1970 Pontiac LeMans (GT-37 Inspired)

1970 Pontiac LeMans

This GT-37 inspired '70 LeMans has had an extensive frame on restoration over the last 4-5 years. In that time it has been stripped and painted, had the entire drivetrain upgraded and rebuilt, and most of the interior replaced. It has also received many upgrades when being restored. This car recently won 2nd place Aug 3-5 2018 at the Pontiac Tri-power Nationals Event in Norwalk, OH in the ST-2b category ('68-'81 Tempest/LeMans/T37 & GT-37).

Body -

This Florida car was brought to Ohio to be treated to a complete makeover 4-5 years ago by the previous owner (PO). The front clip was removed, and the entire body was stripped to bare metal and was color changed to GM code 67 which is Castillian Bronze(PPG # 23215), a special order option color in '70 usually found on 71 A bodies. During the strip, the right quarter was found to have a sizeable dent on the body line that the PO did not want to fill again so it was removed and a new full quarter was added. This was the only original metal removed but not for rust issues. There was no rust through anywhere on the car to repair and it remains the same today. The floors and trunk are original and in excellent shape as well. The paint is very nice driver quality that changes color depending on light. This effect was not added, it is the nature of the color used. The bumpers have also been re-chromed or replaced which is a detail that is sometimes left out due to expense.

Interior -

The interior is black and contains bucket seats with column shift. It is a PS, PDB and A/C car with only the box remaining on the firewall. For the air conditioning. The current steering wheel pictured has been replaced by a stock '70 deluxe wheel and is not included in the sale nor is the under dash stereo. The bucket seats were recovered and new seat buns were added at that time. A new headliner and package tray were also installed during the restoration. Earlier this year, I restored the dash bezel, adding a factory non-working AM radio and factory rally gauges and tach as an upgrade.

The Drivetrain -

No restoration of a hot rod is complete without an upgrade to the drive train. The original 350 2 bbl. and TH350 were upgraded to a '70 YH code 455, TH400 with stall, and Auburn limited slip differential. The 455 was bored .030 to clean up the ridge and SpeedPro forged pistons were added to the stock rods with new bolts. The crank was polished and is still standard as this was a low mile engine to start with. The entire assembly was balanced. The camshaft chosen after much research was the from the new Lunati Voodoo line, it part number 10510704 HFT with Hylift Johnson flat tappets on a 104 CL.

Advertised Duration (Int/Exh): 276/284

Duration @ .050 (Int/Exh): 233/241

Gross Valve Lift (Int/Exh): .504/.527

LSA/ICL: 110/106

Valve Lash (Int/Exh): Hyd/Hyd

RPM Range: 2000-6000

The heads are '71 GTO casting #96 D Ports that were ported to Jim Hand's write up in the "How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V8s" book. The guides and springs were replaced and SS valves were added at that time. Induction is a stock gasket matched Pontiac four barrel intake with a later model 850 cfm Quadrajet. Exhaust consists of Ram air Restorations oversized factory cast iron headers and 2.5' mandrel bent down pipes to a Pypes X-pipe and Race Pro SS mufflers to 2.25 tailpipes. Cooling is provided by an upgraded aluminum radiator painted in Eastwood's radiator black to look stock.

The transmission is a TH400 that was rebuilt and a Hughes GM2500 stall was added. The power from this torque monster is put to the ground by a '71 GM 10 bolt 8.5, not the standard 8.2. An Auburn limited slip and new 3.73 gears were installed.

Other Upgrades include a quick ratio steering box, reproduction GTO hood, GT-37 (D98 Judge) stripe, exhaust splitters, and hood pins were installed along with period correct new Ansen Sprint Slots in 15x7 and 15x8 and 245/60/15 and 275/60/15 with white letter tires. All of this was inspired by the '70s time period and the '70.5 GT-37 features making this car very unique and look like you are back in the 70's. You will not see another one like it so be different...

Overall this car looks, runs and shows very well and you won't be disappointed. I'm sure I have missed some things but the car comes with an large folder of receipts from the PO and me. Please feel free to ask questions or for more pictures but please do not bid if you cannot afford it or don't have your finances sorted.

Here is a link to a walk around from late July:

https://youtu.be/OgZiiOL4-sQ