The Pontiac Can Am was something of a cross between the LeMans and the Grand Am and was produced for only one model year. Along the lines of other company products, the car took its name from the racing series of the same moniker. This low-production auto has seen its share of neglect, according to the seller, but if you were to restore it to its glory days, you’d have a vehicle that saw barely more than 1,200 copies built. Located in Oakdale, California, this project Pontiac is available here on eBay where the bidding stands at $3,550 and the reserve is unmet. But you could “pass-go” to the Buy It Now option for $7,500.
One of the first things you might notice about the Can Am is that it has a “shaker” hood much like that on the Trans Am. While many examples of the Can Am came with a 400 cubic inch V8, those destined for sale in California had a 403 borrowed from Oldsmobile. As the seller says the latter motor is in the auto, we assume that it was sold originally on the Left Coast. Using the SAE net rating method, the engine was designed to produce 185 horses.
If you wanted one of these machines when new, you could have a Can Am in any color you wanted as long as it was Cameo White. But they were finished out with a variety of different-colored graphics to make the car stand out in the crowd. Pontiac would send copies of the LeMans coupe off to a customizer who would add all the special touches that added up to a Can Am. We’re told this Pontiac has been documented by PHS and it comes with a rare option, a power sunroof, although we don’t know if it still works.
This mid-1970s muscle car awaits a restoration but has a few pluses to get it started like four new tires. Besides having a weather-worn coat of paint, there is rust in places like the trunk pan, parts of the floor pan, and the quarter panels and doors. We’re told the machine collected these problems not from road salt, but from sitting under a tree while in the possession of the previous owner. For whatever reason, the driver’s side door is stuck shut and will need some coaxing. Its running condition is unknown as the ignition switch is frozen. Who’s ready for a challenge?
This particular Can Am is well worth the effort to resurrect for a couple reasons:
1. It has the ULTA-rare factory power glass Astro-roof option. In ANY Lemans, you could probably count all those so equipped with one or two fingers. On Can Ams? Probably fewer!
2. Most Can Ams I’ve seen have the red vinyl interior option, or red guts with white vinyl seats. This is the all-white interior, and likely very scarce. (Check with PHS a to production numbers)
With far less than the planned 5,000 built due to the mold for the rear spoiler corner breaking, some 1,500-odd made it out the door. This car is a prime example of the model you’re not likely to see very often, if ever.
That’s a steel sunroof, not glass. Not quite as rare.
Yes. Very rare. If I had the money and space right now, I would pull body off for restoration. Use modern restomod mechanical parts to make a really great to drive car. Basically that means a modern Chevy crate fi engine, different suspension, brakes, trans, rear end, electrical, cooling, a/c but let it appear totally stock. Save the old parts.
I don’t believe you could get a glass roof in an A body in 77, only steel.
Only way to get a glass roof was with T-Top, steel roof was the only sunroof on a A body. Very rare.
Pontiac Motor Division records show 1377 built with RPO WW3. In the Midwestern United States; I would say that the buckskin ( saddle tan) color seems more rare than a white interior.
These were great 70’s cars. For the time, I would of gotten this one or a 79-80 Chrysler 300 ( also only offered exclusively in white) . The only part you have to worry about on these, are if the rear spoiler is complete. Production stopped due to the spoiler tooling breaking and GM thought this was cannibalizing sales from the very popular Grand Prix. Other than that, I’d take one of these in a heartbeat.
Try to find an original shaker scoop air cleaner spacer plate ( especially on the 403 Olds). Made of unobtanium..
The Chrysler 300 was 1979 only. They were quick too, for their time. I would guess thee 300 would smoke a Can-Am.
I remember seeing Can Am cars growing up in the Bronx. They were cool and sounded nice. But, what I see here is a money pit. Unless you get a donor Lemans in good shape to use the parts you need. I just see too much rust all around to make this a investment.. 🐻🇺🇸
The seller says thats not rust… lol
What is it then, tree sap? Some sellers say some funny stuff…
It’s Called PITINA Now
My cousin bought one of these, back in 80’s. I can’t say I’ve seen one in person since then. Now on BF? I’ve seen at least three for sale in the last couple of months! The original owners are finally cleaning out that garage? Or are the grandkids helping settle the estate?
I thought the same thing .This is the third one in a few monthes.I’d go 2500 on it imo.
WAY too much rust in the trunk floor & supports. Most likely dilute to the rear window leaking into the trunk, so you know that rear window area is all rusted out as well, not to mention the floors (where else is all that water going to go!?!)
I restored a 1973 Grand Am 2-Dr. 4 speed back in ‘80-‘81 when all the parts were still available from GM. There is NOTHING in reproduction for these ‘73-‘77 A bodies sheet metal wise. Go find a stripper perfect example and transfer all the options.
You are correct, good Sir. The rust is a sad thing, because I always thought Can Am’s we’re sharp. Hard to come by, as well…Too bad that Olds 403 is a dog. 185 hp with 9 mpg…
And that was a super nice car I raced in it many times!
How many you want?
My business partner has 8-10 of them!
Contact information? I need parts for mine. . . . .
Tac
6152434711
403 Olds V8, bummer, deal killer. I prepped these cars when new in Michigan, also was there prepping in 79 when the automatic T/As got the 403 Olds. Really felt like a pooch compared to the L72 400 Pontiac.
Art, are you any relation to a Dan Engle who was an insurance adjustor that would stop at the body shop where I worked. That was at the Pontiac dealership in Mt Pleasant Michigan. I repaired a couple of these cars back in the day.
Like most cars of that time performance was gone. So stripes and spoilers replaced the go factor. Pontiac did it well, these were fast looking cars. This one is a bit lighter than it left the factory, tin worm has been working hard.
I can’t believe the gas tank hasn’t fallen out. This one was optioned to the hilt, too bad on the cancer.
Why does the build sheet/window sticker show 400ci/4bbl? Shame, car was loaded every power option available and was definitely a looker when new. Why did someone just let it deteriorate. If you’re not gonna use it, sell it. If you might some day, then take the necessary and simple steps to take care of it.
The car was an old POS Pontiac by 1987 that was worth next nothing because nobody wanted it as it was an old used car that got crappy fuel mileage, was a HUGE car by 1980’s standards and it was rusty. Fast forward 45 years later and all these OLD FARTS are wanting to relive their HS days and now have the money to tickle that fancy! All of a sudden was old and crappy is now KOOL MAN!
Lol….most accurate comment I have read in a while.
Great find!
I thought for sure that we had seen this same car just last week, but it is a different one.
Amazing to me how similar their conditions are.
This one is priced a bit better, so maybe it will sell.
Make sure your Tetanus Shot is up to date and get a booster just in case. It might be these old eyes but it sure looks in the frame is cut in the picture of the wheel well. Like someone else said find a clean body and swap the parts. Sun/ Moon Roofs were made to leak and this one has enough RUST around it that it look like it has already started. GOOD LUCK SELLER, AND THE BUYER MUST REALLY LIKE TIN INDIANS
Concerning the tetanus shot , do your research cause it looks like that was also a scam for bigpharma …
I’ve never had a moonroof or sunroof leak on any car I have owned in over 30 years.
Lucky you.
As Big C said, you were lucky to not have a leaker.
Always reminds me of back in the early 80s in the winter, here in salt- logged Minneapolis , I was behind a pretty new Eldorado (’79-’85) at the car wash when I noticed him frantically yanking on the ceiling of the car. I then realized he had a sunroof (the cable ones back then) that was stuck open. Too late, he was locked in and going through! I laughed and felt sorry for him at the same time. The dude got his wash and the interior shampooed at the same time! Lol!
I told myself back then, no sunroofs.
Well, in recent years, we’ve owned a Rendezvous CXL & an Equinox LTZ with roofs but never open them. Too much noise.
A good friend of mine has had one of these for years. I wish he would get off his a$$ and finish it. He’s retired now and doesn’t have any more excuses.