1972 Buick LeSabre

The Le Sabre name was used by Buick in 1951 for a show car that showcased aircraft-inspired design elements that included tail fins and a wraparound windshield. In 1959, the LeSabre name was used as a replacement for the Special as Buick's entry-level model. By 1971, the LeSabre had entered its fourth generation of styling, and like other General Motors divisions, the entire Buick B- and C-body cars were given a new and modern appearance. While the late 1960s had witnessed the rise of muscle cars, the 1970s ushered in new trends toward safety, fuel economy, and luxury. To that end, the LeSabre bodies were given a double shell roof for improved roll-over protection, and a MaxTrac computerized traction control system became optional. Engines were revised to meet the 1972 federal and California emission standards, with SAE net figures based on an engine as installed in an automobile with emission controls and accessories hooked up, instead of the gross horsepower method used in past years based upon a dynamometer rating from an engine not installed in a vehicle. Engines received EGR valves, which would be installed on engines of virtually all automobiles for nationwide sales in 1973. A new 'FASTEN SEAT BELTS' light and larger federally mandated '5 mph' front bumper became standard during the early 1970s. The hoods grew longer, the bodysides became more curved, and the glass area became more expansive. The new top design on convertible body styles allowed for a full-width rear seat and two-door hardtop coupes had semi-fastback rooflines.

The 350 and 455 cubic-inch V8 engines were carried over from 1970 but the compression ratios were lowered, along with various other modifications, to better utilize the lower-octane low-lead or unleaded gasoline as a result of a General Motors corporate mandate. Power front disc brakes and variable-ratio power steering became standard on all LeSabres in 1971. Shortly after production began, the Turbo Hydra-Matic became standard, a feature that would remain with the LeSabre until its final year in 2005.

Styling changes on the 1972 Buick LeSabre included a small 'Buick' nameplate position above the right side taillight, replacing the prior larger block letters spelling 'B U I C K' across the lower trunk lid between the taillights. The front received a revised grille positioned above a one-year-only 2 1/2 mph front bumper. All of GM's large body cars, including the B-, C- and E-body, were given the 2.5-mph bumper for 1972. There were no deck louvers for the Full-Flo ventilation this year, and a trio of ventiports continued to reside on the front fenders.

All controls and instrumentation were within the reach of the driver thanks to the wrap-around cockpit-style instruction introduced in 1971. The seats were built from a new full-foam design with headrests more squared off than its 1970 siblings.

Trim levels continued to be the base and Custom with body styles that included a sport coupe, hardtop sedan, and a sedan. A convertible was exclusive to the Custom line, and all Custom models had a broader lower body molding, bright wheelhouse moldings, Custom plaques beneath the LeSabre signatures on the front fenders, and a plusher interior of all-vinyl or fabric and vinyl.

Standard equipment on 1971 base and Custom LeSabre models included variable-ratio power steering and power front disc brakes. The sedan had a factory base price of $3,960, the sport coupe listed for $4,025, and the hardtop sedan at $4,080. The Custom trim level added approximately $80 to the base price. The convertible sold for $4,300.

The standard engine was a 350 cubic-inch V8 with hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, and delivering 230 horsepower at 4,200 RPM.

A total of 183,312 examples of the LeSabre were built in 1972 accounting for approximately 27-percent of Buick's total production. A total of 58,666 base LeSabre models were built and 124,646 of the Custom. The convertible was the most exclusive body style with 2,037 built. 50,804 were Custom hardtop Sedans, 36,510 were Custom Sport Coupes, and 35,295 were Custom Sedans.

This fourth generation of styling on the LeSabre would continue through 1976. In 1977, the LeSabre and other GM B-body full-sized cars became shorter, lighter, and smaller on the outside. G.M. had begun a 'corporate-wide' downsizing of all its vehicles in efforts to improve fuel economy ratings due to the energy crisis of 1973 and 1974.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020