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455 Transplant! 1974 Pontiac LeMans Safari

Once a common family people-mover, the mid-sized LeMans Safari makes a rare sight today. This 1974 Pontiac LeMans Safari in Des Plaines, Illinois gained power and torque from a non-original 455 Pontiac mill. Though not driven much in the last ten years, it features a host of relatively new and rebuilt components. Now it seeks a new owner here on eBay with a Buy It Now price that approximates a power-train price, and you get the Safari for free!

The seller ejected the original 350 cid engine to make room for this (visually similar) rebuilt Pontiac 455 (7.5L). Upgrades include cam, “06 heads” (comments welcome below), GM electronic ignition, and Edelbrock carburetor. The companion Turbo-Hydramatic 400 three-speed automatic boasts a shift kit. The Posi-trac rear differential holds 3.23:1 gears. A four tube radiator keeps thing cool.

The full-width hatch makes for a clean-looking posterior compared to many wagons. In addition to the aged tires, some sheet metal will need to be replaced. One quarter-panel and another rear bumper come with the sale.

Though originally equipped with air conditioning, it is currently non-functional, a minor consideration compared with the rust repair. A non-original third seat (from another wagon) matching this color is included, offering nine-passenger seating, more than nearly all modern SUVs. Who wants to give this high-powered wagon a new home?

Comments

  1. Avatar Pontiactivist

    I love a wagon sleeper. Would look good sitting in my deiveway with my 80 Grand LeMans safari wagon with 488 Pontiac stroker motor.

    Like 13
  2. Avatar randys

    Like, but needs more clamshell tailgate

    Like 1
    • Avatar Will Fox

      Then find yourself a `74 Bonneville Safari wagon!

      Like 6
    • Avatar GCS Member

      I’m not a Pontiac fan, but that has all the right boxes checked for fun…

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Jubjub

    Needs a Can Am shaker or NACA hood and a Grand Am steering wheel.

    Knew a dude who pulled his lawn mowers around with one of these years ago.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar britcars4me

    My learn to drive car was a 73 LeMans Safari wagon, silver on a vinyl woody bottom. Poor thing rusted terribly here in Atlantic Canada, if I ever found one again I’d love to buy it. Quite a lot of differences from this 74 and our old 73 though.🙂🙂

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Mike

    My dad had a 76 LeMans Safari, white with wood paneling, red interior bucket seats, and a factory 400. For a station wagon, it was actually pretty cool, and could smoke the tires. I wished he had chosen a Grand Prix instead, but he was a family man ; )

    Like 3
  6. Avatar ACZ

    Another Illinois rust bucket.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Duaney

      Actually for Illinois, it looks pretty good. I looked at the E-Bay pictures. Looks like a Colorado car for rust.

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Keith

    Rust belt perspective:

    20 years ago, I’d have said “hmm, rusty but not falling apart yet, could be cheap transportation… lowball the guy, little bit of ongoing touch-up, get a couple winters out of it, then pull the motor/trans/rear end and throw them into something nice” (like whatever you’re working on in the garage during those two winters).

    Now? I’m kinda torn. On one hand, it would seem a shame to sacrifice what’s quickly becoming an oddity just to keep your “nice” car out of the salt. But OTOH, at least you could pull and sell the front clip before crushing the rusty remainder (people are restoring Colonnade-era stuff now, right?).

    Like 0

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