Vehicle Description
1972 Pontiac GTO - 400ci V8 - Automatic Transmission - 77k Miles -
Tan Over Brown Interior (Please note: If you happen to be viewing
this 1933 Ford Coupe on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors
site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many
photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To
be sure you access all the more than 135 photographs, as well as a
short start-up and walk-around video, please go to our main
website: GKM.com) In the height of muscle car era Federal safety
and pollution regulations were established in 1968. Because of
these influences and restrictions, the muscle car industry was soon
to be put at risk at that time. By 1970s, the automotive industry
was undergoing a transformation that would bring the end to the
famed performance era. New emission restrictions were established,
and vehicle manufacturers began developing engines that operated on
low-lead fuel. Large, heftier bumpers required by new federal
vehicle safety regulations resulted in performance decline as cars
became heavier and less powerful. OPEC reduced oil shipments to the
U.S. in 1973, which for the first time in U.S. history created an
energy crisis, and widespread gasoline shortages creating a
dramatic increase in fuel prices. Further muscle cars were viewed
as dangerous and insurance providers started cracking down on
performance automobiles with higher rates. Combined with inflation,
owning a muscle vehicle was becoming much too expensive for the
youth market it was designed for. Many Americans felt it was better
decision to a buy tiny, lightweight automobiles. 1972 was a
transitional year for the muscle car market seeing a drop in
reported horsepower across the board for all the Big Three's high
output motors. Even though there was relatively little changes in
the engines from the previous year, there was a drastic drop in the
power ratings of the engine due to a change in how the industry
standard for measuring the power of the engine. The power was
measured now in terms of SAE net output, meaning the power of the
engine with all the power draining accessories attached, instead of
the gross output of the power of the engine alone. The reason for
this was to make the rating more realistic. In the case of the 1972
GTO it resulted in the rating for the base 400 cid engine to go
down to 250 hp from 300 hp in 1971. The 1972 GTO was mostly a
carryover from 1971 with the only cosmetic changes being: a very
slightly revised dual front grille design, new front quarter panel
lower side air extractors behind each of the front wheels, a new
front parking light lens design, and new dual chrome splitter
exhaust outlets which expelled the exhaust directly behind both
rear wheels. The 1972 GTO was now officially a Pontiac LeMans with
the GTO package. All of the forementioned was the perfect storm for
the demise of the GTO. Sales of the 1972 GTO were pretty dismal at
only 5,807 units, making it one of the rarer GTOs. It was a sign
that the golden era of the muscle car was coming to a close and the
GTO would soon be put out to pasture. But that said this makes this
particular year and model of GTO very collectible. This GTO has
been cosmetically restored and presents well. The correct GTO
stripes and lettering has been accurately applied on this car.
While there are a few chips in the finish, overall the paint
presents well with a nice luster. The tan vinyl top nicely accents
the color combination in and outside of this classic muscle car and
looks to be original and all the factory trim and molding are
present. The trunk and underbody of this car support it is a solid
car free of any rust through. Inside the interior appears to be
largely original with some typical wear and tear expected of a
50-year-old car. Highlights include factory gauges and tachometer,
and formula steering wheel. A nod to staying power and popularity
of the GTO is the 80's era Kraco cassette player and rear speak
