Y Code Luxury LeMans RIP- The File -

                                                           By: Patrick Smith

    Here's how I know at least 1 of the Y Code Luxury LeMans cars is no longer on this planet intact. This topic came up years ago on Performance Years sponsored Pontiac Forum, now known as PY forum. Way back in 2013 this topic came up on a chat, and one member known as Ram4King stated he had scrapped at least one of those cars for parts quite a few years ago, so way before 2013. Not only that, he posted the PHS Invoice of that very car, allowing us to view how this particular vehicle was set up new.

   

   It was a nice ride with a lot of goodies; the kind that made it an excellent parts car. Check it out; it had for VIN 1G37Y2P154089. Then it follows here it was ordered with S1 color and trim code 731 which was actually Dark Saddle. The 1 would be black Cordova vinyl roof. The S is Silver or Revere Silver metallic. It gets better, check it out the body code is 37G which meant two door hardtop!

   Below was the list of extra cost options. AM radio, console, rear visor mirror, power steering, power disc brakes, rear floor mats, front floor mats, luggage lamp, dual exhaust, 455 4 barrel L75, G78X14 WW fiberglass tires, Rally II wheels, 8 track tape player, sport mirrors, tilt steering, tinted glass, hood lamp, heavy duty battery. The total cost for this puppy was $3633.31. It was shipped to Miller Pontiac GMC in St Cloud, Minnesota on May 17th 1972 even though it was built in December. The GMAC finance code shows PPA so this car has some PR work involved which likely meant it was indoors and doing exhibition work for awhile before becoming a demonstrator. Cool ride, too bad its no longer around!

    *Article (C) 2022 PHS Collector Cars Y Code Registry.

Our First Luxury LeMans Y Code!

                                                                By: Patrick Smith

   We have a new entry to show here. This is a first for the registry. Our first Luxury LeMans Y code car! For those who aren't up on their LeMans bodies circa 1972, Pontiac did a cool thing that year. Since it was a carry over year as it was with all GM intermediates, Pontiac decided to create a new model to generate sales in the growing "luxury intermediate" category. Since 1969, GM noticed a strong uptick in well optioned A bodies selling. Since Pontiac was essentially an upgraded Chevrolet in GM management's eyes, it made sense to create an upscale LeMans model to add more sales possibly by nicking sales from Buick and Oldsmobile. 

  

This sinister gray coupe is a rare Luxury LeMans Y code two door owned by Mark Carter in Oklahoma.

   The Luxury LeMans model delivered a fancier version of the custom interior with built in reflectors on the door panels, upgraded cloth and vinyl upholstery, added woodgrain trim on the lower dash board for the wiper switch, cigar lighter and defroster switch area. The dash pad got an LLM script on the passenger side instead of a plain 'Pontiac' escutcheon. The exterior received a special three bar grille, extra wide belt moldings, LLM script for the  trunk lid, sail panels and front fenders, a chrome plated front valance for the parking lamps, extra wide trunk lid molding and fancy full hubcaps with the red lucite Pontiac center caps. A set of rear fender skirts was also provided. 

  

Some work has started since Mark bought it. After contacting me, he might change plans towards 
a more stock appearance. We'll see how it goes.

    For drive lines the Luxury LeMans offered a choice of 350 two barrel, 400 2 in two or four barrel form or a 455 4 barrel automatic as the top choice, also known as a Y Code engine or D port 455.This was a 250 hp regular fuel engine designed for pulling power and passing power instead of all out performance. What it provided in torque made up for any perceived lack of horsepower. Backed with a TH400 automatic either on the column or floor shift (console was mandatory option) and a stout series 2 12-bolt carrier packing a 3.31 ring gear.

 

His car sports a/c. power steering and brakes, underhood lamp.

    Production total for Y Code Luxury LeMans is very low. only 71 two door hardtops were made and just 19 four door hardtop LLMs. They did not make convertible LLMs. There can't be many survivors. In fact, I know of at least 2 that have been junked.  Not only did we have the luck of coming across one, it also happens to be superbly optioned with real goodies. How about a bucket seat console car with full Morrokide black vinyl for starters? Let's add a black vinyl top and Starlight Black paint as well. While we're at it, let's make it a two door hard top. That' what owner, Mark  from Oklahoma had to show me. My jaw dropped to the floor when I saw it. Starlight Black paint was special order that year on a LeMans so it's pretty rare to start with. A triple black car just pushes it through the roof.

   This one came with factory air conditioning, electric clock, pedal dress up, power steering, power disc brakes, tinted windows, remote control driver side chrome mirror, console, bucket seats in full morrokide vinyl, tilt steering, woodgrain three spoke steering wheel, under hood lamp, custom seat belts (the rare exploding buckle version) and some kind of stereo. What appears to be there now is aftermarket or possibly some later era GM unit. 1972 cars didn't use the horizontal slider switch above the dial like the 1973 Colonnade models.

    So it was an early build car last week of December from the Atlanta plant. Sold in Oklahoma where owner Mark Carter purchased it near Tulsa recently. It's a low mile survivor car with minimal rust and believed to be the original engine and tranny. It even has the fender skirts after all this time! Mark's plans are starting to change a bit now that he has a better idea what he has. He already was at work on an interior and exterior reno when he discovered this registry and my blog. So welcome, Mark and your LLM Y code hardtop! 

   *Article (C) 2022 PHS Collector Cars Y Code Registry