[70Steve]

Hi Guys,
I recently saw an original type magazine ad for 1970 LeMans that I’d never seen before. I noted it stated that “Up to 345hp 400 available to order”...I instantly thought that was odd. I’d always thought it was 330hp for LeMans. Anyhow, I’d love to know where this ad appeared, seeing as it’s a 4 door Sport featured.

[70Steve]

Here it is ... 👍🏻👍🏻

['ol Pinion head]

Most likely the print ad was put together very early, before actual production. The 1970 mid size model brochure printed Sept '69 showed the avail of the 330 horse auto 400 engine, not the 400 WT engine. the 400 WT engine def became avail at some time, where we normally have seen it ordered was in the late season '70 1/2 GT-37. Occasionally, when analyzing the Prestige full line brochures as well as other smaller Pontiac advertising brochures, one will find details that aren't correct.

Earlier discussion & a few calculations; from what Mike Noun revealed as what one could call a Pontiac imposed 10.5 lbs per adv HP restriction on it's 1970 builds:

- the lightest '70 LeMans Sport w 10.5 lb restriction & engine rated at 345 HP would have to weigh 3622 lbs or more.

- by rating a 400 4bbl engine @ 330 HP, a '70 LeMans Sport could weigh as little as 3465 lbs & get by this "restriction". The 330hp rating of the small valve slightly lower compression 400-4bbl auto engine made sense compared to the factory rating of the other '70 400 4bbl engines.

- in actual builds, a '70 LeMans Sport built on the lightest body, the Coupe, ordered out w zero other options, but optioned with 400 4bbl, Muncie, & dual exhaust, is going to be close to 3650 lbs. a Turbo 400 equip 400 engine will weigh 29lbs more.

- with a 345 HP rated 400 being able to be built in the heavier LeMans Sport & make the arbitrary 10.5 lb restriction, knock off 71lbs to get to the AMA listed weight of a '70 Tempest Coupe with the same optional powertrain &, Voila, 345 HP is too high. So the politics of the 10.5 lbs per HP gets involved & any reference of an optional 400 4bbl engine in a '70 233-235-237 series shows the 330 rating, even if a 350hp 400 WT made it into the car.