It doesn’t seem like there are a lot of enthusiasts for the big cars of the 1970’s. It’s no secret that this wasn’t the best decade for Detroit. The high horsepower days were gone and it appeared as though the auto manufacturers were doing whatever they could just to sell a car. Offering special appearance packages was one way that manufacturers used to lure in potential buyers and the Pontiac Can Am is a prime example of that.
From the first time I saw a Can Am I’ve had an odd liking for them. The decals, shaker hood, and rear spoiler have always grabbed my attention. With only 1,377 units produced these special cars are a little harder to find. It’s not uncommon to find a nice one listed in the $15k to $25k range. The one listed here on Craigslist in Corinna, Maine, submitted by reader AMXBrian, would need a full restoration and could easily exceed that price range. The big question is whether or not these cars will continue to climb in value.
Interested buyers would be encouraged to know that this one runs, drives and comes with a parts car. There aren’t many details in the listing, but the pictures pretty easily tell the condition. The Can Am could originally be had with either a 403 Oldsmobile or a Pontiac 400, but the 403 was the rarer of the two. If this Can Am were to have the 403 would it drive up the value of this unique car?
It’s a little harder to imagine modifying a car that had fewer than 1,400 produced, but the thought is intriguing. Imagine that instead of the Cameo White it was black with the orange and yellow decals. Instead of the original low horsepower big block, imagine it with one of the high output Pontiac engines of the late ’60’s. What about a set of modern snow flake wheels instead of the Rallye II’s? With a $2,500 asking price is this one worth looking into?
Tough call. Looking kinda rough.
$500-800 would definitely make an easier starting point from which to start doing something with it.
Pontiac needs a Pontiac.
If this one is going to be saved, it should be heavily upgraded performance wise. Keep the body, paint and graphics stock, but drop something radical between the fenders. Brand new, these were good looking cars. Yes it was a low production number but not very desirable today.
I like these, the 1973 gto as well. They look like they are doing a buck 50 when standing stiil. That real deal shaker hood the last of the Delorian pointed nose. Not made for the tight turns of US 1 but perfect hauling the mail on the interstate system. This car is very collectable and will soon be worth serious money.
I want one of these. But I couldn’t afford to refresh this one.
Remember when these were running around new and a few years after – stellar car in it’s day and a rare one….hope someone saves it !
So, is the parts car also a Can Am? 2 of 1377, doesn’t sound bad.
No. Parts car is just a regular LeMans. With the quarter vinyl roof, I’m thinking maybe a sport coupe. Same car, but without all the good looking Can Am specific parts.
Edit: Parts car is Definitely NOT a Grand LeMans Sport coupe.
Just a plain old LeMans.
The restoration costs would exceed the value of the completed car not to mention parts are like hens teeth. Being a east coast car I can only imagine what the underside looks like. Pass.
Black with orange/yellow accents would look great but I think I’d keep the rallye ll’s…..then again the gold snowflake rims might be the topper
To say this is not desirable is WAY off. This car is hot as hell right now. Perfect examples bring over $25k. That said this will cost TONS to get right again.
They made fewer with the 403 for a reason….nobody wanted them…the 403’s were pathetic. I worked at a Pontiac dealer in the early 80’s through the late 90’s. Trust me when I tell you nobody purposely ordered one with a 403…the factory ran out of of 400’s…They did the same to the f-bodys
I have 2 of them they’re worth fixing in almost all cases.more info is needed parts car is not can am.if this one still retains y6 code motor keep it in the car,could be 4 speed. Not clarified also factory a/c not clarified.need to check vin is this number 0001 or number1277?. previous owners? One of mine previous owner was president of Pontiac Historical Society.i m going to investigate this one more bottom line is the first one took me 21years and 3 weeks to find,got lucky on the second one,found it in just over 10 years.these don’t come up for sale often like the 10 thousand+ first gen Camaro and other gm models.previous history may add value to this car.what if it was prototype? Debuted at auto show in1976?was the actual car pictured in sales flyer?on the cover of motor trend? Remember a raw diamond looks like a typical rock until cut.
Timmy, very good points made in your statement. The parts car appears to be a plain jane Lemans according to the last two photos in the Craigslist ad. As for the price, I think $2k is fair. But the seller pointing out that it runs and drives matters not as the tires look like they’ve become one with the earth underneath. I’m sure with the frameless side glass the thin steel received no mercy from the tin worm.
pretty sure the T/A 6.6 call-out on the shaker identifies this one as a Poncho 400. the 403 motors had the 6.6 Litre stickers instead & were intended for Cali & high-altitude markets.
regardless, i loved these cars when they came out, too big but so cool looking, way better than the contemporary 442.
and the all white exterior with side window louvers, Rally2 5-spokes, shaker & rear spoiler hit all the marks for a badass hot rod in the slow-ass era of the Mustang King Cobra, Monza Spyder & Aspen R/T.
not very good shots of either car, looks like somebody in a township contacted the seller and told him to get rid of them. It would take somebody really devoted to the Can Am and the hobby to resurrect it Kuddos to whomever rescues this car !
I’ve shared the story before on these on how my 76 COPO (ordered 05/1975) was the basis for the CA (per the Atlanta plant manager back then). Black on Black on Black 76 “Grand LeMans” was the starting point then added 455/4spd from the TA, “shaker” hood/scoop (from the 73 GTO), and Grand Prix honeycomb wheels. I never took delivery (for other reasons I’ve shared) but was told that someone “high up” liked the car and thought it would make a good package. I would still like to have one and build my original car…again…and keep it this time. Entry price wise for this car isn’t all that bad for someone who really wants one. Restoration is going to be a labor of love for these anyway as there in’t really a post-completion market for them.
runs and drives