The 4th generation Pontiac LeMans certainly was uniquely styled. If they weren’t already easy enough to pick out in a crowd, dress it in Desert Sand paint and you have a real standout. This 1973 Pontiac Luxury LeMans was sent to us by a Barn Finds reader who found it here on Craigslist in French Camp, California. The seller is asking $9,700.
That 4th generation LeMans was introduced for the 1973 model year and was a major re-style from the previous generation. The LeMans was a member – and the most popular model – of the Pontiac A-body family. Pontiac built 248,785 A-body cars for the 1973 model year – 33,916 of those were Luxury LeMans 2-doors like this one.
The seller of this LeMans claims the 22,600 miles shown on the odometer are original. I’m sure I’m in a minority here – although it would not have been my choice when buying new – but I actually like the Desert Sand paint, especially when coupled with the near matching interior and black vinyl top. The paint looks a little dull, but that may be correctible. I see some marking around the fender skirts and on the lower portion of the front fenders but can’t make out what it is. I’d want to give it a closer look.
As mentioned earlier, the interior color almost perfectly matches that of the exterior. The front bench seat looks to be in great shape as does the back seat. The dash has a crack in it, but the carpet, door panels, and headliner appear to be solid. The door weatherstripping does need to be replaced.
Even though there’s no picture of it, the seller tells us there is a 400 cubic-inch V8 under the hood. A column-shifted automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. Some work has recently been completed, including a new radiator, radiator hoses, alternator, and brake booster. The seller describes it as “smooth” and says it “shifts good” and “starts right up.” This LeMans is equipped with power steering, power brakes, and air-conditioning.
I’ve never been on the hunt for a 1973 Pontiac Luxury LeMans, but after reading the description, seeing how well equipped it as, and being presented as an original, low-mileage example, this one could change that. Is this the car you never knew you were looking for?
For those of us wanting pics of under car, engine shot, trunk and interior, I have a note for everyone who sees this post:
“Dude, it’s Craigslist.”
Not to be snarky, or funny or anything disrespectful. This is how it is 95% of the time Basically, free ads means less effort. I compare it to the newspaper classified ads of the past: vague. I used to look at and buy vehicles from those paper ads, and I do the same with Craigslist. I don’t expect much, but that sometimes is half the fun.
This ’73 is probably a 400 2bbl, easy to tell if we had a under hood shot, or even a VIN. But could be a 400 4bbl – a nice surprise – but probably not. But then again, if it has been a CA car all this time, with the states emissions rules, maybe it is a 4bbl. Research I have to do, because of lack of pictures.
Likely no tilt wheel, since column is straight, but no picture from the drivers side to confirm.
Then I’m reminded of the mantra above – “Dude, it’s Craigslist! “…
Perfectly said.
It’s from an area where rust isn’t an issue being sold into the local market. Anyone seriously considering the car will simply contact the seller and ask for more pictures. It’s the people reading the ad purely for entertainment purposes that complain when it doesn’t live up to their standards.
Steve R
This car would take on a different personality if you take off those fender skirts. Easy to put back on if you change your mind.
I think the standard wheels and tires are 14″ for 1973, didn’t to standard 15″ until 1975. That is what Oldsmobile did with the Cutlass.
Odd picture of the headliner showing the two piece seat belts, a one year only deal. For a new body style, many carryover pieces from the last gen Pontiacs.
Those period stainless mudflaps that were in vogue in the ’70’s – odd marks on paint RIGHT behind them. Tar? Chips? Maybe the flaps were installed after these spots came about. (1974).
Would love to inspect in person to see just what the story is.
The ad says it has a “power glide” transmission- can that be right?
Highly doubtful. It would not have been factory equipped with a powerglide, either a turbo 350 or 400. The seller does mention that they are unfamiliar with the car so is most probably unaware.
These are very cool, nice driving Pontiacs. If the condition checks out as appears this could be a fun daily and/or cars and coffee proposition, not many around in this shape. Worth a closer look for sure as a nicer Colonade example.
I believe the Chevy Vega was the last recipient of the Powerglide that year.
No the last year for the powerglide in any GM car was 70 & it came in the X-Body (Nova) & ( chevelle) & even in the (Impala), but it was phased out after that as it was not a good gaas saving trans. The T-350 was now used in 71 & the T-400. The T-400 was the toughest one of the bunch. But the trans in the Vega was a Metric 200 without cooling lines. The Vega didn’t have the cooling lines that went into the Rad. like all the other , it was just air cooled.
Sorry Rex, but 1973 was indeed the last year for the Powerglide. My 1972 Lemans had a 250 Chevy six with a Powerglide. And yes, some of the early Vegas did use them.
I never liked the pointy wedge shape rear end of this body style. I liked the Chevelle, LeMans, and Cutlass up to 1972. But that 1973 restyle – nope. I just don’t like the look.
The fender skirts make this car, the lines flow so nicely.
Had a 76 Grand LeMans coupe (replaced the Luxury LeMans) back in the late 90s that (thankfully) didn’t have the rear skirts. Also had the 400-2, averaged a depressing 11 mpg but never let me down once, turned out to be one of the best used cars I ever had.
A friends mom had one of these new. Dark green white top and interior. Nice car.
These cars are really interesting and Pontiacs of these years were sort of bizarre in styling, so it would be a unique find and good to own.
I bought one of these off my great aunt in 1985 for a mere $400 bucks. Mine had buckets and a console but only a 350. That car was amazing and served me well. Ultimately I gave it to my brother who traded it for an amplifier. The car died a glorious death as a demolition derby vehicle. I am extremely tempted!
Demolition derby is not a glorious death, Too many fine cars are destroyed for no reason. They now have a class for Classic demolition. Still running rear drive full frame cars what a waste. Would like to see one for all the little econoboxes and imports, but someone would get hurt.
Most derby cars are there not because they are fine, but because they are junk. They are usually 10+ years old ,and have been used up to the point where they are either going to be junked , or derbied and then junked . I did over 50 derbies, and while some of the cars I wrecked are now somewhat collectible , back then they were just $50.00 clunkers.
Unusual style and color make this 1970s Americana stand out. Pretty neat.
I wonder if a Grand Am nose will bolt up to it. Yes and lose those fender skirts.
The fender skirts are integral to the design of the rear quarter panels as first realized by the GM stylists. They weren’t an aftermarket or added cost option, they came with every model like this. The car would look bad without them. For those who don’t like skirts, go after another model not designed to use them.
The fender skirts were NOT integral to this design. They may have come standard on the Luxury LeMans but they weren’t on the base LeMans, GTO or Grand Am which all shared this body. I would make the case that there were far more made without the skirts than with.
Well my friend, I owned the car, and did remove the skirts so the spoke wheels and 1.5 inch whitewalls showed, I also put wheel opening molding on it, and the car was outstanding looking, so perhaps you should look elsewhere,
Actually ,I’m pretty sure only the Luxury Lemans and possibly the Grand Am had skirts available . . None of the other Colonnade models from the other GM lines had them .
My 76 Grand LeMans coupe (the replacement for the Luxury LeMans) didn’t have the skirts, I think they were an option by then. Seen many Grand LeMans of the day with the skirts, I’m so glad mine didn’t have them, IMO they make the car look fat and bloated.
I am on the hunt for a 73 Luxury Lemans, and yes the car takes on a whole different look w/o the skirts, I owned a black one w a full white top and gorgeous white interior in 1978/79, thru the tide of Monte Carlos and Regals, Grand Prixs and Cutlass Supremes, my car had the skirts off, Spokes, and 1.5 inch whitewalls, power windows doors, seats everything in it, Miss it every day, and if this one had power options I’d be on it, anyone else know of a loaded one, let me know, those options are a must
John; not trying to be rude here but if you want a ’73 Luxury LeMans that bad I’d advice you to give this one a second thought even without power everything. We cannot expect to be able to spec nearly 50year old cars. More ‘power’ stuff on older vehicles usually means more stuff to break too…!
Remember these Colonnades were(and still are) regarded as ugly ducklings meaning few have survived in really good unmolested condition. Considering what survivor grade hobby cars sell for these days then this kind of $ isn’t a large sum to fulfill a dream
A lot of the Colonnade cars ended up being stock cars, especially the Montes and Malibus . They were very tough and durable cars. Just from our local track I can honestly say hundreds of Colonnade cars alone showed up just for the Enduro division they would run each month and usually only a handful of the 200 or so cars that started the race would finish .Multiply that with the tracks all over the country and the amount of cars destroyed in that period would be staggering
If I didn’t clone my 73 Grand Prix SJ to be a duplicate of my Luxury Lemans, rite down to tires wheels, black, w white to and interior, I’d go look for a pair of Grand Am power doors and do it,but the thought of dyeing the dash black, painting the steering column, an entire interior and color change to the body would probably lead my wife to divorce me, I have car issues, there’s another one on a ClassicCars.com site, cleaner, but green in n out, and no power doors, w/o the power doors I won’t be happy, never owned a car w/o
This is another example of a car that just screams “70’s” due to its styling, trim, and colors. I think it is pretty cool.
Captain Flounder: “glorious death as a demolition derby vehicle.” Fun tidbit. For whatever reason one doesn’t much hear about a “known” “in-the-family” vehicle meeting its end that way.
It did in my family ! My mother in law’s Gran Prix was cut up to be a stock car , her later front drive Grand AM was derbied by me , and my wifes Cavalier ended up as an Enduro car that my brother raced when our family outgrew the car. Of course by the time they met their demise none of the cars were that good anyway .
Desert Sand. I used to have a 1973 Impala this exact same color years ago and never never knew that was the proper name for it. I always called it “mustard.”
I thought it was baby poop.
This was the very first iteration of the “Colonnade” cars that I saw on the street, although the one I saw had a matching vinyl top. I was taken aback at first, but I later came to appreciate them. GLWTS!! :-)
I was curious about what the standard engine was for a 1973 Luxury LeMans, so I checked a brochure. It was a 350 2bbl.
While perusing the brochure, I noticed that Grand Prix, Grand Am, LeMans Sport Coupe, LeMans Coupe, Firebird Formula, and Firebird Trans Am all listed an available 455-SD. I guess Pontiac really did have bigger plans for that engine.
Yes Pontiac was going to use the 455 SD in all the cars but as there is known that the making of the rods became a problem & then the emissions to became some problems as they didn’t want to do all the emission testing for all the car models as they hoped they would be able to use the tests for all the car models but had to do it on all of them & that would cost a ton & they just backed out on all except the ones they already had done the tests on. The birds. That why even the Formula has the shaker hoods & not the hood that came on the Formula as stock. Pontiac didn’t want to pay to test the formula hood by itself , so they used the shaker hood that was already tested. I bought my 73 & ordered it with the 455 SD engine & it got picked up & canceled 5 times before it finally got canceled for the last time. I didn’t get the car I ordered, I got a left over. But it cost me a lot less. I still have it today to. It looks just as good as it did back when I picked it up when new.
I took a break from my college education from 1967 to 1971. (I was “asked” to take a job working for my Uncle) When I came back, I finished the education. I found an actual job with a paycheck, and to celebrate my then wife and I went to a favored Italian restaurant. Dinner included a bottle of house red, and we went, slightly fuzzy, to the nearby Poncho dealer. We picked the damn thing up the next morning. It was a Luxury Lemans in a medium metallic green with a tan vinyl top and tan interior. Great car, even if a bit of a drunk purchase. We only kept it for about a year because a gas crisis hit, fuel jumped up to 50 some cents per gallon, and we felt like the thing was eating us out of house and home. It was replaced with, of all things, a Pinto. Same color, same interior color. Never felt the same about that one.