Sometimes cars owned by famous people add value to the sales price of automobiles. But that generally applies to the likes of Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra. This 1968 Pontiac LeMans was purchased new by jazz musician Ray Pizzi, and he kept it until he died in 2021. I’m not into jazz and am unfamiliar with his work, so I don’t know if that will help the car fetch a premium, especially since it’s in rough shape and needs restoring. Located in Costa Mesa, California, this drop-top is available here on eBay where the current bid of $2,850 is below the seller’s reserve. Another wonderful tip brought to us by Mitchell G.!
Only 8,830 LeMans convertibles were built in 1968, the year GM redesigned its mid-size cars (which would carry them through 1972). This one was decently equipped with a 350 cubic inch V8 (that runs), an automatic transmission, power steering and brakes, a power tip, and an under-the-dash air conditioner that was added later. It’s a numbers-matching car with at least 82,000 miles, adding a bit to the value of the project car.
We’re told the Pontiac is rust-free and wears mostly original white paint, but the body is dented and dinged in a variety of places. The interior is also the one the car came with 57 years ago. The convertible top fabric is toast so that needs to be fixed before letting the LeMans sit out in the elements. At least the car runs, but it will not stop as the brakes are shot so care when loading onto a trailer is advised. The gas in the tank is old, so all of the fuel system should be cleaned out.
We don’t know what the car has been up to since old Ray passed on. Nicknamed “Pizza Man,” Pizzi lived to be 78 years of age and was known for being an American-born jazz saxophonist, bassoonist, and flutist. Does this bit of history help sway your decision to buy or pass on this once-nice Pontiac? Even without the Ray element, it’s still a cool old ragtop.
Dunno Ray Pizzi. Now, on the other hand Ray’s Pizza…
Famous Ray’s, Famous Original Ray’s, or Original Rays?
Right up there with Jon Voight’s LeBaron.
The actor or the periodontist?
I was taking piano lessons when I was 8 years old, and my teacher brought one of these home. A red convertible. It was outstanding, and remains one of those vivid car memories of my early youth. I would love one of these, someday.
best
bt
I guess old Ray didn’t have a garage?
He had a garage-the car is wearing part of it..
My grand father had a 68 Lemans 4-door hardtop with a350.
I couldn’t believe how much pickup that car had.
The Pontiac 350 is an excellent engine.
That interior has taken a severe beating and I’m guessing that the top’s condition is to blame but who knows, maybe the windows were left down as well. Rough, rough, rough.
Woof
Even single exhaust cars now get a flowmaster?
Time to thow out that silly hood insulation. lol
Ray Pizzi was a jazz bassoonist. I never knew there WAS such a thing as a jazz bassoonist. I’m thinking he didn’t get alot of chicks – not like the saxophone players, anyway. https://youtu.be/EePDb1m5Tfc
This one is in rough shape.
You must be new to the site Arthur?
Actually Ray played tenor with an early (doo-wop era) rock and roll band. Very nice rendition of Red Prysock’s “Hand Clappin'” on You Tube.
I had a 67 Lemans with the 326 auto, same interior as this one. I loved that car. Am I blind or is this a manual brake car? I don’t see the brake booster for power brakes. Body is really not that bad for an original 57 yr old car.
All of the comments stating how rough this car is? I must really be out of touch. $2,500.00 for a new top, a little paint on the hood and trunk, some clean-up and minor detailing, carpet and arm rests, freshen engine fluids. This is a no rust car per the pictures. Leave the dents alone and drive a very decent looking original car. If it can be purchased for 10 thou, then you can have a very nice old cruiser for 15 or 20 easy. Where else are you going to get a solid old convertible for this? Good car in extremely good condition. The current bid is 7 thousand.
Its rough but not a rustbuket so, i agree with your comment !
This is a solid droptop needing attention, its a hobby guys , some make fishing flies , pottery and others wood work
Feels like too many bench resto now , i love these models and smsller cars .
My tastes have chsnged as i prefer fuel injection and multiple options on my verts but still tinker with them
YOLO
what’s that growing on the 1/4 panel by the bumper? looks like a rust hole to me. how much more rust is hiding? seller should take the final bid on this. it’s just a lemans that’s hurting.
SOLD for $7,999.