Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Pontiac LeMans (3rd gen) 1968-1972

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    4,218
    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.

    Third generation (1968–1972)
    The four-door Safari station wagon became available for the 1968 model year in the Tempest line. A new engine replaced the 326. This new engine was based on all existing Pontiac engine architecture and using the 326, 389, and 400 engines crank at 3.75" and expanding the 326's 3.72" bore to 3.88" to give 353.84 cubic inches. It was marketed by Pontiac as a 350, just like the original 326 was called rather that its true size of 325.84. For 1968 the 350 could be had in two versions at 265 hp 2bbl and 325 hp 4bbl.

    In 1969 the engine came as 265 hp 2bbl and 330 hp 4bbl. The ten horsepower increase over 1968's engine is due to a different cam plus the use of the # 48 big valve heads, the same head used on the Ram air 3 400" 366 hp (273 kW) engine and the 428-HO engine at 390 hp. 1969 would be the last high performance version of the 350. The Sprint OHC six had gone from its original size of 230 inches to 250 cubic inches, and the horsepower had increased from the original 207 hp (154 kW) to 230 hp (172 kW) in its final version in 1969.

    For 1970, Pontiac reshuffled its intermediate lineup with the Le Mans nameplate downgraded to the mid-line sub-series previously known as the Tempest Custom and included two- and four-door pillared sedans, while the previous top Le Mans series was renamed the Le Mans Sport in the same three body styles including a four-door hardtop sedan, two-door hardtop coupe and convertible. This year, bigger engines - which had previously reserved for GTOs - were made available on lesser Tempest/Le Mans models including a 400 CID V8 rated at 265 hp (198 kW) with a two-barrel carburetor or a 330 hp (246 kW) option with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. At mid-year the bottom Tempest line, which initially included only two- and four-door sedans, added the T-37 hardtop coupe which was initially described as "General Motors' lowest-priced hardtop (undercut by a base Chevrolet Chevelle hardtop coupe introduced a few weeks later). Less expensive than the GTO, the T-37 hardtop coupe offered a GT-37 appearance package that included striping, three-speed floor shift transmission, tuned suspension and other trim. The GT-37 was available with any Tempest/Le Mans V8 from the standard 350 two-barrel to the 400 four-barrel. Replacing the Pontiac-built OHC six-cylinder as the base engine for Tempest/Le Mans models for 1970 was Chevrolet's 250 cubic-inch straight-six engine, while the 350 two-barrel was again the base V8 and the four-barrel 350 HO was discontinued.

    In 1971, the Tempest nameplate was retired and Pontiac promoted the Le Mans nameplate to full-series status to identify all of its intermediate models, which still included the GTO. At the bottom of the line was the Pontiac T-37, previously known as the Tempest, and now expanded to include two- and four-door sedan along with the original hardtop coupe. The GT-37 option was available on both the two-door sedan (pillared coupe) or hardtop coupe. Engine offerings were carried over from 1970 and Pontiac's 455 cubic-inch V8 (offered only on GTOs in 1970) was now available as an option on all Pontiac intermediates in both base four-barrel with 325 horsepower or the 455 HO option with 335 horsepower. All 1971 engines were detuned with lower compression ratios to run on lower-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline. Brakes were 9.5" drums.

    For 1972, all Pontiac intermediates were now Le Mans models and the low-priced T-37 line was replaced by a base Le Mans pillared coupe. The top-line intermediate was the Luxury Le Mans, available in hardtop sedan and coupe models, featuring upgraded interiors compared to regular Le Mans models. The Le Mans Sport was available as a two-door hardtop or convertible with Strato bucket seats and interiors from the Luxury Le Mans. The GTO was changed from a separate series back to an option package on Le Mans and Le Mans Sport coupes. Replacing the previous GT-37 option package for 1972 was the new "Le Mans GT" option, available on Le Mans pillared and hardtop coupes with any V8 ranging from the 350 two-barrel to the 455 HO four-barrel, and also included the same appearance and handling items carried over from the GT-37.

    Source: Wikipedia
    Last edited by Man of Steel; 11-17-2019 at 02:57 PM.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    4,218
    Pontiac LeMans (3rd gen) #2
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by Man of Steel; 11-17-2019 at 02:57 PM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    4,218
    Pontiac LeMans (3rd gen) #3
    Last edited by Man of Steel; 11-17-2019 at 02:57 PM.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    The Netherlands
    Posts
    4,218
    Last edited by Man of Steel; 08-10-2022 at 01:44 PM.

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Pontiac LeMans (2nd gen) 1964-1967
    By Vaigra in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-11-2022, 05:46 AM
  2. Pontiac LeMans (1st gen) 1961-1963
    By Man of Steel in forum Matt's Hi-Res Hide-Out
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-11-2022, 05:13 AM
  3. Pontiac LeMans El Camino
    By Classic Anycar in forum Classic cars
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 12-07-2005, 05:46 PM
  4. 1rst time post - 1991 Pontiac LeMans
    By gwbell in forum Technical forums
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 10-16-2005, 07:41 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •