General Motors revamped all of its mid-size automobiles in 1973, going with a Colonnade styling approach that eliminated true hardtops (a safety thing). That included the Pontiac LeMans, which began as a “senior” compact in 1961, morphing into an intermediate in 1964. In 1972, the Luxury LeMans became the car’s top series, loaded with features to set it apart from the “everyman” LeMans. This 1973 edition is being offered out of a collection that appears to have quite a few vintage Pontiacs in its fold. Located in North Reading, Massachusetts, this pristine survivor is available here on craigslist for $17,999.
The Luxury LeMans debuted in 1972, the last year of the car’s third generation. It continued in 1973 and 1974 under the Colonnade design, then relinquished its status to the Grand LeMans in 1975. Nearly 34,000 copies of the Luxury LeMans coupe were produced in 1973 out of a universe of 205,000 LeMans in total. This beautiful example may have as few as 37,000 miles, which is why the collector may have once chosen it to be a part of his arsenal.
Original to this Canadian-built Pontiac is its Sunlight Yellow paint and gold interior. It sports rear fender skirts, something that was falling out of favor by the mid-1970s. The automobile has Ziebart undercoating, which may be a contributing factor to its apparent good health. The 350 cubic inch V8 and TH-350 automatic transmission are likely to be numbers-matching.
Cars like this are becoming scarce to find, as corrosion was common to these 1970s A-body GM cars. The photos provided don’t seem to do the car justice, taken while the auto was surrounded by its other vehicular friends. This Luxury LeMans could be one of the nicest ones left, so hopefully its next owner will continue to bestow upon it the kid glove treatment. Thanks for the tip, Tony Primo!
Correct me but that looks like a Chevrolet small block. Is this a Canadian model ? I know Canadian Pontiacs very often had Chevrolet drivetrains. Oopsy i just read the Craigslist and yes it’s a Canadian drivetrain
I was about to ask why it has a red engine. I am glad you found out why. I had a bunch of Pontiacs in the 70’s and never a red engine.
With that tapered rear end, those fenders skirts and the body lines, these Lemans’s actually luxury look to them.
Love that car!
When I was a kid, we had a 1973 4 door Lemans. Same hubcaps as on this car. I don’t know what possessed me, but the hubcaps were so shiny, and chrome, and we had some red spray paint, and I just had to give it a blast.
As soon as the paint hit the hubcap, I thought to my self “Oh No! What have I done??” and stopped. So there was just this initial circle of spray paint, and the dripping of a line or two of the red paint.
I remember just being so nervous that my dad would find out and kill me. But he never said a word.
Many years later (probably 20+), I mentioned it to him, and he had assumed that it was just some vandal.
That makes a lot more sense than what actually ran through the mind of a 6 year old!
The craigslist ad says this car has A/C, but it does not. That said, it’s a nice car.
Wheres the A/C none there…
This is an exact copy of the very first colonnade that I saw way back in ’73!
The seller states AC in the Craigslist ad but this vehicle clearly is not AC equipped. Though that doesn’t surprise me being as it was a Canadian built vehicle. Probably a less frequently selected option up north.
The height of the Malaise Era. You know things are bad, when GM comes up with something as homely as these “Colonnade” travesties.
Neat to see the difference in equipment on Canadian and upper tier States. No air on the lux trim didn’t make sense the farther south you live. I like the simulated pontoon fenders and quarters. The skirts blend in perfectly and the large rear window is cleaner than the opera glass. Cool old Pontiac.
My friends had a ’74 Luxury Lemans with the skirts an a/c. It does get hot in Mn.
I thought the skirts made the car look longer and more sleek. I had them added to my ’70 Caprice. Only thing is you have to pop them off before you wash the car.
I had ’em on my ’71 & ’72 Caprice, & my ’70 & ’73 98s. I’m good with them.
Can no longer afford fuel these days…
Really? That’s your takeaway? And BTW it will come down again. In the meantime, make more $$. For an extra 20.00/fill up it’s not that bad.
People said the same thing in the 70’s it’s all relative.
The original post, by a member non the less, mentioned that in part of his posting. That post is no longer here, yet the first picture posted , the one that inspired his coment, remains.
I find petrol to be too expensive these days also. Gosh kids, what can we do about it?
these really were not a good looking car the begin with and to pop the hood and see a SBC is really disappointing. good luck with the price. this is a hard 1 to sell. not a lot going for it but the low miles.
Does anyone remember the early/mid seventies game show, where the winning contestant in the final round would get to pick a key to try starting one of 5 new Pontiacs sitting on the studio floor? I always thought it was kind of a gyp because choosing the one car that would start was pure luck, no knowledge or skill involved. I guess the one saving grace was not winning the car meant you automatically came back, and if you made it each successive final round without a start, the prior day’s non-starting vehicle was eliminated. Five wins and a car was guaranteed.
Split Second
My brother had a “pedestrian” 73 Lemans, it had all of the same accoutrements except the fender skirts. Not seeing much luxury here.