[gtomike72]

Was a member several years ago under 72 LeMans, cant remember my old password and since my LeMans is now a "GTO" I figured Id update it. Some of you may remember me talking about how I was thinking of building something Pontiac never did, a 72 GTO Judge, well here is my attempt at it and still work in progress...

Some background on this car...

This "GTO" started off as a base 72 LeMans 350 2 barrel car. Basically got this car as my 16th Birthday present from my grandparents back in 1997. They had the car and never drove it. Only had 29000 miles on it. I learned to drive in this car as well as down the road, leaned to work on cars through trial and error.



The car was originally a golden brown color, but being a junior in high school wasnt "cool" enough. (should have left it that color if I could go back in time) So a trip to Maaco and $600 less in my small bank account, I had a bright red LeMans



I drove the 72 during a couple winters in high school and college and rust had its way with the car. So in 2003, I decided to retire it from daily driver and start restoring it as a 72 GTO "Judge". Pontiac stopped making the Judges in 71, so I wanted to make what I thought a 72 should look like (even though the body changes between 71/72 are minimal) Orbit Orange paint, a hood tach, black out the grills, Judge spoiler and stripes, and the 71 rear valance panel with the exhaust cutouts in it. Im ALONG way from finished but here is what I have so far.

Here is the GTO after I replaced all of the panels with solid (or best available) panels. I deleted the vinyl top off the car although still tossing around the idea to put a black one back on...




This 400 came out of a 77 Grand Prix SJ along with a TH400 transmission. Me and my friend rebuilt it. It has a cam similar to the Pontiac RAIV cam, headers, intake, and a performance rebuilt Q-Jet and a Th400 transmission with a Hurst His/Her Factory Shifter that I took out of a 68 GTO. Still has an open 10 bolt rear, looking for a complete posi rear as I write this.




Here are several pictures taking during the final blocking and after the paint job...








Here is the GTO shortly after getting the paint wetsanded and buffed. Still minus the spoiler, stripes, and hood tach.




Working at a tire shop at the time, it was actually cheaper to get American Racing Torque Thust 2 wheels vs buying PMD center caps/sandblasting/repainting the Rally 2s so $350 later I have new rims!





And just before winter I got the Judge spoiler installed. I painted it black to match the hood scoops and the grill. I may paint it body color at some point? Here is my GTO next to my buddys project truck...




Its a LONG way from done and to be honest, I probably wont be happy until a frame off restoration is done but for now, its runs, it drives, its painted...still needs the Judge stripes and hood tach, interior redone and unhood/undercarriage detailed and painted...its all time and money...

[gtomike72]

Just an update...the 72 is actually going back to a LeMans to be restored to as close to factory as I can get it. Miss the way it was "originally" Had more character I guess...

Anyways here is some pics of the 72 right now after the front clip was pulled...going to get rid of the spoiler as well.





And my friend Steve Scobbe, next to my 72, who helped me a great deal with this build over the past 10 years plus...

[PonchoV8]

Sure wish I had those GTO fenders.

[gtomike72]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

Sure wish I had those GTO fenders.

PM Lyn (carguy66cars)...he has my old fenders...pretty nice shape too. No rust...very solid

[PonchoV8]

Fitz is like a magnet for that era of parts in the area. He collects quality. You must've used good stuff.

[gtomike72]

Haha...yeah, hes helped me put together/tear apart/put together my Pontiacs several times...good guy

[gtomike72]

Started last weekend hanging the LeMans front clip on the car. I really think the LeMans front end looks alot better than the GTO nose for some reason. So Im excited to get the paint and bodywork done!

Looks like the parts I got are in good shape but the chrome bumper and valance could use rechromed as there are some small scratches and dings. Any suggestions on a place that would take the time to do it right and be reasonable with time/price?

[Firedup6975]

Awesome!! nice job thanks for sharing. Love seeing those project cars progress.

[goatmanmitch]

It's like you have had four different Pontiacs! Nice pics.

[rohrt]

sharp looking car!

[2002Z4CSS]

Can't wait to see it back as a Lemans.

[77 TRASHCAN]

Way cool!!!
LOL, I copied a pic or two of one of your old posts. I like all "A" bodies. I have a friend that has a 72 Lemans Sport Coupe, endura nose, 455HO

[KS circutguy]

You do nice work!

[GT182]

It looked great as a GTO Mike. I would have left it that way... color, spoiler, and all the GTO goodies too.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Nice work, glad to see it come back.

I guess you can say it's going full circle

I think you might be on to something? A new trend…
…Turn all the bullsh!t “clones” “replicas” “tributes” “recreations” and downright FAKE GTO’s out in the market back into the beautiful Pontiacs they began life as!

[gtomike72]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

Nice work, glad to see it come back.

I guess you can say it's going full circle

I think you might be on to something? A new trend…
…Turn all the bullsh!t “clones” “replicas” “tributes” “recreations” and downright FAKE GTO’s out in the market back into the beautiful Pontiacs they began life as!

Thanks for the kind words guys!!! It just seemed like I wasnt driving around the car that I was used to. Kinda hard to explain but almost like it wasnt the same car I had in high school/college. Figured the best way to get that feeling back was to put it back to original. Plus LeMans seem kinda rare these days since most have become parts cars or cloned or just left to rot and be crushed. Im excited to get this back on the road and looking forward to painting and reassembling it!

Also I got the LeMans front clip from Lyn (carguy66cars) as he took my old GTO stuff. Very nice parts. One fender is NOS, the other is a rust free fender. The hood is very nice too as well as a header panel that was sandblasted and primed. Bodywork should be very minimal although I may end up replacing the drivers 1/4 panel just because I want it done right (has a makeshift patch panel currently)

[GT182]

I sure wish I had that hood....plus a 65 hood. My 66 would be looking a lot different than it does now.

[gtomike72]

Just an update, after sitting a year at my sisters garage, I finally have a spot to work on the car at and now have the 72 in my garage. Still trying to locate a rear valance without the cutouts and trying to find the factory 72 lemans fender and Pontiac truck emblems

[gtomike72]

Pics of the LeMans on the trailer and with the front clip loosly installed...



Rear spoiler is already off along with the emblem. Looking for the "Pontiac" rear emblem and going to fill the holes from the spoiler. Spoiler is up for sale locally if anyone wants it.

[$300Lamans]

Well, great job. It's cool you are going back to original. They can be every bit as great as a big name car and attract just as much attention.