In 1970, Pontiac introduced the T-37, a low-buck version of its mid-size Tempest. It would be offered as a pillared coupe, but a hardtop version called the GT-37 also arrived as a cheaper alternative to the GTO muscle car. The T-37 only stuck around through 1971 when the Tempest name was retired after a decade in use. This ‘71 beauty could easily be mistaken for a GTO at first glance, but it has a smaller V8 that’s also numbers matching. Located in Sterling, Virginia, this sweet Poncho is available here on craigslist for $25,000. Kudos to Barn Finder Rocco B. for tossing this cool tip our way!
Most T-37s were sold as econoboxes, but you could order one equipped with any powertrain combination that was available to mid-size Pontiacs. That may have been in the back of the car’s original owner who went for a 350 cubic inch V8 paired with a TH-350 automatic transmission. But past that, the number of options specified may have been on a shortlist. It does have dual exhaust and is every bit a lower-end muscle car, but without the insurance stigma that the GTO had earned in the late 1960s. We understand that the T-37 moniker was derived from both the Tempest name and the body code for the car.
We’re told the color combination of this T-37 is “as-built” which doesn’t necessarily mean the original materials. The car has 83,500 miles but looks more like it could be 8,350. There are a couple of minor tears in the upholstery which looks rather spartan compared to the 1971 GTO’s. The seller must know the history of the automobile, making the bold claim that it has never been smoked in. We’re told that the Pontiac has never been hit and—other than Magnaflow mufflers – it’s never been modified mechanically. It looks like the master brake cylinder was just replaced. And the spare tire might be original!
GM’s 1971 cars had been detuned slightly so they could all run on unleaded fuel, and this Pontiac is no exception and we’re told it likes 87 octane regular unleaded just fine. The running condition of the auto is such that you could use it as a daily driver if you were so inclined. But I’d rather save it for weekend outings and take it to Cars & Coffee where all the GTO owners are bound to ask a lot of questions.
Not to criticize but Pontiac had one size block, they changed deck height but the block was basically the same across the board. Also question the fuel requirements of the 71 autos, as I remember the pumps were selling 91 octane at the blue pump (unleaded). I was working at a Shell service station then and my Mother bought a 71 Monte, pretty sure 91 octane was the thing then. Nice car and insurance companies had enough of those terrible tire smoking, crashed muscle cars.
I like the T37 but I’d prefer this one without the stripes and spoiler. I’m just tired of seeing spoilers on everything nowadays. At the very least, get it painted to match the car. Looks lazy when you don’t.
Every T37 I ever saw back when they were used cars was a stripper pillared coupe with a 350 2 barrel and a taxicab interior.
Ah, still looking for that unicorn GT-37 with 455/4bbl auto or 4spd. Saw one running in FAST Drags years ago. Nice sleepers.
Good luck and hope you have “deep pockets”!
Always liked this model from the Pontiac division.
I had a 1972, then called a Lemans GT. Red with gold stripes and black interior. Mine had the 175 Horsepower 350 2-barrel Pontiac and a column mounted 2-speed Powerglide. These had the same dual exhaust system as the 400 4-barrel GTO. Had a real nice sound. Not particularly fast but it was a nice drive, if you can live w/o any power options and the 2-speed. I didn’t even have power steering. My body has since turned on me, I hurt so bad that I wouldn’t be able to drive that car anymore. I can think of about 5 vehicles I had that I couldn’t drive anymore because of lack of power steering. Sucks getting old.
I had a 68 Tempest with a 350 V8 2bbl…factory dual exhaust from the factory (aftermarket 3/4 cam tho), sounded nice, but it really was a dog power-wise, my guess this is probably the same. Change that manifold so you can put on a 4bbl to actually make it move somewhat decent. But if you’re just in it for looks, this seems cool. But if you’re gonna leave the spoiler on, at least paint it.
Ok… soooooo… where did the other 1/4 of the cam go?
So tired of people using that saying. There’s nothing 3/4 about any camshaft. If you don’t know ow what you had… then just say it was an aftermarket cam. Otherwise, spout off the specs. Because that’s the only way real gearheads know what cam you had in it. “3/4 cam” is the most generic way of saying that your idle was lumpy. Now as for the car, I love these. For some reason, even more than the GTOs. Maybe it was just because it was under the radar… maybe it was because of its performance potential… but, I just think they’re better. I’d prefer it to not have the spoiler… but, if it came with it… then it stays.
I’ve always hated that term. There was something to it back in the ‘50s but it’s extremely outdated. Whenever I hear someone say 3/4 cam they lose all credibility because it’s obvious they don’t know what they’re talking about. How about “performance cam”.
A little history to the term 3/4 cam
https://www.tildentechnologies.com/Cams/Take_34Race.html
or
https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tech/engine/tech-quickie-what-is-a-34-race-camshaft/
Sterling, VA….isn’t that like one of the most expensive zip codes in the US? At $25k, this looks like a pretty good bargain. Reminds me of my older brother’s LeMans he drove in HS.
Too bad it does not have AC, then I could overlook the rear spoiler and the cheap Grant “Challenger” steering wheel. Other than that, this appears to be a very nice T-37. Sterling (just outside Dulles airport) is west of some of the priciest zip codes in the DC area but none of them is in the top 100 zip-codes in the country. I lived just outside DC in northern Virginia for 45 years, happy to be in the affordable, friendly south.
I had a 1970 t-37 it was a pale yellow color with a gold interior. It was a basic 350 2 barrel with a power glide all I did was add a set of 15″ Pontiac rally wheels and a nice exhaust. Another one I should have kept.
I’ve been a Pontiac owner for my whole life.
I’m the proud owner of a ’67 Pontiac
G.T.O.
This T-37 Tempest.is.a low cost replica of a Pontiac. LeMans or G.T.O..
Grand
Turismo
Omalegato
G
T
O…. ✌🏽🇺🇲
Back in the mid 70’s I had the pleasure of buy a 1969 LeMans Sport. I was a mid level LeMans, in all dark green with bucket seats a 4 speed and no console. Plus only an AM radio, but I added a Pioneer Super Tuner Cassette with 4, 8” round JBL speakers. The best part was it came with a 400/4 brl, dual exhaust, through the wide ratio 4 speed to a 3:72 posi, that together even at a mile high+ altitude I could get over 120 on the speedometer, at 4,200 rpm’s, that was just shy of the redline. Driving easily it would get 14-20 mpg with the carb leaned out for altitude. The Sport Package got the bucket seats, along with handling package included rear sway bar. I had added MOOG Cargo Coils I the rear for a Safari Wagon that lifted the rear up enough for huge 10”wide tires on 15” alloy aftermarket wheels matching the H60/15 in the front. Along with the biggest Monroe shocks I could find that helped that car handle great, especially on dirt mountain roads. For the winter I got some huge Firestone Town&Country mud/snow tires on a second set of wheels for the snow in Colorado. Plus always carried tire chains, I used a few times to get back through some serious snow.
So is this the Pontiac equivalent of the Olds F-85 – Inexpensive stripper car that you could equip. with just about any powertrain?
I have a Lemans sport post, this is the first other Post I’ve seen, mine is black and with the chome on the window frame it looks different than anything else.
I have a trans am shaker I’m gonna put on the motor.
Mine has a grate or something behind fender and ahead of door.
Mine isn’t a 25 k car
Very nice car. I have a 70 GTO judge 455 bored 30 over. Four-speed. Feel very lucky to have this car being one of 17 with this configuration. Big block produced that year. getting ready to paint. I was thinking about orbit orange. Blacks my favorite color though?
My Dad’s friend used to have a LeMans sport and he would get drunk and take us on the street and do burnouts. I’m surprised yet tires left on the car because it just would just smoke them. Late seventies those were the days.
I think its a great find. Silly to question the spoiler, just take it off if you don’t like it. Great entry to “muscle cars” without spending goat money. Perfect for cruise nights and cars and coffee
I think the people objecting to spoilers primarily object to the holes drilled through the deck lid to mount them. Not a simple fix.
Unless the spoiler is original factory equipment, it would be coming off.
I remember in the 50’s that 3/4 or “full” were the popular terms for how hot the cam was, e.g. full race cam or 3/4 race cam. The kids knew what that meant and only the mechanically-inclined used technical terms.
Whenever I see a T-37 I think of John Sawruk, who was a Pontiac corporate engineer and the official historian for Pontiac Motor Division. He knew everything about GTOs and his T-37 was the “poor” man’s GTO. An encyclopedia of Pontiac knowledge, we lost him to cancer a\t the age of 61.
here’s a wikipedia link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sawruk
I drove a 71 LeMans Sport in college.
Same color plus black vinyl. Always liked the 71 front the best. 3502bbl auto stock but it would pull the hell out of my dads boat with 110 avgas and the breather flipped.
Those were the days!
I also had a dark green 1969 Lemans. It came with a factory 350 H.O. engine, 4 bbl, dual exhaust and 4 speed with bucket seats and a console. No power options at all (No power steering, brakes) and no A/C. It even had the little hubcaps. I loved that car!