“You’ve changed, we’ve changed” or so went some silly Chevrolet tagline from the ’70s. In that era, it was more like “we’ve changed because the pesky gov’t made us change”. Well, not entirely of course, but if you look at the U.S. auto industry in the ’70s, there seemed to be one intrusion after another, i.e. emission controls, five MPH bumper standards, 55 MPH speed limit, CAFE fuel standards, new three-point seatbelt interlock (1974) standards and on and on. The muscle car was kaput because the muscle withered. the focus was on ride, features, and luxury and that’s how cars like the Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna S-3 made their entrance. Today, we have a 1976 subject for your review and this example has undergone some significant mods – a far cry from where it was back in the bicentennial year. It’s located in Wallkill, New York and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $9,600 with twenty-one bids tendered as of this writing.
In 1973, the Chevelle SS (Super Sport) was still on the option sheet but it was a radical departure from its 1972 predecessor. Not exactly accepted, ’73 would prove to be its last stand. The colonnade styling and loss of power just didn’t project a performance vibe any longer. In addition to the SS, ’73 also bestowed the new Laguna on buyers who were more interested in that previously mentioned ride, comfort, and features department than just going fast. The Laguna was an upscale luxury model that featured a distinctive urethane (endura?) nosepiece and it wasn’t just limited to two-door coupes as the option was also available on four-door sedans and station wagons. For ’74, the SS was discontinued and the Laguna was rechristened the Laguna S-3, it was the sporty Chevelle and only available on two-door coupe models. Things changed again in ’75 when the Laguna S-3 was reintroduced at mid-model year with a newly crafted “cowcatcher” nose piece. It served as a homologation move for NASCAR teams as the drag coefficient was considerably lower than that of a corresponding Malibu or Monte Carlo and Chevrolet teams would not have been allowed to use this wind-cheating design unless a fixed number of production versions were sold. The slanty S-3 continued through ’76 and was then dropped at the end of that model year.
So, how did the aerodynamic S-3 sell? Fair, 6,700 in ’75 and 9,100 in ’76 (a full model year run). The interesting thing is that the name “Chevelle” started to disappear by the time the S-3 came along. The name was used in the sales brochure but the individual models were known as the Chevrolet Malibu Classic, Chevrolet Malibu, and Chevrolet Laguna S-3. As I review the ’76 model line-up, I can’t find a Chevelle badge affixed to any one of the three identified models.
Our subject car presents OK, the finish is worn and faded in places, but it is wearing the correct Laguna S-3 body stripe, intact nose piece, and louvered opera windows. The wide steel wheels are aftermarket pieces and the oversized tires are way beyond what was available in ’76. Fortunately, there is no sign of rust or crash damage.
The best a Laguna could muster in ’76 was a 175 net HP from a 400 CI, small block V8 engine, with smaller, and less powerful 350 and 305 CI versions available. Well, forget about all of that as this S-3 has a different story to proclaim, specifically, we’re told, “This car is NOT stock, it has a 355 4 bolt main, steel crank, pink rods, two eyebrow flat top pistons, block is zero decked, 1969 186 casting double hump heads, 7/16 screw in studs, guide plates, thick wall push rods, 202 intake valve and 194 exhaust valves, heavy duty valve springs, Duntov 30/30 Camshaft, true double roller timing chain, Holley street dominator aluminum intake, 1406 Edelbrock Carb, 2800 stall converter, Flowtech, long tube headers, Thrush cherry bomb exhaust with side dumps…”. Being a 355 CI engine means that it started life as a 350 and has experienced a .030″ overbore. The seller states that it runs and shifts great with the shifting courtesy of a Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Inside is a typical Colonnade environment with swivel bucket seats and a center console. The black vinyl seats are in fair shape (and have likely been treated to a healthy dollop of Armor All) and we’re told that a new carpet and headliner have been installed. The four-spoke tiller is a cheap Chevrolet piece that found its way into everything from a Vega to a Corvette. This was an A/C-equipped car but the compressor has been removed.
I don’t come across hopped-up Colonnades very often, the go-fast treatment is usually applied to earlier or later-generation Chevelles/Malibus. It’s nice to see someone invest so much effort to improve the motoring capability of a ’76 S-3, here’s a brief video that will give you a better idea of what’s going on here. It’s definitely not for me, but how about you?
If thats the price it goes for, to me thats an affordable ticket to entry into the older car hobby…who can afford a ’60s chevelle, mustang, camero, gtx, etc. for a weekend cruiser…..in 3 years this car will be 50 years old, might not be considered to be a classic now, but at some point, probably…..I would definitly change the wheels, tires, and stance, then improve cosmetic’s and whatever else needed, I think it would be a fun car to tinker on and cruise around in….
Hmm, with model names like Laguna and Malibu, I’m thinking back then it was cool to own a car named after a California town.
At least the name will be nostalgic in the future, after California gets seized by Mexico or falls in the ocean in the next big earthquake.
I kinda liked the names of those cars…but in a few years we will all be Chinese (or Russian) so, I’m sure they will rename the towns anyway. Then, the memories of those names may not sound so bad.
This car looks cool.Love the all black approach. Buddy of mine when I was 17 had a 74 s-3 that was dark blue with a white vinyl top and black buckets and a factory 454 4 speed.He wanted 1500 and at that time I didn’t have the $.Sigh.I prefer the non slanted nose on the 73 and 74 but these are cool too.I guess that this car goes for 15-20k. I wouldn’t mind parking this in my garage.Glwts.
If you look up “Rattle-Can Restoration” in the dictionary, there will be a picture of this car. This looks like something a 15-year old kid put together. Actually, in high school, most of the cars we had looked way better than this. I bet it does a heck of a one-wheel peel in the rain though. Ugggggh.
As a 12 year old in 1976 I would have loved to have had one of these at 15. Make it go fast; factory 8.5 posi rear should help with that and make sure it has good brakes. Pretty don’t make a car run and it ain’t a Hot Rod unless the tires & wheels don’t match.
Nice looking car…. and clean too…
Current neighbor, college guy, has a S-3 with a 383 stroker.
His younger brother has a 1966 Chevelle SS with 396.
A 1970 Chevelle lives at my house.
I like my neighborhood.
CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CH CHERRY BOMBS!!
I can practically smell the Armor All…
Also would love to see a pic of 186 chambers with 2.02/1.94 valves.
I had a 73 when i was 18 that car was a lot of fun.
I blew up the 350 my buddy gave me a 455 buick riviera motor slipped right
in with a little trim job on the drive shaft..Bought a lot of used tires that summer.
One of the few chevys I like being a ford guy. This one is cool
If this car is still available please let me know. I am very interested
Most of these were used up in the 80’s on the local stock car tracks. It’s nice to see one still out there. I always loved this look.
My Dad bought one new in June of 75. Really nice car. White w/ blue and a sun roof. It certainly wasn’t fast but it drove good. This car though, looking at the details it’s going to cost just as much to get it right. Lots of pre-rust issues.
The AERO racing wheels on this car are not street legal. Might get by with them in states without vehicle inspections.
Dear John L,
why are the Aeros not street legal ?
I put a set on a 75 S-3 and unlike most wheels i fimd that poorly balance out, the Aero spun pretty true.
After all, after all the time, money and power folks invest in there machines, its SO frustrating when theres a vibration on the highway.
I struggle to find a competent tire installer these dayz. To buy wheels that spin true to start sure helps. If im correct the Aeros have a better build quality and ‘run out’
Just gotta get the correct lugs and what inspection shop would even notice or bother.
As for me, I love an S3, and though this one has wheels of the wrong offset, the all black with white stripes and white letters ; with power windows and plenty of power on tap..
NICE
Real muscle cars dont have pretty paint jobs.
Side note: Cooper Cobra tires SUCK on wet roads !
Its time GoodYear step up and respect the cars that helped build its name and give us QUALITY white letter, US made, 15″ , sensibly priced tires.
Aero wheels are racing wheels, and are not DOT approved.
I found one in a wrecking yard in ’75 and bought the nose and put it on my El Camino.
Still have my 75 El Camino that I bought new. Not drivable due to rust. I sure wish the aftermarket would get off their butts and make some quality body parts for these. They are still a great riding and driving car and respond well to an increase in power.
Just this year Goodmark has started reproducing floor braces and sections of floor pans, including trunk. They’ve been doing the left and right halves for some time now, as well as quarter panels. They new parts are getting good reviews so far. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7SE5x4WHwU
The dash cover on this one is sloppily done. Still no repros on that, and if they start they will run $1000.
Thanks for the info. This is what I’ve been waiting for.