By 1976, the Pontiac LeMans was nearing the end of its fourth-generation life cycle, but the design team was still busy working on making it more modern-looking by adding four rectangular headlights and an upgraded grille up front. The car was available in three models, including the base offering, the Grand LeMans, and the LeMans Sport Coupe, with this one here on eBay being an example of the latter variety. This one’s claimed to be a survivor that’s been driven just 38,000 miles, and it’s located in Port Charlotte, Florida, if you’d like to go check this Pontiac out in person. All things considered, I feel the non-negotiable buy-it-now price of $13,995 sounds reasonable, if not a bargain.
Although the Metalime Green color may not be for everyone, I remember seeing quite a few Colonnades running around in the seventies wearing this shade, and the seller states that the paint is original. He claims that there have been a few chips and scratches touched up, plus there’s a bit of fading on the plastic insert surrounding the front bumper. However, it would be sad to see the survivor status lost here by respraying the entire body, and I’d probably learn to live with the few minor flaws to keep the exterior original. The Pontiac rally wheels and whitewall tires were a popular choice for the LeMans during this period, and they still look just as classy today.
I’m thoroughly enjoying the contrast of the black-and-white components inside, plus having trouble finding much to complain about regarding their condition. Okay, so there’s a small tear on the side of the driver’s seat and some light wear on the weatherstripping, but overall, I’d rate things here about a 9.5 on a 10 scale. A few aftermarket items have been added, including a trio of gauges and a better Stereo. I’m not sure what the item under the cigarette lighter is, but it might be a power booster for the radio.
Spending an extra $140 to get a 350 V8 under the hood sounds like money well spent here, and I’m respecting the seller’s choice for presenting the bay to us honestly, without a massive clean-up effort. This turn-key car is said to still drive excellently, and I hope its destiny is to remain a beautiful survivor, rather than being modified. What would you do with this 1976 Pontiac LeMans Sport Coupe?
I can hear it now: “Houston Control, be advised we’re being blinded by a green laser from-wait. Ai tells us it’s a 1976 Pontiac in Florida. Please locate the owner and have the owner put it back in the garage as it’s causing a navigational malfunction with aviation; it’ll be easy to find..”
WOW! Don’t remember seeing a Pontiac-or anything- that green but this one is in beautiful condition.
All GM mid-size models came in this shade in `76. My neighbor had a `76 Monte Carlo this color/same white interior, and it was a beauty.
Yep, friend of mine had a 76 Malibu in this color, and my next door neighbors son also had a 76 Laguna in this color
Thanks Stephens love all these Colonnade coupes. 350 and console w buckets nice add ons. 👌
Wasn’t there a ’76 or ’77 Cutlass Supreme in this exact same color combination on here a while back? I agree with Mike and Stan, The console, white buckets and black carpet all looks sharp together. And adds a great contrast to that green. You’ll probably be the only one at a Cars and Coffee with something like this. Really nice clean LeMans here!!!
Obviously, the 400 4-barrel or 455 would be better but the 350 was a good choice indeed, given that these were also offered with the hilariously slow 110 HP Chevy 250 I-6 and the no more powerful 110 HP Olds 260 for ’76.
The 350 made 160 in 2-bbl and 165 in 4-bbl form. Not a barn burner, but at least you could get out of your own way, and they were pretty easy to modify for more power.
In 1983 I bought a 76 Lemans with the 260 olds motor, Of course it had a knock but it was a nice car otherwise and it was only a 100 bucks. I ended up putting a new crank and one rod into it while thinking I would have a good gas mileage driver for work. Wrong! I was oh so wrong, that thing was a gutless pig. I even cut the Cat off thinking that might help. I don’t think it even got 10mpg, my 73 SS 454 got better fuel mileage, well maybe not but it was much more fun to drive
I agree the Olds 260 too small an engine for these colonades, but I’ve drove both a 78 and 79 Cutlass with the 260 for several years, and they would fly all day at 80-90 mph effortlessly, and always did 20 mpg. Funny thing, city driving, highway, no matter what, always the solid 20 mpg. I also would guess that the 260 would be only sold new in low altitude, the same as the Chevy 250 6 was only sold at low altitude, for the heavier colonade cars.
It was a rough time in the auto industry. The government had just imposed CAFE fuel economy requirements, engine technology was primitive, new smaller vehicles could not be introduced overnight, and automakers were fighting with emissions requirements too.
So one of the things GM did was put small engines into their existing big cars. The most hilarious example of this I can think of was the 105 horsepower 231 V6 in the 4,500 pound ’76 Buick LeSabre. It was ridiculously slow, but it did push-up the corporate average economy as a temporary stop gap until the downsized model could be introduced. So it did the job, I just wouldn’t want to drive one!
There are other, more fun-to-drive classic cars in the price range, but not many would be as unique or make a bigger styling statement at your local meet than this Pontiac. I agree, very agreeable price.
Kermit the frog called and wants his car back
I kinda like the darker green shades but can imagine in the sun this paint is really nice. Kinda bright though. I like the colonnade cars. Nice cruisers.
Oo-la-la. You gotta admit, people were so much cooler then. Not only was this offered across the board at GM in ’76 but the orange that was a small car color could be special ordered. I’m attracted to these lime over white cars like a moth to a flame. It just looks so right. To think we drove cars to be seen in. Now people cover themselves in ink and drive a black or gray car with darkened glass so nobody sees them. /smh
I always thought this was a horribly ugly color and 50 years hasn’t really changed my mind much. Probably a good deal though with today’s prices on a good driving riding vehicle. It would be easy and relatively inexpensive to get favorable performance from it.
One could always wear a Ski mask if you didn’t like the color. Looks like a nice car otherwise.
SOLD for $13,995.