Nice Respray/Excellent Chrome/New Interior/400ci V8/TH400 3-Speed

1964 Pontiac LeMans Sport Coupe

Le Mans has always had a distinctive set of traditions. The drivers race in teams, sharing just one vehicle. The famous “Le Mans Start” originally had drivers start outside their vehicles, run to their cars, start the engines, and drive off. This proved to be dangerous, so the procedure was changed in 1970. Drivers then began the race inside their vehicles with their safety harnesses already in place. In 1971, the rule changed again, with drivers beginning the race with a rolling start. This rule still stands today. Because of its treacherous course, Le Mans has become a test bed for road safety innovation, and it brings in the biggest field of automotive manufacturing companies. Some of the world's most famous competitors from around the globe have come to Le Mans to take on its demanding course.

For consignment a buttoned up version of the Pontiac LeMans from 1964. Several areas of this car have garnered recent attention like the 400ci engine with a mild cam inserted, Marina Blue paint, reupholstered interior, and new chrome Cragar wheels.

Exterior
We are early in the game here for the modern Pontiac so just a small beak is emerging on this dual horizontal headlight car. A shiny bumper below the split grille and a central trim piece complete the front end design, decidedly Pontiac, and a precursor of designs to come. Straight steel panels with well minded gaps form the shape of this 2-door sedan with nice paint throughout in PPG light Marina Blue paint with a clear coat. On the long hood, is a Pontiac arrowhead in slightly more purple hue as an accent to the hood bump. Rocker trimmings and window surrounds are beautifully preserved, and a row of vertical ribs shows well on either rear quarter just prior to the rear wheel well. On back the taillights are within a simple horizontal strip and are confined to the rear panel below the trunk. We will allow these lights to wander around the corners in later years of Pontiac design. LeMans Sport Coupe badging is seen and is all excellent. Shiny Cragar wheels are all around, and dual exhaust tips peek out from under the rear bumper.

Interior
Molded vinyl makes up the door panels and this emulates stitched panels, but alas is molded and looking really good. As does the seating which is in wide front low back buckets and a rear bench, all covered red in black vinyl with some chrome side trimmings accenting the seats in front. A small console races forward and houses a locked glovebox, and the ball topped shifter. The dash has been updated from the original, now presenting in a much lighter and airier feel. To obtain this look, brushed stainless steel is covering all panels of the dash front, and white faced gauges with chromed bezels are inserted. These are larger and much easier to read and have a very aesthetic layout mirroring either side. A Grant drilled billet style wood rimmed rally wheel is fronting this custom dash. The dash top is gray and slightly padded with no cracks or errors. Black carpeting floods the clean floors which have included sound deadening prior to carpeting, and above is a black headliner showing slight ripples but remaining overall tight.

Drivetrain
Not original to this car, but certainly welcomed change from the factory is now a 400ci V8 circa 1977-79. There are 6X heads on this engine, and a single 4-barrel carburetor atop. On back is a TH400 3-speed automatic and a 10-bolt rear axle. A new wiring harness and supple hoses abound under this arrowhead emblazoned hood.

Undercarriage
Pypes mufflers, new sway bar, new box trailing arms, power front disc brakes, power rear drums, and power steering there has been plenty of work performed on the underside to do some updating and performance enhancing. No road dirt or surface rusting seen, all shiny black structurally sound steel. A nice job underneath.

Drive-Ability
For a 1964 LeMans this car is a performer! A super quick starter, and on the test track it just wanted to go and go. Plenty of powerful acceleration, bias free braking, and good handling. All functions were working well on the control front, however the consigner states the speedo needs to be calibrated, tachometer is currently not working, and the fuel gauge calibration box has yet to be wired, with all these parts included.

With work done and care taken, we now have a fine example of the 1964 LeMans simple in its early design, plenty of upgrades including the engine, and transmission, and straight rust free panels with a snazzy new interior. True to LeMans tradition, speed is involved as well as endurance for this beauty from the mid 1960's.

VIN DECODE
824P272191
8-V8
2-Lemans 2 Door Sport Coupe
4-1964
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
272191-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
06E-5th Week June Build
ST 64 2227-1964 Pontiac Lemans 2 Door Sport Coupe
BDY PO19248-Pontiac Body #
TR 214-Black Vinyl
PNT N-N-Sunfire Red
ACC 2P 5Z 2P-Push Button Radio 5Z-Seat Belt Delete