New Y Code GTO added: Lucerne Blue with Parchment Interior

                                                               By: Patrick Smith
                                     

Handsome Lucerne Blue Y Code GTO hardtop was saved from certain death and restored by Dan Simon.

       We can add another Y Code car to the list of survivors today. This is a proud moment for Pontiac fans. The latest car belongs to Canadian owner, Dan Simon in Ontario. Dan discovered the Registry by the Monarch Yellow eBay auction listing where Premier Motorsports included the link to my article on the car. Small world. Here is the cool story about how Dan found his car.
"I bought this car about 5 years ago for $1200 with a bunch of spare parts. I sold some of the stuff for $300 so I had $900 into a shell that was junk and a set of fenders that needed bottoms put in. I drilled all the spot welds out for the roof and changed the roof skin. I cut the floor from front to back out and part of the fire wall. I had a 1970 GTO that my dad gave me for a parts car. That 1970 GTO was hit hard on the right side and was branded un fixable so it was a great car for a few things. I cut the roof off and used the drivers door from that car along with the interior, wiring and a few other odd parts. It took me 3 months to track down all the other Endura parts for it. I did all the work my self except for rebuilding the 12 bolt rear end. I put a 3.73 in it and I think 3.55 would have been a better choice."
    

Originally a Morrokide White Bench seat interior, Dan restored it using bucket seats, console and custom interior GTO panels.

    Dan spotted this car first on eBay Motors and bidded successfully. The seller didn't want to let it go! The car was listed again, this time on Kijiji where Dan made the deal happen. Ironically I happen to have a screen capture from that very ad when Dan saw the car online. I only saved the picture. The ad text was minimal. He said it was a factory 455 car and that there was no front end available for it. He didn't even mention if it was an X or Y code engine. 
    

This is what Dan started with 5 years ago. Car was for sale in metro Toronto area.

      Dan really worked hard on this car. He did almost everything to it except rebuilding the 12 bolt rear end. The car had a previous owner who thought a sun roof would be real neat to install. Dan swapped the whole roof out to avoid the hassles of trying to install a patch. A complete new floor was installed front to back due to rust. A new frame was added. The engine is a healthy 1974 spec 455 block running 6X 4 heads with Holley 750 carb, 3000 rpm stall converter, headers and a nice 440-lift camshaft. Dan didn't want to go insane on this car because his plan is to drive it on the street. He does want to run it down the track next Spring just to see what she can do.
     

   Let's look at how this beast came equipped from the factory. Built at Pontiac's home plant in Michigan, this was a customer ordered car equipped with 455 4 barrel D port engine, TH400 automatic transmission, Lucerne Blue paint and Parchment interior, You'll notice something else too. No console. This was a  column shift automatic. While it came with the base white interior it did get the one up full Morrokide vinyl bench seat instead of cloth insert bench seat. This car also got AM radio, Safe T Track 12 bolt, outside body color mirrors, vinyl side belt trim, power steering, rear window defogger, glove box lamp, electric clock, G70x 14 inch white line fiberglass tires, rally II wheels, soft ray tinted windshield, ash tray lamp,rear seat speaker, heavy duty radiator, Canada Equipment (the heater and special -35 degree engine coolant).

       It was a pretty nicely set up car for the time. The Lucerne Blue with Parchment interior combination is very striking and one of the more popular combinations made. Dan is doing some final adjustments to the car and it will hit the road in earnest next Spring. We look forward to to it.
  * Article (c) 2015 Patrick Smith. Images (c) Dan Simon 2008, 2015 used with permission.

Y Code GTO coupe Saved from the Insurance Total graveyard and is Sold.

                                                                             By: Patrick Smith
                             

Back in the saddle again. After a sale by Co-Part, the car was repaired and listed for sale at a
Connecticut dealer, Premier Motorsports.

    When I started this registry, this was the car that kicked it off. I was heartbroken to learn this nice, rare car had been rear ended at speed and damaged. Prior to the accident, it had been thoroughly restored and was a numbers matching car. The owner had it properly insured and opted for the payout of a total instead of repairing it. Co Part Auctions wound up with the car and it was on auction for a few weeks in Fort Pierce, FLA during the summer. The reserve was quite high considering the damage done, over $10, 500 USD. Last we heard from a reliable source on the scene, the high bid wasn't high enough and it looked as though the car would be parted out.

Repair work was listed in the revised auction. I find it hard to believe they were able to pull the quarter panels out
so well. Listing says the trunk lid was straightened as well.

  Someone obviously made a deal happen because the same car is for auction now at eBay Motors by Premier Motorsports located in Connecticut. The rear of the car was completely refinished with straightened panels., trunk lid, quarters, floor, bumper and the rear section of frame was either straightened out or more likely replaced with a couple of feet from another car. Let's hope the section with the partial VIN was salvaged! The car over all looks really good. Someone did a nice job repairing the car and matching the paint as well.

 

Here are photos of the trunk section. Makes me feel good to see such a rare car
back in action.

   The best thing is it appears the car didn't succumb to the perils of being parted out. We can see the engine's partial VIN in one photo and it matches the PHS document and presumably the dash VIN tag. There is no door decal presently. It may not have had one before the accident. Reproductions are available so this is no big deal. Also present is a look at the PHS document including the shipping invoice. As you can see this car had a lot of options, almost as many as Kirk Harbarger's Sundance Orange hardtop in this registry. What's visible is as follows; cordova top, GTO option, TH400 transmission, G70x 14 wl fiberglass tires,  8 track player, remote cont mirror, custom foam cushion front seat, custom cushion steering wheel, window moldings, door edge guards, power brakes, Soft Ray tinted glass,  rear armrests, springs & shocks firm ride, luggage lamp, glove box lamp, HD battery, rear bumper guards, vinyl trim, 4 BBL 455 engine, Safe T Track, stereo radio, HD air cleaner,  custom belts,  rally II wheels, wheel well opening moldings, body side moldings,  front and rear floor mats, custom carpets, air conditioning, rear hood molding, ashtray lamp, dual horns, gauge- tach.
 

The engine block partial VIN shows it is still numbers matching.

     At press time, the listing was revised last evening to include accident damage, repairs done to body and a link to phscollectorcarworld's blog post on the vehicle from last summer.The high bid is  just starting over so we will be watching this one closely to see what happens. Even for a Y code car, it has unusual features and may not be a typical sales result. Very few were coupes. Only five GTO Y code coupes were made.
Update with Sale: In the early hours of 19/11/2015, the eBaymotors listing ended and was reposted again with a new auction. The high bid from the last auction was recorded as $11,000 USD. The current auction only has one change in description; a no reserve statement and an assumption the car will be worth $40,000 in the future. Car was re listed again on 30/11/15 due to winning bidder not having funds. On 07/12/15, this car sold at high bid of $15,877.72 USD.

High bid of $11.000 USD $14,000 CDN was reached on 19/11/2015. Car was relisted again.

Update: Since then this car has been put up for sale again and has a new owner.
    * Article (c) 2015 by Patrick Smith. Images by PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES

The die cast 455 fender emblem- Which cars Used them

                                                                           By: Patrick Smith

    One of the problems with low production cars especially if they're obscure is finding reliable information about them. The Y Code LeMans and GTO from 1972 fits the bill on both counts! Yes, they're rare, more so than the notorious 455 HO high performance engine. However, the Y code 455 engine wasn't really a performance engine nor was it marketed as such. It was one step up from the base 400 four barrel T code GTO engine and a stop gap engine for those wanting big bore torque for pulling and power accessories without the hassles associated with highly tuned engines. Pontiac gave the Y code one picture in their 1972 brochure and a few scant lines of text. Were it not for the technical column at the rear, we'd know even less of the engine configuration.
     

factory promo pic of 1972 "Y code GTO" is believed to be a 455 LeMans air brushed
to resemble a GTO. Artist forgot to remove the fender emblems.

  Where we run into trouble is with appearance and trim features. Although Pontiac Division did produce a photograph of a Y code GTO for publicity, it's authenticity regarding accuracy is in serious doubt. First off, the car in question sports white decals on the rear quarter panels stating 455 CID. This is how a Y code GTO is supposed to be labeled. The same car also has a pair of die cast 455 emblems installed just behind the front side marker lens! After several years of research using primary and vintage secondary sources (pre restoration era magazine articles) I haven't located a single 1972 GTO using die cast fender badges and only one 1972 with rocker panel call outs, it was a 400  T code car.
 

LeMans 455 cars however did use die cast emblems. It could be a D or Round port engine, either one
got those badges. It had to be a Lemans though. pic credit: Pat Brown

  Not leaving anything to chance, I also contacted a few veterans in the car hobby with strong Pontiac connections. Dan Jensen was asked about the die cast fender emblems. Jensen owned several classic Pontiac LeMans and GTOs from those years and is heavily involved with engine tuning and set ups for top restorations. Jensen is of the opinion that the GTOs came with decal call outs only in 1972. I also spoke with Jim Luikens who was famous as the "Berger Connection" man at Berger Chevrolet during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Luikens wound up dealing with other Divisions of GM performance through Beger Chevrolet and owned some nice GTOS during that era as well. Luikens also believed the GTOs from 1972 were decal call out cars. He doesn't recall seeing one with die cast engine call outs on the fender or rocker panels. It would appear so far that the weight of primary research sources indicates the 1972 Y code GTOs at any rate didn't use 455 fender badges nor rocker panel chrome trim with those  call outs. It is a simple matter however, to switch the 400 trim with a pair of 455 trim.

   It appears according to research that the cars wearing die cast fender emblems were primarily LeMans  with either Y or X code 455 engine option.  If it is a LeMans GT, that combination adds a full length sword stripe which covers the area where either a 455 HO or 455 CID decal would go. To get around this problem, the front fenders were pierced for die cast 455 emblems and installed. Since no rocker panel call outs were used with 455 engines on LeMans, the same die cast badges are used on LeMans cars whether they're T 41 or plain front end equipped. To date these are the only 1972 A bodies seen with  455 fender badges.
    

These are the emblems used for LeMans big bore cars. Note part number on box. Super low production might mean
reproduction pieces may not be available for awhile. pic credit: Pat Brown,

  Recently Pat Brown finished a show quality repaint of his 1972 455 HO LeMans hardtop which he purchased as a really nice survivor car from California in 2006. The paint re spray and replacement of a few sundry items were all that was needed to bring the car up to show status. He supplied me with before and after pics of this car. You can see clearly the original paint and die cast fender badges. Now we know the badges weren't Y code specific, Instead they were LeMans specific, used for either X or Y code 455s,
   * Article (c) 2015 by Patrick Smith. Images from PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES except 2,3 which                                                 are (c) Pat Brown used with permission.

The Y Code GTO and LeMans in Print

                                                                                  By: Patrick Smith

       Although the Y code reference is tied to the fifth position of the vehicle identification number (VIN) for 1972, the engine did exist the year before in 1971.GTO was still a separate series and GM wasn't using the VIN to identify drive trains then. There is one more important difference between 1971 and 1972 base 455 engines. The method of horsepower rating changed during that time. In 1971 GM lowered the compression ratio of their engines so they could operate on regular fuel in preparation for a future use of unleaded gasoline. GM did this by raising the combustion chamber volume. Horsepower for the base 455 engine was 260 horsepower in 1971. Then in 1972, a switch to the SAE standard of horsepower rating was made where the actual horsepower was defined as the engine was hooked up to the chassis with the power draining accessories in place. The base 455 four barrel now stood at 250 horsepower. Otherwise very little had changed between 1971 and 1972.
   

The 1972 Y code GTO  shown in Castillian Bronze with black vinyl roof and duck tail spoiler options.

    We have a brochure page depicting in a Fitz and Van illustration how a Y code GTO appeared if ordered. This is sadly, a dream illustration as one option shown wasn't available after a few weeks of production, The duck tail spoiler mold broke very early and Pontiac didn't repair it, Only about 4 cars got duck tail spoilers. Three were LeMans and one was a GTO 400 hardtop. Notice that the decal call outs are present on the rear quarter panel of this car with 455 CID in white. The front fender panels are clean of any decals and die cast badges as are the rocker panels. At the brochure level at least, a Y code GTO used decal call outs only. To date, the only cars using the die cast fender emblems were LeMans cars with either Y or X code 455 engines.
 

Shown here is a restored 1972 455 HO GTO quarter panel decal placement. Remember that on the assembly line,
consistency was sometime over ruled by efficiency. Even if there were decal transfer film marker overlays showing where
to place the decal before lifting backing paper, some workers just slapped them on fast,

     

The GTO portion of quarter panel decal is shown here at the top of the rear tail lamp lens and 1 and half inches inboard.

     Some restorers asked recently about the proper placement of rear quarter panel decals for the 1972 model GTO. As the brochures used illustrations that year on many pages, answering this definitely is a bit risky. We can be more certain with the 455 HO model as factory pics were made of that car. It stands to reason that the GTO portion of decal placement remains the same as the bottom line of the decal just changed the lettering and numbers from 455 HO to 455 CID. The reference point needed is just for the GTO part of the decal and we can cover that.
 

1972 LeMans and GTO specs sheet.

    Shown as well are the spec sheets for the 1971 and 1972 GTO LeMans base 455 engines as well as model availability. Note that Pontiac's new Luxury LeMans trim level wasn't available with the Y code in 1972. In 1971 by contrast, even the lowly T-37 was available with the 455 in base or HO power levels.  Of interest to observe are the compression ratios from year to year. In 1971 the base 455 is using  ratio. In 1972 the Y code is had 8.2:1 ratio. The 1972 455 HO engine had 8.4:1 ratio, Remember that the HO engine used different heads with round ports compared to the D port head of the Y code.
 

The 1971 LeMans GTO chart is shown above. Note the compression ratio is identical to 1972 cars indicating the SAE rating system merely showed what the real installed horsepower was in the car. They didn't lose horsepower, they were rated more
honestly.

  I have also included the 1971 GTO engines chart for comparative purposes. Notice the compression ratios for the engines are the same 1972 models. The SAE rating system was more honest with what you made for power at the rear wheels compared to the flywheel without accessories hooked up.
  * Article (c) 2015 by Patrick Smith. Images by PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES.
   
 

Some Technical Details on the 1972 Y Code GTO and LeMans

                                                                          By: Patrick Smith

   The bulk of articles relating to 1972 GTO 455 engines deals with the 455 HO round port version; rightly so as it was a real scorcher of an engine. There is little to no data on the 455 D port engine so I thought I'd establish a page that covers what the pieces are for this engine. It will be handy for those trying to document and restore one of these rare flyers. By the way, these codes and numbers apply to the Luxury LeMans Y codes as well. So if anyone owns a 1972 D port 455Luxury MeLans, give us a visit!
 Engine Block: casting number is one of the last good ones, using the 485428 number. It is a two bolt main block although some units may be drilled for four bolt use, they will have 2 bolt main bearing caps. This block casting was used from 1972-1974. Starting in 1975 Pontiac switched to a new casting number, 500813 and that is what appeared in 1975-76 Trans Am 455 HO engines.
Service Replacement (SR) blocks. Occasionally you may encounter an engine without a VIN number and with SR stamped in it. These were service replacement blocks assembled for warranty purposes and some came with metal tags stating it is a warranty replaced block. The suffix code for the D port 455 engine with auto trans is YK.

One of 235 made. How many have survived? Is yours one of them?

Cylinder Heads: The D port 455 heads used on Y code engines are 7M5 castings. They used 1.96/1.77 intake and exhaust valves and had a spacious,114 cc chamber.The part number is 485075.

Carburetors:  The carb is a Rochester Quadrajet 4 barrel unit. Strangely enough, there are 4 variants for the Y code 455 engine! The most common would be the 49 State emissions carb, 7042272. A California State emission carb is 7042262. There were also two separate High Altitude carbs for the Y code 455 engine. Due to the low numbers of cars made, there may not have been Y codes produced for high altitude States. The part numbers are; 7042278 and 7042276. All are automatic transmission units with center fuel inlet. They can be made by Rochester or Carter division under license by Rochester.

There are 4 different carb numbers for the Automatic D port 455. Two of which are JHigh Alt versions and 1 California emission version. Due to low production totals, it's possible the High Alt carbs were service replacements only.

   

Transmission:  Only one transmission was used on Y code cars, the Turbohydramatic 400 three speed unit. UPC code is M40, transmission suffix code on metal tag is PY. It is a heavy duty version of the TH400.

Carrier Codes: The Y code GTO and LeMans used the Chevrolet 12 bolt carrier. It is a series 2 version with a 3.31 axle on non air conditioned cars or 3.07 on air conditioned cars. Safe T Track limited differential was optional for this carrier. The unit will also have upper control arms leading from the axle to the rear carrier support part of the frame which was a 455 drive train specific assembly.
The carrier suffix codes for the Y code cars are as follows:
Safe T Track non a/c 3.31 = XU open differential non a/c 3.31= WU
Safe T Track        a/c  3.07= WT open differential      a/c  3.07 = XT

Frame Codes: The 455 engine LeMans and GTOs had their own frame due to rear axle and engine requirements. There were two variations; the open channel regular frame or boxed HD or convertible frame. The open channel 455 frame was coded XU 40 for the automatic transmission.  The boxed frame was coded XV. We have found that most often on build sheets that the frame code for automatic 455 LeMans and GTOs have XU 40 on them. There is a Heavy Duty boxed frame or convertible frame version, coded XV. You will only encounter this frame on GTOs ordered with the heavy duty frame option. No convertible GTOs were made in 1972. However, it's possible for a LeMans Y code convertible to exist and have this frame. It should indeed have it.  The frame part number is 483709 for the 455 powered GTO/LeMans series. It has the unique motor mounts up front and special upper control arm to 12 bolt braces in the rear.

This is the correct location for 455 Pontiac engine mounts.

boxed frame, also convertible LeMans Sport 455:XV
open frame  GTO/LeMans 455                            :XU (sometimes XU 40 on build sheets)

Early Build vs Later Build Cars: Some legislative changes altered the product mix on 1972 LeMans and GTOs. The new safety standards for cars made manufacturers delete the chrome rear view mirror assembly in favor of a black camera case finish mirror housing, Early build car from December and back usually used chrome housing assemblies. The speedometer was also changed from 140 mph to 120 mph starting in January 1972, The newer speedo also has a lamp for seat belt warning. There is the whole issue of batch build and build out cars which has been addressed in certain articles I penned. This is an ongoing research issue. My car built in Pontiac in the last week of May, received 1971 GTO tail lamps. I switched them to smooth units. Some cars came with LeMans grilles complete with Pontiac arrowhead when GTO grilles were supposed to be used.
   * Article (c) 2015 by Patrick Smith. Images by PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES

New Addition: 1972 Y code GTO hardtop

                                                                      By: Patrick Smith

Note two indents for 1972 hood and the silver grilles plus surrounds. This is likely an
unmolested front end. Can't say that about the interior or drive train however.

         

This car helps solidify our info on appearance of Y code GTOs. Notice no die cast emblems used near side marker lens?
This is very likely an original front end as the hood has the twin indents found only in 1972.

  Well it's been an exciting day with a new addition to the registry of Y code LeMans and GTOs. I found a listing online for a Cardinal Red 1972 hardtop GTO. This one is interesting as it's an Atlanta Georgia built and sold car that was discovered in a field in northern Georgia by the seller, Mr, Seidler.  I have to tell you up front; she's a project car. The original engine and rear axle are missing. The car has seen a fair bit of abuse including some racing I suspect due to the missing items from the interior and addition of go fast goodies. Let's start looking her over.
 

This door vin tag shows an April date while cowl tag shows last week in March build for the body.
Notice how the gross vehicle weights were added on this tag? This isn't seen on cars from other plants.

  We are presented with a complete body with front end intact. Missing T 41s are a real problem on these cars because the fenders and hood are one year only items! You can use a 1971 hood on a 72. No problems there, but the 71 hood has one cut out for finger release while the 72 has two. The 72 fenders have side vents while the 71s are solid. A look at the cowl tag reveals it was built in Atlanta during the fourth week of March. The trim code is 256 which is black bench seat Morrokide vinyl. Another RPO code appears on the tag indicating A52 for bench seats.  The paint code is 75 75 for Cardinal Red paint upper and lower. Also notice on the Atlanta cowl tag they present some RPO codes as they relate to the body such as M40 for automatic transmission.

Here is our first indication that the car has been altered a bit since new. Notice the tilt steering column with no sign of
a column shift pawl? The cowl tag and base door panel indicates a bench seat car so column shift was factory. The pedals do not indicate a clutch car. 

   As for options, well the seller did not present a PHS document but since we have the VIN number, anyone can phone Jim Mattison and ask for a PHS package, If you're serious about chasing down a Y code this is well worth doing. I can tell you some of the options on this car from deducing from pics, but any car this old and having gone through a number of owners may have been altered significantly. What I can see so far is this was an air conditioned car at one time. The firewall has been hacked and metal added where the POA and receiver dryer was. Those trio gauges added to the dashboard seem to be filling a pre cut hole where the ac vent would be. Other items the car came with include an electric clock, pedal dress up, radio, chrome driver side mirror and rocker guards. Alas a lot of pieces are missing so this is as far as I can safely deduce. The a/c is a sure bet though because if you look in the rear seat area the plastic shroud covering the space between the grille and rad cradle is present and this was only found on a/c cars.
    

Here we can see the cowl tag indicating black Morrokide bench seat, Cardinal Red paint and a number of options including
automatic transmission. The base interior had no pull straps but did include the GTO emblem from 1971.

   Notice there is no 455 CID call out on the rear quarter panels. I did notice however that the GTO emblem is in fact, painted on this car which makes me wonder if the car was repainted at one time?
The grilles show the silver color that GTOs came from the factory at the time. A lot of cars have been restored with black finish grilles which is only correct for a 1971 Judge. The grille surrounds and actual grilles are silver. If you look at the front of the hood, you can also see the two indents found only on 1972 hoods. Clearly this front end wasn't changed.
    

That plastic panel you see is used only on A/C cars.

No sign of 455 CID decal but the GTO thing is painted on. Likely it was repainted.

Car is rusty but more or less savable. 

  Condition wise, this is a real fixer upper. It has an automatic transmission but the seller didn't check to see if it was numbers matching. So missing engine and rear carrier, possibly missing original transmission makes it a street machine for restoring. If someone finds the original block and tranny, they've got something nice to build up. Although a fair bit of rust appears on the trunk lid and quarter panels, the rest of the car seems decent. Notice the use of proper 1972 tail lamp bezels on this car. It appears the build out phase hadn't hit Atlanta yet in March. My car by contrast, had 1971 tail lamps and quite a few others have been assembled that way earlier in the year. Also observe the lack of stainless steel trim on the tail lamp bezels. This is correct for 1972. They were painted matte silver new and this wore off in a few years.The current high bid for this car is at $4,500 dollars. We will keep tabs on it and report back if and when it sells. Meanwhile it has been added to the registry post. Latest check shows it is still listed online with different organisations and is in Ranger, GA.
   * Article (c) 2015 by Patrick Smith. Images by PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES.
   

1972 Pontiac LeMans and GTO 455 Y Code Registry

   

    I've been thinking about this idea for a few years at least.Decided to do it following the sad, near destruction of a super rare 1972 Y Code GTO this summer. Ironically that very car was purchased. restored and put up for sale. We have documented the whole deal on this registry.Y Code GTOs and LeMans are named after the fifth position letter code of their VIN number which is the engine code. 1972 is the first year GM used the VIN to specifically tell you what engine your car came with from the factory. Before 1972 you needed your sales invoice, a PHS document or build sheet to determine what engine was put in the GTO. It is a boon for high performance buyers, no guessing games there. What one hand giveth, the other hand taketh away. GM dropped the GTO as a series and made it an option for the LeMans series instead, So you do need to contact PHS to determine if your car is a GTO that year. The nice thing is PHS also tells you what options, where it was sold new and rarity breakdown if available. We are also issuing a Y Code Registry Certificate for owners of cars with  actual PHS documentation, cowl tag and proof of ownership.Having the car listed on the Registry is no cost, the Certificate can only be obtained once documentation has been shown.
So...what is a Y Code Engine anyway?
Good question! For the 1972 model year, Pontiac Division decided to use three engines in their GTO line; the base unit was a T code 400 dual exhaust 4 barrel making 250 horsepower. The top of the line engine was the X code 455 High Output engine making 300 horsepower. Right in between those two players was a base 455 dual exhaust engine making 250 horsepower. Unlike the 400 T code or 455 X code, the Y code 455 only came with a  TH400 automatic transmission engine.
  The Y code engine uses D port cylinder heads, a regular  distributor without HEI, a dual snorkel air cleaner without any ram air system and the engine blocks are differently coded from the 455 HO units.The basic idea behind this engine offering was to give the buyer looking for some extra grunt to haul gear around and drive power accessories such as air conditioning without dealing with high performance  premium engine hassles. The 455 engine Y code did do a number of things to the car order that made it a nice package. For instance, you automatically got a 12 bolt rear end, the 455 frame and engine mounts,a PY coded TH 400 transmission which was basically a heavy duty unit.

  Externally, the Y code  455 LeMans differed from the 455 HO car by using 455 CID rear quarter panel decals and on the passenger side trunk lid. On the LeMans cars only they used die cast 455 emblems installed in a weird place..right behind the front side marker lens! A factory picture of a Quezel Gold GTO Y code shows both quarter panel decals AND fender die cast emblems. We now believe this was actually a Lemans air brushed to resemble a 455 GTO and the air brush artist forgot to remove the fender badges.

    I haven't seen a 1972 GTO yet with die cast engine call out emblems anywhere. I suspect its the LeMans cars   that have the die cast badges. I spoke with Dan Jensen about this very topic and he is of the opinion that the fender badges were the only set ups used for Y code LeMans.  GTOS got quarter panel decals either as 455 HO or 455 CID. He doesn't recall seeing a rocker panel badge call out used on GTOs ever. Only LeMans cars got those and only in 350 and 400 configurations. So my car and the Flemings Ultimate Garage examples are custom fabs. They look stock because the 350 and 400s used them but they didn't come that way from Pontiac. We really need to see more examples of survivor cars to figure out exactly how Pontiac built them. So far, the current belief is that Y code GTOS were decal call out cars only. After speaking with Jim Luikens and conferring with Lloyd Tex and Pat Brown, it appears that only LeMans cars with either Y code or X code 455 engines used those die cast fender badges. The GTO cars used decals only.

Y Code Production Totals:
    Let's talk production numbers. These cars are rare. They were scarce when new. Only 240 were made that year. 5 were two door coupes, the other 235 were hardtops. As you know, GTO didn't come as convertibles that year so it would be a LeMans Sport. Here's how it all breaks down numbers wise. Pontiac made 7 Y code LeMans coupes, 299 LeMans Y code hardtops, 36 LeMans Y code convertibles and 71 Luxury LeMans Y hartdtops.
For the WU62 GTO package, the numbers play out differently; 5 Y code GTO coupes and 235 Y code GTO hardtops for a total of 240 Y code GTOs.  There's a trim level in between to consider; the LeMans GT. The GT wasn't offered as a coupe, just hardtop and convertible; They made 24 hardtops and 2 ragtops. There's your shakedown.
   I know at least one Y code has been totaled this summer, a rare coupe as well! I'm going to try and track the remaining survivors and see how they shake out option wise and condition. This isn't an ego thing. It's not like I own the best remaining example and want to Lord it over others. Far from it! Miss Hot Stuff was raced, been through at least 17 owners before me and isn't completely stock anymore, Not only that, she came with genuinely weird stuff from the factory. Try this on for size, lazer stripes, Cardinal Red paint, black custom interior and....ching!....steel wheels with polyglas 15 inch tires!
Pontiac chose to use gloss black paint on a Cardinal Red car on their steel wheels with big chrome baby moon hubcaps. You know how gross that looks? Never was a beauty queen! Anyway, mine was definitely a factory freak and it made me wonder about the other Y codes. So here we are.
We have a bit of data on some of the survivors and one car that was totaled. In some cases the VIN numbers are available if owner shared them.
Verifying the Y code GTO or LeMans:
PY suffix code on TH 400 transmission.
YK or YC suffix code for 455 engine =250 hp dual exhaust D port engine.
cylinder heads usually are 7M5 castings. These may have been swapped.
frame is a 455 frame most likely open channel unless heavy duty frame ordered.
holes in fenders for die cast emblems present or filled in with putty. ( this would only apply to LeMans GT cars with or without stripes.)
455 CID  decal quarter panel call outs and on trunk lid.
No ram air equipment, just dual snorkel air cleaner and cast iron intake.
regular points distributor.
Fifth position of VIN will have letter 'Y' for engine code.
On PHS invoice, engine code will be 34W for RPO option and automatic transmission.
The rear carrier will be a Chevelle style 12 bolt unit with boxed control arms.
On LeMans cars only: front fenders will have die cast 455 emblems right behind side marker lens.
Ringers & Things:
Below is a list of possible situations that could confuse a novice buyer about what he is looking at. For instance, I've said that the Y code LeMans comes with die cast 455 call outs installed on the fenders just behind the side marker lens. This is true. In 1972 Pontiac offered the X code 455 engine in a LeMans GT package. If the car came with stripes there was no place for either the 455 CID  or 455 HO decal on the rear quarter panel. So Pontiac used the die cast 455 fender emblems instead and mounted them in the exact same place as the Y code  LeMans cars! These particular cars are very low production, in the case of the LeMans GT convertible, we're talking about 10 made! Only 3 are known to survive. However, I can show you these did exist. Here are two of them.
 

Because the 455 CID decal would be obscured by the GT sword stripe, these GT 455 HO cars got the Y code 455 die cast
emblems installed in the exact same location.

Here is another one. Note this didn't even get the GT sword stripe.

I bet you're wondering where exactly that die cast emblem should go. I bet you're also wondering what the part number is too. I happen to have pics that answer those questions. These images below came from The Boss on PY forums. The first shows the emblem itself and the part number on the box. As you can see this is NOS material from the 1970s.
 

This emblem is specific to the front fender assembly of T 41 LeMans cars. However, it can be
used when a 455 HO engine is ordered on a LeMans GT or D98 striped car and it was in every instance. Pic credit: Pat Brown

This shows you where it should be on a factory installation; behind side marker lamp and in line with top lens. Pic credit: Pat Brown.

 The second pic is a close up detail showing the front fender and die cast emblem installed. It is behind the side marker lens in line with the top lens.

:Registry:

 1972 GTO hardtop Quezel Gold, black interior, full hubcaps, factory promo car used for long lead press shots. location unknown. 2D37Y2P------

Long lead press photo of 1972 Pontiac "GTO" Y code 455. This one was Quezel Gold with full hubcaps, black custom interior,rocker panel trim and chrome mirror. Note the placement of the die cast 455 emblems right behind the fender side marker lamp. From recent information, we now believe this is a Y code LeMans, not a GTO.

1972 Monarch Yellow LeMans convertible: T 41 front end, honeycomb wheels, wheel well moldings, tinted glass, tuxedo custom interior, side belt moldings, rocker panel trim. Notice the die cast 455 emblems on the front fenders right behind the side markers? Owner of this car says he bought it this way and it's highly original. This would be correct for a LeMans car.Would love to see how a Y code LeMans with the base front end came! VIN 2D67Y2P------.

Note that the 455 die cast emblem placement on this T 41 optioned LeMans Sport is behind the side marker lamp. This and the press photo car are the only two in the Registry with the factory placement of emblems. 

1972 GTO Sundance Orange hardtop: NOM engine very well optioned car (33) from factory with;  am radio, power steering, power disc brakes, custom cushion strg wheel. custom interior, console, tinted glass, lazer stripes, hood molding, luggage lamp, ashtray lamp, hd radiator, hd air cleaner, rear bumper guards, positraction, rear seat speaker, visor mirror, honeycomb wheels, frt floor mats, rear defogger, under hood lamp, rally gauges +clock, glove box lamp, trim package PDL,wheel well moldings, door edge guards, rear bumper guards, body color sport mirrors, susp & handling firm ride, Z49 Canadian Equipment location: Wyoming, USA.Originally Sundance Orange with custom interior. VIN 2D37Y2P******. To date this is the most optioned Y code yet.
 

A former Kirk Harbarger Collection car, this GTO has the distinction of being the most loaded Y code on the registry. It was originally Sundance  Orange with black interior.

  1972 GTO hardtop Sundance Orange, black custom interior. drum brakes, basic gauge set, rally 2 wheels, M35 sports mirrors with driver remote control, positraction axle, power steering, basic gauge set, AM radio, pedal dress up,  custom cushion steering wheel, console, bucket seats, added deck spoiler, hood tach, engine turned metal on console top, trio gauges. Sold in Maryland, VIN 2D37Y2P******.                                              

This example sold out of Flemings Ultimate Garage in Maryland. was a mix of base and optional goodies. Additions done to the car include rear spoiler, console trim plate and trio gauges. Sold unit 5 years ago, location unknown.

 

A view of the Flemings car inside. 

1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop Starlight Black, black interior, Peachland, BC. This car has the latest build date for a Y code GTO or LeMans in the database, exceeding my car's fifth week of May
by one week. Definitely a last batch built car as was mine. I have no info on options as I only saw a photo of it online and wrote to the owner. I've lost contact with him since. VIN 2D37Y2P2------.

 
1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop Cardinal Red, black interior. options: power steering, power disc brakes, AM FM stereo, 8 track, console, custom interior, custom seat belts, rear window defogger, positraction, white lazer stripes, tires G60 x 15 raised white letter, clock, non stock additions, hood tach, Judge spoiler, honeycomb wheels. Ontario. VIN 2D37Y2P------.
         

How Miss Hot Stuff appeared when she was new in June 1972. 

More details on this particular car can be viewed at phscollectorcarworldblogspot.ca. It is known as Miss Hot Stuff
and is very likely going to be the factory freak of the registry. A strange mix of base and optional goodies. Note the incorrect 455 HO quarter panel and Ram Air decals. Should be plain hood and 455 CID call outs. This car was cloned to some degree to resemble an X code 455 HO. 

1972 Pontiac GTO coupe, Monarch Yellow, covert vinyl top, covert bench seat interior, tinted glass, air conditioning, power steering, power disc brakes,stereo radio, 8 track, custom cushion steering wheel, side belt moldings, rally 2 wheels, chrome mirror. This car was totaled summer 2015 in Florida near Ft Pierce after a hard rear end collision at 65 mph. Update: This car is currently on auction at ebaymotors following a repair to the rear end. It is quite comprehensive in nature and more images and details are in a separate blog post. ebay number 131650709198. The vendor is listed as premier motorsports in Connecticutt.  The vendor, Premier Motorsports revised their listing to include the nature of repair work and a link to phscollectorcarworld blog post on the car. The disclosure should put fans of the marque at ease. On 29/11/15 with last recorded screen capture of $13,100 USD. Car is re listed again due to bidder without funds. Latest update 07/12.15 sold at high bid of $15,879.72 USD.
VIN 2D27Y2A******.
 

Here is a super rare restored 1972 Y code GTO coupe. Finished in Monarch Yellow with covert tan vinyl roof and bench seat interior. 

 Here is a pic of the car at present 11/12/2015 in Connecticut.

As you can see the car was repaired and looks to be in good condition. Additional pics can be seen in a separate post on this car dated 12/11/2015.

1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop: Car is factory Cardinal Red hardtop. Equipped with a/c, black bench seat interior, radio, rocker guards, tilt steering(?), pedal dress up, chrome driver side mirror, door edge guards. Missing original engine and rear axle, might be missing original transmission. Has quarter panel and trunk lid rust. Needs complete restoration. Atlanta built in late March and found in northern Georgia in farm field. Offered online with high bid of $4,500.  VIN:2D37Y2A******. Location, Ranger, GA. online seller, Seidler.

Found in Northern Georgia in farm field. Missing original engine and rear axle. Car is factory Cardinal Red with black bench seat interior. This is still listed for sale.

1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop: Lucerne Blue,Parchment Morrokide bench seat interior. 455 4 barrel D port, TH400 transmission column shift, power steering, Safe T Track 12 bolt, AM radio, rear seat speaker, body color sport mirrors, vinyl body trim, rear window defogger, glove box lamp, electric clock, GTO option, G70x 14 white line fiberglass tires, Rally II wheels,  Soft Ray tinted windshield, ash tray lamp, heavy duty radiator, Canada Equipment (rear defroster, -35 antifreeze) Car was restored by Dan Simon, Ontario Canada, Canadian sold unit. Currently has bucket seat interior, custom interior panels, console and floor shift. VIN: 2D37Y2P******.
                 

 
1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop: Lucerne Blue with Parchment interior Morrokide. Power steering and power disc brake car. Has a 1974 NOM 455 engine with 1971 455 HO cylinder heads, Holley four barrel carb, aluminum intake, aftermarke camshaft, rear spoiler, Rally II wheels. Car is located in Saline, Michigan and owned by Mark ___. VIN 2D37Y2P******.This car will soon be available for sale in the Saline, Michigan area. Seriously interested parties can contact me.
   

1972 Pontiac GTO hardtop: Shadow Gold with Pewter interior, Custom interior Expanded Morrokide vinyl bucket seats, power disc brakes, power steering, remote control driver mirror, custom sports steering wheel, air conditioning, tinted glass, underhood lamp, wheel well trim, rocker guards, sports mirrors. Car was sold in Hoover Alabama  around 2011, Current owner & location unknown.

1972 LeMans Sport convertible: 2D67Y2P******.
Owner: Dom Sawicki, MA. Factory special order paint car, Iris Mist metallic, parchment interior with black accents, options; custom cushion steering wheel, power windows, tinted windshield, L75 455 four barrel V8, TH400 transmission, console, electric clock, T41 special front end package, Rally II wheels- 14 inch, radio, rocker panel moldings, wheel well moldings.
     

   Two owner car from new, purchased from owner's daughter and given restoration. Warranty replacement engine circa 1974 with Y code block, original floor pans, partial replacement interior with new exhaust and tires.
     

    Owner has PHS documentation confirming special paint order and Y code status. This is the highest VIN Y Code in the registry to date and is possibly one of the last Y Code cars made.




This is all the Y Code LeMans and GTOS we have listed at present. If you have one,                                    contact Pat Smith a phscollectorcarworld@gmail.com
*information collated from PHS MEDIA ARCHIVES and various phscollectorcarworld articles already in print. (c) 2015