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Too Far Gone? 1964 Pontiac LeMans Convertible + Parts Car

For 1964, the Pontiac Tempest/LeMans series would be promoted from compact to intermediate status and retain their individuality. The GTO would arrive mid-model year and kick the muscle car movement into high gear. From Montrose, Pennsylvania, this seller is offering two Pontiacs from ’64: a LeMans convertible (considered the primary car) and a Tempest sedan (considered the parts car). The LeMans, at least, looks pretty far gone, so we wonder if its feasible to try to restore it. The pair are available here on eBay where the no reserve auction sits at $1,925.

As we piece the story together from the seller, apparently both the LeMans and Tempest found their way into a rather shabby barn about 30 years ago. The LeMans was towed in, while the Tempest was driven in. Fast forward from 1990 to now and the convertible is a mess. We don’t see much of the Tempest, but it can’t have fared much better.

We’re told the Lemans is a one-owner convertible and was ordered with a lot of stuff that would parallel the GTO, except for the powerplant. The car has a 326 cubic inch V-8 (we assume 4-barrel), 4-speed manual transmission with a hurst shifter, posi-traction rear-end, heavy duty suspension, and a heavy-duty radiator. It’s said to be dark blue in color with a light blue interior and top, but you can’t tell based on the decades of dirt and junk piled on top of it. This LeMans convertible would have been one of 11,773 made in 1964.

Information on the Tempest is sketchier. It has the “base” six-cylinder engine, which could be either 215 or 230 cubic inches, the difference being the latter would have an overhead cam and more horses.  Despite being two body styles, the LeMans and Tempest shared a lot of components, so perhaps some of the parts from one could be moved over to the other. The seller refers to the Tempest as a hardtop, but standard or deluxe versions only came in coupe configurations. It would likely be one of 12,598.

So, if you were to go fetch both cars with the goal of restoring the convertible, would you be getting into a project that would involve taking out a second mortgage? Is either of the cars, especially the LeMans, worth saving or has Mother Nature taken over, making this infeasible? Thanks to Pontiac Registry for the production stats.

Comments

  1. Avatar Al_Bundy Member

    Such a strong presentation by the seller… Seeing it is a no reserve auction, can’t be critical of a ridiculous asking price. Interesting watch at least.

    Like 5
  2. Avatar Dan H

    From the Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau.

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Keith Hall

    Overcam 6 cylinder wasn’t installed by Pontiac until 1966!

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Phlathead Phil

    There are some “Barn Finds” you don’t mess with.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar George Mattar

    I live 40 minutes from this Titantic. Not worth my time.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Farhvergnugen Member

    Wow. A new field – Coal Mine Finds. Rust in Piece.

    Like 2
  7. Avatar Cadmanls Member

    What a mess, can’t see wasting time and money to get them out of whatever they are parked in. The corrosion in the last picture says it all. Convertible was driven in, the day after someone crashed the front end. Where did the top go.

    Like 1
    • Avatar DON

      I guess the top just rotted away

      Like 2
      • Avatar Stan Marks

        Don, Just the top??????? LOL!!!
        I would be ashamed, advertising these wrecks, here on Barn Finds Hire someone to haul them away to the crusher..
        .What are these people thinking? Have they no shame?
        What’s funny is, the parts car is no better than the convertible.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar James Martin

    Seriously. I seen mopars go for 6 figures in just as bad if not worst shape. Maybe to far for restore but parts can’t be wasy to find. So 2000( so far) worth it!

    Like 3
  9. Avatar Norman McGill

    Had a white LeMans convertible brand new in 64 and it was a great car. had a lot of fun cruising the beach with it. Bucket seats with console shifter and AC. About $3500 back then.They must not have lasted very long as I seldom see one any more. The GTO’s however are all over the place for big bucks so maybe they were made better. Hard to figure. I’d go $400 for both of these for the parts only.

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Charles Sawka

    The little tractor in front of the car is more worthy of restoring.

    Like 2
  11. Avatar Marko

    Both appear to be part cars at best. The 326 is good strong motor, and a rare 4 barrel might/would? Make it an HO version, I believe. Unfortunately, less than GTO numbers could not justify the extreme costs of a done right restoration. I am a big Poncho fan.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Stan Marks

      I don’t see any quality parts, from either wreck.

      Like 0
  12. Avatar Mike

    A parts car at best. And a terrible parts car at that. Every single piece of this car needs total restoration or replacement.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar CaCarDude

    Grab a hardhat and bio hazard suit and get these out of that very dangerous makeshift building, These both are very good parts cars only, the Lemans drivetrain and body parts worth the buy in at current price. I had a ’64 Lemans sport coupe (post car) back in ’70 it was by far one of my best ever cars. Had a built up 326 4 spd muncie, could run the 1/4 at lo 13’s. Wish I still had that car today. These old A bodies are getting harder to find for parts so these could be recycled to help a few others.

    Like 0
  14. Avatar gaspumpchas

    Parts cars with the 326 4 speed. Good luck, get your tetanus shot!!!
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Slickimp

    What a cyrin shame

    Like 0

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