In 2010, Pontiac joined a list of marques that were consigned to the pages of history books. That concept would have been unthinkable when this 1964 LeMans left the line, especially considering that it was in this model year that the iconic GTO first saw the light of day. That makes preserving the company’s legacy important, and purchasing this LeMans would be an excellent starting point. It presents nicely, is rust-free, and features a healthy V8 under the hood. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this beauty listed here on Facebook Marketplace in Durango, Colorado. Handing the seller $21,500 will enable someone to fly in and drive this LeMans home.
Pontiac introduced the LeMans badge as the top trim level for its Tempest range in 1961 before granting it standalone model status in 1963. The Second Generation LeMans debuted on showroom floors for the 1964 model year, with the badge transitioning from a compact to an intermediate offering that broadened its appeal. This first-year example appears to be a largely original survivor that was ordered in subtle Cameo Ivory. The seller is sparing with their information, making it unclear whether it has undergone any form of restoration. Regardless of the truth, enthusiasts seeking a tidy turnkey classic will find it very appealing. The paint is in good order, the panels are as straight as an arrow, while the underside shots seemingly confirm that this beauty is rust-free. The trim and glass are in good order, with this LeMans rolling on its original steel wheels, complete with the correct hubcaps and a classy set of narrow whitewalls.
Buyers could order a 1964 LeMans with a six under the hood, but this car’s first owner must have believed that there is nothing as great as a V8. They chose the four-barrel version of the 326ci powerplant, teamed with a two-speed Powerglide transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes. The 326 remained the most potent motor fitted to a ’64 LeMans until the GTO emerged during that model year with a 389 under the hood. The Sales Brochure confirms that it placed 280hp and 355 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. Although the Powerglide did impact performance, it remained a fairly respectable weapon in most circumstances. Potential buyers will welcome the news that this Pontiac is a turnkey proposition. The seller states that it runs and drives well, ready to provide someone with an enjoyable classic motoring experience.
This Pontiac’s interior comes close to matching the exterior in terms of condition. Trimmed in Blue vinyl, it features bucket seats, a console, and a pushbutton radio. The seller indicates that it was recently retrimmed, helping to explain the lack of wear and other significant issues. It isn’t flawless because there appears to be a crack in the pad, which detracts from the overall appearance. Hiding it under a cover would be the most cost-effective solution, although I believe that this car deserves a replacement pad that will lighten the buyer’s wallet by around $270. Otherwise, this interior appears to need nothing.
I have often thought that one of the few things sadder than the eventual demise of Pontiac was the fact that it went out with a whimper. The marque that gave us the GTO and Trans Am deserved far better, and going out in a blaze of glory would have been more appropriate. However, the brand was a victim of challenging financial circumstances, with history demonstrating that it won’t be the last to suffer that fate. Preserving classics like this 1964 LeMans is an appropriate way to recognize Pontiac’s contribution to the American automotive landscape, and I hope that it finds a new home with one of our readers. That way, we can be sure that its new owner will be someone who genuinely appreciates all that it offers and represents. Are you tempted?
D u r a n g o,,,DURANGO( firing pistols in the air) Nice place, I hear, SW corner of the state, like a 4 day drive with the Jeep,, :0, Here is a clear cut example of a car granny, or that spinster down the block bought, that never heard of rock and roll, blissfully unaware as to the magnitude this car would generate. When she ordered it in late ’63, the song and ensuing hub-bub didn’t kick in until Sept. of ’64, so entirely possible. I bet even the line workers were amazed, as 32,450 GTOs were made, so a “regular” LeMans would be unusual. Pontiac sold 23,901 of these non-GTO LeMans, and you can bet down the line some, if not all became GTO clones after the song came out. I read this car cost about $2850 new, V8 was standard. With options shown, probably $3200, when a fully loaded ’64 GTO could go over $4grand. It’s an unusual find, for sure.
HoA-
I dont think granny ordered the bucket seat and center console shifter! I’m guessing a mid forties WW2 vet who didnt want to shift anymore as he grew up on crashboxes :) My second car after hitting the West Coast in 1978 was a canary yellow ’64 convertible….but with the slushbox shifter on the column! Heresy but I was young and in what was once the land of sunshine and hardbodies :) Anyhoo…….I think these are one of the cleanest designs of the LeMans years. Even with the slushbox this is one nice LeMans. I hope it wasnt parked on the uranium tailings down in Durango too long :)
Wow…I wasn’t born until after WW2, but did buy one with auto and the 4barrel…was a fun car..bought at 16….traded it in 67 for a 427 4 speed Corvette
And it’s a post car! I had a 64 Tempest a bit simpler like no carpet. But I should have kept that one, don’t think there was a bolt I didn’t touch. These early A body GM cars are easy to build as a lot of the latter A body parts are interchangeable. I had the orphan 428, BOP turbo 400 and 69 442 rear axle. Used Firebird variable rato steering box and biggest sway bars I could fit to it. Car was a great driver and drove it to the strip and ran 13.10 on street tires. With today’s aftermarket I know I could go to the next level with this. Too bad I am too old for anymore new toys, still have a couple to get through. Someone please take this car to the next level and don’t turn it into a tribute, more smiles per mile.
Too bad about that fender mounted mirror,it ruins
the clean lines of this car.Always wondered why anyone would
do something like that.Also,you can’t just open the window to
adjust it.
it appears that the fender mounted mirror isn’t totally unusual.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/riels/4290231968
there are many photos of 64 lemans with “normal” door-mounted mirrors, but at least a few with this. factory option?
so i see my comment was deleted.
it was there, now it’s gone. and trust me, it was benign. only a link to a picture of another lemans with a fender mounted mirror.
why? did i piss somebody off?
When Pontiac had the mirror on the front fender, it was remote control. The control was under the dash left of the steering column. Full size had this option, even for right hand side, too.
That was the deal with my ’63 Bonneville. Mirror on the fender, remote controlled. Cable, of course.
My dad’s 64 Impala had a fender mounted mirror. I thought that was pretty strange as a kid.
The Facebook links fo not work on any of these in the Android app. Pop up says go back or leave. Chosing leave comes back to here.
Nice, clean and best of all, it has been left as a base LeMans and not turned into yet another GTO “tribute.”
Beautiful LeMans and the only thing I would do is… red wall tires!! Oh 2 others. Add AC and replace the radio with those new models that has a m f m and satellite. Drive and enjoy going to car cruises etc. I remember the fender mounted mirror. My Dad had a Plymouth with one. My Mom got out and adjusted for my Dad so he can see what’s near him. Don’t know why they didnt put it near the side window like today. And I really hope nobody makes this into a GTO clone! Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
I agree with Big Bear on the red wall tires. But, not the radio. A better, and possibly more economical option, would be to have the radio upgraded to AM/FM/Bluetooth. It would look perfectly like original and look exactly like it should.
It’s a nice car. I always preferred the lower end models of anything. It’s why I have a 5.0 LX Fox instead of a GT.
I probably used to know this: If you bought an altitude car, what had to be done to go to sea level, or anywhere in between? Every vehicle made before computerized fuel injection had to deal with it. Did altitude cars come with richer jets in the glove box? (Kidding, sort of.) This one will run lean if it’s new owner is at sea level. It will ping itself to death.
It’s just BEAUTIFUL.
High altitude cars came with a step leaner jets and timing advanced. This is my favorite Tempest/LeMans body style. I would lovecto have this car.
This is not a Piwerglide transmission.It is a BOP (Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac) 2 speed automatic transmission. Yes, it does have some Powerglide parts inside. And take it from a guy that lived in the “Powerglide era” a standard Powerflide transmission would not stand up to a 389 3 duece engine more than 2 or three stoplight fun runs before shifts would turn into mush. Being an aggressive teenager I learned how to rebuild a Powerglide out of necessity just being behind a “modified” 283. The 2 speed BOP was no 350 or 400 Hydro. But it worked considerably better than the Chevy Powerglide. Just sayin’.
Yes Wayne you are correct and the proper name for that transmission was turbine 300 or super turbine 300. And it is much stronger then the power glide. It use the same clutch discs and band, but more of them, a bigger input shaft and stronger planetaries. No comparison. I see a lot of people call these a power glide.
reminds me of 1966 helping my pop clean maroon 64 lemans. what a great time to be a kid. nothing like the smell those old cars had back then. this a real nice lemans
GM should have ditched Buick and kept Pontiac. Still can’t figure that one out.
I agree with Big Bear on the red wall tires. But, not the radio. A better, and possibly more economical option, would be to have the radio upgraded to AM/FM/Bluetooth. It would look perfectly like original and look exactly like it should.
Nice car, hope it doesn’t get turned into a GTO. Pontiac was GM’s performance division in my mind. Shame they let it go.
Fender mounted mirror is to get rid of the blind spot for cars just back on the driver side isn’t it?
Don’t see that too much.
A Google search tells me that the Marmon Wasp race car was the first car to have a fender mirror, in 1911.
The Japanese mandated it in 1968 for better inner-city visibility, and withdrew the mandate in 1983. I guess Japanese eyes were better by then? lol
As a kid, I remember seeing Japanese cars in magazines with the fender mirror. The Japanese cars had them on the door here in the states.
My Grandfather worked for Marmon back then along with Cessie Cummins!
Quite the place to work back then. Gramps was a student at Perdue engineering classes at the time.
That is a nice looking Lemans, my fav year of Poncho A body. I have a car exactly like that! Well, not really, how many times do people say that? Mine came to NW Florida sometime late 70s with a 1977 California pink slip, and went into a garage for storage with a wore out 326. A couple years before I got it the owner put it outside under a tarp, which leaked on the driver’s side C pillar, resulting in a rusted area.
Even better, mine is a hardtop, has 326AT, factory AC, remote fender mirror, buckets and console. It has same blue interior as feature car, with light blue respray and white roof, originally dark blue. Has slight front end damage, and lower panels rust, but fairly solid. I have a running 69 Firebird 350/AT waiting to drop in it, maybe next summer when I move back to NE FL. I’m leaning toward keeping it stock, other than engine, and definatley not making a GTO clone.
Chuck Foster – great plan! I love the ’64-’67 GTOs, but this Lemans is far too rare and nice to lose its originality. And the 326 is a nice engine in its own right.