At first glance, you might think this Pontiac is a GTO. After all, it’s a pillarless hardtop with a 4-speed manual transmission. But, instead, it’s the LeMans, an upscale version of the mid-size Tempest. And any thoughts of it being a GTO are put to rest when you pop open the hood and find Pontiac’s innovative 230 cubic inch SOHC 6-cylinder engine. This one puts out 205 hp, enough to add a little pep to the car’s step. Located in Dundee, Illinois, this Poncho may need some upper-level bodywork. A tip from our friend, Pat L., this auto is available here on craigslist for $7,500.
The Tempest/LeMans was launched as a compact in 1961 just as almost every car manufacturer was invading that space. The car did well enough in sales through 1963 but was moved upstream to a mid-size platform in 1964 along with the smaller Oldsmobiles and Buicks. Beginning in 1966, the standard engine in the intermediate Pontiacs was the single overhead camshaft (SOHC) design. It was based on Chevy’s overhead-valve (OHV) inline-6 but came with its own cast iron block and head. While standard versions used a single-barrel carburetor, the Sprint version from the Firebird went with a 4-barrel and gained up to 50 extra horses.
We’re told the Sprint engine in the seller’s car isn’t original. And neither is the color of the Pontiac which was not black when built (no mention is made of the factory hue). The seller makes a joking reference to the LeMans needing a roof skin and some A-pillar work done but doesn’t elaborate and drops the subject quickly.
This Pontiac sees little use these days, which may be the reason for the sale. It runs well but is not good enough to be considered a “daily driver” (why?). There is no mention of any rust, and the car has new tires mounted on Pontiac Rally wheels. We can’t say much about the beige interior from the photos provided, but LeMans does have bucket seats. This could be a neat auto to show off, especially when you open the hood and explain the engine. But there are a lot of unknowns in the listing.
Friend of mine had 1 in HS, Navy with Black int. Thought it was a 3 speed on floor. Good runner, he lost a hubcap, got 2 more non-matching from a junkyard, put both on same side. Said you could never see both sides of the car at same time anyway.
I recently had a Hyundai Veloster and felt the same way, haha!
At our body shop back in the late ‘70’s my senior partner had an inside phrase for paint matches that might not have been perfect from one side to the other and would say “The owner isn’t a damned lobster!”.
We DID paint a whole side back then rather than just a fender or door alone.
Since it’s not a numbers matching car, I’d have to go with a good strong crate engine and a nice manual transmission and rear-end to handle the extra punch. Paint whatever color turns your crank. I may even be “tempted” to leave it as the Temptest!—pun intended.
That SOHC I6 is rare enough to make this car stand out way more than it would with a V8 and a cloned GTO appearance. Plus that straight 6, like most straight 6’s can be tuned into more than respectable power.
This is my second go around with appreciating 1960s cars. First time was the early 80s and I was a kid. Now I want to stand out. Few, if any cars from that time can out perform my 350Z. I don’t know if any of them can out perform my current model Mustang GT. What vintage offers is distinctiveness and that Pontiac 6 has that in spades.
I’m not going to NJ. Too far and I sense rust issues but I like it, a lot.
uh-oh a bow tie car tweaking my interest. always been a fan of the leaning tower of power. so this ohc straight six fits right in and this is one of the few gm body styles i like. so i might be persuaded to find out just how much you can wring out of it. the only mods i would make is an od 5speed and dial in the rear gears for the perfect match of launch and highway cruise. oh and a/c for these old bones.
Umm bow tie is Chevy and leaning tower of power is a Chrysler slant 6
exactly i’m a mopar guy and have run a ton of the 225s hence the reference/comparison.
oops forgot to add bow tie label referencing all the gm family
BOW tie car??????????
Needs a roof skin?? How much other rust he’s not telling us??
Roof skin $500, labor $1000,
now A pillar, oh no, that means windshield and cowl issues.
Illinois car = SALT.
Seller says “highly recommend transport with a car trailer”
That scares me most !
I would assume he put together with the 4 speed? I am not sure but also would assume it was 3 speed on the floor if it came with an original oh 6. Hard to tell but I know I would rather have this than that over priced 74 charger!
4speed was available from the factory, they were not all 3 speed
3-speed manual was standard equipment, 4-speed manual or 2-speed automatic was optional.
Long ago I had a 67 LeMans with a 4 spd Muncie on the floor. Really enjoyed it. This COULD be “good bones” for another someone to similarly enjoy! …But as indicated above definitely needs more info/inspection. The seller is telegraphing that plainly.
i have been sending messages to the posted phone number in the craigslist add and get no response.
There’s a direct relationship between this OHC six and John DeLorean.
DeLorean was an engineer first and foremost and had a strong appreciation for BMW straight sixes due to an inline design being more well balanced and lighter than a V8 and far more efficient than an inline OHV pushrod six.
This inline six iteration of the LeMans actually handled better than its heavier V8 counterpart.
DeLorean also had knowledge of BMW’s M30 OHC six in development and scheduled for a 1968 release.
In typical GM fashion (It’s habit of killing good cars and designs once perfected) Pontiac discontinued the OHC six after a four year run due to better marketability of the small block 326/350 V8’s in an era of cheap gasoline.
My uncle bought a new dark green ‘68 LeMans OHC Six with a four speed and black bucket gut and it was actually more fun than my drummer’s ‘66 389 GTO. Or maybe just looked cooler to my 16 year old self.
More information on the Pontiac OHC Six here:
http://www.ohc6.com/history.html
Hi, Anyone know were this car is. It shows in Chicago craigslist but has a phone # that starts with 867. Left messages no answer. Thanks thebigragu116@yahoo
Area codes mean nothing in 2023. Cell phones go from one place to another.
Yes I know that Anthony, but thanks for your input.
I’ve tried to call as well, but no returns. Maybe they found a local buyer. This would be perfect for me, I’ve been looking for a replacement for my 67 OHC-6 that I restored in college. But, I no longer have access to a body shop, so I need to know about the rust issues before I pull the trigger.
Same here. I had a black 67 Sprint Lemans 4 speed after I got out of the service in 81. But I give up ! Good luck