[OVERULD]

Mike,
I'm not sure either one of us would have survived having that car at age 17. It is still wicked-fast and as a friend once told me - "If you floor it, you better have a plan!"

As a former Air Force guy myself, I feel the car is being kept in fine company and I often let it feed on its need to run! It is especially fond of this dense, colder air of winter - perfect for Ram Air.

BJ

[robz]

Originally Posted by firstyearta

My 1972 Pontiac LeMans Sport



My grandmother bought this car brand new in 1972 From Packer Pontiac in Miami, Florida. Traded in her 1970 LeMans for it. I now own it.

Here's the car she traded in on it:


Here's me with that car in 1970:


The original color is Cardinal Red.

As for the odd vinyl top... From what I can figure out... the white top was added by the dealership. The PHS shows no vinyl. It was originally vinyl but it now just painted white. I suspect this was a Florida thing. Ever seen another like it? You can see the top was like this the day she brought it home in June of 1972 in this picture:



My Grandmother loved this car and took excellent car of it over the years she had it. She put about 250K miles on the car. It was her only source of transportation from 1972-2002 It has been repainted, but almost everything else is original (even the hubcaps are the originals).

Here she is with it a few years before she passed away:


Here's a shot of me on Christmas morning in about 1981 with the car. I was told to take all the wrapping paper trash out to grandmas car and she was going to take it home and put in her dumpster. When I opened the trunk I found myself a brand new bike.



I have fond memories of this car. in 1972 I drove from Florida to Utah with her in it right after she bought it. I can still remember that none of the kids were allowed in the car till they removed their shoes. Apparently that was a good call seeing as though all the interior is still original. Even the dash pad is still perfect:

Your pics always bring a huge smile to my face, Kenny...First time I see the one with your grandmother...Very kewl indeed...:-)

[monsterflake]

Originally Posted by firstyearta

As for the odd vinyl top... From what I can figure out... the white top was added by the dealership. The PHS shows no vinyl. It was originally vinyl but it now just painted white. I suspect this was a Florida thing. Ever seen another like it? You can see the top was like this the day she brought it home in June of 1972 in this picture:

my 1st car was a '68 chevelle with the same type of dealer added vinyl top. not necessarily a florida thing, just an easy way for the dealership to add a little extra to the final price tag.

the aluminum trim was riveted to the roof in about the same spot yours was. no need to add the factory trim or remove the rear window molding, just glue it down into the gutters and finish it off with some generic aluminum strip.

[james47]

heres my72 lemans right now the motor is out an a 71 455 is going in will be done in the nextfew weeks. its a cloned gt-37 it was lucy blue an will be again. wont let me add the pics but they are in my profile sorry

[GTO71]

My 71

[lazlo]

me likey...

[goatmanmitch]

x2!

[Pontiacmuscle]

Heres pics of the car after my father-in-law bought the car and restored it...not sure if I posted them or not.....

[Jack Peters]

I don't either, but doesn't matter. Love the gold......

[The Boss]

NICE!

[Bentwheelbob]

Only in West Virginia...

My admin at work this morning emailed me a picture of a 1971 Lemans creation she photographed just yesterday at a Clendenin, WV Dairy Queen. Believe it or not, the hardware sticking out of the hood is a diesel engine. It sort of takes your breath away.

[GETRIDAONE]

If you look close it has a Moon Roof and the Diamond Tuck package tray rolls down like there is no back seat in it ? That car has the "COOL" dripping right out from underneath it.

[Bentwheelbob]

You've got better eyes than me. I talked to my admin and she has verified that there is no rear seat. She also has just admitted that the car is owned by a relative. This is getting scary...Attached is a clipping from some type of local newletter with a short highlight of the cars history and mechanical composition. The attachment is a pdf, so let's see what happens.

71 GTO UFO2.pdf.

[PMDRACER]

800hp, 0-100 in 3 seconds. Just pegged my BS meter. What an abomination. Poor car!

[goatless]

Originally Posted by PMDRACER

800hp, 0-100 in 3 seconds. Just pegged my BS meter. What an abomination. Poor car!

Yup! That was my reaction too!
I was wondering if it was on a truck chassis when I first saw the picture. I guess we know the answer now.:roll eyes:

0-100 in 3 seconds?!?! I'd like to see some time slips on that one!

[DIYGuy]

Ok, I'll throw mine into the ring...

1970 Lemans Sport convertible, Palladium Silver (Maaco repainted over same color by previous owner, decent paint but not great.)



We bought it in 1996 from a guy in Petaluma, Calif. (a small-time local used car dealer) who had bought it from the original owner (papers seem to validate this claim) - the original owner was supposedly a Fremont GM factory worker, car was built in Fremont and according to PHS it was sold by Cunha Pontiac in Berkeley.

After using it as a daily driver for many years, it sat in my workshop starting in 2003, due to a variety of factors. I pulled the front clip because the engine compartment was a complete mess (see first pic in gallery) and planned a firewall-forward resto. Though a mess, everything was there - all original as far as I could tell; numbers-matching 350/2bbl engine and TH350 transmission. All original parts/accessories were there (a pleasant surprise.)

Then I decided to update the front suspension and front drum brakes, and then... well, long story, but let's just say I put the project on hold a couple of times.

I had it all together about five years ago but the 455 build I transplanted didn't work out due to abject stupidity on my part so it never made it back on the road. After that, I let it sit for years due to various distractions, but I recently re-assembled the factory 350 "quick and dirty" and stuffed it back in to the bay. (Runs great, by the way...)

The goal was (and is) to introduce 'reversible' modifications that will improve the 'driveability' but won't destroy the value of the car in the future. This is a daily driver and not a show car so the priority is practicality above other things, but still trying not to deviate too far from original appearance... perhaps with the exception of stance and wheels/tires

Now that the kids are up and out, it's time to get the old girl back on the road. (Shhh... don't tell the wife but it's our 30th wedding anniversary late August and having the Lemans fully functional is my present to her...)

So, just got it registered and insured the other day, followed by a few shakedown cruises. Handling and brakes are much better than before. Next improvement is to choose new wheel/tire combo..

[DIYGuy]

Here are a few more recent photos to go with the previous post.

[2002Z4CSS]

Here is my early 1971 GT-37.

[2002Z4CSS]

Another recent pic. 15'' ralley II's and lanyards cables.

[Jack Peters]

That GT is looking good. Drive, drive, drive.