Vehicle Description
1966 Pontiac LeMans
Way back in 1964, Pontiac revolutionized the auto industry with a
factory hot rod many consider the first American muscle car. It
was, of course, the Pontiac GTO and it was created by men called
DeLorean, Estes, Gee, Collins, and Wangers, who went around the
boardroom, outsmarted the bean counters, and tapped into the
pleasure centers of America's young minds. "It was an era of
cruising, picking up chicks, and picking up runs-American Graffiti
in the flesh," wrote Joe Oldham for Hemmings in 2014. "The greaser
still ruled the street, and what more perfect car for this guy than
a GTO?"
Built during the second week of May 1966, this rarer than a GTO car
has the similar power of a GTO, runs just fab, and is a 2-door
hardtop coupe. Built at the Framingham, Massachusetts plant, it had
original Cameo White paint and a black interior. A respray close to
Cameo White is now on this straight paneled stacked headlight front
beaked car, and the black vinyl interior is still there too. All
looking good and ripe for the taking here in the Hallowed Halls of
the Classic Auto Mall.
Exterior
The split front grille, with its Pontiac "beak" and dual stacked
headlights on either front corner is the quintessential format for
the Tempest come LeMans, albeit with a sprinkling of GTO badging
thrown in for good measure. A few faults in the respray, including
some overspray, a bit of touch ups, and slight cracking here and
there as well as visible rust at the tops of the rear quarter
panels, it holds its shine nicely, and looks really nice. All the
trimmings (window surrounds, wheel well surrounds, rocker covers,
vinyl top trim, bumpers and handles) are as nice as it gets, with
no dimpling or fading. Up top is a fade and crack free black vinyl
top, just the way it was born. On the back of the spacious trunk
are kidney bean shaped taillights with chrome accenting built right
into the rear panel, a nice bumper below, and dual exhaust tips
peeking out from underneath. One has to love the flying buttress
rear "B" pillars (AKA tunnel back) which frame a nearly vertical
rear glass just before dying onto the trunk deck. 15" Pontiac Rally
II wheels and BF Goodrich raised white letter tires have this car
firmly in the category of a sleeper. Looks like a grocery getter
with pizazz, but in reality....it can bite!
Interior
The black padded dash and bezels for instrumentation are fronted by
the original 2 spoke chrome trimmed steering wheel and column
shifter, and a pair of front buckets, in black vinyl. These buckets
appear nearly new and have smooth black bolsters and a nice
horizontal tuck and roll pattern divided by a vertical black
stripe. A rear bench stretches from side to side and matches the
front buckets in patterning but does have a tear at the top center
of the upper cushion. Black ribbed vinyl door panels decorate the
doors with the correct checkered flag LeMans badging in chrome.
Chrome delineation strips separate the vinyl from the black steel
above and black carpeting below. Speaking of black carpeting, it's
flooding the floors and presents in nice shape with only minor
soiling and is protected by rubber Pontiac arrowhead logoed mats.
Above is a tight black headliner with a working dome light.
Drivetrain
An Edelbrock 4-barrel topped 326ci V8 in blue with an Edelbrock
intake manifold, black valve covers, and a chromed Edelbrock air
cleaner assembly resides under the hood. All is looking clean
around this mill and in the engine bay. On the back is a 2-speed
Powerglide automatic transmission. Putting the power to the ground
is a 10-bolt rear axle. A new water pump and timing cover is noted
along with an upgraded ignition system.
Undercarriage
Rust free and nicely sound for the undercarriage frame, floor pans,
and rockers. Undercoating abounds and we note just the right amount
of patina and road dirt, but no invasive rust is seen. The front
end has been upgraded to power disc brakes along with tubular
control arms while in the rear we note power drum brakes and new
springs for the 4 link coil spring system which give a 2" lift. New
sway bar bushings are noted on the front end. Dual exhaust is in
charge of spent fossil removal along with a pair of Flowmaster
mufflers.
Drive-Ability
She drove like a dream, and performed well, all buttoned up for my
test drive. Straight stopping, good acceleration, and some power
under there coming from the new 4-barrel carb. Steering was smooth,
and functions save for the radio were working. A good experience
was had overall with a few frowns to note: The clock doesn't keep
time, the radio has given up on belting out tunes, the wipers
refuse to wipe, and the rear defogger is inoperable.
This non-GTO LeMans will not disappoint on the looks front, and the
performance front. Nice paint, good interior, and solid
undercarriage, with the 326ci V8 and you can look like you are
getting groceries, but in reality, you are on the prowl for a
victim! Rally II wheels and all, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or at
least in a Cameo White respray...
VIN DECODE
237176G116579
2-Pontiac
37-LeMans
17-2 Door Hardtop
6-1966
G-Framingham, MA Assy Plant
116579-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
05B-2nd Week May Build
ST 66 23717-1966 LeMans 2 Door Hardtop
BDY FRA7845-Framingham Body #
TR 223 3-Black Vinyl Buckets
PNT C2-Cameo White, Black Vinyl Top
W-Tinted Windshield
5Y-Deluxe Seatbelts
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.