NACA NACA: 1975 Pontiac LeMans GT
The fourth generation Pontiac LeMans was launched in 1973 during what is now known as the sunset of the muscle car era, but nobody told that to the Pontiac product planners. Ford was busy downsizing the Mustang and Chevy was changing their badges from US cubic inches to metric liters (seriously Chevy…?), but Pontiac was figuring out where they could put additional NACA ducts and designing the most badass tail lights ever. I still don’t understand why GM kept Buick alive and killed Pontiac during the 2008 Carpocalypse. Find this 1975 Pontiac LeMans GT offered for $15,900 in Dudley, MA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!
From the seller:
1975 PONTIAC LEMANS GT
condition: excellent
cylinders: 8 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
paint color: red
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: coupe
UP FOR SALE IS A VERY NICE LOW MILEAGE 41K PONTIAC LEMANS, 350 ENGINE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, POWER STEERING, AIR CONDITIONING, CRUISE CONTROL, FACTORY RALLY WHEELS WITH TRIM RINGS. PAINT, BUMPERS, FLOORS, TRUNK AND TRIM ALL IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. STILL HAS THE ORIGINAL SPARE WHEEL AND TIRE, NEVER MOUNTED!
THE CAR RUNS AND DRIVES LIKE NEW, A TRUE TIME CAPSULE!
See a better way to drive something red? tips@dailyturismo.com
I think the short answer is that if Pontiac had remembered how to build cars like this in the ’90s, they might not have been cut.
Just look at it – the aggressive styling was done through the sheet metal, not tacked-on plastic body cladding. The scoop may be a little over the top, but is functional. They maintain their “excitement division” reputation by sneaking 455s into things that the higher-ups didn’t approve of. Had they managed to keep their product lines better differentiated – and maybe had the sense to have maybe a “no product should be sold through more than two divisions” rule (seriously, does your “excitement division” need a minivan, or does Buick need an N-body?), they might have done better.
My step-brother has one similar to this with the 455 I believe. Sadly it’s been at least 10 years since he’s brought it out to a family gathering. Definitely lots of beast mode potential with these.
Those taillights are truly spectacular. So awesome.