Educate me on 1972 GTO’s
 

I’m considering purchasing a 72 GTO from someone private sale online. He’s owned the car for 20 years, purchased it from the original owner so he has the window sticker to prove that it’s a “real” GTO. The car is completely original except for the wear items like clutch, brakes & tune up parts. His asking price is $25,000 & the car is a driver with a little over 100k The car is starlight black which is the factory color that I guess was special ordered? I know the 72 is the least desirable year & while I really prefer the 1968 or 1969 cars this one seems straight, clean, honest & fairly priced. So what are some of the pitfalls, must know items or things about the ‘72 vs other years?

I think the 1972 GTO is the last desirable year, just as good and in some ways better than the earlier ones.
If interior and sheet metal are good, it´s a steal.

JMHO

AFAIK….
Grilles, fenders possibly, tailpipes, dash pad with Pontiac emblem upper right. Front valence I believe has different corner lights/lenses than 71. Rear valence is like 70/71 non splitter tip version. Interior soft parts unique, but that’s a given for pretty much any year vehicle. Speedo head is unique as well, I think, lower MPH and seat belt warning. Carb throttle cable and bracketry is different than earlier models.

That’s off top of my head, functionally it’s pretty much same as other 69-72 A bodies, lots of body parts, brackets, etc. cross over.

I personally like the 72s more than 71s, specifically the grille.

25K tho? Wow. Senior year in high school, 1988, I was looking to buy a 72. Old man had it in the want ad, listed it as a 72 GTO convertible, $3,500.00. I wish I knew then what I learned later on, probably could have gotten it for less money..

Pretty sure there were no 72 GTO convertibles made?

Bottom line is condition.

If it’s a super solid original car it should be a go.

Restoration costs have gone to the moon, 25k for a nice original condition ‘72 GTO is cheap.

In 1972 the GTO went back to being an option on the Le Mans (no GTO VIN) just like it had been in the very beginning in ‘64 & ‘65. It’s also the last round-port GTO (455 HO) which is actually pretty cool, and the last A-body GTO.

More people want the ‘68, ‘69 & ‘70 cars and prices reflect that, however the ‘71 & ‘72 are quieter and better handling than the earlier GTOs.

Well thanks for all the insight, I’m going to move forward with the car. As an FYI, he just showed me the build sheet & it’s a WW4 car! Wow, seems like they only made 125 of them according to some threads here, is that correct?

It's rare I think about 125 or so?
But the one a lot look for is the WW5 which had the 455 HO engine in it.
(290 or so?)


:confused:

WW5 thread


:)

having owned multiples of every year gto, i personally think the 72 was the most refined, best driving and if equipped with the 455HO (swap out the cam for a ra4 cam) and you have the best all round package ever offered on a gto. as far as looks, i love them but the 71-72 are definitely a love it or hate it look.

Pics!! Share pics when you have it!!

Early cars to December 71 will have the 140 mph speedometer, January 72 started the seat belt warning and 120 mph speedometer


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This car was built in March & has the 120 mph speedo. I don’t want to jinx myself so I’ll hold off on pics until it checks out & it’s in my garage.

thats always a wise idea

I also prefer the 72 grill over the 71. Too flat faced for me.