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#1
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1972 GTO 1 of 10 455HO Post Coupe
Some members here probably remember back in October 2007 Lloyd-TX started a thread titled “Stirrin’ the pot”. For some of the new members here they will probably enjoy learning about this car and looking at the pics. No need to go back and find or read that thread as it is posted below. It took awhile (close to 2 years), but last month I kept my promise (Lloyd bailed out) and finally made the 3-1/2 hour journey to the piney woods of East Texas to visit Billy and Janet, the owners of an 80+ car collection that was started in the mid-seventies.
The purpose of the trip was to verify whether or not one of their cars is 1 of the 10 rare GTO 455HO Post Coupes built in 1972 and help assess the value of the car. Throughout the 28 years Billy and Janet have owned this car, numerous people have stopped by their place of business to inquire about buying that “old Pontiac”, claiming it is a Lemans and only offering to give $500 bucks for the car. From what I heard, a prominent Dallas area GTO collector/appraiser once came out and told Billy the car was not a real GTO. I can certainly understand why the car is misunderstood, as ’72 is a very confusing year since the GTO reverted back to an option on the Lemans hardtop and post body styles. And to further muddy the waters in ‘72, you could order the Endura option on any Lemans (except the Luxury Lemans) giving you the appearance of a GTO. After seeing this car in person, I can say with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY, this is 1 of the 7 automatic “x code” GTO 455HO post coupes built in 1972 (it also helps having the PHS). Not only is this GTO a rare post model, it is somewhat of a factory freak as it is a bench seat car, ram air optioned and was ordered with the wire wheel covers (the car must had been a sight to see when new). Other than the drive train being out of the car and apart, this GTO is not too molested and pretty solid (except rear window area under vinyl top). Car has a good history and comes with extensive paper work. Attached are some pics I took of the car. Enjoy. http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=538932 http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=557075&page=3 |
#2
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Some more pics……dig the patina ram air hood pan, PMD wire hubcaps sitting on front floor board. That is the original all morrokide bench interior. The Lemans emblem on door panel is a factory goof, as these should have GTO emblems.
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#3
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Very cool!
I know a certain yellow Canadian one that I'd love to get my hands on... |
#4
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Notice in this pic that post cars do not have rear arm rest.
This car, the '72 GTO Post HO raced in the seventies by Sonny Rae and Terry Pope's '72 HO Post Coupe that was featured in HPP magazine are the only '72 Post 455HO GTO's that I have ever come across. Chime in if you know of any other '72 GTO 455HO Post Coupes out there. http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...gto/index.html |
#5
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A Canadian built '72 post GTO?.....that has got to be rare! Any pics available of that car?
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#6
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I like that car, low key. I'd repair the rust and drive it as is.
MIke
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so many pontiacs, so little time.................. moderator is a glorified word for an unappreciated prick.................. "Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former." --Albert Einstein "There is no such thing as a good tax." "We contend that for a nation to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle." - Winston Churchill |
#7
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I saw a triple black 4 spd POST GTO 4 spd car in the late 80s at the car craft nationals at st louis international raceway...real x code, i looked
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#8
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Quote:
Remember that Juniper Green HO car I took pics of at Wagner's? I think it had Lemans door emblems too. I'll have to hunt those pics up and see..
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Pat Brown |
#9
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Really, Mr. Pat? Hunt away and POST them already.
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'68 GTO 4-spd Hardtop (11) '68 GTO Convertible AT (1) '70 LeMans Sport Land of Lakes Muscle Car Classic Facebook Event Facebook Wall (Kurt Smith,Minneapolis) |
#10
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I just checked...must not have got that shot, but I do recall seeing them in that car. Strange factory happenings.
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Pat Brown |
#11
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Interesting car for sure.
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1971 Pontiac GT-37 Car is a junk yard dog and maybe one day will be restored. |
#12
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So what are the owners going to do with it? Did they want verification as to what it is so they can sell it (they missed the peak in the market now that the economy is tanking) or are they going to restore it? If it was mine, I'd get it running and drive it as is. Sweet rare car.
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1972 GTO Hardtop - 400, M22, Cardinal Red now Nocturne Blue Treasurer 2008 GTOAA International Meet |
#13
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Very neat car - thanks for the research and for posting. Question: I saw the window crank for the rear window - did they crank all way down same as on the Hardtops?
Love to see a photo of one with the windows all down and the vent windows cranked open. BJ
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1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership |
#14
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Does it have the Lemans door panel because of the vent window crank? Looks like the pull strap on the GTO panel would hit right about there.
How early of a built car was it? If it was one of the first ones down the line I can see a mistake like that happening.
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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. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
#15
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niiice
yep. and the rear seat is wider too, since there are no armrests.
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http://gloryrestoparts.20megsfree.com/ 1970.5 Pontiac Tempest GT-37 400ci 4bbl 4sp 3.90:1 12.73 @ 112.42 2011 Pure Stock Drags 12.71 @ 110.58 2013 Martin FAST/FS race 12.70 @ 111.74 2014 Pure Stock Drags 12.60 @ 111.66 2015 Martin FAST/FS race 1968 Pontiac Firebird 400 TH400/3.08 open export car - factory heater delete 14.48 @ 95.86 w/ 2.14 60' 2018 Pure Stock Drags 14.47 @ 95.02 w/ 2.16 60' 2019 Martin FAST/FS race |
#16
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By the EUN on the engine block I would put that block cast in early September some time - so was it a late September/early October built car?
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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. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
#17
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I don't know where it was built, but it's owned by a Canadian on this board.
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#18
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Probably built at the Pontiac plant - I think most of them were.
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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. Bruce Springsteen - Racing In The Street - 1978 |
#19
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Quote:
Sometime in the early nineties Billy had ordered a part from the Purely PMD guys and they had told him "if it was the real deal, his car was a very rare GTO". Billy didn't think much of it then. But a few years ago when HPP featured Terry Pope's GTO on the front cover that had sparked Billy curiousity in the car again. Billy wants to sell, but wants to make sure the car goes to a good home and receives the restoration it deserves as well as getting a fair price for the car. |
#20
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This car was built at the Pontiac Plant last week of November of 1971. The car shipped out in December. It sat around on the original dealer lot for a long time and then was traded out to another Pontiac dealer in Shrevport, Louisiana. It was there the car finally sold to its new owner in late September of 1972.
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