[tajohn]

Steve,

I just wondered if the clear/amber lights might be another early/late difference. Similar to the early cars having the single brake warning lamp at the speedo bottom(like 71)and the Dec/Jan build cars picking up the extra lamp for the seat belt.

I understand about the 2-piece for the 70-71 cars but I have a couple of sets of the clear plastic lens/grey plastic back housing units. Like your ambers, the clears were original to my Blue 9D car.

Ahh, Pontiac....

Again, thanks for your efforts to undertake and document your 72's restoration. I hope to use many of your processes and solutions on my car.

John

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by njsteve

The valance and lenses are the originals to my particular car.

Then again, anything is possible with a Pontiac!

Steve, the Green Esprit I bought from the original owners family & it has 44K original miles, never wrecked, never restored. It is a 10D build. I also have an 09A '72 Formula which, although somewhat rough, still possess it's original Sundance Orange plastic valance. Both these early cars were built with clear park lenses & amber bulbs.
Many years ago owned a fairly low mile TA that was an 03B. It had amber lenses with clear bulbs.
Also have parted about 6 or 7 '72's, & I'd say the change in colors came around the first of January. The same basic time as the seat belt design change & the addition of the cluster belt warning lamp.
The change in the socket/harness design came before the change in lens/bulb colors.

I'm forgetting, what is the build time of your TA?

[njsteve]

It's a 12A car shipped last week of December, '71. So the end of year theory sounds plausible for the changeover. Are your cars' lens assemblies the one piece, all plastic units?

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by njsteve

It's a 12A car shipped last week of December, '71. So the end of year theory sounds plausible for the changeover. Are your cars' lens assemblies the one piece, all plastic units?

I've never had a reason to take apart the Esprit's assemblies, so ran out to the shop to see. And yes, they are one piece assemblies, the socket being part of the wiring harness.

The Formula I probably can't vouch for being totally factory. Even though the valance is original, it had been curbed, as I see fiberglas repairs on the back side over many cracks. This car has lamp assemblies identical to the '71 design. Perhaps since it is an 09A build this may be factory, but I can't swear that based on this one car.

[njsteve]

The Jan 1st 1972 could have been a mandated date for the newer lamp assemblies based on the new Federal safety laws - i.e. all front signal lamp lenses now have to be amber, all tail lenses have to be red.

[njsteve]

I pulled it out of the garage today, just in time for it to start raining of course...

Here's a shot from 2004:



and one from today:



Doesn't seem like a helluva lot of difference other than the honeycomb rims, the fixed front spoiler and an empty bank account!

[njsteve]

[CaptCrunch]

beautiful..............

[Transamric]

Who needs a bank account with a TA like that!!

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by njsteve

The Jan 1st 1972 could have been a mandated date for the newer lamp assemblies based on the new Federal safety laws - i.e. all front signal lamp lenses now have to be amber, all tail lenses have to be red.

Now that I recall, I remember that Chrysler changed all their side marker lenses on their cars in 1972 to the big, standardized rectangular red and amber reflective lenses. The same Federal guidelines that required the Chrysler change might have been part of the reason for the Firebird change to the amber lenses as well for '72.

[TA455HO]

Just looking at your photos from today you can see how much overcast skies changes the shade of the white. It looks much darker than in your post number 1181, for example.

[OVERULD]

Steve:
I have really enjoyed following this thread and you are to be commended for the level of detail you gave to this restoration. Congrats on an outstanding job, may you drive the car in good health for many years to come!

BJ

[robz]

Great work, Steve! I like either the Rally IIs or the honeycombs on that car, but I do prefer an unbroken valance

[RicksGTO]

looks great Steve, thanks for all the detailed posts that have helped me a lot with my car, really enjoyed following your resto. from start to finish!

[165th]

Wow, the effort on that lower front valance really shows. The fit is awesome! It really affects the overall look. Congrat's Steve.

[keepat]

Steve,

Your car looks great and the valance looks awesome! Great job!

Pat

[Norwood]

I'm tired of saying it..........you already know

[LeighP]

So....62 pages and all you did was change the wheels?

lol, just kidding....thats a sweet car, you can see all over the body how much tighter the lines and gaps are.

[Brewster]

Looks great and wanted to know if your bringing the car to Dayton this month ???
Sure would like to see it in person!
Brew

[njsteve]

No, the only show will probably be the Hemmings Musclepalooza at Englishtown in a few weeks. And I'll be driving it there.