One of the less frequently seen Chevelles is the Colonnade-style Laguna, or the Laguna S-3, as it became known as beginning in 1974. The Laguna was introduced in 1973, the same year the Chevelle received a major redesign for its third generation of production, and was available through 1976. If you’ve been in the market for an unusual Chevelle that’s already had lots of the work done, this 1975 Laguna S-3 here on Craigslist might be just the ticket. Priced at $19,500, this one’s located in Heppner, Oregon, and we’d like to thank reader Curvette for finding it and sending in the tip!
The ’75 Laguna S-3 offered engine choices ranging from 350 cubic inches all the way up to 454, with this one being born with a 350. That’s the size that’s under the hood now, but it’s not original to the car, as the seller says the motor is new and not rebuilt. Unfortunately, no photo is provided, but a horsepower rating of 500 is stated to have been reached on the dynamometer, so this is one powerful Chevelle by mid-seventies standards! The transmission is no slouch either, as it’s of the 200R4 variety, which offers four forward gears and was built by Monster Transmission. There’s no information about whether or not the differential and rear-end gears are original, or if they’ve been replaced with something different.
One photo is provided showing what this Chevy looked like before the work began, and as we can see, it was originally white. Thankfully, the body seemed to be in pretty good shape already, with the seller mentioning that the lower sections of both rear quarter panels were rebuilt before the respray. The color was changed to blue, and the quality of the paint job appears excellent all the way around. This one’s also got a new black half-vinyl top, and the Rally wheels are always a tasteful touch on a Chevelle from this era.
What’s still left to address here is the sporty interior, and I’m not sure how well the existing red matches the newly changed exterior color. Much of it needs to be redone anyway, so maybe restoring it in black would be a good choice, although the owner indicates that the carpet has already been replaced. I’m a fan of the short-lived Laguna, and with so much already completed here, the price of under twenty grand sounds in the ballpark to me. What do you think?
The color change is unfortunate, since it will be difficult to source the necessary parts to make the interior match.
The front end on this is not a pleasant thing to look at.
The fenders & lights look like they might have come off of
an LN7.Front looks like it’s made of cheap plastic.
That IS NOT a compliment,by the way.
Maybe it’s time you had your eyes checked.
Those front ends are heavy and tough as hell.
Kinda funny, the uglyness of the era, kinda makes it cool today…
I like the way the front masks the awful 5 mph front bumpers on these.
The seller is referring to the transmission being guaranteed to 500 horsepower, they only say the engine is new, but there is no mention of horsepower.
It’s overpriced, he’d be lucky to get $19,500 even if the work it needs was finished.
Steve R
Monster Trans means nothing! I had one installed in my STOCK 1987 El Camino and it lasted .25 miles. The sprag busted so I contacted Monster about the warranty and they said i would have to ship it back to them.. they would cover $500 of repair and I would have to pay shipping back to my garage. I told them to F off. They changed warranties from the time i bought it until i installed it which was 15 days. My local trans shop rebuilt it and added a billet sprag. He said the one from Monster was used. So you have been warned.
neat car but it takes more than a coat of paint to make it at thunder road. should have left it white because that red does not go well with the blue. 20k and another 3k to dr up the inside. no engine pics. not seeing it here.
Those look like the swivel seats that the GM intermediates had during that period.
Why are a lot of Craigslist ads written by illiterates? 500 HP? Not stock. No pictures of the engine. Some liked the 200R4. Pass. Put in a 4L80 if you want a 4 speed overdrive. And why change the color?
So many hucksters today.
Welll, the 200 is rated for some 500+ hp, it weights 150lbs less, isnt computer controlled, and is more available for more affordable prices.
Other than those reasons, ya, this rare, super speedway designed, record breaking, outlaw of the the twightlight of the muscle era is just dismissable because it doesnt have an 80.
I love an S3, and for a solid specimen id say easily worth the money. Why the classic car enthusiasts are so quick to devalue and degrade our cars, makes me question if theyre toyota (foreign tin boxes with copy cat everything) execs trying to sway public sentiment or something.