We’ve recently featured several Pontiac LeMans Sports with the T41 Endura nose option, but the two model years feature several subtle differences that you may not notice. Let’s dig deeper!
Pontiac introduced the T41 Endura Styling Option for 1971. Initially available for the LeMans Sport (two-door, four-door, and convertible), it eventually was made available for station wagons as well. Why Pontiac did this is a mystery, as I imagine it could be seen as cannibalizing GTO sales. However, two things were going on at the time: Pontiac had new management in 1969, which changed the direction of the brand formerly led by John DeLorean, and the high-performance market was cratering. Offering the GTO’s image without the GTO’s baggage may have been seen as an opportunity, no different than “cosmetic supercars” that were beginning to appear.
In this recent Muscle Car Campy video, the 1971 Pontiac LeMans Sport convertible shown features the T41 nose, but it’s actually with a ’72 grille. The car was originally ordered with the T41 nose so the pedigree is there, but the insert and grille are from a year later. Let’s examine the differences.
For 1971, the grille goes to the edge, though the grille pattern was dependent on the model: GTOs had a cross-hatch pattern (with the Judge’s blacked out), while the LeMans had a tight eggcrate pattern. In addition, if the car is a LeMans Sport, it received louvers on the front fenders.
For 1972, the grille is inset, and it’s identical between the GTO and LeMans, aside from badging. Additionally, the front fenders feature air extractors for cars equipped with either the W62 GTO package (remember, it was no longer a model) or V-8 LeMans models ordered with T41 equipment.
Below is your key to comparing the 1971-72 grilles and front fenders (in ascending order). Click on each image to be taken to its respective ad on ClassicCars.com.
1971
1972
