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Lloyd-TX · 05-17-2002, 07:06 PM

I will soon be starting a body-off restoration on a '72 455HO GTO (see sig). Can anyone here help me find an original ducktail spoiler that molds could be made from?

Thanks in advance,
Lloyd

[ May 17, 2002, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: Lloyd-TX ]

Lloyd-TX · 05-17-2002, 07:06 PM

I will soon be starting a body-off restoration on a '72 455HO GTO (see sig). Can anyone here help me find an original ducktail spoiler that molds could be made from?

Thanks in advance,
Lloyd

[ May 17, 2002, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: Lloyd-TX ]

TinInjun · 05-17-2002, 08:41 PM

Have only seen the ducktail spoiler in pictures, in fact only one picture. I don't believe it was used on the production cars, although a few may have made it out of the factory.
OPH may be able to provide more info on this. Roger, you out there.

1972_GTO · 05-20-2002, 10:44 AM

Last summer at the GTOAA - Woodward GTO Tigers car show (Woodward Cruise weekend - August 16th-17th) held at Freedom Hill County Park, there was a guy there with a really cherry 72 GTO with the only ducktail spoiler that I have ever seen. This is the same 72 GTO that was highlighted a year or two ago in a High Performance Pontiac pictoral. It was a red Ram Air hardtop with the 72 GTO body stripe kit. I'll bet there are some Woodward Tigers folks who might know who this guy is and possibly have a phone number...

However, based on the conversations that I had with this guy, I really don't expect that he would go for making a cast of it. A unique individual... But, I suppose, you never know until you ask.

Dan

Lloyd-TX · 05-20-2002, 10:57 AM

I contacted a fellow in Illinois a while back who owns a Sundance Orange 400 GTO with the ducktail spoiler. My memory fails me on the correct spelling of his last name - he signed his e-mails "John S." His last name may have been Skwirbles?

Anyway, I would certainly understand that a person would NOT want molds made from his ducktail spoiler for any number of reasons, not the least of which would be "diluting" the rarity of the option.

I have seen several pics of these through the years. One that really sticks in my memory was installed on a '72 LeMans GT which was featured in a magazine road test in 1972.

Thanks,
Lloyd

1971GTO · 05-29-2002, 02:21 AM

Just got back from NW regional meet in Bend, OR. Wangers was there and stated that no GTO left the factory with the "ducktail" spoiler.

1971GTO · 05-29-2002, 02:24 AM

Oh, a certain amount of DEALERS may have gotten them installed on the cars, but they did not get installed at the FACTORY he says.

MikeNoun · 05-29-2002, 10:34 AM

The "Illinois fellow" with the 72 GTO ducktail spoiler is John Skwirblies (pronounced skwer-blees). His car was featured in Musclecar Review and several other mags. I've known John for a few years, and he's a heck of a nice guy. You can contact him at

[email protected]

Lloyd-TX · 05-29-2002, 11:43 AM

Hello again all:

I really appreciate all the responses. John had said in one of his e-mails a few months back that he thought his spoiler was dealer installed. I wonder why Pontiac didn't continue the option? I believe someone told me that one of the molds got damaged and Pontiac didn't want to spend the money on another mold for such a low production part.

Any further information would be GREATLY appreciated. Since I'm in no rush I'll continue pursuing my search.

John, if you happen to read this, please get in touch!

Later,
Lloyd

SpartanMSU · 05-30-2002, 07:51 PM

My records show 2 were built at the factory.

Wangers was there, but he doesn't know everything. Of course, neither do any of us.

norton70 · 05-30-2002, 08:30 PM

does anybody have a picture of a ducktail spoiler, i have never seen or heard of one.

Kurt Zimmerman · 05-30-2002, 10:07 PM

Here's two pictures from "Original Pontiac GTO" by Thomas DeMauro. Hopefully he and his publishers won't mind if I share these if I tell you what a great book it is and you should buy one!

Kurt

[ May 30, 2002, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: Kurt Zimmerman ]

Lloyd-TX · 05-31-2002, 01:29 PM

Well, I finally got off my dead a$$ and found my oldest (printed in November, 1974) Pontiac parts catalog. In the illustration section I found the ducktail spoiler part numbers: Group # 12.181, the center section # is 486325, the RH extension # is 486326, and the LH extension # is 486327.

Just some more interesting information, that's all.

Hope to meet some of ya'll Sunday at the Texas Motorplex!

Later,
Lloyd

[ May 31, 2002, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: Lloyd-TX ]

74gto · 06-03-2002, 07:57 PM

Was at a show at the Michigan State Fairgrounds in Detroit in the late eighties (88-89?) Guy had a 72 he swears came from the factory with the ducktail spoiler. Supposedly the original owner. His name was joe Deangelo? Not sure of the last name, It was a long time ago. Never have seen the car since. It was a dark green, if memory serves me correct.(like Brewester Green)

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