Blue Boat: 1977 Pontiac LeMans Safari

Here are two words that don't go together. LeMans and Safari. LeMans is a city in France that hosts a prestigious 24 hour race for sports racing cars and a Safari is fun filled vacation for wealthy people where they stalk rare wildlife and get sand in their cargo pants.  Here is one more word that doesn't go with EITHER of those two -- Pontiac.  Pontiac is the late GM performance brand that had nothing to do with GT racing or hunting in the mid 1970s, but that didn't stop them from building something called the Pontiac LeMans Safari...because marketing.  Find this 1977 Pontiac LeMans Safari here on eBay bidding for $6200 with a few hours to go.

DT Trip Report: 2017 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion

It doesn't matter what they call it...the Monterey Historics, the Rolex Motorsports Reunion, the Laguna Seca Monster Jam or the Bay Area Histrionics -- this is the ultimate car show.  It starts with the dirt parking lot, that is this ridiculous collection of million dollar exotics and classics parked on mole hits, and continues to the track that is alive with the sounds of classic combustion.  See the full photo album here.

She's A Beaut Clark: 1977 Pontiac LeMans Wagon 6.0 LS

It seems today's car enthusiasts are a bit nostalgic for the station wagon.  Domestic automakers used to offer station wagons in many flavors. In the early 1990's, Ford introduced the Explorer and the SUV craze took hold leaving wagon fans in the hands of import brands Mercedes and Volvo.  Malaise era cars came with smog choked V8 engines that put out pathetic horsepower numbers.  However, the advent of the Chevy LS V8 engine has almost single-handedly breathed new life into these poor performers and created a lot of sleepers in the process.  Find this 1977 Pontiac LeMans wagon for sale in Staten Island, NY for $15,000 via craigslist.

Another Defunct Magazine Project Car: 1965 Pontiac LeMans GTO Wagon

The builder of this next car must have thought: Why should people without kids have all the fun? Those without a rowdy brood in the nest already have less stress, more sleep, a clean house, and money in the bank --why should they get to have all the fun on wheels too?  Let's build a classic hot rod that can haul ass or stinky ass kids.  Find this 1965 Pontiac GTO Wagon here on eBay bidding for $12,600 reserve-not-met with 5 days to go, located in Mineola, NY.

Big Block Brawler: 1972 Pontiac LeMans

If you are going to drive a crusty old car, it might as well be something American with a huge gas-guzzling V8 mounted up front.  You might not get voted debutante of the party at the next concours d'Eggsalad, but you should enjoy the miles of black stripes laid on top of tarmac. Find this 1972 Pontiac LeMans offered for $7,900 in Silverdale, WA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Against All Odds: 1988 Porsche 924S LeMans Special Edition

A few years from now, someone is going to stumble onto this post...and I think he/she is going to say -- wow, remember when these were this cheap?  It will be the internet equivalent of stumbling onto a collection of vintage Autotrader magazines today, and I just can't see a special edition of any 1980s Porsche being relegated to cheap car hell for eternity?  Find this 1988 Porsche 924S LeMans Special Edition here on eBay bidding for $3,583 reserve-not-met and $6,995 buy-it-now located in Bohemia, NY.

Coffee Brake: The Greatest Show on Earth -- The LeMans Classic

Coffee Brake: Automotive group events come in many different shapes/sizes, the smallest/easiest being the local Saturday morning Cars & Coffee event, but slightly larger and more organized events happen on Friday evenings and Saturdays throughout the sunny season(s).  However, there are a few events that eclipse even the best local or regional car show -- events that should be on every gearhead's bucket list.  In the USA, these events include the Woodward Dream Cruise in Metro Detroit and the fantastic Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca, but...I have to tell you, there is somewhere better, an event that is so awesome, it only happens once every two years and folks travel from thousands of miles to attend -- it is the LeMans Classic. (This year's event is 8-9-10 July, 2016).

17 Feet of Freedom: 1970 Pontiac LeMans Wagon

This next feature comes as a tip with full commentary from Andy L:  For many of us belonging to a certain age group (old), there are a set of fond memories surrounding a giant station wagon.  Mine revolve around a certain car belonging to my aunt and uncle who lived down the street and had eight kids.  I am a car guy and I cannot remember the make, year or model of their boat.  I do remember it was green, the way it smelled, and the texture of the carpet in the far back where we used to ride. I also remember getting inside on summer days and feeling the blazing hot vinyl and, hotter still, those useless metal square stalks with buttons that sprouted from between the rear seats.  Find this 1970 Pontiac LeMans Wagon offered for $6,500 in Vermillion, SD via craigslist.

 

The Temptress: 1966 Pontiac Tempest LeMans

I just don't understand the classic car market sometimes.  There is a derelict '55 Porsche 356 Speedster bidding for $150k on eBay right now (with an unmet reserve...) and I just don't understand who'd drop that kind of cash on a car that needs a total rebuild.  Sure, after dumping $100k into the car you might have a Speedster that'll sell for $500k, but I just don't understand who are the folks with deep pockets bidding these things into beach front condo levels.  For my money, if I'm going to get a barn find it'd better be cheap...like this 1966 Pontiac Tempest LeMans here on eBay bidding for $6,400 with 3 days to go, located in Macedonia, OH.

Friend of Seller: 1978 Pontiac Grand LeMans

This next feature comes as a "friend of the seller" submission from Scot C, who writes: G body Grand LeMans- driveway find, [my driveway]. With harsher weather on the horizon he would like to see it in the hands of another ambitious owner. Runs and drives perfectly.~ A well kept '78 Pontiac, great driver/project for sale by my roommate/tenant/sometime mechanic/buddy of 30 years. Under four thousand, make reasonable offer. More pictures on request.  Find this 1978 Pontiac Grand LeMans offered for $3,999 near St Louis, MO via craigslist.

10k: Rag Top, Clean Bottom: 1970 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible

The third generation Pontiac LeMans was built from 1968 through 1972 on GM's A-platform shared with the Chevrolet Chevelle, Chevrolet Monte Carlo, Oldsmobile Cutlass, Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick Special.  It was a lineup of mid-sized sedans that filled the driveways of America before the invasion of the imports.  Find this 1970 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible offered for $12,900 in Weston, CO via craigslist.  Tip from dascpcu.

5k: 1 of 1377: 1977 Pontiac Can-Am LeMans Sport Coupe

In 1977 Pontiac released a special edition of their mid-sized LeMans known as the Can-Am and only available as a 2-door coupe.  Internet data pegs the total production at 1377 units in the only model year they were sold, and the last one we featured was a $20k beauty.  This one is a little bit rusty and lot bit junky, but the price is right.  Find this 1977 Pontiac Can-Am Lemans Sport Coupe offered for $6,500 in Blue Springs, MO via craigslist. Tip from Lee.

5k: Special Ed: 1988 Porsche 924S LeMans

Do you yearn for the prestige of owning a rare car without the downsides of fabricating your own spark plugs from scratch?  There is an easy way to get the best of both worlds, just pickup a special edition of a mass produced car.  You now get a supply of junkyard parts, healthy aftermarket, and that fuzzy tingly feeling of owning something special....or your psoriasis acting up again.  Porsche built over 150,000 examples of the Porsche 924, but only 900 left the factory (500 headed for the USA) as the LeMans special edition.  Find this 1988 Porsche 924 LeMans special edition here on eBay currently bidding for $4,250 reserve-not-met with 4 days to go, located in Washington, D.C.

5k: Missing Half Yer Engine: 1963 Pontiac LeMans Convertible

 The first generation Pontiac LeMans was a top of the line spec of the Tempest when it was launched in 1961.  The LeMans/Tempest was later famous for being the platform that John DeLorean (with engineering help from Russell Gee and Bill Collins) turned into the GTO, but first it was the home of a lumpy half baked engine called the Trophy-4.  Find this 1963 Pontiac LeMans here on eBay currently bidding for $3,966 with 1 day to go, located in Simi Valley, CA.

15k: GTO Judge Styled: 1971 Pontiac LeMans Wagon

The Pontiac GTO was an intermediate sized muscle car built on GM's A-platform, available as a coupe, hardtop or convertible.  The ultimate version of the 2nd generation GTO was the optional Judge package, which added a ram air hood to a high power 455 V8 and some gaudy badges.  Unfortunately the GTO was never available as a wagon, but that didn't stop someone from building one.  Find this 1971 Pontiac LeMans Wagon currently bidding for $12,445 reserve-not-met on eBay, located in Los Angeles, CA with 2 days to go.

10k: Ain't No Lemon: 1969 Pontiac LeMans

The holy grail of classic car finds isn't the mud-covered Shelby in the garage or the mint condition low mile E-type that will live inside a living room with the owner contemplating pulling a Ferris Bueller after driving to the local mini-mart.  The true great finds are classic iron, in good condition, with decent paint, good original or lightly modified engines, seat belts and functioning AC found for less than the price of a 3 year old used Kia.  Find this 1969 Pontiac LeMans for sale in Platte City, MO currently bidding for $7,600 with a few hours to go.