What’s It Worth? 1972 Pontiac GTO
My, how quickly things can change in the automotive world. The GTO began life as a mid-size muscle car in 1964, reached 96,000 units in sales in 1966, yet couldn’t break the 6,000 number in 1972. Market saturation had something to do with that, and the insurance industry did a number on those types of cars in terms of rising premiums. This 1972 looks like a decent survivor that’s said to run well but has some sheet metal rust to be sorted out. Including the seller, this Pontiac has had only two owners and is in Cape May, New Jersey. It’s available without reserve here on eBay where the bidding has hit $24,500.
Due to declining demand, the GTO reverted to option status in 1972 (it had been its own series from 1966 to 1971). That added about $350 to the cost of either a LeMans (pillared coupe or hardtop) or the LeMans Sport with better trim. Bucket seats and carpeting came as standard with the LeMans Sport edition. The base engine in the GTO was still the 400 cubic-inch V8, but now rated at 250 hp SAE Net with a 4-barrel carburetor (the VIN identifies this as correct for the car). Out of 5,807 GTOs produced in ’72, 3,308 had the base 400 with a TH-400 automatic transmission. Can’t be too many of these left now.
We’re told that this GTO has its original drivetrain at 96,000 miles. 10-bolt rear-end, no posi-traction. The seller says it runs and drives great with no mention if anything has ever required a rebuild. It’s documented that a framed copy of the build sheet is there to validate the auto. The interior appears to have held up well though the seams in the driver’s side seat bottom look to be coming apart and will need attention. The carpeting may be a bit tired, as well.
Whether or not the yellow paint is original, there is some rust in one of the quarter panels and a lower fender. The former might be patchable with success, but the latter could require a new fender depending on how picky you are. We’re told this is a car that you could drive home, wherever you live, and it could certainly pass muster at Cars & Coffee as it sits. You could play one of the 8-track tapes it comes with in the under-dash player! The original wheels and tires have been saved to accompany the Pontiac to its next home.
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Comments
Snappy 3.55 rear gear. Open diff for 1 tire smokeshows en route to the cars and coffee.
I had a 72… April 72 last build..for a US Navy sailor ordered it…
The car was a BEAST.
4 speed , m21, hd everything radiator, trailer package..
Its pull yo house off foundation.
P steering, p brakes, AIR CONDITIONING
3:73 axle. Posi…
R defog blower fan..worked GREAT.
A dealer installed hood tach.
Dude.
I blew away corvettes with Das Goat.
Had it 27 years.. it had more muscles than you got brains.
Then, I had the motor balanced blueprinted to Ram Air lll specs.
My 72 gto was not a muscle car…. it was the KING of Street.
The Fremont Ca pontiac guys did a SOLID for this service man.
Vincent Pierrotti.
I was owner 2.
GM slid in a bad ass JUDGE for Vincent.
Ask Curtis And Clint Briggs.
Muscle Beach ran away went Da Goat showed
Reality is… This is not a “muscle car”. Gutless lump. Hang a disco ball from the mirror before you crush it.
People have lost their minds with old cars. Some are just that … An old car. The company tried to keep the “muscle” thing going as a sales tactic. But … They aren’t anything special
reality is J. doesnt know what hes spewing about, reality is, J. is obviously not the one who determines ‘reality’.
Reality is, it IS a ‘muscle car’ by definition :)
‘Any of a variety of high-performance automobiles, especially American 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s equipped with large, powerful V8 engines.’
Its a GTO, all American, in beautiful condition, limited numbers, a hard top too !
One of THE greatest muscle cars of all time.
Too bad too many dont know how to build power, but THAT my fellow peanuts is what seperates men from the boys ;)
John do you èver have anything remotely intelligent to say?Mr.know it all Debbie downer…
Having grown up in that area of the country, it’s the rot around the bottom corner of the rear window that causes me the most concern. I’ve torn into enough GM cars of this era to know that this is akin to seeing only the tip of the iceberg that sunk the Titanic above the water line.
To answer your question, it’s worth what someone will pay. At $24,500 it’s already well beyond what I’d offer for it.
Unless you have to have THIS ONE, this car has nothing to recommend it IMO except that it’s old. Was an embarrassment then, and still is. Worse than a clone. If you HAVE TO HAVE IT, go see it first. If it’s that important to you, it’s worth spending that money. Otherwise, IMO, it’s not worth buying at all–but if one must, $12,000. Tops.
Tough crowd today. But, they’re not wrong. It’s a 72, with rust in several areas…24.5k is too much for this car. You could probably find a 72 that does not need body work and paint for near what the bid is at now for this yellow one, if not a few thousand more.
Mike it’s a tough crowd everyday here.
That’s the sad part about it. It should be about people helping people with their knowledge but it’s usually a beat down on people’s cars.
We see a lot of potential here. An in person inspection might reveal an original car, without a lot of hidden surprises. These cars commonly rust across the front of the hood, we see no evidence of that.
For 12K, I’d take a chance and buy it unseen.
Perhaps the reason it couldn’t break 6,000 units sold is because it’s just so darn ugly and didn’t have very much go power.
10k$ car MAX! to make it worthy Rear end swapped out + ENGINE & TRANS thst 400 poncho is worthless & 400TH sucks HP
Interior is GM BRITTLE plastic parts that crumble at the touch.
Gutted & swapped out w/modern running gear it’d make a decent street ride.
AS IS??it’s a nightmare of obsolete parts & crumbling rust & plastic NOT worth even 12k.
Really it’s a 3k$ donor hulk
There isn’t a thing to like about what’s bolted into & on this platform
reality is J. doesnt know what hes spewing about, reality is, J. is obviously not the one who determines ‘reality’.
Reality is, it IS a ‘muscle car’ by definition :)
‘Any of a variety of high-performance automobiles, especially American 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size cars of the late 1960s and early 1970s equipped with large, powerful V8 engines.’
Its a GTO, all American, in beautiful condition, limited numbers, a hard top too !
One of THE greatest muscle cars of all time.
Too bad too many dont know how to build power, but THAT my fellow peanuts is what seperates men from the boys ;)
Many good right on the money comments, I hope the brunt of you are on vacation when I put my junk up for sale and get caught by the barn finds strainer.
Keep up the good work.
Yes this hood is a 2 year fit Gto and t41 Lemans sport or something like that. It rots out , I have one that weighs 2 pounds without the inserts. …..Cheap!
There was a commercial 30 years ago where the dads car won’t start( could have been a battery commercial. The dad borrows the kids car as his didn’t start. Was a white convertible 71-72 Gto or Lemans ( no Gto convert in 72? I forget) anyway the old man chirps the tires and the kid is a kid. Always wanted that triple white car, clone or not.
I like the 68 goat the best, you can whine all you want about the 72, myself I would save the whining for what happens in 73. You can’t call that thing a chevelle or that thing a Gto , but the Monte Carlo benefited for 73.
As far as this car goes, someone will end up with it sooner or later.
Man what a bunch of not very nice people today. I had a 1970 and a 1971 Pontiac LeMans. They may not have been a GTO but they were still a pretty cool car. They both had bucket seats center console floor shift they were both 100% original except for the 70 had rocket racing rims ’50s and ’60s and dual exhaust other than that they were 100% original and I like them both a lot. When I was young I went through a lot of cars and I really regret it now because I had some really nice ones. A lot of them are worth a lot of money today and I would be more than a rich man if I would have kept every car that I owned. I wouldn’t mind having this one but the price is a bit too much for me and I kind of like the front end of the 1970 better. I just hope this goes to a good owner who will take care of it and bring it 100% back to its former glory.
Im like you brother I had a 70 GTO , and a LeMans that was a 70 I loved them both like you I got a offer I couldn’t turn down and sold my goat to my school teacher who got killed two weeks after I sold it to him he cut the top off a telephone poll I don’t know how fast he was running . The LeMans had a 350 in it and it could run like the wind. I wish I still had them . I also had 6 road runners one after another I keep saying why did I not just keep them ???
There’s definitely nicer options for the money than this example. Hard to believe it’s 50 years old, seems like yesterday! Salt car, &10k maybe if you gotta have it.
Cool, but too high of an asking price. 250 horsepower? My 2020 Malibu Premier 2.0 is rated at 250.
Ya, funny how 50 years of technological advancements and efficiency works huh ?..
I wonder why some of us are even on this website
Im here because i like ol US made metal machine , because id rather own a 72 GTO than a 2020 Malibu, regardless of horse power ratings.
This car is amazing, for many reasons
If you dont appreciate it, begs the question:
why are you looking at it, no less commenting.
* ATTENTION *
member of the peanut gallery
Barn Finds are all about someone finding theyre dream car
NOT for flippers and bored negative nancies
For someone who has seeked and hoped for years they might find an original classic/antique car, this car for example is an awesome find !
As a 71/2 GTO fan, i was delighted to see this, and it may just help make someones dream come true, their life more enjoyable, help them move on to bigger and better things.
Anyone who puts time, care, and money into preserving a vintage American car deserves respect and gratitude, without them, this sight wouldnt exist.
Again, thank you Barn Finds for another amazing find !
Doesn’t even have a air conditioning compressor.
Prices are crazy on a lot of classic cars absolutely. But it’s just as easy to regain and then some w that engine. There was nothing better available in 72. If Pontiac has not kept the Trans Am in the lineup, there would have been zero “muscle cars” in the mid 70’s.
I love it but I would say the price is about topped out. When I say topped out I mean the price I seen is about top $ as for what I would pay for it but Pontiac GTO, lemans and tempest are my favorite body style. I have had 4, unfortunately no GTO’s but had a beautiful 68 lemans ( my personal favorite year) it was 350 powered 2speed with console bucket seats it had been painted black it was a light shade of green originally I forget the color name but it was a flawless paint job it had a black vinyl roof interior was black I had pmd mags it was as solid as it could be. I had 2 69s one tempest convertible I put a 1968 400 with a borg warner 4speed out of a firebird in it the other 69 was a lemans and the last one I owned was a 1970 lemans sport convertible factory 350 which was red with a white top and tan interior it was as beautiful as my 68 was and just as solid but despite the fact my birth year is 1970 the 68 was my favorite I just love the rear bumper and tail lights on that year. It’s unbelievable how much these cars are valued at now days I have $1500 for the 70 in 1997 I didn’t even open the trunk until I drove it home I wanted to hurry up and give the guy the money before he changed his mind lol so when I did pop the trunk to my surprise there was a new white top in it I had to pay $500 to have the top put on so for $2000 I had a ride that turned alot of heads the guy had just put new fuel exhaust on it.
Just came in from doing some working on my 72 lemans sport convertible.
White top and body. Black interior.
M22, dual exhaust ,400, 4bbl.
Endura option, close ratio steering.
Power brakes all factory ordered. Have had it since high school.
My pick up has more horse. It’s not as much fun. Never had much problem with the interior cracking. It’s called up keep.
If you think old stuff is bad, wait and see how the new stuff holds up.
If you think it’s only 250 hp. Your wrong. They are not the high compression motors that came before. But if you measure things differently. Insurance costs are lower.
Just saying.
As for the new Chrysler and Chevrolets.
They will be old and outdated also.
Having grown up during 60’s and 70’s. I know where today came from.