The Pontiac Luxury LeMans Colonnade was a one-year-only model for 1973. Sales results were respectable but probably not all that the company hoped. This one is an original survivor that presents well. It has no pressing needs beyond a minor interior imperfection and has a genuine 31,900 miles showing on its odometer. It is a turnkey classic where the new owner could fly to Lawrence, Indiana, and drive off into the sunset. The seller has listed the Pontiac here on Craigslist with an asking price of $24,900 OBO. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting this stunning gem.
Pontiac introduced the “Luxury” as part of its Fourth Generation LeMans range in 1973, with the badge remaining in production for two years before being renamed the Grand LeMans in 1975. Only during the first year was the Luxury LeMans offered in “Colonnade” form, with the two-door models featuring styling changes in 1974 that brought a smaller rear side window. This car’s original owner ordered it in Golden Gold Metallic, and while the seller doesn’t expressly say so, it appears this classic may have avoided any restoration work. The paint shines impressively, with only a few minor imperfections. The Beige vinyl top is in good order, the panels are as straight as an arrow, and there is no evidence or mention of rust. The fact that it has always been garage-stored will undoubtedly help its cause. The original owner equipped this Pontiac with tinted glass that looks excellent, and there are no apparent trim issues. The wheels aren’t original, and although I don’t find them offensive, I would probably swap them for something more appropriate if I were to park this classic in my garage.
The seller supplies no engine photos but confirms that lifting the hood will reveal a numbers-matching 350ci (actually 354ci) V8 that sends 175hp and 280 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. The curb weight of 3,869 lbs guarantees that a car with relatively modest power and torque is unlikely to be a high-performance model. However, owners considered the performance easily adequate, with the Luxury LeMans able to hold its own in city traffic and cruise comfortably at 70mph on the open road. The seller lists an odometer reading of 31,938 genuine miles but fails to mention verifying evidence. However, they do say that this classic runs and drives perfectly.
It is frustrating when a car of this vintage can go close to featuring a perfect original interior only to be let down by a single glaring fault. That is the case with this Pontiac because its predominantly Green interior looks superb. At least it does until you notice the split in the front seat on the driver’s side. It is pretty big, and I’m unsure how effectively an upholsterer could perform repairs. It would be worth making inquiries because a replacement cover retails for $600. Otherwise, this interior needs nothing. The remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent. There are no issues with the dash, pad, or carpet, and no signs of deteriorating plastic. Luxury touches include ice-cold air conditioning and an AM radio.
This 1973 Pontiac Luxury LeMans Colonnade is a stunning car, and only 33,916 of these classics rolled off the line from an overall LeMans production total of 248,785 across all derivatives. That makes it relatively rare in a “big picture” context, and how many survive is unclear. The price for this one is at the top end of the market, but I would say it would be justified if it weren’t for the interior issue. However, the seller appears flexible and might accept a lower respectful offer. You can always ask because what’s the worst they can say?
The wheels on this car appear to be one piece alloys, a viable option to upgrade to, as it has become problematical to find the large size 14″ tires that these cars came with. These appear to be in the 16-17″ size range which (IMO) is why they look a little odd. Nicely kept car, GLWTS!! :-)
Missing one lug nut front left too. Only one rip in the seat, some small scratches on the door card, but remarkably well cared for. I took my drivers ed course in one of these.
Indeed the wheels look outta place and true finding larger 14’s tire size might be hard. I would have found some 15 inch rally’s and go plus one. Probably had g78-14’s so i’d source some 215/70-15’s that are still easy to get in whitewalls to complement the year.
In 50 years i’d never heard that the pincho 350 was a 354. Man i miss all these 70s colors. I doubt in 50 years people will say “man i miss the grays,silvers and black hjes of the ’10s and ’20s
Pontiac marketed it as a 350 to avoid one-upping the other divisions. GM’s divisions were like children. What one had, the others wanted.
The wheels appear to be the optional Rally II wheels. I like them!
They’re designed to mimic rallye wheels but these are definitely aftermarket wheels. No stepped dish or trim rings confirm that. I suppose a modern rallye II. Actually, just did a quick Google search and found a few variations that look very similar to what’s on this 73. One from a place called “restore a muscle car,” RAMC rally II billet wheels.
Nice car! It’s remarkable that a car named “Luxury LeMans” has no split seat, no power windows, no power locks, and no tilt steering. We expect all but the most basic cars to have those features today. Thankfully, though, the sparse equipment on this car does not include the optional fender skirts, which look really out of place with the flared wheel openings.
I guess luxury meant brocade cloth and vinyl wood trim.
I saw a Pontiac colonnade on the road earlier this year. I literately cannot remember seeing one anywhere, including wrecking yards since the early 80’s.
The one I saw was a purplish color 4 door. It looked like an alien in a sea of gray, white and black trucks and SUVs.
Rarity does not equal desirability. Seller is asking double what Hagerty values it at.
Very nice to see one so clean, most rotted away. He’s dreaming at that price.
Golden Gold Metallic? It looks more like Golden Olive (Code 46) to me, a fairly popular color you’d see on these and full size Pontis. Regardless, kudos to the owner for keeping it a color you’d never see in 2023, or indeed at anytime in recent memory. Unlike the restorers of the ’73 GTO that was recently here. That car was also originally this color but they took the safe route and repainted it in Muscle Car Resale Pewter (Code $$).
Color aside, I agree the price is very optimistic. Nice Colonnades were selling for well under 10k until maybe 3-4 years ago. They’ve gone up but even now it’s rare to see one eclipse 15k. It’s got low miles, true, but no special engine/transmission combo, nor is it a fast restomod. If it was a GTO 4-speed, maybe.
Gang, settle a bet for me with the Mrs. She says “colonnade” like “colon-nayd”, like the body part. I say otherwise. “Cah-lin-aid”. What’s correct. There’s a piece of peach pie hanging in the balance.
I always go with the wifey……it’s safer. 🤣😂😅
First off it’s green, a lotta green, I owned one of these, first car 1978, Black w white bucket seats, white full vinyl roof and every option available, gorgeous car with dual sport mirrors white pinstripes, Appliance Spoke wheels and 1.5 inch whitewall tires, I’d make an offer here but I would need power doors from a Grand Am with all the wiring for the windows and locks, then a color change inside and outside, 40,000 Luxury Lemans?
I had a 73 Luxury LeMans. When I bought it from my great aunt in 1985 it had 45k miles. That seemed like low mileage at the time. It was tan with bucket seats. One nice thing about the custom wheels on this beauty is (hopefully) no center caps. I spent a lot of time in junk yards finding replacements. I have no idea why they wouldn’t stay on but for me they seemed to disappear with alarming regularity.
They were getting stolen
Yessir, I’m old enough to recall when stealing hubcaps was a thing. It was a huge problem, to the point where entire shops opened that were dedicated to hubcaps (a perhaps circular business in some cases haha). Some of the more expensive covers, such as the wire wheel covers from Olds, Buick and Cadillac, were offered with optional locks.
The Luxury Lemans was not a “one year only” model. It first appeared in 1972 and was carried through 1974. It was dropped in 1975 and replaced with the Grand Lemans.