If you remember my buddy in Spokane, Jason Bagge, AKA The Brougham Whisperer, he’s just today acquired yet another ’70s era Detroit cruiser to refurbish and enjoy. A Florentine Red 1973 Luxury LeMans coupe.
As he told me, “I am actually looking forward to messing with this car soon. I was fully ready to have a different transmission put in it-but then learned it’s only missing the driveshaft. After looking at these online-I kind of like it actually. It’s basically a ’73 Pontiac GTO-with fender skirts.”
The damage to acquire this weathered, but rust free, specimen? Less than a grand.
Yup, Colonnades are a kinda love it or hate it deal, but I like them. Sure, the ’68-’72 GM intermediates got all the glory, and the values today, but I just like them. And they did pretty well for themselves in their time and place, particularly the Cutlass Supreme coupes.
These Luxury LeManses weren’t particularly popular, just 33,916 coupes and 9,377 sedans were built, with prices starting at $3,799 for the coupe. A plain Jane ’73 LeMans started at $3,579.
Best of all, this one has the most excellent 455 CID Pontiac V8, which produced 250 hp @ 4000 rpm. It was optional on the Grand Prix, Grand Ville, Catalina, Bonneville, GTO, LeMans and Formula Firebird.
Suffice it to say this car is going to be a lot prettier very soon, but I couldn’t wait and had to do a quick post on it! Until next time, keep calm and Brougham on! And always tip your bartender.