I can’t think of many more enjoyable experiences than partaking in some top-down cruising on a warm summer day. That is the opportunity that this 1967 Pontiac LeMans Convertible would seem to be offering its buyer. It will need some work, but it appears to be a solid classic ripe for restoration. It is looking for a new home, so it has been listed for sale here on Facebook. It is located in Henderson, Nevada, and the price has been set at $13,500.
The paint might be baked and ruined, but the Pontiac started life wearing Fathom Blue. This is now unrecognizable, but this isn’t necessarily bad news. It appears the LeMans has spent much of its life in Nevada, with the baked paint and dry surface corrosion seeming to support this. The owner states that all of the steel is original and that there is no filler. The body has a few minor dings and marks, but it all appears to be repairable. What there isn’t much of is penetrating rust. There is nothing visible in the panels, and if the car has spent its life in a dry climate, there is a good chance that the story might be the same with the floors and frame. The frame and bows are present, but a new soft-top will need to be sourced. Some of the glass will need to be replaced, while some of the exterior chrome will need to be sent off for restoration.
If you had your fingers crossed that we were going to find a V8 when we popped the hood on this Pontiac, then you are probably slightly disappointed. We find the Sprint version of the 230ci OHC 6-cylinder engine bolted to a 4-speed manual transmission. This six should be capable of pumping out 215hp, which would send the LeMans through the ¼ mile in 16.7 seconds. The owner doesn’t indicate whether the Pontiac runs or whether the engine even turns freely. That would leave the buyer to choose to perform a faithful restoration or whether they might slip something more potent under the hood. The owner also doesn’t supply any interior photos, but we know that it comes equipped with front bucket seats and a console. We can see slight glimpses of some interior trim, and it looks like it will require a full restoration. A trim kit will probably be the best alternative here, and they aren’t hard to find. At around $2,600, they are slightly dearer than many classics, but as I’ve said in the past, this will be a one-off expense in a case like this.
This 1967 LeMans Convertible looks like it could be a straightforward restoration, and if it is rust-free, most of the work could conceivably be undertaken in a home workshop. If there is no penetrating rust, it could also be possible to return the car to a mechanically roadworthy state quite quickly. It could then be driven as-is during the warmer months before a full restoration is undertaken when the weather turns ugly once again. Regardless of which option the buyer chooses, they will be left with a classic that would be guaranteed to turn heads wherever it goes. I’m trying to think of a negative in that scenario, and nothing comes to mind. I hope someone returns it to the road soon because it deserves it.
bought this same project car over a decade ago for half as much, wish the buyer the same fortune that I have had
I agree, Adam. I’m most likely in the minority here, but that OHC I6 coupled to hat 4 spd is a combination I’ve not seen many of running around. “Faithful restoration”? If that yanks the buyers throttle cable then fine but JMHO I’d say clean it up paint it make it driveable with the original drivetrain and have some fun when you pop the hood then hear the “know-it-all” try to explain that this was meant to be nothing more than an economy queen..
Great bones, clean slate, decent price if the interior is remotely salvageable.
I see the car had factory a/c. Wonder where the compressor and brackets went? Someone yank the engine and not bother to put it back?
Hopefully it is in the trunk or nearby.
A/c was removed years ago as the original owner didn’t use the air Bearing went out on clutch is why it was taken off.
It looks promising, who doesn’t like a factory AC, 4 speed, bucket seat, console equipped convertible.
The seller hasn’t done himself any favors by constructing such a poor ad. Still, that doesn’t fully explain why it’s been listed for 9 weeks without finding a new home, which suggests there may be bigger problems.
Steve R
Can anyone send me the link to this ad? I tried clicking on the Facebook market place link on here but cannot get the ad.
The ad is more than vague, but a 4 speed convert with the Sprint option and factory would be quite the car. This would be a killer car restored, assuming the engine is free.
I had a ‘66 Tempest Custom with a Sprint 6 and Powerglide. Overhead cam, factory 4bbl, and a split exhaust with dual manifolds. I had dual exhaust out the back but not sure if it was factory duals. They will get up and run…most thought it had a 326 in it…embarrassed more than a couple of Camaro and Mustang owners when I popped the hood.
An opportunist (someone looking for profit) would salivate at the sight of the 4–speed shifter, then open the hood and turn up his nose at the sight of the Sprint OHC-6. An enthusiast (someone in it for the love of cars) would also salivate at the sight of the 4-speed shifter, then geek out at the sight of the Sprint OHC-6 under the hood.
To me, the coolest thing about this car is that whoever ordered it could have had a V8 for less, but chose the Sprint OHC-6 instead.
This inline 6 4bdl will out do a lot of v-8s especially a chev 350
Yeah, a Chevy 350 from 1977 maybe!!
This it what it might look like restored.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yqqr3mfssA
As a Pontiac fan, I always loved the OHC Sprints. Some of my first experiences working on cars, involved Pontiac Sprint 6’s.
In the late 60’s, the owner of a local foreign car shop let me hang around and do odd jobs. His wife had a Verdoro Green 4 speed Sprint 6, 68 Firebird convertible, with a white interior and stripes. A couple years later, a nun at my high school was driving a dark blue 66 LeMans Sprint coupe with a 3 speed floor shift. I worked at a Texaco station a block from school, where she’d have it serviced. I wasn’t old enough to drive the Firebird, though I did ride in it, but 4 years later I did get to drive the LeMans once or twice.
The Pontiac Sprint 6’s are unique, interesting and fun cars, that have some desirability, though I don’t think they’re desirable enough to justify this seller’s asking price.
Personally, when I think “muscle car” I think of a sweet ROARING V8, I wouldnt be happy with a 6.
Nice complete ride though, and is IS a manual convertible.
I had a 68 with the straight six. Don’t make the same mistake I did and replace it with a V-8. The overhead cam six makes it a wonderful driver.
My 1st car was a 66 Lemans conv w/a 326 Powerglide and produced 260 bhp. Wasn’t a barn-burner but was a lot of fun for a Junior in HS. So many have been modified into GTOs nowadays.
This 4sp manual 6-Sprint is def rare. And if it has factory A/C I wonder how many were optioned as such?
I had one . One night my cousin and I were out running around. When I saw this 49 Chevy Fleetline. My brother used to own. I told my cousin I was gonna see if the guy wanted to sale or trade it. I ran the guy about 20 miles and he finally pulled over and I was glad. I thought the Pontiac was gonna blow up if he hadn,t. We talked about saleing it or trading it for the Pontiac. We exchanged information and the next day he came over. We trade and I gave him $150 boot. Best deal I made. The old 49 out ran the Pontiac . I still have the Chevy. Glad the pontiac is gone and I said I,d never have another sick OHC 6 AGAIN. I,d drop a 400 in it. More power and easier on gas. For his asking price of $13,000 . and all the work it needs. I,d say he should drop a 0 .Then it would be a reasonable price.
That’s more than funny, $1,300 for a fairly rust free mid-60’s A-body convertible. The 1980’s are long gone.
Steve R
Price feels a little strong for the condition, but it is a convertible with the rare OHC/4-speed combo. Like the fact that it has buckets and console. Some of them came with a bench seat. I’ve told this story before: Ma had a 67 red LeMans convert with the 2-speed automatic. The 326 failed and her mechanic (Bob & Ot’s in Croton-on-Hudson) had a 400 that they installed for her. Around 1980 or so, they told her that the car’s reframe spring hangers were so rusted that it was dangerous. Otherwise the car was still gorgeous. She offered it to me for free (I was in Chapel Hill at the time) and to my lasting regret turned her down (had a 59 MGA and 65 Healey that I was renovating…can’t call what I did restoring). Every time I see one like this, I want to cry. If it was a lot closer to home in NC, I’d probably jump on this one. Drat!
I remember seeing a ’66 or a ’67 LeMans whose 326 had given up the ghost. The owner had yanked that engine and installed a Buick 340 V8. It wasn’t that difficult of a conversion, considering the polar opposite locations for the distributor and oil light sender, plus some differences in the exhaust arrangement.
My Dad had a 1965 Pontiac LeMans, the 6 cylinder engine wasn’t an OHC. Pontiac introduced the OHC 6 cylinder in 1966. There was a problem with the hardness of the cam lobes, they kept wearing down. Pontiac initiated a recall that year, which fixed the problem all was well from 1967 on, but the engine was already poisoned by the previous cam problem and eventually dropped from the line up.
I’d buy it if i had the room, and not two other renewals in motion at this time. Also the virus is making transport difficult. Somebody do this. Enjoy!
I see no indication that this is a sprnt 6. It is more likely the regular base six cylinder.
Possible, but the front fender emblems are for the Sprint, chrome air cleaner lid are indicators that it is/was a Sprint.
I would love to have this car. Learned to drive in a 68 Mustang with 6 and a stick. My first car was a slant 6 with 3 on the tree. And I had a Tempest with the ohc6. All good engines.
The short block of a Pontiac OHC is a Chevy 230 so that is an easy and reliable motor. If memory serves me a Sprint had a Quadrajet carb
Two version of the OHC 6. The Sprint, the one to have, had a 4 bbl carb and what amounts to a factory header. The Sprint, according to reviews at the time,was faster and quicker than the 326 V8. 215HP out of 230 cu in. I’ve wondered how well it would work with a 250 bottom end OR the 292 block under that head. A little fuel injection and electronic ignition, 5 speed overdrive transmission…..
Look out little GTO!
I WANT this car…and don’t have the time/place/money to be messing with it right now. I know that NEVER happens to any of the rest of you folks….Never-ever….
Very well said. It would be fun and interesting to adapt this head to a nicely warmed over 292 Block. That would be a fun and interesting combo.
This looks like the car I rebuilt the engine in a few years ago.It has never been put on the road since.The rebuild was a complete rebuild new cam followers,pistons bore etc.Was around 4000 to do the job as some parts had to be made in Cal.Needs a lot of work but would be woeth it.Fun to drive with the 4 barrel rodchester on it.Really scoots.Theengine wouldn.’t have 100 miles on it.Never put on the road after rebuild.Can’t guarenty its the same but I never forget a car I use to have.
If this car doesn’t fit the “unicorn” description then I don’t know what does. I can’t recall the last time I saw one.