Pontiac’s mid-size cars were redesigned in 1973 with new Colonnade styling (no more true hardtops). Along with the rest of GM’s intermediates, that design would remain through 1977 – and sell quite well. The Luxury LeMans edition was added in 1972 and carried through 1974, giving LeMans a greater level of personal treatment for its passengers. This example has been sitting since 1982 but has been resuscitated and does runs – at least around the block. But it will need some further tinkering and a cosmetic refresh.
The Colonnade layout provided for wide doors with frameless glass that met up with the C-pillars. This was done to provide a greater level of structural rigidity, which also meant that convertibles would now be replaced with T-Tops. Pontiac built just shy of 34,000 Luxury LeMans coupes in 1973, followed by 26,000 in 1974, and no more after that. Other products like the Can-Am and Grand Am perhaps filled that role next.
As the story goes, this Pontiac is a one-owner automobile that was in a garage for decades. From the photos, it may have also spent some time outside with a cover over it. The black paint job probably can’t be saved, there is rust in a few places (nothing fatal), and a vinyl top may have once been present and since removed. The interior looks surprisingly tidy, though there is a snag or two in the upholstery of the bucket seats.
This Pontiac was built with a 400 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, paired with the TH-400 automatic transmission. The car has about 84,000 miles on it, 15 of which were added by the seller after he/she tuned it up and changed all the fluids. We’re told it runs well now and is backed up by documentation that includes the build sheet. It’s an A/C car but the belt has been taken off. The tires might be 50 years old, so they gotta go first. If you like these mid-70s Pontiacs, this one is in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and has been bid to $5,200 here on eBay.
Those were very nice-looking cars, front guard beam notwithstanding. Saw one for the first time at the base when I was in basic training. It was green with a white vinyl top.
Nice car with nice options, the interior looks great, fixed up it would be a fun car to cruise around in. I hope it finds a good home.
Always liked the looks of the Luxury Lemans with the wide lower molding and fender skirts, the body lines carried it well. I believe it was the only “A body” that included a separate model with skirts from that generation.
Suprisingly low price. If I were in the market, this would be seriously considered. The only downside is it’s in Oregon, and I’m in Naples Florida. Loooong trip.
Car dash the sister company of door dash will deliver it to you and you might get a complimentary meal with the deal🐸
This is probably the best looking Colonnade of the era. I am not a big fan of fender skirts but these wear them well and the body lines all come together. By 73 the detuning was in full swing and all that plastic, so yeah Pontiac pulled it off, decent style and it looked like a car. As the corporate heads decided to mix it up and make everything they built look the same Pontiac and Oldsmobile got lost.
Reminds me of my 75 Grand Le Mans. Beautiful car!!
you are absolutely wrong!
Since I just went through it, I would caution the buyer that long term storage can be just as bad as thousands of miles and poor maintenance. I recently purchased a truck with low miles and a history of 40 years of long term storage. After the initial clean up the truck looked fantastic! Then, I started on the mechanical issues. I have literally touched every mechanical part on this truck, to clean it, repair or rebuild it or replace it. Cars are like people “Use It Or Loose It”.
You’re preaching to the choir Joe but try telling that to others. It’s still a selling ploy to claim it’s worth more than a high mileage vehicle. Dry climate controlled doesn’t preserve things much if any but if it’s kept outside tarped or even in a normal garage fagetaboutit. Fuel has gone bad brakes will seize any and all rubber components have shrank dried up and mice have made meals on the wiring and nest everywhere even in the heat and air vents. Good luck with that.
And in addition to the long term non-running status, you also have the fact that it was stored poorly, which did nothing good for the poor exterior of this one.
Maybe buy this one just for the interior bits?
I believe the author meant to say that the door glass meets up with the B pillar, which is kinda the point.
Someone will enjoy this car; just not me. I have always thought that the colon-nade style was a disaster-the fender skirts add insult to injury, IMHO
Bunky, I am with you. Never got on board with the “colonnade” style when they arrived. Didn’t even know they were called that at the time. We called them something else.
Covering up most of the wheels used to also mean futuristic. You would love the skirts over the back AND front wheels on the 1964 Firebird IV & 1954 Ford FX Atmos & 1964 GM runabout.
Today, it’s the direct opposite with gigantic ridiculous wheels & tires that ruin the ride & show off their rusty brake rotors.
Even into the late 80s were similar skirts – google –>
deansgarage creation of the cadillac voyage and solitaire concept cars
I saw those cars in at least 1 sci fi movie.
I like a nice skirt on both with nylons please.
Looks like that garage was a bit damp…
Is that the “garage,” laying crumpled up on the ground, next to the car?
Looks like a tarp from harbor freight which might explain the topical corrosion.
You guys are rough, lol. It says all fluids flushed and running good now. No AC belt suggests a compressor, etc. expense probable, but maybe little else beyond tires for a unique driver. For a 70s car, you can do a lot worse and not much better. Naturally, you’d have to live closer than me or hire for an in person verification/inspection before committing. Best wishes to buyer and seller.
One just like this was in our hood owned by some older folks – man it was the cat’s meow then and still a looker now.
I never cared for the 1973 LeMans when they were introduced. Fifty years later it’s actually cool.
My mom bought a new ’73 Lemans coupe (burgundy, white vinyl roof and interior, 350 engine) over a Volvo 164, also in the same dealership. She loved the car’s looks, but it didn’t do too well in the gas mileage dept, averaging about 12 mpg. She was a school teacher and had to park her car in a particular spot that sloped downhill (sideways), so closing the door with the very heavy steel guard I beam inside, was a challenge for her. One wet winter day, while trying to close the door, she pulled herself out of the car and landed on her kiester into a puddle of water. My mom weighed about 110 lbs. She went back to the dealership and traded the car for the 164 Volvo 4 door (Same color!) She had the Volvo for about 10 years and loved it B4 some auto transmission problems caused it to become unreliable (Borg Warner).