The Laguna was the upscale version of the Chevelle when GM went to the “Colonnade” A-body platform for 1973. And the S-3 was the sporty coupe-only version that had the Laguna’s urethane front-end that set it apart visually from the rest of the Chevelle camp. This 1975 Laguna S-3 is from the car’s middle sales year and has fallen on some serious hard times, making me wonder if “parts car” would be a better label. It’s located in Georgetown, AL (southwest of Columbus, Georgia) and available here on Craigslist for $2,000. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Chuck F 55chevy for the tip!
Chevrolet gave a shut out to California’s famous beach resorts by naming part of the Chevelle line-up the Laguna. One of the reasons for the urethane front end was to conceal the newly-mandated 5 mph bumper system. The urethane would bounce back into shape (supposedly) with a minor dent. The rear bumper complemented the front by being body-colored. The S-3 model replaced the SS on the roster and came with lots of stuff to separate it from the other series, some standard and some optional, such as a console, swivel bucket seats, vinyl roof, opera-type vertical rear quarter windows, bodyside striping, Laguna S3 badging, upgraded suspension and HR70x15 radial tires on Rally wheels.
Because the engine and transmission are out of the seller’s car, we’re not sure what powerplant it came with. Engine offerings for 1975 two just two: a 350 V-8 with 145 horsepower or a 400 with 175 hp. But apparently engine pieces come with the deal. All S-3’s that year had the 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission. Not that either of those engines were involved, but NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough earned his first two Winston Cup championships behind the wheel of a Laguna.
The seller’s 1975 Laguna S-3 is something of a rare car in that less than 7,800 of them were made that year (out of less than 39,000 over its short three-year run). The seller tells us the color combination of this one (silver and burgundy, hard to tell now) is also rare. He wants to thin the herd and this car has to go and needs a full restoration. I would be inclined to think of this as a parts car with limited parts as the few that turn up for sale online seldom seem go past $10,000.
With the interior practically out of the car, the front floor pans are said to be and there is rust in the trunk pan. The roof, front fenders, and quarter panels appear to be okay in case you’re looking for those parts for another project. Apparently, some of the removed interior pieces are missing and you may have to bring your own wheels to carry the car away as the seller says the ones on this one are not included. And, BTW, this transaction will be by Bill of Sale only, although the car is registered in the seller’s name. Parts car or restoration? What do you think?
I’m not sure the Laguna nose was made just to cover the bumpers ;most Chevelles had the regular chrome ones. I think the S-3 nose was made to be more aerodynamic for Nascar as the first Lagunas headers weren’t sloped.
This one is really not worth restoring , right now its a parts car .
It’s almost like Chevy progressively gave up on the Laguna as a volume seller. They offered a full line of them in ’73, just the S-3 coupe in ’74 but still with the original, better-styled bumper cover, and the ’75 facelift went full homologation special.
it is in very bad condition for the rest
Speaking of beaches, they also used Malibu !
This could be a nice little project with an LS drivetrain, Seats from whatever GM intermediate you can find and some home sanding and painting. it will look nice and no one will be whining that it’s not original
I have always liked Lagunas, I would love to drop and LS in one.
Skip the LS; pluck a 454 from a boneyard, throw a set of heads and a hotter cam at it, and build what Chevy should’ve built in 1975 for the Laguna S-3
Mitchell, PHR Magazine agreed with you for sure when they built “Project Talladega” a 1975 Laguna S3 with a DART SBC 427. Over 600 HP and mean. Not as cheap as an LS but more unique in the “LS the World” environment today. Disclosure, I own that black #12 Project Talladega car now.
My ’74 had a 454 and a 4sp and 10-bolt posi. It rotted out in places I’ve never seen a car rot out before. Trim studs pulled out from rust. Middle of the roof. Valences and rockers. Car was an everything-delete with zero rustproofing, undercoating..nothing. Had a whopping 21k miles on it. Turned it into a parts car
Move the decimal point over one spot ($200) and it might be worth buying!!
With how hard parts are on these…..$2k as a parts car might not be crazy.
I had one as my demo when a Chevy salesman. Nice drive but could have used more power. I was still at the age when I wanted all the power I could get. Most 75 cars just didn’t have it.
The seller has more pics of JUNK engine parts than they do of the car they are advertising!
To much to do here for a car that isn’t overly popular in my opinion!!! No motor or transmission, no interior, frankly I don’t even see this as a parts car cause there’s no parts!!
If the owner of this car sees this thread/posting I’ll take the urethane nose and the taillights. Not joking.
A refugee from the crusher!
I always wanted to transplant the frontend of the S3 onto a El Camino for something different
They made Laguna El Camino and Station Wagons. Even some 4 door Laguna in ‘73.
none of that is true.
Really…are the choices down to parts car(shameful) or restore ($$$ to do and only worth $ when done). I’m just gonna throw another plot twist out there. How about getting it road worthy with drive line of choice, not worry about the body too much and then (drum roll please) drive it…yeah like around…in public and everything..maybe a non numbers matching hot rod kinda thing…since restored ones go for 10k and less and they are so difficult to restore because parts are non existent ( both mentioned in story) this cars future don’t look to promising. That is unless someone who ready to just have a cool old Laguna to drive comes along. I’ll come get it for the $500.00 it’s worth. I don’t want to part it out or restore it, I’ll find stuff that works for interior, search the vast aftermarket for drive line and source compatible factory parts for some pieces. High dollar restoration for little return, not many being restored for the same reason. What’s left? Hotrod it and drive it…