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#1
05-27-2014, 01:33 AM
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My LeMans is back in my garage and 99% Done!
Good news! I picked up my LeMans on Friday, and drove it back 35 miles through Friday-before-Memorial-Day-weekend traffic in Los Angeles, and was able to show it off at the local Whittier cruise.
Some better tires are on order, as well as some black steel wheels that Pontiac poverty caps will go onto. I need to fix the horn, aim the headlights so I can drive at night, and figure out why my tachometer stops working when I turn on the lights, and why it's light doesn't work, either. The car now has hydroboost and 4 wheel disk brakes, so it stops really well. As part of the restoration, I've also added modern conveniences such as outside rear view mirrors (I can see out of the drivers side one), rear seat belts and a parking brake. As you can see from the engine picture, the battery is now on the passenger side. (a Chevy guy did the restoration.) Also, I have everyone's favorite "Buick" sticker on the air cleaner labeling my 400 as a 326 - just because I think it's funny. More pictures coming soon - I've been busy driving! I'm very happy with how the car turned out. It looks great - my neighbor is finishing up a big numbers-matching rebuild, and wants to use this same guy for the paint. If anyone needs a recommendation for a restorer in the LA area, just ask!
__________________
 1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461.
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#2
05-27-2014, 02:01 AM
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It looks very nice Chris it shure took a long time right? My battery is on the drivers side.
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Cuz68 
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#3
05-27-2014, 06:05 AM
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That car will be killer looking with the black steel wheels and poverty caps.
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#4
05-27-2014, 08:16 AM
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Looks good. It must have one long positive battery cable to reach the left side of the engine.
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1971 Pontiac GT-37 Car is a junk yard dog and maybe one day will be restored. 
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#5
05-27-2014, 08:17 AM
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I love 65 A bodies. Black steelies and poverty caps is the way to go. I approve. You going with whitewalls, redlines or blackwalls???
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#6
05-27-2014, 10:39 AM
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Thanks, everyone! To answer some questions:
Yep - it's been a while. The car was out of commission since July 4th weekend, and my restorer had it for 8 months. Patience is a must - fixing old cars isn't like fixing new cars. There certainly is one long positive cable in there. Behind the air cleaner, you can see some red wires going through the firewall. The horizontal black plastic sleeve just under that carries the cable. As for the tires, I'm going with BF Goodrich T/A Radials with the blackwalls facing out. 205 in the front and 255 in the rear (15X6 wheels in the front with 15X7s out back.)
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1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461.
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#7
05-27-2014, 11:58 AM
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I like it...
Looks great, Chris, and well worth the wait! Sounds like you have already selected black steel wheels and caps, but I vote for 5 spoke polished TTs or Daisys which will contrast better with the black sidewall TAs. IMO, you need a little wheel bling to go along with the fancy parchment interior
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Les Iden ---------------------------- '65 Buick Sport Wagon Custom, 340, T350, 3:23 '66 GTO Post/468, 700R4, 3.31 (Mike's as of 9-16) '68 Grand Prix/455, dual AFBs, T400, 2:93 posi (sold) '72 TA tribute/461, T400, 3.08, (Russ's as of 9-16) '97 Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder Turbo, Konis, 5 speed '09 Torrent GXP, nav, Sun & Sound pkg., Bilsteins |
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#8
05-27-2014, 01:39 PM
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Good news. I bet you can't wait to get it back on the road.
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1972 Pontiac Lemans 350 Qjet Summit 2800 |
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#9
05-28-2014, 03:06 PM
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The front wheels and tires are in. (The wider rear ones are backordered.) I've verified that the poverty caps fit on Summit's wheels - now I just need to figure out how to get them off. (A thread is open in the suspension group.)
As for some fancier wheels, Les - that's always a possibility for the future.
__________________
1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461.
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#10
05-28-2014, 03:51 PM
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Don't know how you feel about drilling the hub caps but.......
Old VW caps had 2 holes in the edges of the cap and there was a tool called a "cats/bear claw", aka hubcap puller, that would hook into them to remove the cap. Try a google search.
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"resurfacing Pa highways 2 long black strips at a time" 78 Olds Cutlass Drag car PONTIAC powered with 440 (destroked 455), th400, 12bolt with spool 4.10z Best to date 10.00@130.92 mph at 3250# 79 Grand Prix, will be new home for the 440 Goal 9.75z@135mph at 2900# 83 Malibu Wagon UUV Crate 350, Custom T5, 8.5 with Auburn posi 3.73z Making it the Ultimate Utility Vehicle Go, tow and show (not so much show, yet) Last edited by shotgun; 05-28-2014 at 04:19 PM. |
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#11
05-28-2014, 04:01 PM
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I LOVE the color. What is it?
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“It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.” Dr. Thomas Sowell |
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#12
05-28-2014, 04:33 PM
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Quote:
__________________
1965 Pontiac LeMans. M21, 3.73 in a 12 bolt, Kauffman 461.
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#13
05-29-2014, 09:19 AM
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Quote:
Yep. IMHO you can't beat the LL paint code for a 65 A-body. Mines the same, hope to have it on the road this summer. Great looking car, good job.
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67 Firebird auto 65 GTO Hardtop 3x2 WS M22 |
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#14
05-29-2014, 10:32 AM
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Beautiful! Makes me wish I never snapped my trim rings on!
Shawn
__________________
 "Don't let fatigue make a coward of you." |
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#15
05-29-2014, 11:00 AM
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Belated Congrats Chris. Big Thxs for posted pix too! Looking GR8
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#16
05-29-2014, 03:14 PM
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that's nice!
I see a P4B That Teal turquoise is sweet too! |
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#17
05-29-2014, 05:36 PM
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Not that it matters to me...why is the battery on the RH side. My buddy had a stock elim. car that had that done, wondering about yours...
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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down... 
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#18
05-29-2014, 05:41 PM
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Quote:
Quote:
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#19
05-29-2014, 06:49 PM
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It looks likes a bucks up resto job....He'd be putt'n the battery on the correct side, for me!!!
Thought there might be more to it than a chevy guy......
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1977 Black Trans Am 180 HP Auto, essentially base model T/A. I'm the original owner, purchased May 7, 1977. Shut it off Shut it off Buddy, I just shut your Prius down...
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#20
05-29-2014, 07:07 PM
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I hope you dont mind me askng where did you get the poverty caps are they repops? Love the the look of the wheels she will look awesome.
__________________
 "Some times standing for what you believe. Means standing alone"
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