As a big fan of 1970s Colonnade cars, I loved the Pontiac LeMans model, and early in my collecting days, I owned a 1977 example. My LeMans was powered, or I should say underpowered, by a 231 V6. The engine was fine for daily driving but definitely not muscle car territory. So, it was a happy surprise to learn that Pontiac made a high-performance Colonnade in 1977 based on the LeMans model called the Can Am. This limited-production unit was powered by the Pontiac 400 V8 making 200 hp, which was a big difference from the 231. For Colonnade fans, this 1977 Pontiac Can Am from Michigan is available here on eBay for a buy-it-now price of $32,900 with an option to make a best offer.
This particular Can Am is being sold by a dealer and looks to be in excellent condition. All Can Am units were adorned in Cameo White paint, and this one’s exterior looks presentable, with the flaws pointed out in the photos. Buyers of the Can Am did have a choice for the interior color but were limited to those of the base LeMans palette of black, red, or tan. The featured Can Am being offered here has the red interior, which is the one I would pick if I were buying one brand new. The red bucket seats offer a nice contrast to the black sport steering wheel and the woodgrain trim on the console and dashboard. For those who would like a vintage sound system, the interior includes an 8-track stereo system.
Under the hood of this Can Am is the Pontiac 400 that the seller states was freshly rebuilt earlier this year. Like all Pontiac Can Am units with the 400 V8, this example has the TH400 3‑speed automatic transmission. To go along with the power under the hood, the Can Am featured unique tri‑tone striping across the shaker hood and rear spoiler graphics in orange, red, and yellow. It also featured blacked-out lower body panels, along with color-matched Rally II wheels with chrome trim rings.
Pontiac planned on producing 2,500 Can Am units but underestimated the public’s demand for this high-performance car. When the numbers came in, over 5,000 orders were submitted to buy the Can Am. Pontiac management worried that the popularity of the Can Am would hurt sales of their Grand Prix models, as both shared parts, including the dashboard and console. A wrench in the works occurred when the mold used to produce the fiberglass Can Am rear spoiler broke, and production ended abruptly. With only an estimated 1,377 units made, and much fewer existing today, the 1977 Pontiac Can Am is truly a rare performance car from an era when they were being phased out. Don’t miss your chance to put a piece of Pontiac history in your garage.
Love these cars too 👍 Buddy had a pretty beat up one in our early 20s, was fun to cruise in for sure.
I do love the Pontiac W72 400. However – for just under half of the asking price of this Can-Am, I bet one could find a ’77 Cutlass, Grand Prix, Monte Carlo or Regal and be almost (or more) satisfied with scratching your GM Colonnade itch…
The best of the colonnades, fer sher, though I’d prefer to drop in a third pedal.
I agree with Christopher, I like the red interior the best on these, looks good with the Cameo white exterior and also the black steering wheel and the wood grained dash. I’ve often wondered if they wouldn’t have sold even more than their original estimate if that mold hadn’t unfortunately broken. This one looks like a top notch restoration. It’s expensive, but I doubt one could be restored this nicely for that amount of money in this day and age.
I would have to question the “mileage” on this one… One would expect the engine compartment and underside of the hood would be much cleaner, and the rear bumper impact strip even if was an aftermarket piece, and being a Michigan car some underside photos would help. It only takes 5 minutes to put the car on a lift for the asking price…