The only negative aspect of owning a 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible is the price of admission. With values climbing relentlessly, the day is fast approaching when only the well-heeled will be able to afford the privilege. That is where well-executed tributes ride to the rescue. They can offer the look, feel, performance, and charisma of the genuine article, but at a fraction of the cost. This 1967 LeMans perfectly encapsulates that philosophy. It presents beautifully as a GTO Tribute, and its engine bay houses a freshly rebuilt V8. The seller has listed this drop-top here on eBay in Brooklyn, New York. Seventeen bids have pushed the price beyond the reserve to $15,700, meaning that this classic is days away from finding a new home.
The seller doesn’t portray this Pontiac as something it isn’t, readily admitting that it is a LeMans Convertible. However, they have worked to create the illusion that it is a GTO, and while there are probably indications that it isn’t, their labor has resulted in a car that would turn heads. They added the correct hood, badges, and wheels to transform the humble LeMans into a GTO Tribute. Its Starlight Black paint retains an impressive depth of color and shine, and any imperfections are too minor to show in the supplied photos. The panels are as straight as an arrow, while their comprehensive image gallery confirms that this is a rust-free vehicle. They chose the “Triple-Black” path during their build, teaming the paint shade with a matching power top that works perfectly. The glass is crystal clear, while the sparkling trim perfectly contrasts the dark paint shade.
The LeMans reveals its identity the moment we lift the hood. A GTO would house a 400ci V8 in its engine bay, but this car features the less potent 326ci powerplant. It is teamed with an automatic transmission, although it is unclear whether it is a two or three-speed unit. This motor would have produced 250hp and 333 ft/lbs of torque in its prime, but there might be more available following some recent comprehensive work. The motor has only clocked around 200 miles since receiving a rebuild that included a new carburetor, an improved camshaft, and other internal upgrades. The seller includes an embedded video in their listing that shows the V8 running. It sounds crisp and clean, with no evidence of smoke or odd noises. Other improvements include a dual exhaust, a front disc brake conversion, and an aluminum radiator. This classic runs and drives perfectly, and is ready to head into the sunset with its new owner behind the wheel.
The seller has tried to maintain the faithful path with their build, compromising by adding a modern stereo for in-car entertainment while retaining the factory AM radio. Otherwise, the winning bidder receives period-correct bucket seats, a console, and splashes of faux timber. The overall impression is positive, with the trim color completing the Triple Black theme. There is no appreciable wear on the vinyl upholstered surfaces and no issues with the dash or pad. That doesn’t make it perfect, because the photos seem to show some woodgrain deterioration and a few wheel cracks. None of these items are deal-breakers, and addressing them before rolling this Convertible out of the garage next summer wouldn’t involve much cost or effort.
This 1967 Pontiac Convertible isn’t a genuine GTO, and purists will undoubtedly recognize the fact at a Cars & Coffee or the moment the hood is lifted. However, with a genuine example in the same condition typically commanding prices beyond $60,000, many people simply can’t afford the luxury of parking one in their garage. This LeMans offers an affordable alternative, which helps explain the interest it has generated. The fact it has passed the reserve means it will head to a new home. The question is, would you compromise by choosing this LeMans instead of a GTO, or isn’t it a compromise that you could accept?
A steal at the current price. Bet it exceeds $30K. I’ve told this story before, but Ma had a 67 red LeMans convertible with the buckets. Replaced the engine with a 400ci her mechanic had and got better gas mileage. Offered it to me for free (after her mechanic said rust in the rear frame made it dangerous for her. Idiot that I am, I said no because I had 4 cars in different states of restoration (59 MGA, 65 big Healey, 2 Toyota Corollas). Some decisions you make when young haunt you for the rest of your life. This is one of mine (not as haunting as a bad tattoo :-)).
We are doing a tribute here so add the Pontiac 400 engine, and yes, I would either get a fresh crate or find one to build. Then while we’re at it, implant a Muncie with Hurst shifter into that console and a 3rd pedal to the left. It’s now fun as hell to drive and cloned right!
Nice looking car without a doubt. And my favorite color at that. Even though the price is reflective of what it is and salt and sugar looks the same words, like clone, tribute, replica, duplicate etc is honesty at its best but to put tags labels badges etc illustrating otherwise crosses the line to me. To the untrained eye or less knowledgeable they would never discern the difference between the two. So why not call it what it really is?
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have absolutely no issues with a clone or a tribute or whatever one may want to call it. This is just a hot rod, and a pretty nice one at that. Were it mine, I would definitely convert it to a 4 speed, but the 326 wouldn’t bother me much. I would have no problem telling someone that it was reworked Lemans, just I wouldn’t have a problem telling someone that a pristine ’57 Chev didn’t come with a 427.
Personally I would have left it a LeMans. If you are doing a tribute or clone, it would be smart to collect ALL the GTO specific trim parts like the lower rocker/door, fender and quarter stainless, the grille, the tail panel and tail lights before you stick on the GTO badges. I’ve had a LeMans and a Tempest with the GTO hood, that isn’t an issue in my book. I would like to know how the builder addressed the quarter panel “gills” just aft of the door. Were the quarters replaced or are the indentations for the gills full of filler? There are a ton of cloned GTO’s with the correct trim parts but still wearing the gills on the side, this car is opposite. As far as the 326, 95% of the people who look under the hood would just say “it’s a big-block” which is always amusing. The 326 is more than a capable cruiser. This has plenty potential, but to make it convincing as a GTO would cost more than going back to a LeMans. Oh, and trim up those tailpipes!
I’m not a fan of “tribute” cars because really, what’s the point? Either it’s a GTO or in the case of this car, it isn’t. It’s a nice LeMans and it looks good..but a GTO it certainly ain’t and it shouldn’t fetch GTO prices. Excuse me while I convert my Harley Sportster into a Honda Gold Wing tribute.
Its nice. But, definitely a hodgepodge of several different Pontiacs put together for sure. A 66 nose, it has the GTO turn signals in the grill, but I think the grill is either from a Tempest or a Lemans but Im not 100 percent sure. Its like they added the GTO emblem and signals to a Lemans grill. 67 Lemans tailights not GTO tailights and as already mentioned, the rocker chrome is not there at all, neither 66 or 67. But still, it looks pretty solid, and they had fun with it, and really in the end, thats the main reason many own classic cars.
I personally don’t get the “thing” with clones…An original 1967 LeMans today is a rare enough site (believe me, I still wish I owned the one I had when I was 18). It’s a nice car as is. No need to make it something it isn’t.
I already see so many Chevelle SS clones out there I don’t bother to look at them when I see one anymore. The clones have the effect of devaluing the real thing, at least in appreciation, if not actual dollars. Leave the 326 LeMans, 307 Chevelles and 350 Rocket Cutlasses alone and allow us to appreciate those cars for what they are.
Or just hot rod what you have, build it the way you want and the way you want it to look. It is your car and you should do with it as you please.. Not everyone likes old school hot rods, not everyone likes mid sixties street racers, and not everyone likes the late model stuff. Doesn’t matter, it ain’t theirs, it’s yours. If it offends them, it I is their problem, not yours.
Awww, too bad they didn’t put in the distinctive GTO taillights.
They sprange for the GTO grill and hood but not the taillight panel.
Or just hot rod what you have, build it the way you want and the way you want it to look. It is your car and you should do with it as you please.. Not everyone likes old school hot rods, not everyone likes mid sixties street racers, and not everyone likes the late model stuff. Doesn’t matter, it ain’t theirs, it’s yours. If it offends them, it I is their problem, not yours.
The car has got to have the GTO tail panel. 66 or 67. Had a 65 GTO as my back up car as a junior in high school. 69 Roadrunner was my daily driver.. Dad would co sign loans but no help money wise. This was 1975. Great memories growing up in those days.