1967 Pontiac Le Mans Convertible

A quick history of the Le Mans. The Intermediate sized Pontiac Le Mans was produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors Corporation from 1962 to 1981. 

For 1966, all Pontiac intermediates got swoopier styling featuring tunnelback rooflines on two-door hardtop and pillared coupes. The Tempest and Le Mans models got a new SOHC 230 cubic inch six cylinder engine as the base engine. The new SOHC was the brainchild of Pontiac Chief Engineer John DeLorean (who became Pontiac's General Manager at the end of the 1965 model year), and was available in an economical single-barrel carbureted, 165 hp version that was 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 hopped-up 4-barrel version of the 230 CID OHC six 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. Those who wanted a V8 could get either the base 2-barrel 326 CID rated at 250 hp (which turned out to be the most popular Tempest/Le Mans engine) or a 285 hp 4-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio,and dual exhausts.

The Sprint-optioned Tempest and Le Mans models were not very popular during the mid-to-late 1960s as they were greatly outsold by the bigger-engined GTO that was heating up the muscle car wars. Buyers of regular Tempest and Le Mans models definitely preferred V8 power, as the 326 and 350 V8's were the most ordered engines.

Strato buckets seats were standard in coupes and convertibles. Other Le Mans upgrades over lesser Tempests included carpeted lower door panels, deluxe steering wheels, courtesy lighting, and full Hubcaps.

The Pontiac Le Mans was replaced by the downsized Bonneville for 1982. Then, in 1987, for the 1988 model year a badge engineered Daewoo Le Mans was sold briefly until 1993. Most Poncho fans like myself still shake our heads in disbelief at that move. Putting a legendary name on an econo-box that's only useful feature was a rear window defroster that came in handy for keeping your hands warm when you were pushing it off the road was about the only saving grace. And yes...I am being sarcastic. But, hey...that's how I roll...