1967 Pontiac Le Mans GTO Tribute

Description

All too often we get caught up in pedigrees and values when we talk about old cars, losing sight of the core of the hobby: having fun in an old car. So I'll tell you up front that this 1967 Pontiac Lemans is a GTO lookalike, it doesn't have a matching numbers engine, and isn't a trailer queen. However, it is a great V8-powered convertible with an awesome look and plenty of performance, all for a bargain price, which really is what the hobby should be about.

The bright red paint was sprayed not too long ago and shines up well. It's a great red, not too orange and not too bright, but a classic ragtop red that demands attention wherever it goes. You will find it utterly impossible to keep a low profile in this car and every place you stop, you'll find people are anxious to talk to you. Sound like fun? It is. And when they get up close, they'll find a pretty darned nice car, too, with good gaps, straight bodywork, and a very blurry line between Lemans and GTO. Let them make up their own minds about it, because you'll be having too much fun driving to worry about it. The small hood scoop, mesh grille inserts, and, of course, the badges, all scream GTO and the 1967 models are arguably the best-looking of the '60s. The chrome and brightwork are mostly original, so there's some age visible just about everywhere, but I don't think anyone will complain when they see this car in person. It's got a lot of charisma.

The black bucket seat interior plays its role, too, with extremely nice seat covers done in the original style. New black carpets and correct GTO door panels help with the illusion, and all Pontiacs had great-looking instrument panels with round gauges. These appear to be original and cover the basics, and they're framed by a woodgrained applique that's bright and crisply rendered. Auxiliary gauges, including an oversized tachometer, have been mounted down low just above the console, so they don't interfere with the overall look but offer a lot more useful information for the driver. The factory AM radio remains in the dash, but there's also a modern AM/FM/CD stereo head unit stashed in the glove box, so you have modern sounds without the modern look, a nice feature. The black convertible top is in good shape and seals up well, and the trunk is outfitted with a carpet swatch and a reproduction mat.

That 400 cubic inch V8 isn't original to the car, but it sure makes GTO-like sounds and horsepower. Dressed in Pontiac Turquoise and wearing chrome dress-up parts, it has a performance look and it does indeed run extremely well. A big aluminum radiator keeps it cool and the brakes have been upgraded to a dual master cylinder with power assist. The chassis is original, save for new sway bars, a recent dual exhaust system, and a new gas tank out back, and it drives superbly without that loose feeling of a neglected car. Flashy Cragar SS mags are a period look and carry 235/60/15 BFGoodrich T/A radials.

This car deserves consideration simply because it eliminates all the usual headaches for a potential buyer. It's just a clean, fast, fun old ragtop, and for a lot of guys, that's exactly the right choice. Call today!