How many 71 Lemans Sportwagons out there?
 

I am just wondering if there were ever very many of these built.

Also, how popular are they today, or how many do survive in use.

It will help me assess how hard it will be to find some of the bits the car needs.
Trim, light lenses, name badges.


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pscezj26js.jpg


Thanks again guys.

Took me several years to come up with all the N.O.S. wood grain trim for the one I had! Not easy to find and I have never seen another '71 woody in person! I know of one other out east, but not sure how many were made? Tail light lenses will be rough to find even used, they do turn up on Ebay once in a while. Few more picture's for ya!

Lyn.

goatless had one - green too I think.

I am grinning here.

You are a very cruel man :D

The lense will be real important as it means on or not on the road for testing.

Hopefully he will pop in and share too.

I love to see any old Pontiac saved. How would he restore the woodgrain itself? Seems like it would be very difficult.

From what I can tell, 6,311 D36 style LeMans wagons made in 1971.
3,078 1971 wagons had Wood Decor siding.
But don't know if they were all for the LeMans or if it included Catalina wagons?

:confused:

Diego probably has better info.

:)

1971 LeMans Wagon production

Bodystyle 23536 (6 passenger)... 6,311
Bodystyle 23546 (9 passenger)....4,363
--------------------------------------10,674

Mine was a '72. I posted a couple of pictures of it in the other thread with the Honeycombs on it.

The tail lights are the same '70-'72, but the lenses are still hard to come by. There is one on Ebay right now, but the guy wants big $$$ for it.

Seen a rear light lense on EBay.

$350.00 plus shipping.

Criminal? Or just supply and wallet rape?

Car I am going to look at needs one.

Unobtanium?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psvpnxxfqa.jpg

Road trip still going ahead.

Cash out of safe = Check

Dealer plates = Check

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps9whpq6ns.jpg

Alarm set = Check

Paul Y ready = errrmmmm Check.

Cryptic-ish hint at approximately what next = See below.


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...sbaxhmnco.jpeg


And finally

Got a text from mate Darren Hardy at Unit Engineering and Signs to say my garage sign is ready.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pstzjvenek.jpg

Wish me well for tomorrow's trip.

That particular seller thinks all of his parts are gold. They're hard to come by, but they do come up.

Good luck with your trip!

Boy I wish I knew him when he had that car. It would be in my garage. If anyone knows of a nice woodgrain wagon for sale please PM me I'd pay up for one.

Check the completed auctions, one sold few day's ago for $105.00 I think? Was going to bid, but forgot till there was only a minute left and had some kind of computer glitch and missed bidding on it! It was a pretty nice one too. I sold my extra set last year I think, but they do pop up just have to keep watching. I know one guy that may have a extra, I will ask him and let you know!


Lyn.

That one wasn't as nice as it looked in pictures. :o
I sold it for $5K 10+ years ago. I can ask the guy I sold it to if he knows where it is now...

Thank you,for all the replies guys.


I am a dithered, so I do change my mind more than once a day..... :D




Back at home after a great day and mini road trip out with Paul Y, just over 200 miles.

The preamble to this little road trip is founded in my 2016 being a bit of a mess. So I have possibly been looking for a fix or my general mood.

I have had some amazing support from the likes of CraigRK, JohnnyBravo, Paul Y and a variety of people on the various forums in different countries who read the various threads I contribute to.
There is also Miss Katy who does not necessarily understand or care too much for the madness of wanting an old car........ But she also said that I should do what I felt was right for me?

In May last year I saw an online advertisement for a 1971 station wagon, one owner, V8, Sunburned California Patina, P/S, A/C, Auto, P/B all sorts of goodness where it was in America. At that point I had a wife and a truck to get back onto in the garage, despite knowing she wanted to leave. I just loved the look of the car, but was not in the market for one.

Fast forward to November after my US road trip and my mood was a bit low, the truck was not going far very quickly and I started to look for a fix.

I Found this ad on Rods n Sods

http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/veh...%A35800-467209

I found myself going back to look at the ad every few days........... know the feeling? I really liked this car.

On Old years day, my lodger gave me notice for end January........ this meant that my mortgage repayments were going to go up by 30% and I should not be even thinking of cars n toys.
Ohh, and of course I am a contractor, so job security is not ideal.... poop.

Just after Christmas I noticed the price had been lowered.

So I called the seller in San Francisco for a 30 minute chat from my mobile.

Still dithering about whether I should even consider buying this thing, I ended up speaking to an ex girlfriend from 10 years ago whose council I seek from time to time as she is a bit brutal and also quite blunt but always honest. She made a few valid comments and asked a few questions.

What value do you place on having that car?

ITS A TOY.

Do you think you deserve it?

ERRRMMMM?

How do you reward Rian for his hard work?

NOT SURE I REALLY DO

Will it put a smile on your face?

HELL YEAHHHH !!

Well imagine how wonderful it will be when you start doing things to please Rian?

She told me her car's brake pressure sensor needed replacing recently. The washing machine had broken down. And said " I am a single woman, looking after two children on my own with a mortgage to pay.....

Get my point ?"

If I make the statements above my life's narrative then I will be a grumpy old woman...

All this stuff is just part of life honey.......

The opportunity has opened up for a lodger with whom you can have a more rewarding experience....

Go look at the car and buy it if it is right.



So that brings us to today's road trip.

I met Paul at a predesignated spot.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pskr0etleq.jpg

I had taken along two 6 litre jerry cans and bought fuel to put in the car for a decent drive and road test.

Paul checking up on his world........

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psg7kydsgm.jpg

Then we drove over to where the car was stored.

Greeted by Dennis, an old fan of trucks and wagons, he rebuilds a lot of stuff and one of his new additions is this one owner low mileage F250 that had a camper shell on all its life.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgdethfug.jpg

His workshops are a dream, that is all.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pswmtfhdas.jpg

I decided to not post loads of pics of all his toys but rather his latest resto project........ of course it's a pickup truck.

Can you guess what it was before?

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps60lxohaf.jpg

Then it was on to the car we had come to see.

1971 Pontiac Lemans Sportwagon

Dennis drove it out and then onto the ramp so we could look under it and inside in the daylight.

And here is the kicker, the video clip below shows what happened today, the first time in his life......... not funny, but shows how easy things can change. We fixed that in a few minutes.

CLICKY LINKY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mc-6QAvT-bc

Paul Y did the whole mechanical check and we found the car has many new maintenance parts etc, he will be along later to describe what he saw.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psgigsr4ze.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psmbg0hpmc.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psjqv9dx5z.jpg

Back end with two way tailgate with electric window.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psriql4w24.jpg

So after two hours with Dennis and Paul, I decided to walk away from the car, as it does not completely blow my hair back.

I am gutted that in the end it was not what I needed or wanted, but when Paul logically asked me "If you look at it from your kitchen window in the morning, will it make your heart beat faster and will it make you want to take it for a drive"

My answer honestly was that I did not think it would like the Chevy truck does.


[font size="5"][font color="e61982"]Now for the mathematics.[/font][/font]

At the advertised price of £5250.00 for a one owner V8 car which we both believe has really only done 31k miles if you look at the minimal wear on its controls, the fact loads of maintenance parts have obviously been replaced as needed over time. Trainsmission and engine oils are clean. All controls, lights, hooter etc worked when we went through them, the engine is smooth, transmission changes smoothly........

If you consider £2000.00 as shipping, then you know you are getting this car at bicycle money.

I am gutted, but it's not right to be the next Grizz car.

So this pic that I created a week ago in anticipation, will just be that, a pic.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psjl6brvmj.jpg


Now go find me a car.......... or truck or something.

I have quoted Paul Y my partner in crime from today.


[quote author="@pauly" source="/post/2278402/thread" timestamp="1483902809"]Don't know about checking my world, more like doing a stock take on the inside of my eye lids....

Anyway... as I was recovering from a 620mile drive conducted over 12 hours the previous day I was slightly less...buoyant... than normal but feeling pretty damn privaliged to be asked on a Grizz road trip. I mean, come on, there are 105 pages of adventure! so being asked along for a small part was all the reason I needed to drag myself from my pit.

Well that and STATION WAGON.

Rian has pretty much covered Dennis, a really nice chap with very interesting toys. Anyway.. STATION WAGON.

When I first saw the Ark Royal nestling in its dry dock I was pretty much sold on it. A really genuine, honest original car that was wearing the battle scars of the previous 46 years with pride.

The small challenge with the ramp meant that we spend 30 minutes doing our best Magiver getting it back where it should be and also enabled Rian to get his first 'seat time'

Ok so photobucket is being an [img src="http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/underwire/2009/11/fox_60.jpg"], will insert photo later

Later

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...Y/IMG_3085.jpg

Looks right at home....

Showed around 31k on the clock and I would not be surprised if that was genuine.

All,of the controls, contact surfaces etc looked great, no wear.. the doors closed with a new car clunk plus the door gaps were spot on and no play in the door hinges.

A quick look underneath showed a pretty much prestige undercarriage. A little wear in the steering, but probably an advisory rather than a fail, engine was a little wet but nothing to worry about.

It looks,as if there has been money spent on it -fuel pump, radiator, pads, alternator etc all looked recent.

Engine oil looks fresh and the auto fluid was clear and clean.

Tyres are good. Got it back on the ground and had a play. Everything works! Even the aircon was cold! Radio sounds like you would expect and the CB lit up.

The über cool rear tailgate worked as it should and the power windows went up and down all be it slowly.

Bad bits are the rear floor needs some attention due to the leaking rear window.

It needs window and door seal.

The interior is a bit cracked

There is a few dents and a little rust on the tailgate and lower rear quarters but nothing major.

I would have bought it but I knew Rian was not.

http://i615.photobucket.com/albums/t...Y/IMG_3086.jpg

In fact if I had the £5k it would be now sitting in my drive to replace my wife's modern daily. She might be my ex wife but you get the idea....

So, in closing. If you want a wagon. Buy this one. Spend £500 on seals, shocks and steering. Drive, enjoy and then hit with the lowering stick, Astro Supremes or the 17" Honeycombs - bag it, clear coat it and sort out the seats.

Some one needs to buy this. Before I find myself living out of the back of it....

P. :D[/quote]

If it were still in the state's I would be all over it, looks like it is in pretty good condition overall? Hope you find something that you can't live without! Maybe after thinking it over you will be back and buy it?

Lyn.

HeynLyn,

You are right, I could still change my mind.

I have done it before.

Just off to bed and sleep..... who knows what way I wake up :D

Love the car, and love the story!

Thank you very much for all the responses guys.

In the end I decided that car just was not for me, multiple reasons.

I still think it's an awesome deal for someone in the UK.

31k miles and one owner cars are not that common. And at the price, it is cheap here.

http://www.rodsnsods.co.uk/forum/veh...%A35800-467209

Guys,

Thank you very much for this write up.
It pretty much sealed the deal for me.
I'm going after her.
Just need to figure out a way to get her home to The Netherlands) but I'll work it out!

Cant wait to see her in person!!! :-)

Erik

Hallo Erik

Glad you feel thst way.

I would honestly say you can look at driving her home.

But of course you need to do what is right for you.

I was very sorry that it did not work for me.

In the end it was multiple factors that influenced my decission. The biggest one actually being that I did not "fall instantly in love" when I sat in the car and imagined living with it. Remember I do own a C10 from 1966 as well so know the feeling of owning an American car.


I did however buy this last week : http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...troen-berlingo

I am really loving it a week in.

And despite being able to fit it in the rear of the wagon.......

It makes me smile.

Hi Grizz,

Your new ride is indeed something entirely different!!!
Glad it suits your needs and makes you happy.

For me the 71 woody wagon is something I've had on my bucketlist for years..... wanted to buy Lyn's (carguy66cars) white 71 woody wagon years ago, but couldn't get the deal done.
Never saw another one fs since then.

Like your pal said does it put a smile on your face? Yes it does!!!!

Would go well with my 70 convertible and 71 coupe!

I would like to find one of those one day to haul my German Shepherd around in :cool:

It is a good car this.

I think Erik is going to be very pleased with his purchase.



Today was the NSRA Swapmeet.

Went over in the Prozac-Mobile http://retrorides.proboards.com/thre...troen-berlingo as you never know what you may find.

Met up with CraigRK, mate Martin and saw a load of other guys including Slammedcustom from GarageJournal.com

Awesome day.

First the one that got away.

£20.00 would buy this little tool.

I decided to let it ride on chance and go look once we had seen everything, if it was still there, then I would pay the £20.00 asked.

My mistake.as it was of course gone, Kev From Wales had seen it go an hour before I returned.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psevfm1wng.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...pshrpzbeqz.jpg

Bought these bits, some random, some not.

Set of auxiliary gauges from Dez on here for the truck, and later a chrome carrier for them.

The cast iron is planned for a Russian style Cross.

Number plate is one I do not have at all.

Some decent screw drivers and a super sharp scraper type tool I am sure someone will know exactly what it is.

Also a Corvette badge that cost me all of 10p

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...psquhhle1i.jpg


http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7nunqxy9.jpg


So all in a good day, the Berlingo also behaved as well as expected.

When I got home it was raining, so no chance to fit the silencer or any of the tinting.

Ended up with a glass of wine and some recoded Sky History.

I'm anxiously awaiting delivery of the Wagon!

No idea when she's going to arrive here (guess sometime this week), but she's already been picked up at Dennis' place, way sooner than I expected!

Oh, and I went to the Antwerp Classic Car exhibition today....
At least I found the 1971 Pure Pontiac StationWagon and 1971 Pontiac Accessories brochures

Erik

Nice license plate by the way!

Would have been better if it said 455 instead of 454 LOL

Great news.

I am so pleased for you.

You are going to be very pleased.

I missed this tread, I have a very beat up 71 Lemans wagon with some good parts if you need anything I may have it, other than wood grain pieces, mine is non wood grain.

I had this car for several years. It was sold new in Illinois and then went to AZ after one year. It had 65,000 miles and was absolutely rust free with a flawless interior. It even had power windows and A/C. I had storage issues and had to let it go. It was all I could do to get $3600.00 for it. I could not bring myself to pull the perfect dash pad but the next guy pulled it immediately and then flipped the car. Of course these are always the cars that also have every piece of paperwork.

More pics
 

More pics

Unclejudge, when did you sell this one?
Never saw it for sale!
Awesome nice looking Wagon that was!!! Would love to get my hands on such a nice one! And that at such a low low price..unbelievable!
What a shame they pulled that dashpad!

I have a decent black dashpad out of my 72 LeMans convertible parts car which I am going to dye and install here.
I know it's a 72 pad, with the "Pontiac" script in the dash, but I won't worry too much about it.
It ain't a GTO or Judge, no 100% concourse issues here :-)

Cammerjeff,

I haven't taken delivery of the Wagon yet so I don't know what I'll need for her.
One thing is for sure; I need 2 taillight lenses, and maybe the RH taillight housing.
I'm guessing I'll need a lot more than just those LOL

Don't recall seeing a 71 wagon at your place when I visited you. (back in the summer of '09 that was).
That holiday trip to Michigan and the Co-Vention in Dayton Ohio was great. Won't ever forget it!!.
Even the rained-out cruise-in you took me to with your wife in that 77ish Impala (or Caprice) wagon.
Almost no cars there but we had some laughs anyway!!!

Well,

It's time to update this thread;

As I said before I went after this green wagon.
I already missed out on a '72 Wagon that was for sale on Facebook in Ohio (it got sold within a number of hours after it was first posted online)

The fact that this one was located in the United Kingdom near the Harwich port made it even easier for me since I live in The Netherlands on the other side of The Canal.
So after wiring the funds I enlisted a shipping company and they picked her up within a few days as seen in the last pics.


After that it still took about 10 days before I took delivery of the Wagon which was a couple days ago.
Unfortunately I got sidelined by a pretty bad flu with a cold as well,


More updates to come....
Erik

That car is sweet Jeff! If you still had it, I may have been a player!!! :)

Here she was on the back of the truck being delivered last week.

Couln'd wait to start playing with her, but I got pretty sick with the flu, so no playing around with my new toy just yet...

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...psucawniuq.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...psapeffrcw.jpg

Dirty and grimey, because she'd been sitting unloved for many years in a row.
Haven't seen many cars before that were this filthy.

So I began just cleaning her up bit by bit.

Already looking a little better a few days later;

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...psxvxgidn8.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...ps3oidakdc.jpg

Now I have a better idea of what condition she's in and what needs to be done to get her back up and running as a champ again.

I'll need to adress the rear floorpan (3rd seat footwell area) which is indeed in need of work (just as Grizz said, I just didn't know what he meant before I saw what was going on.
The metal is pretty flimsy and thin with a lot of small rustholes.

Then some decent rear taillight lenses, taillight housings, all new weatherstrips, redo the upholstery, and give the whole mechanical side a thorough once over, brakes, hoses, ignition, steering parts etc. etc.
While I'm at it I'll probably install a 400 4bbl since the 350 2 bbl needs a bunch of gaskets/seals redone anyway.
Maybe a new dual exhaust system because the current tailpipe is barely hanging on to a tie wrap.

Also thinking about UMI front upper control arms with better front and rear stablizer bars for improved handling.


Since I couldn't contain myself I just had to swap the 17" US Mag Bandit wheels from my 71 T41 to see what they would look like on the wagon.

And I love this new look with the Bandits!!

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...psg8qlefhx.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...psxy1e0ely.jpg

Think I am going to revamp the mechanical bits and the interior and leave the exterior as is for now (only lowering the front a bit).... There is a company near me that charges money for creating patina look on cars www.rustlook.nl Well, I don't need to pay them a dime!
I have the weathered rustlook already :-) LOL

Erik