In the mid 1970’s the high-banked heroes of NASCAR was not the Corvette or the Camaro. It was the GM Colonnade body style. Specifically, the aerodynamic nose of the Chevrolet Laguna Type S-3 drew a lot of attention. Built as a homologation style-leader to dominate the super speedways of the Winston Cup, the Laguna S-3 combined NASCAR-bred aerodynamics with peak 1970s street cruiser luxury. Today, finding a solid survivor of this short-lived breed is a treat for any vintage collector. This white-on-white 1976 Laguna S-3 is located in New Braunfels, Texas just north of San Antonio. It is listed here on Facebook Marketplace and sports a small-block 400 and those legendary swivel bucket seats. The seller is a dealer asking a healthy $27,900.
Step inside, and you’re treated to the ultimate 1970s cabin featuring white vinyl swivel bucket seats. Designed to swing out 90 degrees to help drivers slide in and out of the low-slung cabin, these seats are separated by a center console, wood-grain interior trim, a factory-style gauge cluster, and a tilt steering column. Outside, the classic Antique White paint is accented by a sharp black side stripe, riding proudly on 15-inch Chevrolet Rally wheels. 1976 would be the final year of the Laguna. The lack of performance and a shift toward smaller cars by Chevrolet sealed its fate. Chevrolet produced only approximately 9,200 Laguna Type S-3 models in 1976.
This 1976 Laguna S-3 boasts a powertrain that is highly desirable for the era. Under the hood is a 400 cubic-inch Chevrolet Small Block V8 carrying the classic casting #330817, paired with a Turbo Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission and a solid 10-bolt rear end. In 1976, burdened by primitive catalytic converters and strict emissions regulations, the factory “U-code” 400 V8 was rated at a modest 175 net horsepower, but it backed that up with an impressive, low-end-focused 290 lb-ft of torque. Fed by a 4-barrel carburetor and breathing through aftermarket headers and Xlerator dual mufflers, this small block probably sounds pretty good.
The defining characteristic of the 1975–1976 Laguna S-3 was its striking polyurethane front end. Designed by Chevrolet to slice through the air, this resilient, body-colored nose replaced the massive chrome bumpers of standard Chevelles. Complemented by unique, louvered rear-quarter windows, the S-3 was built to be aerodynamic but the street version didn’t have the punch of the race car. Under the stewardship of legendary drivers like Cale Yarborough, Darrell Waltrip, and Benny Parsons, the Laguna S-3 dominated NASCAR, racking up multiple championships during its short production run.
Nice car, really enjoyed the write up BJ.
I thought all 400ci got the 400 trans too.
I have a 76 el Camino SS with a 400 SB but only the turbo 350 trans.
If the “400” was a big block it had a TH400.
Steve R
True Steve but a big block wasn’t available in 76.
Nope. That car had SBC 400 with th350. I’ve got a 75 same drivetrain. GM did that because the th350 uses less HP. That combo has the same horsepower as the 454 with th400.
Chevy got the same horsepower from the SBC 400 th350 combo as the 454 th400 combo due to the th350 uses less HP. Smart GM engineering
Thanks Stan.
Nice. I thought, “Hey, the dash isn’t cracked!”, but it has a cover. No holes for speaker(s). A friend in high school had a Laguna. Giant individual holes in the dash where the center speaker was located. He put golf balls in them…
just-dashes is missing out on soo many builds.
their quality is down and prices like tripled.
If i recollect correct they want over $1000 now.
Someone should start a new dash refurbish company, theyd be busy thats for sure.
That’s a lot of white, but a cool, interesting car.
Back in ’75 I was rebuilding a wrecked El Camino and found a Laguna in a local wrecking yard- the front end is a bolt up to the El Camino so I ended up with a Laguna-Mino. That nose gave it a raked look-
That Laguna nose was also available on the Elky from the factory as a central office production option.
This has been a topic of contention for the last twenty years on El Camino Centrals website. One guy claims to have a build sheet with the S-3 nose ordered from the factory.. but has never produced any documents proving that claim. Another member has documents of a Dealer installed S-3 nose so we know that happened. Until a COPO order form or original build sheet is produced.. this claim is false. I too had a 4th gen El Camino that I installed a s-3 nose on along with the swivel buckets. The seats were pretty cool but not very comfortable. My one owner 1987 Elco is sporting power buckets from my wrecked 1985 Toyota Supra! the most comfortable seat around IMO.
These were a staple at every local 1/2 mile track across the country. So many were wadded up and junked. It’s good to see when one pops up in this condition.
I was just about to say, one of the local racing families had an S3 like this one, front nosepiece and all, that became a street stock/late model.
This is a nice example of what was once the coolest Chevy midsize.
Not sure when Corvettes dominated NASCAR
Corvettes in NASCAR?
Corvette in NASCAR 🧐 I don’t believe so
these were very cool looking. rarely seen when they were new. nice it’s got a sb 400 too and the sporty interior. shame it’s a dealer selling it and for almost 30k that a/c should be blowing 34 degrees not missing the compressor and not working period!
Totally agree. They favored headers instead! I would love to own it. Not having to add AC and fix the stripes
A blue block ?..
compliments the blue dash and belts i guess.
The NET hp ratings replacing GROSS hp ratings just baffle the crowd.
This cars upgrades put the power output much higher.
The aero wasnt just the nose, the whole cars shape/design was with the track in mind. It was a J.Delorean project to join the ‘aero wars’. In development at same time Nascar banned big blocks, hence the 400ci sb, and government imposed safety. It dominated race tracks, and set a speed record. This car is the result of much intention, investment, adaptation, and good ol American resilence and spirit;
The heartbeat of America 🎶
Should be orange. Good catch. Guess they wanted it to match the interior! God bless John Delorean. We’ve got a 73 Laguna and 75 Laguna S-3. Great driving cars
Nice comment to the 61🤣
We didn’t know how good we had it.
Totally agree. They favored headers instead! I would love to own it. Not having to add AC and fix the stripes
Agree the blue block is not correct for 1976. The A/C also appears to be removed? There was a 2 digit mile (like it was just driven out of the showroom home) 1976 Laguna here on BF about a year ago for 35k. This appears to be a nice car, but the price is high.
Same car, price has been lowered. It’s got potential for the right price. The stipe is wrong, minor other things. No AC is a biggie. You would have to source factory exhaust manifolds and pay a shop to connect them properly. Then have AC hoses fabricated, a condenser, accumulater, compressor, and brackets. Just upgrading to vintage air conditioning would be better. All out of pocket
Had a 75 Laguna in white with burgundy stripes and interior. It was a mutt!!
It got traded for a 72 Cutlass S with a bench seat and 4 speed… best trade of my life.
I had a black 72 Cutlass supreme. Went from 350-400-455. Great car. Passed everything but gas stations. Thank God when I had it gas was $1.25 a gallon. We’ve got a 73 Laguna that would out handle it due to the suspension upgrades. 342 posi too. The 75 Laguna S-3 project car is next
I might have your car. South Texas?
A face that only a mother could love.
Of course you could always park it next
to an Aztek,Juke,or Murano.
My 1975 Laguna S-3 tail lights have a Chevy bowtie in the middle. Only year. Our 73 Laguna has round tail lights. Only year.
to insinuate an ugly face from a ’61 Chevy owner is quite the ‘pot calling the kettle black’. Then you put an S-3 in with those models ??, proves, and not the first time, its over your head and out of your league.
That was the best thing about it. All the drivers in NASCAR back in the day before it was banned had to look at the rear because it was always in the lead!
There is a similar nosed elco on a trailer at a shop on hwy 311. Same shop has a race trailer with junior Johnson’s midnight moonshine or something similar as his main sponsor.
@John f Harding
The Laguna? Any pics?
I have to become a member. Let me see what I can do
Sorry. Don’t want to pay the membership fees. I can post up on Facebook 1973-77 Chevelle, SS, and Laguna owners group.
The Laguna. Just bought a 75 Laguna S-3. It’s bad ass. Power everything. Cruise control, ac, pw, pl, power seat, rear defrost, delayed wipers, map light. Was factory 400. Now has hot rodded 350 with H pipe dual exhaust. Was hard to find the correct starter due to the SBC 400 flex plate on the 350 engine.
may i buy your 400 ??
Wish I had it. Motor was changed before I got it. The 350 is a 1975 police interceptor engine.