Back in the days when NASCAR racing cars were actually based on production body panels, the Chevrolet Laguna S-3 had two purposes; to win on the track and to replace the much-missed “SS” Chevelle versions. This very clean 1976 example is listed for sale here on eBay and has so far been bid to $7,000 although the reserve has not yet been met as I write. It’s located in West Jordan, Utah.
And here’s half of the reason for that NASCAR orientation; the radically sloped nose that was unlike any other GM “Colonnade” model. When combined with the rear window that was almost a fastback configuration, the Laguna S-3 accounted for a huge number of race wins. Despite this success, only 9,100 1976 S-3s found homes with the vast majority of those being in the USA.
This particular car shares the swiveling front bucket seats with the contemporary Monte Carlo and has covered only 84,364 miles from new. The second owner “rescued” the car from having been stored for 22 years. New paint was applied four years ago, but apart from that, a split seat seam and a cracked dashboard, the car appears to be in very nice survivor condition.
Although the S-3 was available with a 454 cubic inch “big-block” V-8, this particular car has a smaller 350 cubic-inch engine. However, it is equipped with air conditioning (that works!), four brand new tires, and a new battery. I’d spend a bit of time cleaning up under the hood, replace the dash pad and have the seat repaired and enjoy cruising! Okay, maybe add a discreet “Holly Farms” decal in honor of Cale Yarborough’s 1976 NASCAR Championship car? Just kidding! Have any of you owned a Laguna S-3?
I think they could have done a better job with that
front end.Looks really cheap & cheesy.
There’s a guy here in Roanoke that has three of
these in his driveway.
I agree, passable looking head on but from the side pretty shaky
The Malibu Classic was much better looking IMO. At least it has the 350 and not the 305 boat anchor.
I owned a big block version of this car
It was equipped with a 4 speed and a limited slip with 3:42 gears
Man, that must have been a rare one! I bet it was a fun car to drive. What ever happened to you car, Eric?
Tom
I sold it back to the son of the original owner a few years back
His father passed suddenly and I had been working a deal
With him for a while .
I still maintain it for his son and I often see it at our local cruise ins
I didn’t have the heart to ask too dollar because he literally grew up in the car
Wow! It’s cool that it’s still around and you’re involved with it. It’s incredible how cars connect people, and they all have a story. Yours is a good one!
That’s a really rare car, don’t know if I’ve ever seen one optioned like that.
I just don’t see stories being told years from now about Camrys for example. There’s just nothing “special” about most of the cars we drive now. Thanks for the reply!
The ’73-74 Laguna front was really good-looking, and in ’73 it was a full line – sedan and wagon with or without woodgrain, everything but an El Camino – that didn’t sell because Chevy buyers weren’t ready for a full Endura nose on anything but a sporty coupe.
By the ’75 facelift it still had a 2-page spread in the Chevelle brochure but other than that was a NASCAR homologation special as much as it was a model Chevy hoped would actually sell.
I’ve always liked these. Not so crazy about battleship grey color though. Didn’t these have a stripe package on the side?
Located in Utah with California plates? I hate ads like these – what’s the story? Anyway.. I had one of these – white over burgundy with the velour interior. Loved that car.. absolutely bulletproof GM drivetrain. Had an oil plug work it’s way loose from the engine on a trip one time – saw the oil light come on but had no place to pull over and check it (or spare oil). Continued on for another 2 hours before I stopped. Went out the next day to take it to the shop (very young and dumb), drove it another 1/2 hour.. shop pulled the dipstick – of course, nothing there. Pulled the heads – zero damage. Put a fresh plug in, filled ‘er up, and got another 30K miles out of it before the body suffered from terminal cancer in the rear quarters.
Rick – CA plate in UT is your first thought….? You hate that. wow. In case you haven’t followed the news, Utah is among the highest (maybe THE highest) net migration states… and CA has been a major source of the migration. I am a CA guy living in UT – there are literally thousands (tens of thousands, maybe more) living here, or there, or splitting our time. Anyway, back to the car… Surprised these are so rare as I recall seeing them (in CA!!) every now and then and wondering why it was “special.” Barn Finds teaches me again.
found it on older sites with the vin. It was a California state owned car (weird) and it sold with a salvage title w/o explanation flipper?
Purchased a black and gold ‘76 off the showroom floor. Loved the car. And the look!
Even though they weren’t much in the power department, I’ve still always liked these, especially the 76s like this one. These were basically the predecessors of the 83-88 Monte Carlo SSs (had an 85 many years ago)
I saw those swivel buckets and had to comment. Greatest seats ever. Here’s why. In July 1988, I was daily driving my 76 Monte Carlo 75 miles per day to work. Injured my back horribly that summer. If not for these seats, I would not have been able to get in or out of my MC. You could turn them facing the door and yes the door still closed easily. I would open the door, place my butt I’m the seat, move the MANUAL handle and viola. Drove that 305 powered beauty more than 200,000 miles without changing a camshaft or lifters like in today’s junk cars. Ah memories.
George, what the he!! are you drinking / smoking anyway?
Today’s cars are far from junk, that tune you keep playing is getting REALLY old to us BF regulars. Changing a camshaft and lifters is NOT a normal wear and tear item on cars and hasn’t been for 40 years, if ever!
I’ve always had a soft spot for these. Stroke the 350 to 383 add aluminium heads intake cam and headers and drive it like you stole it
It has the 74 Vega GT that Chevy put on the corvette that year as well.
I had a 76 Laguna S3 black with burgundy bench seat yes they had a stripe package but mostly just pinstripe very comfortable car great Hy cruiser unfortunately mine was a 305 did a few things to it intake, carb, headers, exhaust but was still a 17 sec. car at best sold it when I ordered my 84 Monte Carlo SS which i had for 31 years
No offense intended, but it sounds like you traded a 17 second car for a 16.5 second car. I had an ‘84 Monte Carlo SS, and while it looked great, sounded great and made all the right sounds it was a dog. And with the TH350 and 3.73 gears it sucked gas and was not pleasant to drive on the highway! Had it for a year and sold it to my brother, bought a Turbo Regal and never looked back.
My oldest sister bought a’75 2 door Malibu Classic, burgundy inside and out, rally wheels and a 350-4 barrel. Took my drivers license test in it and she used to let me drive it occasionally. You’re right, those cars were great cruisers and for some reason the girls loved that car!
Always really liked the Laguna and wouldn’t mind owning one now
The Laguna S3 is gaining some popularity, especially considering the muscle-car-era cars are priced way too high for ‘ordinary’ buffs to buy. It won’t be long before these mid-seventies ‘muscle cars’ turn into the new gotta buy investments. One feature that has always led the muscle car investor is the badging. Take the Road Runner, GTO, RT and, of course the SS. The “Laguna S3” badge is on all four faces, and as a 75 Laguna S3 owner (only a bit over 7,000 built) I can tell you it draws lots of attention, Pick one up while the price is right. I did 12 years ago and it’s a keeper!
lLove this one!
I had a 75 Laguna! I wish I still Had it! silver with red interior and half vinyl roof, I Put a posi in it and intake and headers, 273 gears was great for hyway but terrible out of the hole!
I’ve owned my 76 S-3 since the Summer of 1981.
Nice! Hopefully you don’t plan on selling it anytime soon Clark
Back in the 1980’s my Dad lived in a trailer park in Tampa. I went & visited him. His landlord had a 1973 Laguna sedan. Weird car! 350, 2 barrel, 3 on the tree & poverty caps. My Dad bought the car, drove it, crashed it. Sharp looking car besides the poverty caps. Dark green with white painted roof. Looked like the vinyl top option without the vinyl.
I wished I had it when I got my license, but by then it was wrecked.