In 1974, Chevrolet retired the Chevelle Super Sport and replaced it (more or less) with the Laguna S-3. Production numbers were somewhat low (less than 33,000 copies in three years), so an S-3 is harder to come across than a 1970 Chevelle SS 396. And this 1976 edition may be the nicest one left as a museum-quality piece with an incredible 34 miles. Located with a dealer in St. Charles, Missouri (we think), this wonder on wheels is available here on FastLaneCars for the premium price of $41,995. Thanks for the way-cool tip, Mitchell G.!
Laguna S-3s shared the Colonnade body of the other mid-size Chevelles, yet the front clip and rear styling were unique to the “muscle” cars. Most noticeable was the urethane snoot that was also NASCAR-friendly due to its aerodynamics. 1976 was the last year of the Laguna S-3, and Chevrolet delivered 9,100 units to waiting buyers. The top engine was a 400 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor, which is the case with the seller’s good-as-new example.
The seller’s ’76 S-3 may have been driven home from the dealership and parked when it was new 49 years ago. And perhaps only brought out for the occasional car show, where it has collected at least one award. How else would you explain an automobile with a scant 34 miles? No history is otherwise offered, so it was undoubtedly seen as a future collectible in the mid-1970s when nobody was doing that.
Everything about this well-preserved vehicle says “original”. But does that include consumables like hoses and belts, which you wouldn’t trust after five decades – unless you never plan to drive the car. But the tires are thankfully new (period correct replacements?). Colonnade-era Chevelles (and other GM cars from 1973 to 1977) were popular and sold well, though the most common survivor of the lot may be the Monte Carlo (also a Chevy). This could be the best one left – and is priced accordingly.
Wow. Low mile Laguna. 🏁
Heavy Chevys over 2 tons worth.
3.08 gear ⚙️ standard to help the 400ci and Turbo-Hydramatic move the heft.
Surprised to see roll up windows.
I’d be more suprised to actually see power windows in a 1976 Chevy, back then it was more common in Buicks and Oldsmobiles, and still not the norm in those cars unless it was a Olds 98 or Buick Electra.
I don’t know anything about these cars, but seeing a time capsule “anything” is a treat. Beautiful condition. AACA award winner. Observations about the interior: velour bench seats, column shift automatic, no gauge package— it looks like a “normal” car as opposed to the sporty model. In my opinion it should remain a trailer queen.
Thank you Russ.
I would think this will sell quickly. It’s not really that much money today and you will almost certainly have the only one like it. Good color combo in my mind. Belongs in a museum.
33,000 copies. And probably 32,500 of them were gutted and raced on 1/4 mile bull rings through the 1980’s.
Yep, I went through a couple myself. No one had any idea that the cars we were destroying would have the value they have today. Even as rusty piles of car shapes they have value which is what most of them would be if we kept them. I had a lot of these connalades back then and sometimes get nostalgic and want another but there is not too many left in my price range. It also helps to drive one of my brothers cars and realize that they are not as comfortable as I remember.
9100 copies made in 76. Our 76 we love it! 😊 with only 24000 original miles..
Wow, nice looking S-3. Yup, this is how they came, bench seat and all. The 400sb would carry on in K and G-series trucks. I’ve never seen one without the 4-spoke steering wheel, but anything was possible.
I remember these vehicles and its cousin the Pontiac grand am. I wonder if the dealer would allow test drives:)? If you think that’s something I knew a 95 year old virgin lady who wasn’t a nun. (True story ).
That was virgin. Spellcheck is driving me nuts. And I thought anal english teachers were a PITA.
Back in 1986 my neighbor had a 76 Laguna, lime green metallic paint with a white vinyl seats, and kermit the frog green dash and carpet. Years later after he sold it, he said it “ate too much gas”. I’m guessing it was a 400 sbc.
Interesting piece, but not special enough to just look at. I’d drive it.
I wonder what the production numbers for Laguna S-3 with a bench seat were.
Rare car! Never saw many of these on the road. Because of its age, low mileage & not being driven, belts, liquids, fuel system, etc. would have to be changed and evaluated. Great color combo..
There weren’t many mid size malaise era sports cars that caught my eye in the mid 70’s. The Laguna S3 was an exception. One of my favorite colonnade cars, it was love at first sight.Now here’s a brand new one. It don’t get much better than this and I say I’d buy it out right but that’s because of its incredible condition and the fact that I like the car.
Is this car really for sale? I think this owner is just gauging interest in the car. Way too many fantastic comments on the car and ALL 0 thumbs up. What’s going on at BF? I doubt this comment will get posted either.
You’ve got to pay up, if you want to “thumbs up.” Sad
I agree Big C. Whoever at BF making those dumb decisions is not acting in the best interest of the company.
I believe we have the thumbs up fixed! Give it another try and let us know. Please consider becoming a member still though because it helps us keep the site online. Thanks.
Thank you Jesse.
It’s missing way to much to be wanting that kind of money. No buckets, floor shift, tilt, cruise, gauge package. A very nice car but not over 40k nice.
Wow! (Yes I read the comments and know Stan said it first, but it was the first thing that I thought when I saw this…). These are almost never seen and the 34 miles makes this the most exceptional example on the planet. Yeah, it really should be a trailer queen, however just because I KNOW I would drive it, it needs to go to someone else.
I just saw a 1982 corvette with 32 miles on it. It was stored since new with an inch of dust/dirt on it and a rodents nest under the hood. Sad sight.
Hagerty No. 1 condition (concours) value is $35.5k, which may be optimistic for a smog-choked 175 hp cruiser. Is there really $42k worth of demand out there for one that’s sat for decades? Cars deteriorate badly from sitting so what is the actual condition of this one? Is every seal and gasket dried out or has the dealer addressed that? Whatever floats your boat, but for that money I’d just go for a ’65 Malibu instead.
A 67 ahh maybe, but this is a far superior machine. Maybe not as popular, but form and function wise much nicer car; this is a dream car and a 65s just another 65.
Silver with the RS kit, and that interior has got to be a custom order.
As for value, sure, no power windows but it does have AC, and thats key.
This car dictates the value, its peerless.
40 seems reasonable to me.
Not bad, but i am looking for one with less than 25 miles!!
This is a museum piece. That’s the problem, what do you do with it. The next owner will be the next caretaker of this fine specimen. It looks wonderful but driving it would ruin the value and most car people want to have something they can drive not just look at.
I’d put a LS in it. Just kidding.
As I recall, most of us didn’t even take the “colonnade” styling seriously back then. It was more like, “Is this what GM thinks is the next up and coming style?”
It was a model built just for NASCAR. The 2nd round of the Aero wars. Not as special as the winged Mopars and drop nose Fords & Mercurys from the 69 & 70 seasons. It’s a museum piece now. Too nice to drive.
It’s a shame that it’s a “museum” piece. I’d flush out the fuel lines, replace the hoses, coolant, transmission fluid etc. and drive it.
This is good enough to drive until I drop.
It’s a new car, and would last 20 years easy, even in the salt belt.
That was a model that was rare even when you could buy one out of the showroom. I only remember seeing one that belonged to someone who owned a service station that I passed by often, and it was always parked out where you couldn’t miss seeing it. I liked it then, and still like it. This one is a good deal at $41,999 for a virtually new car and I would drive it if it were mine. That might upset some purists but what good is a car if you can’t drive it. It’s been kept in a climate controlled space so rubber parts don’t deteriorate much when stored like that, so IMO, if it’s been started occasionally it could probably be put back in regular service without too much trouble. It will be interesting to see if the new owner keeps it as a trailer queen or enjoys it by driving it.
It’s a car!!! DRIVE IT or don’t buy it!!!!
I don’t think the 400 S-3 was offered in a brl? I worked on several 400’s with a two barrel but never a four barrel. Anyone?
Early 400s were all 2bbl through 1973, I believe. 1974 they came either 2bbl or 4bbl and 1975/76 were all 4bbl
If it’s so new, how come the pedals are so dirty?
I got my license in 1988 and the Colonnade GMs were all over the high school parking lots. Most were just the mainstream commuter versions with vinyl landau tops and whitewalls (including my 77 Grand Prix, exc. it had Good Year Eagle GTs), but I had a couple of classmates that drove these. Yes, Fast Lane Classic Cars is a few miles outside of St. Louis. They host our local Cars and Coffee once a month. Theyre high-priced, but have multiple killer showrooms on their property and a very nice gift shop.
Looking at this way late, but I can’t help but wonder if whoever bought this originally, why they skipped on the interior if they were buying it for an investment. The interior options are just as important as the exterior treatment. Weird!