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.