By: Patrick Smith
It's been a productive summer working behind the scenes doing more research on Y Code cars. We have some great articles coming up soon. Meanwhile, we have another new entrant to the registry. This car is in Ontario, Canada and was sold there new. It is the first Cameo White Y Code in our registry as well.Owner, Bob Grim tells us; I own a '72 GTO Y code which I purchased in 2006 from a colleague's father who had it since new. The car spent it's entire life here in the Toronto, Ontario area. With the exception of the radio, the car was original. I personally commenced dismantling and restoring the car as a good looking driver. The drive train was totally rebuilt, the black interior has been restored where needed, and I prepped and painted the car in it's original Cameo Ivory. The car was always well cared and garaged for by the previous owner so it was not necessary to take remove the main body off the frame. I have the PHS documentation. This car is a very early '72 being built in November,'71.
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| A Canadian sold unit from new, Bob Grim's car is possibly the most optioned hardtop in the registry. |
When asked for documentation, Bob came through with several photos and a copy of his PHS documents which in his case, came from GM Vintage Vehicle Services in Oshawa, Ontario as it was sold new in Canada even though assembled in Pontiac, Michigan.This is par for the course on Canadian cars. The documentation is similar but not identical to the package you get from PHS in Michigan as run by Jim Mattison and his son. Both are completely valid and sure fire ways to document your car.
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Note the "PONTIAC" trunk lid badge and plain GTO decal for lid. The Y Code cars
did not use the "455 CID" callout decal on the trunk lid as used on quarter panels. |
Bob's car also happens to be loaded. A customer ordered unit as evidenced by the PPL code on his sheet, this one had the options book tossed at it. Check it out. We have;
GTO Option 334, Turbohydramatic 35L, G60 x15 FG TXL, Tape Stereo 8 412, Air Cleaner HD 422, Outside Mirror Body Color 434, Steering Wheel Formula 464, Wheel Well Opening moldings 491, Power Disc Brakes 502, Front Floor Mats 521, Hood Molding RR 651, Under hood Lamp 671. Glovebox Lamp 674, Heavy Duty Battery 692, Tachometer Gauge 714, 455 4 BBL engine 34W, Safe T Track 361, Stereo Radio 405, Deck Lid Con 421, Front Console 431, Custom Belts 451, Rally II Wheels 474, Power Steering 501, Rear Floor Mats 522, Power Windows 551, Custom Trim 654, Courtesy Lamps 664, Ashtray Lamp 672, Dual Horns 681, Heavy Duty Radiator 701, Mandatory Canada Equipment 752. The total came to $4044.29.
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Car was sold new in Toronto, Ontario and remained within the family until 2006 when Bob
purchased it and commenced a frame on restoration. |
Being an early production first batch car from November 1971, Bob naturally has the 140 mph speedometer instead of the 120 mph unit used from January on. A curious thing about the car is it came with the "Pontiac" trunk lid die cast letters along with GTO decal. This is supposedly a non GTO item but since there is already a "LeMans" die cast trunk letter piece used. it makes sense that some GTOs got the Pontiac letters. This seems to appear most often on home plant built cars. I see shaved trunk lids on Texas built cars. Bob says it came that way from brand new and it also came with bare fenders. Bob also brought up the point to me about die cast 455 fender emblems being absent on his car from new. That is perfectly normal as it was ordered as a GTO and would get decals on the rear quarter panels instead. Only LeMans cars got those fender badges and they got them whether it was a round port or D port! We have photos of both on the registry.
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I noted the invoice stated HD Air Cleaner was specified for car when new. It's listed as an option.
This is the standard dual snorkel air cleaner element which is correct for a Y Code engine. |
Bob's car was an on the frame restoration as the car was in very good condition, not requiring chassis restoration. It was repainted in original colors. A Cameo White car with the custom bucket seat interior is one nice ride.This makes it the 10th car to join the registry. We have one more joining in a bit; a convertible as well.
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| The 1971 Pontiac catalog displays what the heavy duty air cleaner option looks like. |
Bob's car is instructive for us restorers for another interesting item. You could order an optional air cleaner assembly for the Y Code engine. Listed as 422 Heavy Duty Air Cleaner, this part is a single snorkel, deep pan unit with dual stage wetted paper air filter element with extra filtration content. It was recommeded for severe service and or high grit environment driving. The standard air cleaner is a dual snorkel unit with single thermal air door and twin piping to both sides. A photo of HD Air Cleaner option is shown from the 1968-1971 era Pontiac Accessories catalogs. The same piece is listed in 1972 but not shown, they opted to display other goodies instead. I chose the 1971 catalog version as it shows the heavy duty radiator option which Bob has as well.
Update: Late this year, the car changed hands to new owners, Al and Barb Leiby in Ohio. Congratulations, you picked up a fine Y Code example and one of the few in registry with original drive train.
* Article (c) 2016 by Patrick Smith PHS Collector Cars Y Code Registry
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