For car enthusiasts that like well-maintained, highly original, one-owner cars from the 70’s, I’ve got some good news and some bad news with this one. The good news is that this clean 1974 Pontiac LeMans with the GT package is in very good condition and has been well taken care of the past 51 years by one owner. The bad news (for some) is that the Poncho’s original optional 4-barrel, 350 V8 was replaced at some point with a Catalina 455-cubic inch V8. But if the next owner is a stickler for originality, the car’s factory 350 V8 engine is included in the sale.
1974 marked the second year of the Colonnade-designed LeMans and this 2-door hardtop is a nice example of an estimated 17,000 ordered from the factory with the GT package. The Admiralty Blue pain is shiny and presentable and I’m not spotting any rust or body issues. The chrome, trim, glass and GT package that included a side vinyl stripe, GT identification, Rally II wheels, dual exhausts, and a black grille, all look good to the eye.
The LeMans’s interior is as impressive as the exterior and is classic ’70’s styling with white Morrokide vinyl seats with a front console, and faux woodgrain contrasting the black door panels and instrument panel and dash. Based on the car’s original window sticker, the GT package came with a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic floor shift automatic transmission, in addition to a custom cushion steering wheel, rally gauge cluster and clock, power steering, power front disc brakes, and air conditioning. The seller doesn’t say if the black carpet is original or not.
As mentioned earlier, the original owner swapped out the Poncho’s original 350-cubic inch V8 for a 455-cubic inch V8 and it still has its original drivetrain (and the original 350 engine is included in the sale). No specifics are given as to when the engine swap was made or how many miles are on the current power plant. Mileage is listed at 129,000. This LeMans has obviously been garage kept and pampered, and was the original owner’s pride and joy for over fifty years. Now, it’s the second owner’s turn to be a good caretaker of this attractive Admiralty Blue LeMans. I can’t remember the last time I saw one of these, can you? The ’74 LeMans is currently located in Cortland, Ohio and is for sale here on eBay. As of this writing, 34 bids have been placed, but the current $10,601 highest bid doesn’t meet the seller’s reserve. Happy bidding!
But does the price include the cost to put the right motor back in it!? Nice car, but not w/o the right motor installed. Don’t know why people do this kind of stuff.
That 350 would never go back in as long as that 455 was alive.
You are right, the 455 is a definite upgrade. The reinstallation of the 350 would only serve to diminish the cars value a driving experience.
Im not sure why the concept of originality is so important, 99% of people seeing it at a coffee and cars wouldn’t know the difference between a 350 and 455. Even less would be able to figure out what engine the car originally came with let alone care.
Steve R
You can’t diminish the value of a car by restoring it to its original configuration/condition.. It can only increase its value.
Generally, more people will appreciate the 455 over its original configuration. If this were a highly sought after car, then maybe it’d make sense to have it returned to how it left the factory. Fact is though, it is not. I actually think the 455 swap will increase the amount of people interested in the car versus if it were still a 350. Honestly, the only thing I would do is respray the Rallye II wheel inserts charcoal grey. The 455 would stay put. As Steve stated, it will only increase the driving experience and he’s right, most won’t have any clue that it’s not original anyway.
That’s the great thing about Pontiac motors, they all look the same on the outside despite the cubic inches. At least they didn’t put a Chevy motor in it.
I lost my 79 Camaro when one of these pulled an illegal U-turn right in front of me. The loss still stings.
I have always thought that the Pontiac was the best looking of the GM colonnade models and this one certainly reinforces my opinion. Though it’s not going to make the “original” crowd happy to me the 455 is a big plus.
And the Grand Am was the daddy of the Poncho Colonnades…
id keep the 455!!!
Wow nice pair of Pontiacs here. The white T/A looks real sharp too 😎 🏁
I wonder if the owner used a Turbo 400 transmission with the 455 when the swap was made? Or, did he keep the factory Turbo 350?
Should’ve raised it on lift; then we’d know that, among other component conditions.
I agree EJ. I was wondering that to if it has a turbo 400 transmission? That would be a nice touch too. This is a nice sleeper pontiac with the 455!! I agree with other comments to that you can’t tell the 350 from the 455 by looking at it.
455 is a major upgrade, not a deterrent in my opinion…
It’s not like the car in original state would be a bad thing, but a 350 is not a 455
lol
Btw
I have a built 455 in s ‘64 Lemans convertible…
326 and 2-speed went bye bye 20 years ago
Some folks definitely go overboard with the “originality is always better” concept. This is a prime malaise era GM – nothing from the factory was a decent performer at that time. I acquired a 79 Cutlass with only 39,000 miles on it a few years ago. It had a perfectly running 260 diesel engine in it, which I could not get swapped out quickly enough. Still, I had some guys saying “with the low miles and that unique configuration, you should’ve kept it all original.” Why ? Rare does not always equal valuable, and all original does not always equal valuable. Like the owner of this Lemans, I valued more performance over originality, and I don’t regret it one bit. I seriously doubt anyone would ever pay big bucks for that rare 260 diesel 79 Cutlass, and I doubt the original 350 being in this very nice 74 Lemans would make a huge value difference either.
That was the best thing that could have happened to your Cutlass!
No one wants “numbers matching” cars any more, unless they are truly ultra rare.. Restomods are getting the stupid money, these days.
Remove the side decals, slight drop of suspension, gray inserts on wheels instead of blue, and spacers at the rear, and good to go.
When I was 18, (only 50 yrs ago!)I bought a 73 LeMans with a 400, 4spd, 4 barrel and dual exhaust. It was pretty potent for the day but I kept having throw out bearing issues. I was too young and impatient to figure it out so I sold it and bought a 70 Z28 with an automatic. Loved both cars equally, but seem to miss the LeMans more because of the manual.
That’s right, Pontiac made the Aztec and the original Dustbuster. So this is only the third ugliest Pontiac I’ve ever seen.
As one who always liked the Collonade style this is a sweet ride. The leMans looks especially nice with the side sculpturing and louvered quarter windows. Hoped that it was one of a few with the 455 from the factory. This is a car you could sit and gaze upon after a drive.
Put a 350-4 decal on the air cleaner and everyone will be happy. Can anyone tell the difference in a 326/350/400/455 without checking engine numbers and castings?
Agree with you LBeas33549!!
I have made other comments but it is nice right down to having the original A/C and intake/carb/air/cleaner set up Even has a rear sway bar!!!
Auction closed today at 21,301 and that was under the reserve. I liked the car, even more with the 455, but not 21 large kind of like.
Wonder if it’ll reappear?