[RicksGTO]

Mecum - Kissimmee just sold a '72 Trans Am for one of the higher auction prices I've ever seen on a '71-'72 T/A. Very nicely done car and well optioned but still surprised me it sold for $87,500 plus buyer's commission ($96,250)

https://www.mecum.com/lots/FL0119-35...tiac-trans-am/

Anybody here know about this one?

[71HOT/A]

RTS guage surround, white dye worn off of black rear side panel and the rust-proofing plugs would concern me at that price. That's just at a quick glance of pics.

[RicksGTO]

I noticed the wrong dash surround, didn't catch that dye rubbing off in the door pic.

[eaglesan13]

It also has the later, longer style rear spoiler ends on it. Nice car though.

[38932]

Mecum bought the T/A before the auction

[necdb3]

I was there in person, It was a nice car but had some fixable issues. Wrong dash bezel, steel valence, wrong spoiler caps, later hood, wrong color shaker, also looked like a reproduction console. Still all and all a nice car, seemed like a lot for a car with issues.

I'm not trying to knock the car as it did present well but was claimed "concours restored"

[Formulabruce]

Steel Valence could have been original.. Get a peek at the cowl tag?

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by necdb3

I was there in person, It was a nice car but had some fixable issues. Wrong dash bezel, steel valence, wrong spoiler caps, later hood, wrong color shaker, also looked like a reproduction console. Still all and all a nice car, seemed like a lot for a car with issues.

I'm not trying to knock the car as it did present well but was claimed "concours restored"

Looking at the pic with the pass side door open, don't see either style of seatbelt retractor for the passenger side bucket. Wondering as well if this car was an early build or late build/after seatbelt warning light appeared.

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Steel Valence could have been original.. Get a peek at the cowl tag?

I don't believe any 72's came with steel valence.

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by 'ol Pinion head

Looking at the pic with the pass side door open, don't see either style of seatbelt retractor for the passenger side bucket. Wondering as well if this car was an early build or late build/after seatbelt warning light appeared.

It was an early car. Going by memory, i think it was a 514xxx vin

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by necdb3

I don't believe any 72's came with steel valence.

Plenty early 72 cars did, and plenty came with a steel one in the trunk too after the lighting harness change for the clear , then Amber one piece capsules in Later Nov-Dec time frame.
In fact many early '72 cars still had a Stainless rear view mirror as well.

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

Plenty early 72 cars did, and plenty came with a steel one in the trunk too after the lighting harness change for the clear , then Amber one piece capsules in Later Nov-Dec time frame.
In fact many early '72 cars still had a Stainless rear view mirror as well.

I knew about the mirrors, amber lights, belt minder, etc but wasn't aware of early cars not getting plastic valance. My first car was an early 72 F455 which had plastic also.

Not trying to argue, just never knew. So, when did the plastic valence start?

[Scarebird]

Wasn't the steel valance a service replacement also?

[sd7369]

I currently own (4) 72's and have had these cars in my possession 12-45 years. Since my first 72 in 1974 (which I still have), I have owned or parted at least (12) 72 TA's and Formulas. Every one (unless it had been wrecked) had the plastic valance. Production of the four cars are September, October and November and all have plastic valance and clear lenses. Last one I have is March production and I have owned since 79. It still has the original unbroken plastic with amber lenses. Both of my 73's still have the original plastic valance. In my experience, I would disagree any 72 or 73 were built with an original steel valance.

[unruhjonny]

/\ 18 years here, with only 83 posts!?
That's an aberage of less than five posts per year(!);
you must wait only for opportunities where you feel empassioned to speak up so infrequently

Being one of the younger guys gere, I earnestly appreciate your reply;
I was rather confused about the possibility of an early '72 being built with a steel valance;
I had understood that steel was the service replacement part... and was incline to think the same for a '73.

[Formulabruce]

I saw a few at the dealership, and bought a traded in '72 that came from our dealership. It was a base bird, metal valence with '71 clear lights. From my research the plastic started in "earnest" in Nov. Keep in mind the plastic valences required a different front light harness. This is an easy way to tell if the car isnt molested which valence it had. In '72 they had the 69-71 front 3 piece lights, and then the "Clear" capsule design with "NEW" light harness, and then Amber with new light harness. Cars with broken valences got a special steel valence that accepts the 'capsule" type light assembly. clear or Amber. Many cars had this valence unpainted in the trunk of their car if it left with a broken valence. All that said, it could be that more "premium" cars got the plastic and new light harnesses earlier than the rest. This cost and time saving effort by Pontiac sure was no savings at all in the end. In 1977 there was a few steel valences in the parts room, on warranty inventory. \
These were listed as "First job", second job" and 3rd job" based on wether the bulb housing was integral to the housing or the harness. These are all listed in parts this way as well.
Probably ANY one of the 3 is correct for 1972, but many folks have never even seen the "Clear" one piece capsule used with the plastic valence when new. These showed up in Nov cars as far as I can tell.

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by sd7369

I currently own (4) 72's and have had these cars in my possession 12-45 years. Since my first 72 in 1974 (which I still have), I have owned or parted at least (12) 72 TA's and Formulas. Every one (unless it had been wrecked) had the plastic valance. Production of the four cars are September, October and November and all have plastic valance and clear lenses. Last one I have is March production and I have owned since 79. It still has the original unbroken plastic with amber lenses. Both of my 73's still have the original plastic valance. In my experience, I would disagree any 72 or 73 were built with an original steel valance.

That was always my understanding. Amber lens started around 1/1/72 along with belt minder and black mirror, give or take but all got plastic valence. Always heard the rumor of some getting damaged off the car carrier and replaced with steel, perhaps even prior to sale which could lead to the misconception.

[Judge273]

Plastic valance on 72 early and thru 73 on all Pontiac FBody cars. Lets agree on that.

Unless, someone worked at all Pontiac dealerships with a camera for every new car delivery documented...it's a fact.

[J GLASGO]

Minor details aside, really nice, well done car. Fantastic option load. 4 speed, no AC, custom interior,tilt,pw,s.. Really cool!

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by J GLASGO

Minor details aside, really nice, well done car. Fantastic option load. 4 speed, no AC, custom interior,tilt,pw,s.. Really cool!

Agreed, That's why I said I'm not trying to knock it. All and all, a nice car.