By: Patrick Smith
When the 1968 era body was used for one last season in 1972, you'd assume the company would re use some of the 1971 era parts to save money.Carrying a body for five years in a row had more than paid off amortization cost of tooling so there was no need to be thrifty. GM had planned to roll out the all new Colonnade body style for 1972 but a major strike in 1970 lasted so long it pushed back retooling contracts and plant redo for a whole year.
Realizing this GM knew they had to carry their intermediates one more year and to freshen up the looks, invested in new front and rear end treatments, interior and minor trim. The GTO and LeMans was part of this strategy. The base wheel cover from 1970-71 was dropped and a new design with the Pontiac arrowhead prominently displayed in center with a stamped ring around it was the main feature. Note that the arrow head section is within its own raised base with a smaller ring inside. The actual surface area is not a true convex surface as seen in the 1973 style base hubcap. Instead it is slightly domed. This hubcap was a one year only design and had the part number 488630.
This was the standard hubcap you got when you didn't order any wheel cover or mag wheel option. The PHS invoice will have no wheel code at all, it will be void of any code as the invoice only shows paid for options, not base equipment.
Shown above is a New Old Stock item used by Pat Brown for the restoration of his Lucerne Blue 1972 Lemans Sport 455 HO. Brown is a major enthusiast of the 455HO engine (roundport X code) and is the architect behind the correct 455HO air cleaner decal. A piece that has been sorely needed for years.
Note also the beveled sides of the hubcap for clearing the raised sections of the steel wheel. The 1973 hubcap does not have this as the internal design is different and clears the raised steel wheel edge completely. My car had these 1972 style hubcap centers when new and probably lost them the second the aftermarket Cragar SS mags came into the speed shop. At present no one is reproducing these hubcap centers but the 1970-71 unit is being reproduced.
*Article by Patrick Smith image from Pat Brown.
(C) 2022 PHS Collector Cars 1972 GTO LeMans Y Code
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