LS1-Powered 1972 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible

Description

From its 1962 introduction, the bang-for-your-buck Pontiac LeMans had a roller coaster ride at GM. It started out as a premium version of the Tempest with sportier and more luxurious trim. But by 1964-65, the Tempest/LeMans line grew into an intermediate-sized car on GM’s new A-body platform — when it was upstaged by a new option package named GTO. And by 1966, the GTO had become its own model.

In 1968, like many of GM’s vehicles, the LeMans styling changed from sharp to curvy, and by 1971 the LeMans name was thrust back into the spotlight, defining all of Pontiac’s intermediate models. And the LeMans finally came back into its own in 1972, when the famed GTO was demoted to a LeMans option. The LeMans offered numerous engines including a six cylinder and five V8s, along with an auto trans, a three-speed, and a four-speed transmission. But one thing never changed: the LeMans offered its own great styling and powerful powertrains, without the GTO’s premium price tag.

And this attention-grabbing 1972 Pontiac LeMans droptop has added even more power to its classic styling, with an LS1 engine and overdrive trans swap.

Highlights 

• Classic 1972 LeMans with modern LS1 power  

• 5.7-liter LS1 rated at 350 hp 

• Four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive 

• Refinished in burnt orange with a black interior 

• Four-wheel disc brakes with drilled and slotted rotors 

• The chassis number (2D67M2P148271) decodes as: 

  • 2 – Pontiac 

  • D – LeMans 

  • 67 – 2-door convertible 

  • M – 350 cu-in V8 (now a fuel-injected LS1 V8) 

  • 2 – 1972 

  • P – Pontiac, Michigan assembly plant 

  • 148271 – Sequential serial number 

Features 

• LS1 engine mount kit 

• LS1 conversion harness 

• Muscle car oil pan kit 

• Speedometer adapter 

• EFI fuel pump 

• EFI fuel lines and fittings 

• Custom driveshaft 

• Custom dual exhaust 

• 17-inch American Racing wheels wearing 245/45ZR17 Nexen tires 

• Front seats reupholstered in 2012 

Known Imperfections 

• Paint bubbles on front of hood 

• Cracks in dashboard 

• Dash and steering wheel sun fading commensurate with its age 

• A tear in the convertible top 

• Very light surface rust in trunk 

 Included  

• Keys

• Set of 1972 LeMans honeycomb-style wheels 

Ownership History 

The consignor states, “This 1972 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible had an LS1 engine conversion done in 2011. The paint was changed from Anaconda Gold to a burnt orange in the late 1980s. From what I could determine, only 3,121 of these were built with automatic transmissions in 1972.”