[Alvin]

Originally Posted by 72TAMAN

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...=742005&page=2

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...75#post5099075

[1971455HO]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Now that's enough to make a grown man cry.

.

I said the same thing when I saw it.

[Alvin]

[1971455HO]

Thanks Alvin...I'm not sure here, but if I remember right the 70 & 71's have clear parking light bulbs and the 72's were the first with amber bulbs. I also love the honeycomb grilles. Man I love these cars.

Eddie

[Transamric]

Originally Posted by Alvin

Not to take away from the great '72 cover shot, but the car pictured is actually a '71 that has had some air brush work done to it updating it to the '72 look. Notice the metal valance panel, the honeycomb pattern is the wrong size/shape in the grilles, and how about those seamless front spoilers.
As to the park lamp lenses, IIRC, early '72's were still clear with amber bulbs. Mid '72 production changed to amber lenses with clear bulbs. Also, again if IIRC, this change occured at the same time as the socket/wiring harness desgn change.

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by Transamric

Not to take away from the great '72 cover shot, but the car pictured is actually a '71 that has had some air brush work done to it updating it to the '72 look. Notice the metal valance panel, the honeycomb pattern is the wrong size/shape in the grilles, and how about those seamless front spoilers.
As to the park lamp lenses, IIRC, early '72's were still clear with amber bulbs. Mid '72 production changed to amber lenses with clear bulbs. Also, again if IIRC, this change occured at the same time as the socket/wiring harness desgn change.

That's TOO funny........we even "shark tank" the factory literature.....

[OVERULD]

Beat me to it!

Love that shot though!

BJ

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Transamric

Not to take away from the great '72 cover shot, but the car pictured is actually a '71 that has had some air brush work done to it updating it to the '72 look. Notice the metal valance panel, the honeycomb pattern is the wrong size/shape in the grilles, and how about those seamless front spoilers.
As to the park lamp lenses, IIRC, early '72's were still clear with amber bulbs. Mid '72 production changed to amber lenses with clear bulbs. Also, again if IIRC, this change occured at the same time as the socket/wiring harness desgn change.

3 types of parking /directional lights used in '72 production.
A. '71 style 2 piece housing and clear lens, metal valence
B. '72 metal valence ( different than 71) with "CLEAR Capsule" 1 piece housing, uses new harness. This metal valence was used in the unfinished car lot and at dealers, and is most common NOS unit found today. 1971 lights don't fit well in these and need work. This set up shows up in oct- early Dec '71.
C. '72 Plastic valence with the "Amber Capsule" one piece light assembly/new style harness.
Trans Am "may" have got priority on the earliest plastic valences, I do not know, interesting question though.
Not in picture but of note. Through DEC '71 most Firebirds got the "shinny" Rear view mirror. "GASP!!" I said it... Again, Dont know the T/A got priority on these either.
Good call on the pic, its altered..

[Judge273]

I'm guessing this promo picture was early 71 too. Shiny mirror, metal valence, and all?

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Judge273

I'm guessing this promo picture was early 71 too. Shiny mirror, metal valence, and all?

This car sure does have that '71 look, and it mostly is up front.. Great example!
Many made it to dealerships this way..

[RicksGTO]

interesting that they were able to get the arrowhead center caps on it from '72. This pic also makes me wonder if they initially had an idea to darken the paint on the honeys for '72 or if it just the lighting or my bad eyes!

[necdb3]

Always wondered where that car is today. I owned a 72 card red F455, Black int, AC, Gauges, Formula Wheel, 4spd.

That is such a beautiful car!

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

interesting that they were able to get the arrowhead center caps on it from '72. This pic also makes me wonder if they initially had an idea to darken the paint on the honeys for '72 or if it just the lighting or my bad eyes!

If you look at the Honeycomb wheel pictures in the 1971 Pontiac performance car showroom brochure....you will see that the H/C's there also got the "shadow" look......

If I can find my brochure,I will post pics...

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by Judge273

I'm guessing this promo picture was early 71 too. Shiny mirror, metal valence, and all?

Originally Posted by Alvin

Originally Posted by 1971455HO

Thanks Alvin...I'm not sure here, but if I remember right the 70 & 71's have clear parking light bulbs and the 72's were the first with amber bulbs. I also love the honeycomb grilles. Man I love these cars.

Eddie

Originally Posted by Transamric

Not to take away from the great '72 cover shot, but the car pictured is actually a '71 that has had some air brush work done to it updating it to the '72 look. Notice the metal valance panel, the honeycomb pattern is the wrong size/shape in the grilles, and how about those seamless front spoilers.
As to the park lamp lenses, IIRC, early '72's were still clear with amber bulbs. Mid '72 production changed to amber lenses with clear bulbs. Also, again if IIRC, this change occured at the same time as the socket/wiring harness desgn change.

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

That's TOO funny........we even "shark tank" the factory literature.....

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

3 types of parking /directional lights used in '72 production.
A. '71 style 2 piece housing and clear lens, metal valence
B. '72 metal valence ( different than 71) with "CLEAR Capsule" 1 piece housing, uses new harness. This metal valence was used in the unfinished car lot and at dealers, and is most common NOS unit found today. 1971 lights don't fit well in these and need work. This set up shows up in oct- early Dec '71.
C. '72 Plastic valence with the "Amber Capsule" one piece light assembly/new style harness.
Trans Am "may" have got priority on the earliest plastic valences, I do not know, interesting question though.
Not in picture but of note. Through DEC '71 most Firebirds got the "shinny" Rear view mirror. "GASP!!" I said it... Again, Dont know the T/A got priority on these either.
Good call on the pic, its altered..

Thanks for the detailed replies on the photo posted.

I've noted and posted other Pontiac Factory Literature photos in the past that have caused some great dialog and debates.

In my experience, IIRC others who were there at the time posted here on PY, many who worked in PMD marketing and design have commented that most all of the cover, model specific and options available car photos were airbrushed by PMD. So no surprise to me if any all of the "errors" in the photo are straight from PMD marketing and the final production cars were different.

Too, there was that pesky '72 strike that caused untold "issues" as to what is correct (as the excellently detailed front valance and turn signal info shows above and the '72 Factory Formy photo) for these cars.

No worries here. Interesting to learn and know more "they never built them that way."

More details welcome. "Thumbs Up" Thank You. Enjoy!

[RicksGTO]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

If you look at the Honeycomb wheel pictures in the 1971 Pontiac performance car showroom brochure....you will see that the H/C's there also got the "shadow" look......

If I can find my brochure,I will post pics...

good, it's not my eyes then! Would be interesting to see the other brochure if you find it.

[rexs73gto]

I know I had the same response as most everyone else when I saw the bodies stacked 2X2 on the ground. All I could think is WHY!!!!!!! Why didn't I get one of those, it brought a tear to my eye when I saw that. All those cars all that fresh new metal. I'll take all of them. The Ventura too.

[1971455HO]

Well... whadya know, you boys are smart. I fell for the same old trick I did in the '70's. I knew they air brushed the pictures in playboy way back then. But I didn't care, I still liked to look at'em.

Eddie

[Norwood]

Originally Posted by Judge273

I'm guessing this promo picture was early 71 too. Shiny mirror, metal valence, and all?

Now That's very nice

[2manyT/A'S]

Originally Posted by RicksGTO

good, it's not my eyes then! Would be interesting to see the other brochure if you find it.

Here ya go.......I think this has always been my all time favorite 71 T/A factory picture.

[necdb3]

Hard to tell from the picture but the chrome tips look different. They could be the 70 tips but they look big.

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

Here ya go.......I think this has always been my all time favorite 71 T/A factory picture.