This 1965 Pontiac LeMans Hardtop has been parked since the 1980s, but it would need very little to return it to daily driver status. It is a clean and solid vehicle that would attract plenty of admiring glances wherever it went. If you would like to own this beauty, you will find it located in Ontario, New York, and listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding sitting at $6,600, and the reserve now met, this LeMans is set to find its way to a new home very soon.
The owner says that the Pontiac has received a repaint at some point in the past in what appears to be Cameo Ivory. This is an interesting choice because the tag indicates that the car was originally finished in the very attractive Palmetto Green. I would love to know why the decision was made to perform a complete color change like that. It would appear that this probably occurred before it went into storage, and if this is true, then it has held up extremely well. Rust issues in the car are pretty negligible, with only a couple of spots just behind the rear wheels to note. This is not an uncommon issue, and since it hasn’t become advanced, it looks like it could be addressed with a pretty small patch. That appears to be it because the owner says that the floors and frame are clean and solid. Looking over the rest of the exterior reveals some more positives, with the external trim, the chrome, and the glass all appearing to be in good condition.
The pleasant news continues when you open the doors and take a look inside the Pontiac. The black upholstery looks to be in first-class condition, and there isn’t a lot to fault. What it needs more than anything else is for someone to put a bit of time and effort into cleaning it thoroughly. You can see the accumulation of dust in the seams and against the edge of the piping on the seats. It would be a time-consuming job, but if that was all cleaned away, the interior would look spectacular. As I’ve stated in the past, it’s the little details that can make all the difference inside a car. If you attend to those, an interior can look a million dollars for free. The rest of the interior looks really good, and as an added bonus, the LeMans has been fitted with factory air conditioning.
Powering the LeMans is a 215ci 6-cylinder engine, producing 140hp. The vehicle also features a 2-speed automatic transmission and power steering. In a car that tips the scales at 3,190lbs, the result is performance which could be politely described as leisurely. Then again, it is probably adequate for the people that the LeMans was aimed at when new. After sitting for three decades, the LeMans has been brought back to life, and it seems to be in generally good health. The owner says that the car runs and drives well, but that the brakes are soft. It sounds like a thorough check and some brake work will be in order. Once this work has been completed, I can’t see any reason why the car couldn’t be used on a daily basis. One real bonus is the fact that the whitewall tires that are fitted to the car are brand new, so that’s one less expense for the next owner to worry about.
As it stands now, this 1965 Pontiac LeMans is a nice clean survivor that would seem to need little work before it could be driven and enjoyed on a regular basis. The owner also floats the idea of dropping a V8 into the engine bay and creating a GTO tribute car. If you bought it, what would you do?
I’d wash it and clean the interior and the engine bay, and then I’d drive it. Period. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love the stackies.
Had a chopped Honda 450 (not my creation!) I traded for one of these with the 389-loved that car with the vacuum driven “Econometer” on the dash! And Four speed. It was a sleeper for its time, and surprised a few pony cars especially on the open highway..Traded it for a ‘64 El Camino with a hot 327 and hot girlfriend, neither of which stuck around very long either.
I would clean it and drive it as is. My parents bought the same car new but in a different color. Had 6 cylinder with 3 on the tree. Took my road test on it in 1970. Great and super dependable car.
Leave it as is mostly. I’d change it to a two circuit master cylinder. Seeing as it may need some brake work anyway……..
Leave. It. Alone…
Way too many were turned into GTO’s
This! The world doesn’t need another GTO clone.
Not a fan of clones. Keep it just the way it is to show people what a lot of folks actually did buy back in the good old days. It might be tempting to put a V8 in it; just keep the original motor. Wouldn’t even have to be a Hi-Po motor, just something with a little more get-up-and-go. I would think the straight six will be even more leisurely with the A/C cranked up. Still, a nice car, not often seen. That has a lot of appeal.
Nice car until hood was opened
Nice LS conversion w/5spd and all the goodies. I want to drive and enjoy it. Not interested in a GTO clone or something to drive every now and then.
Normally I’d say leave it be but how about a period correct common swap….drop in a BBC (396 preferably), 4 speed and 4:11 posi. Brings my brain right back to 1971
If you’re going to do a swap, I’d say keep it a Pontiac through and through-use a 400 or better yet a 428..JMO
the proper swap to perform would be a hopped up OHC Pontiac from a sprint package and a T-5. Neat time capsule!
Wonder what it would take to put a modern 5 speed auto, electronic ignition and better fuel delivery ?
Money, desire, and the Summit Racing app?
There’s an engineering saying that if you haven’t solved a problem then you haven’t spent enough money on it.
I would put an LS connect and cruise in it a drive it like I stole it. Love the the 65, but hard to get body panels for it. I bought a 66 Chevelle convertible and did just that. What a dependable drivetrain.
This is one I’d leave alone ‘for now’. I’d convert it to disc brakes and do the little things that need to be attended to. If the drive train ever gives up the ghost, I’d look for a 326 and a Tremec (at least keep it close to period) and go from there but that’s only if the current engine or tranny gives up the ghost.
The 326 is the right V8 for this car. They are a very good engine. But the little 6cyl. is cool and rare. Its a toss up I’d say. The price is right. I’ve had two GTO’s a 67′ conv. and a 64′. But I liked my 66′ LeMans better. For less than 7k this is a great car to restore as well ……………………………Later……………………….JIMMY
Wow, a rare car..a six cylinder with factory air. 1965 was a good design year for these.
The sportier hardtop body style, buckets with floor shifter, and a 6 popper! I love it! Far prettier than the ex-wife!
Absolutely love this , and would absolutely leave as is save for maybe a brake upgrade, sweet original ride!!!!
An all show and no go car, console, a/c, hardtop LeMans with the deluxe spinner caps but with the base 215 6.
All the comments on “what to do with this car” show how great a find it is. Its a blank canvas! From leaving it alone, to a Pont. V8,, BBC, A Pont. SOHC 6…all great ideas. One thing for certain, whoever buys this car will have fun with it and probably re think a million times what to do with it.