One of the first things that came to mind when I started looking over this 1974 Pontiac Luxury LeMans was this: “I would love to get my hands on its PHS documentation.” For those who haven’t owned a classic Pontiac, “PHS” can provide an owner with the original paperwork, including a list of options, selling dealer, and assembly date, for their Poncho. This Luxury LeMans, which is being offered for sale as an auction here on eBay in Anoka, Minnesota, is clearly optioned to look a little sportier than you’d imagine a car with “Luxury” atop its nameplate to look. When combined with its Rally II wheels and missing fender skirts, these options seem to add up to something more inclined toward “sport” than “luxury.” Still, nobody has yet bitten at the car’s $3,500 starting bid.
All Luxury Lemanses came with a Pontiac V8 in 1974, but this car has the optional 400. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t let us in on many of the specifics, but it was available with either a two-barrel or a four-barrel carburetor, producing between 175 and 225 horsepower depending on the induction and exhaust systems (single- or dual-exhausts were available). I grabbed this image of the engine running from the video that’s posted on the eBay ad, and the engine seems to run well with no strange noises. The seller says that the LeMans “runs and drives.”
The 400 was certainly not uncommon in the Luxury LeMans line, but bucket seats (a no-cost option in coupes), center console, and floor shift are all features that one would expect in the sporty Grand Am, not the Luxury LeMans. Speaking of the Grand Am, the steering wheel does not match factory literature; indeed, it looks like it belongs in a Grand Am. Maybe Pontiac Colonnade experts can chime in on that one.
Another sporty option is the sunroof, which was only available on two-door models at a lofty $325. When combined with the optional air conditioning, which cost around $500, this was a well-ventilated and expensive LeMans.
Speaking of ventilation, the seller mentions that the driver’s side floor is “soft” and will need replacing, not that you’d expect anything less from a car from the northern tier of states. Additionally, the paint is “not perfect” and “has scratches,” but it appears to be a very pretty shade called “Admiralty Blue,” which complements the white vinyl top and interior nicely.
With 98,000 miles on the tough Pontiac 400 (and most likely a Turbo-Hydramatic 400 beneath the driveline tunnel), this LeMans might be an inexpensive way to get a highly optioned Colonnade, if you like such things. I think the ’74 Luxury LeMans was a nice-looking member of that family of bodystyles, and if you have a MIG welder in the garage, it might not be too hard a rehabilitation. Given how rust can be hidden almost anywhere, it might be a good idea to take a closer look if you’re in the greater Anoka area. In the meantime, what would be a fair price for this Pontiac?
This Lemans has quite a few rare features, like the sunroof and the 400. Truth be told, even in 2 barrel form, the 400 will move this Lemans down the road with some authority for sure. Great color combination too. I’d like to see this stay as stock as possible. But, thats me.
What a neat, nicely optioned car, I hope it finds a good home, and remains as stock and well-preserved and enjoyed as possible.
I agree. It has dual exhaust both sport mirrors, sunroof, and 400/44 driveline. I would want to see the floarboards. This would make a nice cruiser with some cleaning up and the price seems ok. If it has a 2 barrel set up wake it up a little with a 4 barrel set up.
The fifth digit of the VIN is T meaning it was, originally, a 400 4-bbl with 225 HP with dual exhaust. That was the most powerful 400 offered that year.
All the more to like then!!! I’m willing to bet dollars to donuts this thing surprised quite a few people at a stop light.
Nice pull! I missed the VIN listing in the ad.
Where’s this thing been sitting to get the engine compartment so rusty?
Yeah thats the first thing l noticed. Engine needs detailed maybe take off air cleaner and valve covers hit them with OEM paint and decals.
I think this might be a dealer up that way, but not sure, so I won’t mention a name.
If the floor is soft, maybe the rest is following. As a lifelong Minnesotan, I’ve seen some real rust buckets running around here.
A thorough inspection underneath is needed with this car along with the sunroof area.
On the other hand, looks like pw & locks, + a/c for nice options.
Some friends had a ’74 Luxury Lemans with the console.
I had a Gran Prix come into the shop back in Raleigh NC from up there that had a brake problem. I had to tell the customer that I would not touch it after seeing the underside. Everything having to do with the brakes would have had to be replaced because of rust and because of rust the car was not worth the price of repair.
The lady’s husband came to see if I was lying and he agreed with me. He got $500 in trade. The interior of the car was just about perfect. The exterior was nice but the bottom was a total disaster.
Minnesota, better check the bottom side really good. worth the 3500.00 bid. personally, i would not be willing to pay too much more
I like this car for many reasons, but I think the tin worm may rule here…
These Pontiacs from the Collonade era, started rusting as a factory option. My uncle had one, within 4 years it was Swiss cheese from the Ohio salt mines.
A Luxury LeMans without fender skirts does not compute in my old Pontiac brain. The neighborhood I worked in. The vehicle of choice was Luxury LeMans/Cutlass Supreme, then Mercedes and then Cadillac. We sold more Luxury LeMans than everything else combined. And we sold alot of Firebirds/TransAms. I’m still not a fan of the Colonade body style. I would like to have a 70-72 Luxury LeMans to stick a 455 or 421 in.
somebody mentioned that the steering wheel was not original to the car.as a man that worked in G.M. that year I have to let you all know that was an option and yes they came with it if you ordered one.spent 31 years there and the chances are that this one was built in Oshawa ontario Canadae .I may even have worked on this baby.
The factory hole in the roof is kinda rare on this era…
Neat to see!!
I think ASC installed these??
🤤 someone is going to get a helluva deal
Nice car. My first car was a 77 Grand Prix with a 2 bbl 400. It scooted very well for the time (1987). Well optioned, with the console and sunroof. I imagine this one’s skirts were lost a long time ago. It’s been bid up to $7k with 8 hrs. left and even with the soft floor, that’s probably a fair price. GLWTS.