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Well-Optioned and Original: 1973 Pontiac Luxury LeMans

In one of my recent write-ups, I mentioned my write-up selection process includes the frequency of the year/make/model of the subject car’s appearance at BarnFinds. Well, I broke my own rule on this one as I wrote about another 1973 Pontiac Luxury LeMans a little less than 3-years ago. While that example was nice, I like this one a little more. I found it here on Craigslist in Waldport, Oregon with an asking price of $6,900.

Maybe everyone does this, but among all the different eras of car design, my mind tends to assign a certain “look” look to each. When I think of the mid-1970s, I immediately picture the colonnade-style cars from GM. They earned the “colonnade” nickname due to the A, B, and C pillars appearing as a row of columns among the frameless doors and windows. These “colonnade” cars were on GM’s A-Body platform, one which was wildly successful for GM.  From 1973-1977 Pontiac alone built nearly 700,000 A-body cars during the 5-year model run.

I’d take this car over the one I wrote about a few years ago primarily because of the Starlight Black exterior. I know it’s “harder to keep clean” but I contend the sleekness, depth, and furtiveness it offers far outweigh the car wash bills. I can’t yet determine if the photos make it look a little nicer than it may in person. The seller tells us there is “a little rust” (which is at least visible on the driver-side bottom corner of the rear windshield), the paint on the hood appears to be checking, and it looks like it once had a vinyl roof that is no more. The bumperettes really distract from the look of the rear but less so on the front. It’s at least nice to see the Rally II wheels on the profile view but the seller notes the tires are old.

Reason #2 I’d prefer this to the Desert Sand car: RED INTERIOR!!! Another polarizing preference, I know, but the more red the better, in my opinion. The high-back bucket seats — no extra charge on 2-door models — are in good condition and the carpet looks only slightly worn. The full-length center console carries some of the walnut-grained vinyl accents from the dash. This car has some nice features, including tilt wheel, 6-way power seats, power windows, power brakes, and power steering. It left the factory with air-conditioning, but it currently doesn’t work.

Under the hood is an optional 400 cubic-inch V8 that sends power to the rear wheels via the optional console-shifted automatic transmission. No indication is made whether this is the 2-bbl or 4-bbl unit, but regardless, it’s a step above the standard 350. The engine looks as you’d expect a 50-year-old engine to look but the seller claims its traveled less than 86k miles since new. It “runs and drives good” and has recently received a new fuel pump and tune-up.

All things considered, this looks like a decent 50-year-old car. A running, driving car that needs some small fixes here and there has a lot of appeal, especially at this price point. Is this one worth a restoration? Or would you drive and enjoy as-is?

Comments

  1. Avatar Azzura Member

    Great car. Great price. This one won’t last long!

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Sibis

    It’s definitely a 4 barrel. I can tell by the air cleaner.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Oldschool muscle

    I prefer the 1975 lemans sport coupe . My sister had, buckets and console.red with white interior and landaue roof . It was really nice …

    Like 0
  4. Avatar Martini ST

    Although it looks well kept mostly, that’s a coast car. The Oregon Coast is hard on cars.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Bill Pressler

    The triangular quarter windows, like on this car, look the best to my eyes of all the various styles. The car was designed with these windows….and you can actually see out of them!

    Like 3
  6. Avatar Moparman Member

    A luxury LeMans was the first “Colonade” car that I saw. It was just like this one, except it was (to me) a horrible beige-y color. I have come to like them more than I did at first, and I’d fix/repair/repaint and drive this one! GLWTS!! :-)

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Zen

    Nice car with nice options, it would be nice to have, too. As long as there’s no rust issues underneath. I remember coming across an old woman who had a 76 Pontiac just like it, low mileage, same engine, buckets and console and A/C, in great original condition because she kept it in her garage and didn’t drive in bad Long Island weather. She was the original owner, and it was milk-chocolate brown with a tan vinyl interior. I wonder what happened to it. I hope it didn’t go to a grandson or nephew who destroyed it.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Maggy

    Like the skirts.These were great handling and driving cars. This is a good price.I’d put dual exhaust on it and a paint job.Put a Hei in open the plug gap and tune the quadrajet.Probably needs primary shaft bushings by now.Set BFG t/a’s,repair whatever the ac needs I have plenty of r12, and cruise it.

    Like 2

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