GM’s “Colonnade” intermediates (Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac LeMans, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Buick Century produced from ’73 through ’77) elicit all kinds of comments, both positive and negative and I’m surprised that the positives usually outweigh the negatives. Regardless, a Colonnade station wagon, such as this 1974 Pontiac LeMans Safari, rarely graces BF’s web pages so I would consider this resident of Belvidere, New Jersey to be an unusual find. The seller mentions some mods that have been installed so let’s look it over and see what’s here.
The ’74 LeMans wagon was available in two trim levels, the Luxury LeMans Safari which was slathered in faux wood trim and the standard LeMans Safari such as our subject. Both trims were available as six or nine passenger accommodation – this one’s a six. As for production volumes, LeMans station wagons weren’t all that popular in ’74 with only 9,700 seeing the light of day. This specific model is one of only 3,000 assembled so I wouldn’t call it rare but it is uncommon, especially a half-century later. The seller tells us, “This car has very little rust, with a few small spots of the paint job bubbling up but not rusted through. The floors and trunk are in really good condition.” All-in-all, it shows pretty well, the chrome is still strong and the Rally II wheels, inspite of their missing passenger side trim rings, help with the presentation.
Under the hood is a 155 net HP, “Pontiac” 350 CI V8 engine that the seller claims, “…runs great, and sounds great too with the dual exhaust and chambered mufflers.” I state this as being a “Pontiac” engine only because the ’70s saw Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick 350 CI engines being swapped around but I believe most of that trading happened later in the decade. All things gear related are handled courtesy of a new TCI Street Fighter Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission. Note the recorded mileage, it’s 26K miles so once around on the odometer tells you that you’re looking at 126K miles, at least.
The interior of this Safari has faired rather well though it’s not without its foibles. The carpet is a mess, and so acknowledged, and I’ll assume that there is no floor deterioration (the seller has claimed solidity). The steering wheel has been reduced to suspended chunks while the dash pad is revealing at least one crack – no big surprise, really. The cargo area, however, the part of a station wagon that is known to take abuse, doesn’t look half bad.
Normally, I wouldn’t consider this wagon to be one in high demand, not the way an old Country Squire (genuine woodie or not), Nomad, or a ’60s Impala might be. But some of that is probably due to the Colonnade’s smaller production numbers, lack of collectability, and the fact that they’re rarely encountered today. This Poncho is available, here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $4,055 with the reserve not yet met. If you’re jonesing for an old domestic wagon, this one might scratch that itch, wouldn’t you agree?
J.O add a spray in rubber floor, ditch the backseats, and have a great ride for a tradesman 🔧 🔨
Smart!
I just like these. Not sure why, but I like them.
Rusty shift lever
Seldom seen? Never seen in my garage! LOL!
My family had 2 of these, a 1973 and ’74. You haven’t lived until you have helped your father perform a transmission swap on one of these. In the driveway. In February. In New Jersey. “Shine the light where I’m looking!”
GM is GM. That cargo area looks just like Mom’s 66 Belair wagon 8 years be4. No tow hitch or luggage rack are both positive negatives for me. I agree with Stan on the rubber mats, tho one piece & not spray on. And I like the duel exhaust as well. Put a leather grip on steering wheel & let’s ride!
My favorite version of the GM “Colonnade” wagons, I like it better than the Buick, Chevy or Olds versions, which seemed to be more popular, possibly because of the Olds Vista Cruiser version. It was possibly the rarest of the four versions, as the Chevy and Olds clearly outsold the Pontiac variant. The Buick version I think sold more than these, but I am not sure. This one needs some love, but might be worth it if it can be had for reasonable money, say, less than $7500.
I remember the ride of these and wouldn’t pay a dime to relive it !
It looks so much different than the ’75 Malibu Wagon that we had.
I didn’t know it was related until I saw the rear “hatch”
Ended at $4049.99
Reserve Not Met.