Nice Respray on Straight Steel/Healthy 455ci V8/TH400 3-Speed/Nice GTO Tribute

1965 Pontiac LeMans Coupe

Way back in 1964, Pontiac revolutionized the auto industry with a factory hot rod many consider the first American muscle car. It was, of course, the Pontiac GTO and it was created by men called DeLorean, Estes, Gee, Collins, and Wangers, who went around the boardroom, outsmarted the bean counters, and tapped into the pleasure centers of America's young minds. “It was an era of cruising, picking up chicks, and picking up runs—American Graffiti in the flesh,” wrote Joe Oldham for Hemmings in 2014. “The greaser still ruled the street, and what more perfect car for this guy than a GTO?”

Originally built as a LeMans sleeper the black plate California car has been transformed into a GTO tribute car. New drive train, suspension and brakes make it a tight, fun fast car to drive, and no one will be the wiser! Unless they look at the GTO badging!

Exterior
The split front grille, with its Pontiac “beak” and dual stacked headlights on either front corner is the quintessential format for the Tempest come LeMans come GTO. A new respray, in Turquoise, is looking very nice bathing the straight rust-free steel panels with well minded gaps. A few sanding scratch marks are noted throughout, some clear coat drips, and slight cracking of the paint around the wheel wells can be seen when looking closely. All the trimmings (window surrounds wheel well surrounds, rocker covers, bumpers and handles) are as nice as it gets, with no dimpling or fading. On the back of the spacious trunk is a stainless ribbed bands stretching from side to side, and on either corner a taillight within the banding. A nice bumper below, and dual exhaust tips peeking out from underneath. One has to love the rear glass “B” pillars with their sporty rake rearward to meet up with the trunk lid. American Racing Torque Thrust 2 wheels are on all 4 corners, and these are wrapped in BF Goodrich G-Force T/A rubber. Looks like a grocery getter, but in reality….it it will leave your competition in the bag.

Interior
The original dash now sports a solid metal panel painted in turquoise and peppered with round C2 Autometer white faced electronic gauges. In the remainder of the dash front, a new stereo with an MP3 hookup and a 1500 watt amp is neatly installed for your listening pleasure. Some temp sliders looking like the originals float in the panel above the radio. Turquoise padded vinyl tops this dash, and it is showing off with no cracks and a fine shine. Turquoise vinyl with an angled stitching insert pattern and smooth bolsters with turquoise piping make up the two wide front buckets, and large comfy rear bench. Racing through the center is a stainless and black center console housing a Hurst ratchet shifter. Fronting the dash is a banjo style steering wheel with chromed center and cream grippy outer ring. New blue (turquoise) carpeting and door panels are also seen within these nice interior confines. Above is a light gray headliner nice and tight and a slight staining on the passenger rear.

Drivetrain
Performance Unlimited engine in 455 cubes now graces the engine bay. This is a Pontiac engine, and was installed by R&M Motors of San Francisco. Dyno testing has put it at 341 horses at the rear wheels with 456 lbs. of torque. 460 Flywheel HP if you are interested! This mill has Edelbrock Performer heads, an Edelbrock intake, and 4-barrel carburetor atop. On back is a TH400 3-speed automatic with a shift kit installed. Power gets thrown rearward to a 3.55 Safe-T-Track 10-bolt rear axle. We also note Hedman Hustler headers, an oversize aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, a billet aluminum March serpentine system and a new MSD ignition. All looking just like polished fab under the hood.

Undercarriage
Rust free and nicely sound for the undercarriage frame, floorpans, and rockers. Patina undercoating is now on these surfaces. A rebuilt suspension with a sway bar setup is on, along with power disc brakes upfront, and power drums on back.

Drive-Ability
She drove like a dream, and performed well, all buttoned up for my test drive. Straight stopping, good acceleration, and some power under there coming from the Edelbrock adorned bolted on parts. Steering was smooth, and functions all worked nicely.

This LeMans will not disappoint on the looks front, and the performance front. Nice paint, good interior, and solid undercarriage, with the 455ci V8 and you can look like you are getting groceries, but in reality you are on the prowl for a victim! Blackwall tires and all, a wolf in sheep's clothing, or at least in Turquoise and clear coat respray…

VIN DECODE
237375Z127718
2-Pontiac
37-Lemans
37-2 Door Sport Hardtop Coupe
5-1965
Z-Fremont, CA Assy Plant
127718-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
06B-2nd Week June Build
ST 65 23737-1965 Lemans 2 Door Sports Hardtop Coupe
BDY MF16230-Fremont Body #
TRIM 214-Turquoise
PNT KK-Reef Turquoise