For Sale: 1970 Pontiac LeMans in Ft Worth, Texas

Perhaps it is a mistake to think that the horsepower wars were starting to slow down by 1970, because this 1970 Pontiac Lemans Convertible Restomod makes a compelling case for great looks and high-performance. The distinctive styling offers a definite go-fast look and if you're a Pontiac fan, this car is a great way to have some top-down fun without a massive investment. With a strong 461 V8 stroker motor, a quick shifting Tremec 5-speed, and a host of great options, this droptop Poncho restomod is a super cool piece of vintage machinery.

This bright red ragtop looks to have always led a good life, which is a great place to start when building a restomod. As it was from the beginning, the Lemans and GTO shared a lot of DNA, but we're glad that the builders resisted the urge to slap 'GTO' badges all over this '70, because the LeMans was a great car too. The bright red paint was finished a few years ago and still looks great, offering a great shine and only minor signs of use. There are a lot of guys who like the look of the later cars with their Endura nose cones, and it looks particularly aggressive with the body-colored bumper/grille assembly, stock hood, and factory egg-crate grille inserts. They left the rear bumper chrome and didn't bother with any obnoxious decals or stripes (how many more fake Judges can the public really handle, right?), perhaps trying to keep this bright red ragtop from looking too conspicuous, and the clean lines and unadorned flanks definitely have their own special appeal. The chrome is good, particularly the distinctive Pontiac rocker panel trim adorned with '400' emblems, but other than that, there isn't a lot of brightwork on a '70 GTO, so you don't have to worry about it.

The elegant tan vinyl interior is full of fresh components that look very close to stock, and with that in mind, it's in great shape. A lighter color like tan is a great choice for a vehicle that's going to be in the sun all the time, and with firm, supportive springs in the seats and no blemishes to speak of, the cabin of this droptop is a great place to spend some time. The matching tan door panels are accented with a bit of chrome, as is the tan dash that features woodgrain appliques and Poncho-spec gold machined bezels, keep the interior from being a monochromatic overload and the combination is dashing yet sophisticated. There's also a middle console that is designed around the cue ball shifter that manages the Tremec 5-speed below, and the plush carpets are protected with heavy-duty mats. The banjo-style steering wheel is a leather rimmed unit that rests atop a tilt wheel for added comfort for the driver, and the original gauges just ahead of it are augmented by a trio of AutoMeter units installed neatly under the dash. An original-style AM/FM stereo still lives in the dash (although it is ready for an upgrade) and this car also has R134 A/C, power windows, and a power convertible top, all of which are nice finds in a vintage ragtop like this. The black power convertible top looks practically new and folds easily behind the back seat, and it comes with a tan boot that closely matches the shade of the interior's upholstery. Open the trunk and you'll be pleasantly surprised to find that it's fitted with a vinyl mat and a relocated battery inside a dedicated tray.

Now we get to the what really sets this LeMans apart: the 461 V8 motor under the hood. It started as life as a Pontiac 400 V8 short block, and was then fully rebuilt, blue-printed, and stroked into a 461 by the pros at Butler Performance, the same guys that built Lance Armstrong's famed GTO. Filled with high-end internals like a lopey Comp cam and chromed Edelbrock Performer aluminum heads, it's reported to easily produce 600 horsepower and similar torque. With a chromed Edelbrock intake manifold, dual Holley 4-barrel performance carburetor, and ceramic coated Ram Air exhaust manifolds, it's incredibly strong and reliable, snapping to life easily through an MSD ignition. Not only does it run superbly, but it's absolutely dressed for show, with a smoothed firewall and finished inner fenders that were painted to match the exterior, and chromed and polished billet components that really pop like the custom air cleaner and valve covers. A giant aluminum radiator with dual electric fans keeps the whole show nice and cool, and it sounds awesome through the X-pipe dual exhaust system and shorty Flowmaster-style mufflers. A quick-shifting Tremec 600 5-speed manual transmission feeds the original 10-bolt rear end, and power steering and power front disc brakes promote a very safe and enjoyable driving experience. You can see evidence of the good life everywhere you look underneath and those shiny American Racing Torque Thrust wheels are the right choice on this '70s hot rod and carry 215/65/15 front and 275/60/15 rear Goodyear Eagle GT II performance radials.

Beautifully restored with top-of-the-line components, this 1970 LeMans droptop restomod is about as slick as they come. Dialed-in and ready to rock, all this red beauty needs is a new owner. Call today!