By: Patrick Smith
The 1972 PHS Y Code Registry has located another car to add to the survivors database. This one resides in Woodbridge, Ontario, not far from where it was sold brand new. It belongs to Robert Barberio and family. This one is rather special as it has been with the same family since new! Luxury LeMans was a new trim level added in 1972 to capitalize on rising sales of intermediate cars with heavy option content; a trend that started in the mid 196os and grew. Perceiving a demand for these kinds of cars, GM decided to do upscale versions of their best selling intermediates which was how we got to see Chevelle Laguna S3s, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes in the formal hardtop body style and a Pontiac Luxury LeMans.
Check it out, Sundance Orange with black top and its 455 powered!
The Luxury LeMans trim level delivered a well appointed car with custom interior, door panels with carpeted runners, pull straps and reflector lenses for safety. Upgraded custom 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. There was extra insulation throughout as well. Oh one other detail, LLMS got the ribbed tail lamps carried over from 1971 as a dress up feature. A few GTOs and LeMans got them as well since it was a build out year and parts bins were cleaned out instead of ordering new inventory.
Luxury LeMans cars got this brushed steel appearance trim for trunk lid.
LLMS were sold as two door and four door hardtops only. There were no convertibles or coupes made. The biggest engine offered was a 250 hp 4 barrel L75 powerplant of 455 cubic inches; Y for the VIN number code. It was a d port 455 designed for brute torque instead of top end power. The only transmission offered was the TH400 automatic in column or floor console shift. You also got a Chevrolet produced 12 bolt carrier and the extra support straps above the control arms.
Vintage Vehicle Services form showing options.Great Canadian version of authenticating
your car.
Robert's dad bought this one new from Weston Chev- Olds in December, 1971. Some kind of Christmas present! Check out the options on this baby. AO1 tinted glass, all windows, A51 bucket seats, B84 body side moldings, C41 heater defroster, C50 blower style rear defogger, D35 body color sport mirrors with remote, D55 front console, GX2 rear axle ratio 3.31, JL2 front disc brakes, LO8 engine emissions certification, L75 455 4 barrel 25o hp, M40 TH400 transmission, N10 dual exhaust, N41 power steering, N98 rally II wheels, PK2 G78 x 14 tires HWY BB w walls, PO6 wheel trim rings, U35 electric clock, U57 tape player, U65 am radio, U71 windscreen antenna, W63 rally dash +clock, W84 extra fuel delivery, Z49 Mandatory base Canadian Equipment.
The cowl tag shows it was factory Sundance Orange with black bucket seats and it was built in early December 6th 1971at the Oshawa plant. The engine serial number is C2253824. The most remarkable thing is the car was kept all these years in the same family with Robert taking over the reins last year. How many cars you know of that stay with the original owner....for 49 years? This is awesome to see!
*Article 2023 patrick smith. pics (C) robert roberio
(C) phs GTO LeMans Y code registry
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