It is with some irony that the decade that arguably produced the best popular music ever — the 1970s — also produced the worst cars. You can thank (even more arguably) corporate entropy and hubris, combined with government regulation, for that. However, that does not mean cars from the 1970s are lacking in charm. Our Pick of the Day is one of those unusual cars that has both rarity and curiosity on its side, a 1975 Pontiac LeMans GT. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Clarkston, Michigan. (Click the link to view the listing)
When General Motors introduced its “Colonnade” series of A-bodies in 1973, it coincided with the regulation front bumper that severely affected styling. Most of the cars in the Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and Buick roster looked ungainly as a result. As such, the 1973 GTO came off quite poorly, lacking the strong styling that had been a trademark since its inception, and lacking the horsepower that it managed to carry even when low-compression engines were instituted in 1971. The Super Duty 455 was slated to be available but, due to emissions testing delays, it ended up being only used for the Firebird.
A companion to the GTO was the GT package for the 1973 LeMans, which had been available since 1970 as the GT-37 and, starting in 1972, LeMans GT. It was more of a cosmetic package that included three-speed floor shift, dual exhausts with chrome extensions, blacked-out grille, 14-inch white-letter tires on Rally II mags sans trim rings, sport mirrors, chrome wheel opening moldings, 3.23 gears, and “surfboard” longitudinal stripes with GT identification. The GT package was available on the two-door LeMans Coupe and the LeMans Sport Coupe (with the louvered rear window). Though literature doesn’t state it, it’s likely the standard engine for a LeMans GT was a 350 two-barrel.
For 1975, Pontiac upgraded tires and wheels to 15-inchers and added a NACA-ducted hood like what appeared on the 1973 GTO. The striping changed, now strobe-like decals along the lower body.
This 1975 Pontiac LeMans GT is a LeMans Coupe-based model painted in code 72 Roman Red with white striping and white interior with red components. It features a numbers-matching 350 two-barrel backed by a column-shifted Turbo-Hydramatic 350 automatic. Other features include a bench seat, air conditioning, AM radio, remote driver-side mirror, single exhaust (guess the package was decontented by ’75!), handling package, and PHS invoice.
“Ready to cruise!” says the seller. And that’s the thing about these Malaise-era “sticker” cars: they rarely were equipped with the 400+ cid engines so they’re perfect for cruising. And they’re perfect for the collector who’s tired of Mustangs. For $22,900, you will be the star of your local cruise or even your upcoming 50th high school reunion.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com.
Wow. Good luck sellin that white rhino. It’s in really great shape, but I didn’t know that they actually kept making those through 1975 when the 1973 Pontiac GTO was an utter failure with the same body. Gotta be someone out there that will want it what with people who want a one off.
Beautiful car… wonder if they put bucket seats with a console in those.
Both were options.
If you don’t give a rats a** about the EPA (it’s over 20 years old, they won’t test it anyway) lose the cat and put full dual exhaust on it. Won’t make it a speed Demon, but you’ll like the sound. The 73 GTO exhaust system will fit.
I think it’s a great car, despite hating the picnic table bumpers.
Buy it, keep it maintained and enjoy it. And this one has A/C so you can cruise in comfort.