Admit it: Betcha thought this was a GTO, right?
In a recent Pick of the Day, I wrote about a 1972 LeMans Sport convertible that nicely played the role of poseur because the GTO convertible had been discontinued. However, one could also have created a poseur in 1971 thanks to the introduction of the “T41” Endura Styling Option, a $73.72 extra that allowed a LeMans Sport two-door hardtop, convertible, or four-door hardtop to strut with the look of a GTO. Later in the model year, Pontiac allowed the pair of LeMans station wagons to be ordered with the T41 option.
Does that sound like cannibalization? Sure, seems like it considering the Endura front bumper was a GTO trademark. I bet John DeLorean would never have allowed this, but here we are.
In total, 4,660 LeMans models were built with the T41 option, including 778 LeMans Sport convertibles. Muscle Car Campy caught up with Rocky Trombacco, the owner of this ragtop that features a 400 four-barrel just like what you’d find on a GTO. Other factory-installed features include Honeycomb wheels, body-colored side mirrors, Custom Sport steering wheel, air conditioning, and more.
In retrospect, Pontiac fans don’t consider it a poseur at all — it’s simply an interesting footnote in Pontiac history, adding texture to a moment that had manufacturers scrambling to maintain a segment in decline.
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