LeMans Sports.

01D (4th week - Jan. '71) Ser# 121XXX Is that considered early?

I could use a better pair of tail lamp lenses - My ribbed ones (likely original) are in poor condition. I would switch to stainless/smoothies if technically correct. I've seen nice reproductions. Might have to win an argument "Hey you got the wrong tail lamps!"

Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, but ribbed are hard to find fair priced in good used condition, and they seem to re-pop more of the smooth ones.

[gtoric]

I took a look at two '72 LeMans at a car cruise last night. Both had plain (no s/s trim), flat (no dividers), lenses. Both also had the "GUIDE 70" markings on the lenses. Of course, I couldn't remove the inboard mounting screws to see if they were long or short style.

Did all '72 lenses, with the exception of the Luxury LeMans, feature the "GUIDE 70" markings?

[PB]

Originally Posted by gtoric

Did all '72 lenses, with the exception of the Luxury LeMans, feature the "GUIDE 70" markings?

Yes, all will have the GUIDE 70 markings.

[Held for Ransom]

Eric, the change was during the '70 MY but I don't know the timeframe. I don't think any '72 Pontiac A-body will have a "72" molded tail light.

[pontiacpetey]

I can see it easy to be mixed up, with the lenses being in such a precarious place they were easily damaged and replaced down the road with whatever the owner could get from the dealer or the salvage yard.