Metalime Green is an eye-popping color for this 1976 Pontiac Grand LeMans Coupe, touted in Pontiac advertising as “either one of the most practical luxurious cars or one of the most luxurious practical cars Pontiac ever built.” The seller has this colorful coupe posted here on craigslist in Cuba City, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $18,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Tony P. for the tip!
The fourth-generation LeMans was made for the 1973 through 1977 model years, and the Grand LeMans name took over in 1975 for the previously named Luxury LeMans. The colonnade cars were longer, but a big difference was that they came along right as regulations were requiring 5 mph bumpers, and they aren’t the most well-designed battling ram bumpers that were available on U.S. cars at that time.
The seller doesn’t show the rear of the car at all, unfortunately, but they show a few areas where rust is bubbling through or under the paint. They don’t say if this is the original paint or if it’s had bodywork or not, but it doesn’t look like a big job to fix this. That $18,000 asking price seems a bit steep for a car that needs bodywork and paint, though. Wisconsin isn’t exactly the desert southwest as far as a hot, dry climate goes. I’d want to see underneath this car.
The interior appears in very nice condition, and the original owner didn’t go for power windows, which is both surprising on a Grand LeMans and not surprising. A lot of buyers, especially pragmatic Midwesterners, didn’t care for those things as much as buyers in some other areas did. A three-speed automatic provides the forward and/or reverse motion for this car. The back seat looks as nice as the front seats do. The clock doesn’t work, and the fuel gauge is intermittent, so there’s tinkering inside to do, too.
The engine is Pontiac’s 350-cu.in. OHV V8, which was factory-rated at 160 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by that automatic sending power to the rear wheels, the seller doesn’t say how this one runs and drives, but they say it has an upgraded AC system, custom exhaust, and air shocks. Interesting. Not to mention Keystone wheels, but thankfully, the original wheels and wheel covers come with the sale. Any thoughts on this Grand LeMans?
Lived in Wisconsin from 2016 till 2019 and explored it often. This is the first time I’ve ever heard of Cuba City. And I moved there from Key Largo. So I went from describing Miami as “up north” to calling Chicago “down south!” Big change in the weather but great people. I would definitely get this one on the rack. The snow removal system up there is nothing less than iconic!
A set of Rally II wheels would really make this one pop! (IMO) GLWTS!! :-)
Nice…. A family friends husband drive one of these, he was a mob guy.
Really cool Lemans. I actually would keep the original wheel covers and fender skirts. ( they just work on this one). Wasn’t there a mid 70’s Cutlass Supreme on Barnfinds in a similar color combination? I don’t remember too many cars from GM painted a green like this.
My 76 lemans was a bluish silver color with the 260 olds motor. I thought it had a four barrel on it when I first looked at it but it was a dual jet. Looked like a quadrajet but the back half was all show, I had the motor rebuilt because of a rod knock because the car was pretty nice and I thought the 260 would get better gas mileage compared to a 350 or 400. That car was a turd to drive with that 260 in , I would have been much happier with a bigger motor
not a very good-looking car especially with skirts. i agree with another poster that rally wheels would help this out. hard sell @18k. i think 7 would be the most. not a collectable piece even with low miles and color combo. you reall got to want this 1
Ugly then, ugly now; age doesn’t help. Never liked the Collonade body style from any of the divisions except the Olds Cutlass Salon, which was slightly more attractive.
Very nice Pontiac!
Seems steep. but GL.
It’s a nice looking low mileage weekend cruiser. You saw a lot of green cars in the 70’s. I’d like to see the underside of the car if I was a serious buyer. I’d hope the seller would be willing to negotiate on the price due to the rust issues.
Nice car in an attractive color combo.
But as another poster mentioned, this needs some underside shots – could be very crusty.
Since rust always eats through from the inside on body panels, this one seems to have serious rust issues… its also uglier than a barfly at 2am… you have to be drunk to think its attractive…lol. $18k is a ridiculous price.