By 1974, the Pontiac LeMans was already a year into its fourth generation, and while the trend from higher performance and muscle cars from just a handful of years prior was shifting to more fuel efficient vehicles, it was a nice gesture that Pontiac at least offered a Sport Coupe version of its intermediate body style for the more discriminating buyers. And though it may not have matched the wow-factor of some of Pontiac’s previous offerings, for the mid-seventies market it was a pretty decent package. If you’ve been looking for a well-preserved example that’s ready to hit the road, this 1974 Pontiac LeMans Sport Coupe would be well worth taking a look at. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, it can be spotted here on eBay with a current bid of $15,100. Many thanks to Barn Finds reader T.J. for sending us the tip on this one!
The seller says that this LeMans Sport Coupe is a one-family-owned vehicle and calls it an amazing condition time-capsule 48 years in the making. Strong words, yes, but the car really does look exceptionally good from every angle we can see. The body is said to be solid and rust-free, with paint that has had some touch-ups over the years but shines nicely. The doors shut very solid, and as much as those doors must weigh I’d say that’s a good testament for body integrity. The tires are stated to be like new, but something I was hoping one of our readers could chime in on is those wheels- are those Oldsmobile Rally Wheels on this car?
Power comes from a 350 cubic inch V8, and while there’s no mention of whether or not it’s ever had a rebuild, the car currently has just 61,020 miles so the motor may have not yet had the need to be gone through. The seller says that the vehicle runs and drives beautifully, with a great sound coming out of the dual exhaust poking out the rear. There are even a few videos included featuring the LeMans, including this one of the car getting on the highway. New parts under the hood include a carburetor, air cleaner, belts, hoses, spark plugs, and battery.
Things inside do not disappoint either, although purists probably won’t like that aftermarket steering wheel. But don’t panic- the original steering wheel is also included and said to be in great shape. The dash has no cracks and the gauges are all functioning, and the white interior is said to be in fantastic condition for its age. Another thing to consider is that if you want this car today, there’s also a buy-it-now option with a price tag of $21,000. What are your thoughts on this 1974 Pontiac LeMans Sport Coupe?
LED lighting has it’s place in modern vehicles, and I like it, but I would never install it on a vintage or classic car. It just looks horrible, IMO.
Before I even read the article about this very nice Pontiac, that’s the first thing I noticed. It just looks out-of-place. That said, I like the car and especially the color. The white half vinyl roof and wide white stripes give it a striking appearance. Looks like it is in great shape.
I generally prefer Colonnade coupes with the big triangular quarter windows they were clearly meant to have, but the teal-and-white makes this car and I give the opera windows a pass for being part of that.
I agree about the headlights, they just dont seem right on this vintage car. And before the lights the first thing i noticed were the Olds Ralley Rims painted to match Pontiac. I have to admit that, even if they aren’t factory, they sure do compliment the car. Id leave them on.
I would take the Catalina below over this in a wide-track heartbeat.
Well, the stripes and trunklid GT decal have been added; this is not a true LeMans GT.
The seller is careful, and doesn’t say it is, but, he doesn’t say it’s NOT, either. So – is it NOT a clone if you don’t mention it?
GT package would have blacked out grill, twin sport mirrors and dual exhaust, plus rally wheels – the Pontiac versions
The upgraded head lights do not bother me, as they are a safety feature. Keep the key off, or parking lights off, like the 2nd picture, and they won’t glow when your outside the car.
Either buy a “Loud Pipes Save Lives” bumper sticker for a little tongue-in-cheek humor, or, like I would do, get rid of those tacky made-for-a-truck exhaust extensions.
I had a white 74 GT, light green interior, the steering wheel is different and mine had the louvered rear windows. I loved that car, even more than the 74 Trans am I have now. I traded the Lemans for a 76 Good Times Van with a Mural.
Pro’s: Color/stripes/interior/ wheels. Con’s: Headlights/oversized exhaust extensions/no “gages”. The wheels are a cool change, since they are in the “family”, and I’d source a set of the Sport mirrors. Contrary to popular opinion, all LED’s do not enhance nighttime vision; some are poorly designed & merely stylish, and just bright enough to blind oncoming driver’s when misaligned. This beauty should make the next owner happy! GLWTA!! :-)
The white door pull looks crazy great for its age.
Mine in my ’73 Olds is grayed and NO product has ever had any effect.
I imagine they’d need to be painted.
Maybe this one was? It almost seems whiter than its surroundings.
It’s not really that original, as other posters have pointed out. And I am stunned that a Colonnade that isn’t a factory big block/4-speed is bid up to $16,000 with several days to go. Have people gone insane?
You’ve got that right Bick!
https://youtu.be/C0rgeQ0QD-o
These buyers are going be among the people who get burned the worst when the market turns down, and it will. The people buying these are probably average people, not big money investors who are diversified and can afford to weather a downturn. And if they’re borrowing or withdrawing from retirement accounts, that’s even worse To quote the great Doug DeMuro, stupidity cost money!
I loved these cars back in the day, had over a half dozen of them. Very comfortable rides and were cheap in the 80’s. Buy one for a couple hundred and finish it off then buy another
Seeing this car brings me back to a hot summer night in 1974. I had my licence about a year, so by teenage logic, was an “expert” driver. I was driving home by myself driving a similar, brand-new burgundy and white LeMans. It was a “Demonstrator” belonging to a GM dealership where my dad was a part-owner.
As I entered an expressway, a Porsche 914 zipped past me…..The race was on… As we traveled along the relatively straight expressway, I soon proved my car’s “superiority”. We both took the same exit, with me, Victorious, in the lead. But….the race was not over, and the “inferior” little VW-Porsche suddenly passed me as we headed onto a windy residential road with big tudor -style mansions.
I sort-of kept up through the first gentle curves by flooring in between. I was just catching up as the Porsche took the next (much tighter) curve like a slot-car. I followed at the same speed. When I was about 1/2-way in, my Pontiac’s “radial tuned suspension” met it’s match, and I spun gracefully onto the front lawn of a mansion. Thankfully, I did not hit anything, and no damage was done. Shaking like a leaf, I drove home slowly.
I learned 2 things that night:
1) I was lucky that no-one was hurt by my teenage bravado.
2) Little cheap Porsches deserve respect.
Absolutely gorgeous and stunning car. I love the color combination 😍 💕. I will agree about the modern lights. Not a fan. Classic cars don’t need modern lights.
What’s up with the oldsmoblie rims , rally rims please
Those are Oldsmobile Rallye wheels. I have also never seen a vinyl top go all the way to the deck lid. Looks sharp with the white interior and vinyl top. Nice that the vinyl has started to yellow, which is common.
I purchased a 75, like this, except green with the white top & interior. Car had 49,000 miles on it in 79, I joined the Marines in 79 right after high school, after boot camp, I took it to it to California, then drove it back to P.I., from then on it was my daily driver till 1990, well over 200,000 miles, then traded it off once I got out. That was the 2nd biggest mistake I made, getting rid of it, I’m still looking for another one to replace the one that got away from me
Don’t like the modern lights either, hope I’m not nitpicking but the Olds rims were called super stock III `s.
Those Olds wheels are one of the best styles GM designed along with Pontiac rally 1’s and Chevy torque-thrust style SS’s , IMHO. They don’t look out of place on this good lookin’ Le Mans. It’s nice to see the “Pontiac” centers! Hope it goes to a good home.
I had a 73 Luxury Lemans, w every option available, black, w white full top, and white interior, spokes 1.5inch whitewalls, wish I still had it, this car is doing great #s, I do have a 73 Grand Prix SJ 455,factory sunroof car, loaded, w spokes and Vogues, beautiful black w white half top and white bucket seat interior, wondering what that’s worth
Pity it wasn’t ordered with louvered rear quarter windows ( a no cost option). Documentation to show how it was built would be nice.
Did not meet in overly optimistic reserve on the online auction site. Bid to over $16 K.