Vehicle Description
1964 Pontiac LeMans
Le Mans has always had a distinctive set of traditions. The drivers
race in teams, sharing just one vehicle. The famous "Le Mans Start"
originally had drivers start outside their vehicles, run to their
cars, start the engines, and drive off. This proved to be
dangerous, so the procedure was changed in 1970. Drivers then began
the race inside their vehicles with their safety harnesses already
in place. In 1971, the rule changed again, with drivers beginning
the race with a rolling start. This rule still stands today.
Because of its treacherous course, Le Mans has become a test bed
for road safety innovation, and it brings in the biggest field of
automotive manufacturing companies. Some of the world's most famous
competitors from around the globe have come to Le Mans to take on
its demanding course.
For consignment, a buttoned up version of the Pontiac LeMans from
1964. A former Wyoming car, several areas of this car have garnered
recent attention like the fresh 455ci V8, the upgraded suspension
and brakes, some new interior parts and new 17" wheels. Otherwise,
this car presents exactly as it was built but with patina abounding
giving this LeMans the perfect "rat rod" look all the while
performing like a tried-and-true muscle car.
Exterior
We are early in the game here for the modern Pontiac so just a
small beak is emerging on this dual horizontal headlight car. A
shiny bumper below the split grille shows with some rust spotting,
loss of luster and general patina to match the body, and a central
trim piece completes the front end design, decidedly Pontiac, and a
precursor of designs to come. The original steel panels with
acceptable gaps form the shape of this 2-door coupe with patinaed
paint throughout in factory-applied Alamo Beige paint with a
recently added clear coat. This body presents with paint loss,
spotty surface rust along with dings and ripples in the metals, but
very little rust bubbling is seen. On the long hood, a Pontiac
arrowhead has lost its red paint but is still an accent to the hood
bump. Rocker trimmings and window surrounds are beautifully
preserved, and a row of vertical ribs shows well on either rear
quarter just prior to the rear wheel well. On the back the
taillights are within a simple horizontal strip and are confined to
the rear panel below the trunk. We will allow these lights to
wander around the corners in later years of Pontiac design. LeMans
badging is seen as are checkered flag 326 emblems on the leading
edge of the front fenders. Alamo Beige steel wheels with a red
pinstripe at the outer edge are all around in 17" format and wear
like new 235/50R17 blackwall rubber, and dual exhaust tips peek out
from under the rear bumper.
Interior
Molded vinyl in Saddle makes up the door panels and this emulates
stitched panels, but alas is molded and looking really good. As
does the seating which is in wide front low back buckets and a rear
bench, all covered Saddle vinyl with some chrome side trimmings
accenting the seats in front. These seats, as well as the rear
bench present in overall nice condition with a few split seams
appearing from age and use. Growing from the hump between the front
bucket seats is a chrome handled and white ball topped Hurst
shifter. The original brown steel dash has been retained and the
correct 4 round gauge pods loom underneath the eyebrow like dash
top. These gauges sit in a ribbed brown panel which stretches
across to the center of the dash and holds the heater/defroster
slides as well as the original AM radio. Down low on the dash and
encompassing the glovebox is more steel in a taupe finish and more
LeMans badging. The original 2 spoke taupe finished steering wheel
is fronting this dash and down below in a chrome bezel are a pair
of aftermarket white faced gauges. Saddle/gold carpeting floods the
floors and we note that seat belts have been installed, and above
is a beige headliner remaining overall tight. As a point to note,
aside from the seat belts and carpeting this interior is all
original, just the way it left the Kansas City assembly plant.
Drivetrain
Not original to this car, but certainly a welcomed change from the
factory, is now a 455ci V8 circa 1975-76. This engine has had a
recent freshening and was treated to a beautifully applied coating
of Pontiac blue paint. It is topped with a single Holley 4-barrel
carburetor underneath a chrome louvered air cleaner assembly. On
the back is a Tremec 5-speed manual and a 10-bolt Safe-T-Track 3.23
geared rear axle. A clean wiring harness and supple hoses abound
under this arrowhead emblazoned hood.
Undercarriage
Pypes mufflers, headers, new sway bars, new box trailing arms,
power 4-wheel disc brakes and power steering are present and show
that plenty of work and planning was performed on the underside to
do some updating and performance enhancing. Plenty of patina shows
on the heavily surface rusted but strong frame and a light coating
of surface rust is present on the flooring. Independent coil spring
suspension with tubular arms is on the front and in the rear, we
see a new 4 link system with coil springs that give this classic
Poncho the perfect stance.
Drive-Ability
For a 1964 LeMans this car is a performer! A super quick starter,
and on the test track it just wanted to go and go. Plenty of
powerful acceleration, bias free stop on a dime braking, and good
handling. All functions were working well on the control front and
accessory front and the power steering system has just been gone
over to correct a nuisance leak. Cruising at speed was wonderful
thanks to the 5-speed manual transmission and when I got goosey
with my boot the rear tires broke free with ease. 5 smiling thumbs
up here!
With work done and care taken, we now have a fine example of the
1964 LeMans simple in its early design, plenty of upgrades
including the engine, and transmission, and a rat rod patina finish
that is to die for. True to LeMans tradition, speed is involved as
well as endurance for this beauty from the mid 1960's.
VIN DECODE
824M11116
8-V8
2-Lemans
4-1964
M-Kansas City, MO Assy Plant
11116-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
02D-4th Week February Build
STYLE 64 2227-1964 Lemans 2 Door Sport Coupe
BODY KC2511-Kansas City Body #
TRIM 216-Saddle Vinyl Buckets
PAINT RR-Alamo Beige
W-Tinted Windshield
2M-Powerglide
G-Console
P-Am Radio
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
