1972 · Pontiac · United States
1972 Pontiac LeMans: the GTO becomes an option
The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that the GTO becomes a LeMans option for 1972, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages. This record's own overview states that a compiled table lists 80,383 LeMans two-door hardtops and 6,855 LeMans coupes, both figures including cars built with the GTO option, and 3,438 LeMans Sport convertibles, and that the fact sheet lists a WW4 performance option for the LeMans at $510 to $796 and a WW5 455 HO Ram Air option at $982 to $995.1
This record's own overview states that the 455 HO is rated at 300 hp net and offered on the GTO and on two-door LeMans and LeMans Sport models. This record's own production rows document the LeMans total at 120,299, with the GTO row of 5,807 cars contained within the hardtop and coupe rows rather than added to them, alongside a separately scoped Luxury LeMans total of 46,256 across an 8,641-car two-door hardtop and a 37,615-car four-door hardtop.2
This record's own conflicts section documents a dispute over LeMans Sport convertible production, 3,438 against the fact sheet's own 3,483, with its own treatment noting both figures come from the same compiler and that the table figure leads while the fact sheet figure is shown as a probable transposition. This record's own production notes state that no WW4 or WW5 counts were found, and that GTO production of 5,673 hardtops and 134 pillared coupes is included in the LeMans two-door rows rather than tracked separately here.1
This record's own engines section documents the 455 HO at 300 hp net alongside a 400 four-barrel at 250 hp net standard on GTO, a 250-cubic-inch six at 110 hp net, and two-barrel 350 and 400 V8s each rated separately for single and dual exhaust. This record's own transmissions section documents a standard three-speed manual, an optional four-speed with V8s, a two-speed automatic with the six, and Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 and 400 options.2
This record's own prices section documents the LeMans two-door hardtop V8 at $2,969, the LeMans Sport convertible V8 at $3,346, and the Luxury LeMans two-door and four-door hardtops at $3,196 and $3,319, a $123 spread between the two Luxury LeMans body styles. This record's own options section documents the WW4 and WW5 packages already noted, the W62 GTO package at $354, a $164 LeMans Sport option, and an extensive further list including $397 air conditioning and a $363 AM/FM stereo with 8-track.1
Eighteen exterior colors are documented for the year without production counts, from Cameo White to Cardinal Red. This record's own specifications section documents a 112-inch two-door wheelbase against 116 inches for four-doors and wagons, a 203.2-inch overall length for two-doors against 207.2 for four-doors and 205.1 for GTO, a 76.7-inch width, and a 3,450 lb shipping weight for the V8 LeMans two-door hardtop against 3,234 lb for the six, with its own identification note cautioning that the Luxury LeMans hardtop body numbers were also used for GTO bodies in earlier years and are not verified against a factory source.1
Fact sheet · 1972 · United States
The numbers
1972 Pontiac LeMans — The GTO becomes a LeMans option, and the LeMans gets WW4 and WW5 performance packages.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Reported 1972 LeMans two-door hardtop production was 80,383, including GTO-optioned cars.1
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans total (includes GTO-optioned cars)1 LeMans · not stated by source | 120,299 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans two-door hardtop (includes GTO)1 LeMans · hardtop · not stated by source | 80,383 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans two-door coupe (includes GTO)1 LeMans · coupe · not stated by source | 6,855 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans Sport convertible1 LeMans Sport · convertible · not stated by source The fact sheet prints 3,483; see conflicts. | 3,438 | built, model-year | Disputed |
| LeMans 4-door sedan1 LeMans · 4-door sedan (2069) · I-6 and V-8 combined · not stated by source | 19,463 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans station wagon, 6-passenger1 LeMans · 4-door station wagon, 6-passenger (2036) · I-6 and V-8 combined · not stated by source | 8,332 | built, model-year | Reported |
| LeMans station wagon, 9-passenger1 LeMans · 4-door station wagon, 9-passenger (2046) · I-6 and V-8 combined · not stated by source | 5,266 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Luxury LeMans 2-door hardtop1 Luxury LeMans · 2-door hardtop · V-8 · not stated by source | 8,641 | built, model-year | Reported |
| Luxury LeMans 4-door hardtop1 Luxury LeMans · 4-door hardtop · V-8 · not stated by source | 37,615 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Of which GTO option (see GTO page)1 LeMans GTO · not stated by source | 5,807 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury LeMans total1 Luxury LeMans · V-8 · not stated by source Separately scoped from the 120,299 LeMans total. | 46,256 | built, model-year | Reported |
The GTO row is contained in the hardtop and coupe rows, not added to them. No WW4 or WW5 counts were found.
Per the compiled table's note, the LeMans 2-door hardtop could be optioned as a Sport or GT with no separate counts, and GTO production (5,807: 5,673 hardtops and 134 pillared coupes) is included in the LeMans 2-door rows.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| LeMans hardtop, V81 | $2,969 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans Sport convertible, V81 | $3,346 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans 2-door sport coupe, six1 | $2,722 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans 2-door sport coupe, V-81 | $2,840 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans 4-door sedan, six1 | $2,814 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans 4-door sedan, V-81 | $2,932 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans 2-door hardtop, six1 | $2,851 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| LeMans Sport convertible, six1 | $3,228 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| Luxury LeMans 2-door hardtop1 | $3,196 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
| Luxury LeMans 4-door hardtop1 | $3,319 | factory price as compiled, 1972 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| LS5 · 455 HO2 455 cu in · Rochester four-barrel | 300 hp @ 4,000, 415 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE net) | GTO and two-door LeMans and LeMans Sport | Not yet sourced |
| L78 · 400 4-bbl, dual exhaust2 400 cu in · Rochester four-barrel | 250 hp @ 4,400, 325 lb-ft @ 3,200 (SAE net) | standard GTO; LeMans per option | Not yet sourced |
| 250 I-6 (standard)2 250 cu in · 1-barrel, 8.5:1 | 110 hp @ 3,800, 185 lb-ft @ 1,600 (SAE net) | standard in all lines except GTO option W62 | Not yet sourced |
| L30 · 350 V8 2-bbl, single exhaust2 350 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.0:1 | 160 hp @ 4,400, 270 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net) | optional except GTO | Not yet sourced |
| L30 · 350 V8 2-bbl, dual exhaust2 350 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.0:1 | 175 hp @ 4,400, 275 lb-ft @ 2,000 (SAE net) | optional except GTO | Not yet sourced |
| L65 · 400 V8 2-bbl, single exhaust (automatic only)2 400 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.2:1 | 175 hp @ 4,000, 310 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional except GTO | Not yet sourced |
| L65 · 400 V8 2-bbl, dual exhaust (automatic only)2 400 cu in · 2-barrel, 8.2:1 | 200 hp @ 4,000, 325 lb-ft @ 2,400 (SAE net) | optional except GTO | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Three-speed manual (I-6 2.85/1.68/1.00; 350 2.54/1.50/1.00, optional 2.42/1.61/1.00)2 | standard | Not yet sourced |
| Four-speed manual (V-8 wide 2.52/1.88/1.46/1.00; close 2.20/1.64/1.28/1.00)2 | optional with V-8 | Not yet sourced |
| Two-speed automatic (1.76/1.00)2 | optional with I-6 | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 (2.52/1.52/1.00)2 | optional with I-6 and 350 2-bbl | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 (2.48/1.48/1.00)2 | optional with 400 and 455 | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
WW4RPO |
Performance option for LeMans2 | $510 | Not yet sourced |
WW5RPO |
455 HO Ram Air option for LeMans2 | $982 | Not yet sourced |
W62RPO |
GTO package2 | $354 | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans Sport option2 | $164 | Not yet sourced |
L30RPO |
350 two-barrel V-8, single or dual exhaust2 | — | Not yet sourced |
L65RPO |
400 two-barrel V-8, single or dual exhaust2 | — | Not yet sourced |
L78RPO |
400 four-barrel V-8 (standard GTO)2 | — | Not yet sourced |
L75RPO |
455 four-barrel V-82 | — | Not yet sourced |
LS5RPO |
455 four-barrel H.O. V-8 (GTO; LeMans/LeMans Sport 2-doors via WW5; not Luxury LeMans)2 | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Air conditioning2 | $397 | Not yet sourced |
|
Auxiliary lamp group2 | $18 | Not yet sourced |
|
Base LeMans Endura styling option2 | $41 | Not yet sourced |
|
Bumper guards2 | $5 | Not yet sourced |
|
Convenience lamp group2 | $11 | Not yet sourced |
|
Cruise control2 | $62 | Not yet sourced |
|
Deck lid remote control2 | $14 | Not yet sourced |
|
Dual exhausts2 | $30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Electric rear window defroster2 | $62 | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans GT package2 | $23 | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans two-door hardtop and Sport convertible console2 | $59 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power bench seat2 | $67 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power brakes2 | $44 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power front disc brakes2 | $46 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power driver's bucket seat2 | $77 | Not yet sourced |
|
Power steering, variable ratio2 | $113 | Not yet sourced |
|
Radio, AM/FM stereo with 8-track2 | $363 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gage cluster with clock and tachometer2 | $92 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rear deck spoiler2 | $46 | Not yet sourced |
|
Soft-Ray glass, all windows2 | $39 | Not yet sourced |
|
Soft-Ray windshield2 | $30 | Not yet sourced |
|
Honeycomb wheels2 | $62 | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally II wheels2 | $56 | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Cameo White2 | Not yet sourced |
14 |
Revere Silver2 | Not yet sourced |
18 |
Antique Pewter2 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Starlight Black2 | Not yet sourced |
24 |
Adriatic Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
26 |
Lucerne Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
28 |
Cumberland Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
36 |
Julep Green2 | Not yet sourced |
43 |
Springfield Green2 | Not yet sourced |
48 |
Wilderness Green2 | Not yet sourced |
50 |
Brittany Beige2 | Not yet sourced |
53 |
Quezal Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
54 |
Arizona Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Shadow Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
56 |
Monarch Yellow2 | Not yet sourced |
57 |
Brasilia Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
62 |
Spice Beige2 | Not yet sourced |
63 |
Anaconda Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
65 |
Sundance Orange2 | Not yet sourced |
69 |
Cinnamon Bronze2 | Not yet sourced |
75 |
Cardinal Red2 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase, two-door1 | 112 in | LeMans two-door |
| Wheelbase, 4-door and wagons2 | 116 in | 1972 mid-size line |
| Overall length, 2-door2 | 203.2 in | LeMans 2-doors (4-doors 207.2; GTO 205.1) |
| Overall width2 | 76.7 in | 1972 mid-size line |
| Track, front / rear2 | 61 / 60 in | 1972 mid-size line |
| Tires2 | E78 x 14 on 14 x 5JJ (six); F78 x 14 on 14 x 6JJ (V-8 and six-cylinder convertible) | LeMans |
| Shipping weight, LeMans 2-door hardtop V-81 | 3,450 lb | LeMans 2037 V-8 (six 3,234) |
Identification
- Body numbers (compiled table)
- LeMans 2027 sport coupe, 2069 sedan, 2037 hardtop, 2036 and 2046 wagons; LeMans Sport convertible 2067. The table prints 24237 and 24267 for the Luxury LeMans hardtops, numbers it also uses for GTO bodies in earlier years; not verified against a factory source.1
Where the sources disagree
Identification
Read a 1972 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1972
- AMC AMX The first year of SAE net ratings and Chrysler-built TorqueFlite automatics. Javelin AMX production rose to 3,220, and the 304 V8 became available.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The first V8 Gremlin: the 304 (150 hp SAE net) in AMC's subcompact. Gremlin X production is not published in any source found.
- AMC Javelin The base model was dropped, so every non-AMX Javelin was an SST. This was the first year of the Pierre Cardin interior and of Chrysler-built automatics.
- Buick Riviera Net ratings only for 1972: 250 hp standard, 260 GS per ROA; 2,171 of 33,728 were GS.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last A-body GS year before the Colonnade Century; the GSX package, now in many colours, was invoiced on only 44 cars, most of them outside the lower 48 states.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The last Z15 Chevelle SS of the first generation: net-rated engines, an LS5 454 at 270 net hp, and 5,333 SS 454s.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova The source engine table switches to net ratings; SS and Rally Nova offered. Enthusiast-compiled production: 349,733 cars; Super Sport 12,309.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Last year of the Chevelle-bodied El Camino SS; 50,359 V8 Malibu El Caminos were built, and the SS share is not separately published.
- Dodge Challenger Hardtop only, with a new grille: the R/T gave way to the Challenger Rallye package, and the most powerful engine listed was the 340 four-barrel.
- Dodge Charger The R/T and Super Bee were dropped; the new Rallye package became the performance Charger, and the 440 Six Pack was cancelled after a handful of cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The Demon's second and final year under that name: 8,773 Demon 340s, with small Canadian and Swiss-market 340 runs counted separately.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The dual-scoop-hood Grabber in its second year as a model; Classic Industries counts 35,347.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 12,620 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird First year of the sixth-generation Thunderbird; only the whole-line production total was found.
- Ford Torino The new body-on-frame Torino sold 496,645 in 1972; the performance models were the Gran Torino Sport SportsRoof (60,794) and hardtop (31,239), with the 351 Cobra Jet and a Rallye Equipment Group on the option list.
- Mercury Cougar Net ratings arrived, the 429 was gone, and the 351 Cobra Jet became the performance Cougar engine, fitted to 3,560 cars.
- Mercury Montego GT The first year of the fastback-only Montego GT on the new split-wheelbase intermediate, with the Cyclone name reduced to a performance option that only a few dozen buyers took.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The 4-4-2 became a Cutlass option again, engines were rated in SAE net (W-30: 300 hp), and a Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda Hardtops only, single headlamps, four round taillamps, and a 340 four-barrel as the top engine: the 'Cuda carried it as standard.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 In the first net-rating year the Duster 340's 8.5:1 340 was rated 240 net hp with electronic ignition, the Twister became order code A51, and output rose to 15,681 in both compilations.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite For 1972 the GTX existed only as the 440 four-barrel option on the Road Runner hardtop; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 672 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The hardtop-only Road Runner took a 400 four-barrel as its advertised standard engine, and production fell again.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A strike-shortened year: 29,951 Firebirds and 1,286 Trans Ams, every one a 455 HO.
- Pontiac GTO The GTO goes back to being an option on the LeMans, with net ratings only; 5,807 were built.
- Pontiac Grand Prix A carryover year with the SJ still offered; production recovered to 91,961.