This page is about my old Pontiac Le Mans from 1966 specifically and my love to Pontiacs from 1966 and there about in general.Above you can se me next to my Pontiac that I bought in 1988 and sadly sold in 1991, due to studies.And the same goes for the image just below....
My Pontiac had a 326 engine and a 350 gearbox under the hood. Also it had stuff like power windows, power steering and power brakes. All and all it was a car I really liked.Loved the design and all the rest even though the paint job was far from perfect.
And I guess the condition could at its best be described as a good daily driver - I really miss that car the most of my pastly owned classic cars...
From Wikipedia 1964-67 Pontiac
The Tempest line was upsized to an intermediate-sized car on the new GM A platform in 1964, and the LeMans returned to its role of Tempest trim upgrade with a new 215 CID six-cylinder and a redesigned 326 CID VV8 (now actually 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 was priced at just under US$300 and included a larger 389 CID V8 from the full-sized Pontiac line that put out 325 or 335 hp, a four-speed floor shift Muncie manual transmissionwith Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, red-line Tiger Paw tires, and GTO nameplates. GTO sales ended up at 32,000 for the first year, well beyond initial estimates of 5,000 units and accounted for a large share of Tempest/LeMans sales. The success and the image of the GTO helped increase sales of lesser Tempest and LeMans models in the coming years, placing the Pontiac brand into third place in total industry sales after Chevyand Ford.
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 swoopier 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 SOHC230 cubic inch six-cylinder engine as the base engine. The new SOHC I6, the brainchild of Pontiac Chief Engineer John De Lorean (who became Pontiac's general manager in 1965), was available in an economical one-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 four-barrel version of the 230 CID OHC six that also included higher compression ratio and hotter cam, resulting in 215 horse power, along with an "all-syncro" floor-mounted three-speed automatic transmission with Hurst shifter, suspension kit, and body striping. Those who preferred a V8 engine could get either the base two-barrel 326 CID V8 rated at 250 hp (the most popular Tempest/LeMans engine) or a 285 hp four-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio, high performance cam and dual exhausts.
The Sprint-optioned Tempest and LeMans 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 LeMans models definitely preferred V8 power, as the 326 and later 350 CID V8s were the most ordered engines. The Sprint option and SOHC six-cylinder engine were discontinued after 1969 with an ordinary Chevrolet-built 250 CID OHV six-cylinder engine, becoming the base engine from 1970 to 1976 in most Pontiac intermediates.
The Tempest line was upsized to an intermediate-sized car on the new GM A platform in 1964, and the LeMans returned to its role of Tempest trim upgrade with a new 215 CID six-cylinder and a redesigned 326 CID VV8 (now actually 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 was priced at just under US$300 and included a larger 389 CID V8 from the full-sized Pontiac line that put out 325 or 335 hp, a four-speed floor shift Muncie manual transmissionwith Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, red-line Tiger Paw tires, and GTO nameplates. GTO sales ended up at 32,000 for the first year, well beyond initial estimates of 5,000 units and accounted for a large share of Tempest/LeMans sales. The success and the image of the GTO helped increase sales of lesser Tempest and LeMans models in the coming years, placing the Pontiac brand into third place in total industry sales after Chevyand Ford.
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 swoopier 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 SOHC230 cubic inch six-cylinder engine as the base engine. The new SOHC I6, the brainchild of Pontiac Chief Engineer John De Lorean (who became Pontiac's general manager in 1965), was available in an economical one-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 four-barrel version of the 230 CID OHC six that also included higher compression ratio and hotter cam, resulting in 215 horse power, along with an "all-syncro" floor-mounted three-speed automatic transmission with Hurst shifter, suspension kit, and body striping. Those who preferred a V8 engine could get either the base two-barrel 326 CID V8 rated at 250 hp (the most popular Tempest/LeMans engine) or a 285 hp four-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio, high performance cam and dual exhausts.The Sprint-optioned Tempest and LeMans 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 LeMans models definitely preferred V8 power, as the 326 and later 350 CID V8s were the most ordered engines. The Sprint option and SOHC six-cylinder engine were discontinued after 1969 with an ordinary Chevrolet-built 250 CID OHV six-cylinder engine, becoming the base engine from 1970 to 1976 in most Pontiac intermediates.
This link goes to a really cool page for you people that love Pontiac GTO - go check it out
http://ultimategto.com/
http://ultimategto.com/
From Nationmaster Encyclopedia
The Pontiac LeMans was an intermediate-sized automobile offered by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1962 to 1981, replaced by the downsized Pontiac Bonneville for the 1982 model year after the fuel crises of the 1970s. Initially the LeMans was a top-line version of the compact Pontiac Tempest featuring sportier and more luxurious trimmings. When the Tempest line was restyled and upsized from a compact to an intermediate-sized car in 1964, the LeMans continued in that role with the same 215 cubic-inch six-cylinder and 326 cubic-inch V8s found in the regular Tempest. Shortly after the start of the 1964 model year, the LeMans models became available with a new performance car package that would take Detroit by storm. The GTO option was priced at just under $300 and included a larger 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-sized 
Pontiac line that put out 325 or 348 horsepower, a three-speed floor shift manual transmission with Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, red-line Tiger Paw tires and GTO nameplates. GTO sales ended up at 32,000 for the first year, well beyond initial estimates of 5,000 units and accounted for a large share of Tempest/LeMans sales. The success and the image of the GTO helped increase sales of lesser Tempest and LeMans models in coming years, cementing Pontiac's lock, stock and barrel on third place in industry sales standings behind only Chevrolet and Ford. Image File history File links Pontiac-LeMans-'65. ... Image File history File links Pontiac-LeMans-'65. ... A small variety of cars, the most popular kind of automobile. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and conform with our NPOV policy, this article or section may require cleanup. ... General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), also known as GM, is a United States-based automobile maker with worldwide operations and brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Vauxhall. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The model year of a product is a number used to describe approximately when a product was produced. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ...
The GTO became a separate series of its own for 1966, though retaining the same basic body as the Tempest and LeMans models. For 1966, all Pontiac intermediates got swoopier styling featuring tunnelback rooflines on two door hardtop and pillared coupes. While the GTO continued as a big-engined musclecar, the Tempest and LeMans models got a new overhead-cam 230 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine as the base powerplant. The new OHC six, the brainchild of Pontiac Chief Engineer John Z. DeLorean (who became Pontiac's general manager in 1965), was available in an economical two-barrel, 165-horsepower 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 four-barrel version of the 230 cubic-inch OHC six that also included higher compression ratio and hotter cam, along with a floor-mounted three-speed transmission with Hurst shifter, suspension kit and body striping. Those who preferred a V8 engine could get either the base two-barrel 326 cubic-inch V8 rated at 250 horsepower (the most popular Tempest/LeMans engine) or a 285-horsepower four-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio, high performance cam and dual exhausts.
The Sprint-optioned Tempest and LeMans 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 musclecar wars. And buyers of regular Tempest and LeMans models definitely preferred V8 power as the 326 and later 350 cubic-inch V8s were the most ordered engines. The Sprint option and OHC six-cylinder engine were discontinued after 1969 with an ordinary Chevrolet-built 250 cubic-inch pushrod six becoming the base powerplant from 1970 to 1976 in most Pontiac intermediates.
Initially, the LeMans line included a pillared coupe and convertible for 1962 and 1963 as no hardtops were offered in the compact Tempest line. For 1964, a hardtop coupe was added followed by a four-door pillared sedan in 1965, which was replaced by a four-door hardtop in 1966 and a four-door Safari wagon in 1968. Generally the four-door and wagon models were differentiated from the coupes and convertibles by featuring conventional bench seats or notchback bench seats with folding armrests as opposed to the Strato buckets seats standard in coupes and convertibles. Other LeMans upgrades over lesser Tempests included carpeted lower door panels, deluxe steering wheels, courtesy lighting and full wheel covers.
Pontiac line that put out 325 or 348 horsepower, a three-speed floor shift manual transmission with Hurst shifter, heavy-duty suspension, red-line Tiger Paw tires and GTO nameplates. GTO sales ended up at 32,000 for the first year, well beyond initial estimates of 5,000 units and accounted for a large share of Tempest/LeMans sales. The success and the image of the GTO helped increase sales of lesser Tempest and LeMans models in coming years, cementing Pontiac's lock, stock and barrel on third place in industry sales standings behind only Chevrolet and Ford. Image File history File links Pontiac-LeMans-'65. ... Image File history File links Pontiac-LeMans-'65. ... A small variety of cars, the most popular kind of automobile. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards and conform with our NPOV policy, this article or section may require cleanup. ... General Motors Corporation (NYSE: GM), also known as GM, is a United States-based automobile maker with worldwide operations and brands including Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saturn, Saab and Vauxhall. ... 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (link will take you to calendar). ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... 1982 (MCMLXXXII) is a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The model year of a product is a number used to describe approximately when a product was produced. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, inclusive. ...The GTO became a separate series of its own for 1966, though retaining the same basic body as the Tempest and LeMans models. For 1966, all Pontiac intermediates got swoopier styling featuring tunnelback rooflines on two door hardtop and pillared coupes. While the GTO continued as a big-engined musclecar, the Tempest and LeMans models got a new overhead-cam 230 cubic-inch six-cylinder engine as the base powerplant. The new OHC six, the brainchild of Pontiac Chief Engineer John Z. DeLorean (who became Pontiac's general manager in 1965), was available in an economical two-barrel, 165-horsepower 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 four-barrel version of the 230 cubic-inch OHC six that also included higher compression ratio and hotter cam, along with a floor-mounted three-speed transmission with Hurst shifter, suspension kit and body striping. Those who preferred a V8 engine could get either the base two-barrel 326 cubic-inch V8 rated at 250 horsepower (the most popular Tempest/LeMans engine) or a 285-horsepower four-barrel 326 HO V8 with higher compression ratio, high performance cam and dual exhausts.
The Sprint-optioned Tempest and LeMans 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 musclecar wars. And buyers of regular Tempest and LeMans models definitely preferred V8 power as the 326 and later 350 cubic-inch V8s were the most ordered engines. The Sprint option and OHC six-cylinder engine were discontinued after 1969 with an ordinary Chevrolet-built 250 cubic-inch pushrod six becoming the base powerplant from 1970 to 1976 in most Pontiac intermediates.
Initially, the LeMans line included a pillared coupe and convertible for 1962 and 1963 as no hardtops were offered in the compact Tempest line. For 1964, a hardtop coupe was added followed by a four-door pillared sedan in 1965, which was replaced by a four-door hardtop in 1966 and a four-door Safari wagon in 1968. Generally the four-door and wagon models were differentiated from the coupes and convertibles by featuring conventional bench seats or notchback bench seats with folding armrests as opposed to the Strato buckets seats standard in coupes and convertibles. Other LeMans upgrades over lesser Tempests included carpeted lower door panels, deluxe steering wheels, courtesy lighting and full wheel covers.
GTO 1966
Pontiac's intermediate line was restyled again for 1966,
gaining more curvaceous styling with kicked-up rear fender lines for a "Coke-bottle" look, and a slightly "tunnelled" backlight. Overall length grew only fractionally, to 206.4 inches (524 cm), still on a 115 inch (292 cm) wheelbase, while width expanded to 74.4 inches (189 cm). Rear track increased one inch (2.5 cm). Overall weight remained about the same. The GTO became a separate model series, rather than an option package, with unique grille and tail lights, available as a pillared sports coupe, a hardtop sans pillars, or a convertible. Also an automotive industry first, plastic front grilles replaced the pot metal and aluminium versions seen on earlier years. New Strato bucket seats were introduced with higher and thinner seat backs and contoured cushions for added comfort and adjustable headrests were introduced as a new option. The instrument panel was redesigned and more integrated than in previous years with the ignition switch moved from the far left of the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Four pod
instruments continued, and the GTO's dash was highlighted by walnut veneer trim. The 1966 model year is viewed by many as the most iconic of all GTOs because of its independent model status and because it was the last year Pontiac offered the 389 Tri Power engine configuration.
Engine choices remained the same as the previous year. A new rare engine option was offered: the XS engine option consisted of a factory Ram Air set up with a new 744 high lift cam. Approximately 35 factory installed Ram Air packages are believed to have been built, though 300 dealership installed Ram Air packages are estimated to have been ordered. On paper, the package was said to produce the same 360 hp as the non-Ram Air, Tri Power car, though these figures are believed to have been grossly underestimated in order to get past GM mandates.
Sales increased to 96,946, the highest production figure for all GTO years. Although Pontiac had strenuously promoted the GTO in advertising as the "GTO Tiger," it had become known in the youth market as the "Goat." Pontiac management attempted to make use of the new nickname in advertising but were vetoed by upper management, which was dismayed by its irreverent tone
gaining more curvaceous styling with kicked-up rear fender lines for a "Coke-bottle" look, and a slightly "tunnelled" backlight. Overall length grew only fractionally, to 206.4 inches (524 cm), still on a 115 inch (292 cm) wheelbase, while width expanded to 74.4 inches (189 cm). Rear track increased one inch (2.5 cm). Overall weight remained about the same. The GTO became a separate model series, rather than an option package, with unique grille and tail lights, available as a pillared sports coupe, a hardtop sans pillars, or a convertible. Also an automotive industry first, plastic front grilles replaced the pot metal and aluminium versions seen on earlier years. New Strato bucket seats were introduced with higher and thinner seat backs and contoured cushions for added comfort and adjustable headrests were introduced as a new option. The instrument panel was redesigned and more integrated than in previous years with the ignition switch moved from the far left of the dash to the right of the steering wheel. Four pod
instruments continued, and the GTO's dash was highlighted by walnut veneer trim. The 1966 model year is viewed by many as the most iconic of all GTOs because of its independent model status and because it was the last year Pontiac offered the 389 Tri Power engine configuration.Engine choices remained the same as the previous year. A new rare engine option was offered: the XS engine option consisted of a factory Ram Air set up with a new 744 high lift cam. Approximately 35 factory installed Ram Air packages are believed to have been built, though 300 dealership installed Ram Air packages are estimated to have been ordered. On paper, the package was said to produce the same 360 hp as the non-Ram Air, Tri Power car, though these figures are believed to have been grossly underestimated in order to get past GM mandates.
Sales increased to 96,946, the highest production figure for all GTO years. Although Pontiac had strenuously promoted the GTO in advertising as the "GTO Tiger," it had become known in the youth market as the "Goat." Pontiac management attempted to make use of the new nickname in advertising but were vetoed by upper management, which was dismayed by its irreverent tone
1 comment:
Well written. Thanks for sharing this. Looking forward to more of your articles and updates!
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