Trying to convert a car into something more desirable than how it started life is not unusual. And in the case of Pontiac’s famous GTO, it’s a common pursuit. Today we have a ’67 Pontiac LeMans convertible that started to go the GTO route until it didn’t. It is absolutely a project and it has a way to go whether it wants to move on to GTO world or sit back and remain a LeMans. This convertible is located in Paradise, California and is available here on eBay for a current bid of $6,700 with30 bids tendered as of this writing.
So, what you see is what you get according to the seller and I see a LeMans convertible with a GTO hood and grille emblem. Beyond that, it’s still wearing traces of LeMans with its quarter panel “vents” and non-GTO, knocked-out taillights. All in all, it looks pretty sad. It appears to have experienced a poorly applied red-over-white refinishing, a case where the trim wasn’t removed for the respray. And now those items have been pulled from the exterior but the seller states that he has them. There is surface rust and dents but no exterior evidence of rust or rot-through. Curiously, this old convertible is wearing what looks like new BFG tires mounted on clean Rally II wheels – kind of like wearing a pair of Alden shoes with a J.C. Penney polyester suit…
The interior has been mostly gutted, though it is harboring a driveshaft and a center console. The seats are claimed to be missing as is the fabric top, though the top frame is still in place and it said, “Frame is still installed and seems to be in good shape“. The floors, other than some surface rust, show as solid. Surprisingly, the dash pad appears to be undamaged but the door panels are MIA. I’d suggest that the non-OEM steering wheel is pitchable.
Yes, there’s an engine, no, it doesn’t run – it’s not even together. It is “believed” to be a matching number 326 CI V8. Instead of paraphrasing, here it is straight from the seller, “(it) was torn down and cleaned by the previous owner. Comes with new engine gaskets still in the unopened box but condition unknown. Also comes with a bag of new freeze plugs. Cylinder heads are also included but not pictured. The heads were also torn down and cleaned. Currently, there are no rockers installed but the rockers are included. Intake, carb, M/T aluminum valve covers, oil pan, distributor, air cleaner, starter, exhaust manifolds, and pulleys are all included but will require some rebuilding and assembly“. The automatic transmission, which was probably a two-speed Super-Turbine 300, is not present. Finally, it is suggested that the next owner should rebuild the brake system before attempting a drive.
So, a LeMans wanting to be a GTO? Not really, it’s a LeMans through and through and that’s perfectly fine, a ’67 LeMans convertible can be a very nice ride. This one has a way to go before it reaches that stage, however, wouldn’t you agree?
The nose is from a 66 GTO. Wonder why they chose that? 67 had the chrome strip run under the nose. the rest looks all 67 Lemans, including the fender hash marks in the quarters Which the Goat didn’t have, and the taillights are Lemans ones as well. It sure looks like a big project, but would look nice if done right.
It could have been replaced decades ago ,when a wrecked GTO had little value in a junkyard. In 1980 I bought a banged up 68 Belvedere . I went to our local junkyard to buy a 3/4 front end and a trunk lid and pulled the parts off one of the 68 Road Runners sitting in line with other 10 year old or so cars. fender, hood ,bumper , grille ,valance and trunk lid , all for 50 bucks ,and the guy was happy to get the cash.
Always liked the overall look of these cars , especially the topless ones BUT the trunk overhang is simplt too long , its the size of a pickup box …
326, buddy had one in the 60s. ran pretty good, but he didn’t trash on it.
Nose of a ’66. Rear of a ’67. I was honored to have one of each at the same time
This exact version was my mother’s 3rd convertible in the 70s. 67 LeMans in a red that she called ‘fire engine red’ with black top, buckets, wood-grained console, 2 speed automatic. It had the 326 (I believe that was the original CU, not 328) which went bad. Her mechanics had a 400cu that they installed. She said she got better gas mileage with it. She lent it to me one summer during the gas crisis (and drove my 72 Toyota Corolla 1600) while I worked up in the Poconos at a camp for special kids. Loved driving that car…fast, comfortable, great with the top down. Being an upstate NY car, it developed rust in the rear spring hangers. Her mechanics said it was becoming dangerous to drive, so she offered it to me for free (around 1980). I was in NC by then and had a 59 MGA that I was renovating and the 65 Austin Healey (in the picture) so I turned down her offer. I have been kicking myself for the last 40 years over that decision.
I guess something survived the wild fire that destroyed Paradise, California a couple years ago. This car doesn’t look like it was burned, but it has suffered a terrible fate of neglect. In terms of value it’s a parts car. I suppose a good custom shop could make something wild and valuable of this, but the average layman it’s junk.
God Bless America
They have a nice motorhome for $105k. This is more than just a project.
It could be a nice ride with a lot of time and money, those tires might be to old to use when that happens…
I disagree with most regarding the condition of this Le Mans, this appears to be a solid car. It is a way better starting point than many of the rust buckets we see here. I had a 67 Buccaneer Red GTO convertible with virtually every option other than disc brakes and power steering, and I am restoring my 65 GTO convert right now, trust me, this is a solid builder. Keep it a Le Mans. The wheels/tires pictured actually come with the car for a change!
AHHHHHH!!vAnother pile of someones big ambitions!!!!
To look like a GTO, the rear panel would have to be replaced. It’s different than a Lemans.