At the risk of sounding like every hipster I’ve ever met, sometimes it’s better that you own something that nobody has seen in forever. You can strike upon the nostalgia the people have for whatever the object is, and be satisfied that the likelihood of them owning something like it is nearly zero. Make of that what you will for most things, but when it comes to cars, as an automotive enthusiast, if you have sought out a particular model…especially one that isn’t so loved…then you pretty much become a subject matter expert on the vehicle to friends and family. Not that you are, mind you, but you have the tangible proof that the car exists. You get to enjoy it. You start it, you smell the interior, you know what it does and doesn’t do anymore. Not them, you.
We are fans of GM’s Colonnade-style A-bodies, the intermediates made between 1973-1977. They are big cars, they can tuck a 315mm wide tire out back before you begin to think about rear tubs, the engine bays will take whatever you throw at them, they handle better than the 1968-72 models do, and the interiors span the range from muscle-car sparse to full-on Brougham luxury. You will still see Oldsmobile Cutlass Supremes roaming around, simply due to popularity, but Chevelles and Malibus are becoming rarer and rarer, Buicks aren’t often found, and Pontiacs from this era are all but hidden from view. So finding this 1973 LeMans for sale in North Carolina for $3,500 sounds like a deal. This isn’t an earth-shaker by any means: Pontiac 350 with an HEI conversion, automatic, and basic trim is the name of the game here. You can hold out for a rare 455-powered 1973 GTO if you wish, but good luck. The 350 might have been down on power a little, but it wasn’t anything like the later 1970s cars were. Pontiac still knew how to make useful torque and plenty of it.
As it sits, it’s a nicely aged 1970s coupe. A little spit and polish, and you’d have a beauty. And with $2,500 left over from our imaginary budget, that would go a long ways.
Craigslist Link: 1973 Pontiac LeMans
This thing would be cool with just set of non-white wall tires and some decent rims. I wish it wasn’t so close!
Seriously pondering what it would take to talk my wife into a road trip to NC to pick this one up. Might be a tough sell after the ’72 Chevy truck, though.
Though not a fan of the LeMan nose, it’s still the same body as the Grand Am. Wonder how far west in NC it is located. Decision, decisions?
I have a 75 for $1500
good looking cars…I’ve seen some done up real well over the years….tons of potential….lose the crappy sticker graphic….
I never gave these cars a 2nd look. In high school these were considered drive line donors for other projects. Now that I\’m in my early 40\’s I\’m starting to like the body lines and funky interiors. Of course now its more then a little difficult to find a nice clean one. I hope someone saves this one. Shame about the hole in the hood. Great foundation for a restomod, or clean it up and enjoy as a weekend toy. Thanks for posting these great finds.
Oh buddy, that car has divorce written all over it. That or a perfect match to a Bandit trans am….
Gee, I dunno, but, I get 15 hundred left when I do my maths, Nit picking, I know, I know, Just saying.
Yes, you do. There’s a reason why I write…I suck at math!
Looks like a good solid car, no wait is that a rust hole in the hood?
Thought that they were ugly back then. And yet…no, still ugly,
I had a 73 Le Mans Sport Coupe. It had louvers on the rear side windows. Maroon with black interior with a 400 under the hood. Sure wish I still had it. Was a fun car.
I HAD ONE IT WAS 1973 GT A HEAD TURNER DROVE GREAT AND THE GIRLS LOVED IT WHIS I HAD IT BACK BEEN LOOKING FOR ONE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS NOW HAVE A GREAT CUSTOM IDEA FOR IT
I have a 75 for $1500