This 1980 Pontiac LeMans has a bit of a surprise hidden under the original-paint hood. This car is posted on Craigslist in Barre, Vermont with an asking price of $4,195 or best offer.
You can see that this LeMans isn’t pristine but it’s not covered in barn dust, either. This looks like what we would have done to/with a two-door car in my youth: change the wheels, jack it up a bit in the back, hop up the engine, put on a new vinyl top.. er.. hey, wait a minute?! What? The seller says that this car has it’s “original paint” but it also has a “new landau top”.
This is a fifth-generation LeMans and 1981 would be the last year for this model, at least as we know and love it. It came back a few years later as a rebadged Daewoo. I say, it came back a few years later as a rebadged Daewoo. Guys? Where’d everyone go..
I’m not quite sure what I would do with this car, it probably isn’t valuable or rare enough, monetarily, to restore back to original spec. Maybe just tidy up the interior, do a non-concours body and paint job and drive it? NADA is at $5,500 for a high retail value so it’ll be touch and go as far as instantly being in it for more than it’s worth.
I did not expect to see this good looking, clean V8 under that hood! The seller says that this is a “1969 rebuilt 350 pontiac engine, rebuilt turbo 350 trans with shift kit, rebuilt posi rear end with 3:73 gears, new front and rear shocks, new front and rear springs, new dual exhaust with headers”. I don’t know what the horsepower rating is but a 1969 Pontiac 350 would have had at least 265 hp. What are your thoughts on this LeMans? With that powerful 1969 350 under the hood is it worth putting some money into the rest of the car?
Well, where I live (California), that car would never pass smog inspection. Guess you could take it to the dragstrip, though…
Isn’t there an exemption for classics?
The exemption only applies to 1975 or older vehicles. They are always tightening the laws and make it harder and harder to keep older vehicles on the road.
It is missing a very important part from under the hood.
MACCO paint job, clean up the interior and us it for what cars are made for. TO DRIVE!
MAACO paint job, a good cleaning and drive it! Great fun.
Hi Miguel, I see what you mean, especially in Mexico!
We had one day of rain 2 days ago.
The forcast from now on is sunny and 90 degree temperatures.
A/C is very important to me.
Miguel I’m not sure what important part from under the hood,other than a high-rise intake,is missing but hopefully when the engine was rebuilt whoever did the work they put in something other than a stock cam, an Edelbrock intake would be one of the first mod’s I would make, then maybe a small cam since it is a 350
That would be an A/C compressor on a car that has factory air.
Hey ya. A/C can be a deal breaker for some , but I really like this car. It covers all the bases. What a nice repower, and would be fun to thrash around in. Going to the extent of a Pontiac engine was a nice touch too.
If nothing else, this would make a great car to use in the brackets at your local drag strip.
If it’s a 4 Bbl engine, the factory rating was 330 HP (SAE gross).
Looks like a waste of a 69 Poncho engine to me.
Like most cars with a transplant, the donor was probably rusted out or damaged in an accident. They found a creative use for it in another member of the Pontiac family. Works for me…
Great engine bland body.
Plenty of torque in that poncho. Bet it is a fun car to drive.
Yes, the engine swap is great. Of course, I’m with Miguel, here in AZ we need AC. The first thing that struck me was the ability to order a white car with a maroon vinyl top. Not that I want a vinyl top on any current model car, the fact you could order this combo is great. Sure beats the multitude of boring silver, gray and charcoal colors that are the norm today.
Isn’t there an exemption for classics?
Like the car, hate the half vinyl roof.
California engine swaps have to be same year or newer. Plus all smog gear needs to be intact. Before 1975 is easier. Gotta be car for car engine or truck for truck engine. We still work with goofy laws and get by. Also, prettiest women, best weather and beaches.
Nothing at all against Chevy engines, but glad they used a true Pontiac v8.
I was wondering if I could get the information of the guy you sold this to becuse this is exactly like the first car I had and I was really desiring to find a car exactly like this