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Pontiac LeMans (2nd gen) 1964-1967
The Pontiac LeMans was a model name that was applied to subcompact- and intermediate-sized automobiles marketed by Pontiac from 1962 to 1981 (1983 in Canada). Originally a trim upgrade based on the Tempest, it spawned the industry changing signature muscle car, the GTO, in 1964. Manufactured in five generations in the 1960s and '70s, it was replaced by the downsized Pontiac Bonneville for the 1982 model year. From 1988 to 1993 the name was resurrected for a badge-engineered version of the Daewoo LeMans manufactured by Daewoo in South Korea.
[B]Second generation (1964–1967)[/B]
[B]1964[/B]
he Tempest line was changed to an intermediate-sized car on the new GM A platform in 1964. The LeMans returned to its role of Tempest trim upgrade, which included carpeted lower door panels, deluxe steering wheels, courtesy lighting, and full wheel covers. For 1964, a two-door hardtop was added. A new 215 cu in (3.5 L) I6 was introduced, as well as a redesigned 326 cu in (5.3 L) V8 that now actually displaced 326 CID.
Shortly after the start of the 1964 model year, the LeMans became available with a new performance package designated as the GTO, or 'Gran Turismo Omologato'. The GTO option included a 389 cu in (6.4 L) V8 from the full-sized Pontiac line that produced 325 HP with a four-barrel carburetor or 348 HP in Tri-Power] version featuring three two-barrels.
[B]1965[/B]
The LeMans line was expanded to include a four-door sedan for the 1965 model year.
Horsepower ratings for the GTO version were increased to 335HP 4bbl and 360 Hp Tri power hp, a four-speed floor shift Muncie manual transmission with Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, red-line Tiger Paw tires. With the Introduction of the Tempest in 1961, Pontiac achieved the number three in sales[clarification needed] and something it would hold onto through the decade of the Sixties. The success and the aggressive image of the GTO also spilled over and helped increase the image and sales of the entire Pontiac line.
[B]1966[/B]
The pillared 4-door sedan was replaced by a four-door hardtop body style for the 1966 model year.
The GTO became a separate model of its own for 1966, though retaining the same basic body as the Tempest and LeMans models. For 1966, all Pontiac intermediates got new styling featuring tunnelback rooflines on two-door hardtop and pillared coupes. While the GTO continued as a big-engined muscle car, the Tempest and LeMans models got a new SOHC 230 cu in (3.8 L) I6 as the base engine. This engine, as well as the early Tempest with the transaxle in the rear, were ideas of Pontiac's Chief Engineer John DeLorean (who became Pontiac's general manager at the end of the 1965 model year). This engine was available in an economical one-barrel carbureted, 165 hp version as standard equipment on all Pontiac intermediates except GTOs. Optional on all Tempest and LeMans models except station wagons was a Sprint package that included a four-barrel version of the I6 that also included higher compression ratio and hotter cam, resulting in 207 horsepower, along with an "all-syncro" floor-mounted three-speed transmission with Hurst shifter, suspension kit, and body striping. Optional were a two-barrel 326 CID V8 rated at 250 hp or a 285 hp four-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio and dual exhausts.
The Sprint-optioned Tempest and LeMans models were not popular during the mid-to-late 1960s, being outsold by the bigger-engined GTO. The Sprint option and SOHC six-cylinder engine were discontinued after 1969, and replaced with a Chevrolet-built 250 CID OHV six-cylinder engine, becoming the base engine from 1970 to 1976 in most Pontiac intermediates.
[SIZE=1]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]
[I]1967 Pontiac Lemans Coupe with the '326' V8 and two speed automatic transmission.[/I]
