1968 LeMans
 

I've made the tough decision to let my 68 go. Back story: My cousin bought the car brand new September 28, 1968 off the lot from Utter Pontiac in Spokane, Wa, trading in a 1957 Pontiac station wagon. She lived close to her work at the VA Hospital and rarely took it out of town (I think she was a little afraid to drive). She was almost 40 years older than I (long story), but I remember going to her house with my parents when they played cards. As I became a teenager and car crazy, I lusted after that car with its low mileage. She knew I always wanted it. Fast forward to 1998 when she passed away. I believe the mileage at that point was 28,000 or so. She had only one child, a son. He had no interest in the car and knew I did, so he signed it over to me for $2. I also believe that she may have told him to give the car to me, but I don't have proof of that.

So I've owned it for over 23 years and have added only an additional 3,000 miles. It currently has 31,661 miles. My cousin kept EVERY receipt for work done on the car. Luckily a lot of the receipts listed the existing mileage on the car when the service was done, proving the low mileage. I have the original contract when she bought the car, the letter from GMAC when she paid it off ($76 a month for 36 months, can you imagine???), the Protect-O-Plate, warranty pamphlet, original registration, etc. It's a Fremont car and I've never found a build sheet for it. I've not requested a PHS for it, as I know what was on the car when she bought it.

Options were the 350 2 bbl, 2 speed ST300 auto, pushbutton AM, power steering, tinted windshield, deluxe wheel covers, HD air cleaner and floor mats. She paid $3555.56 for it, before taxes/trade-in. Cameo Ivory w/red interior.

Car was never garaged, she only had it under a carport and it sat in a parking lot while at work. Eventually the rear window started leaking and she took the car to Maaco where they attempted to seal the rear window (I think all they did was silicone the window channel) and had it repainted. I remember begging her to not take it there, but she insisted (she was very cheap!). This must have been in the early to mid 80's . I'm sure I found the receipt in the pile back when I got the car, but I'll have to look for it again.

The only other body repairs prior to that was a receipt I found for Utter Pontiac 3/69 (6 months after she bought it). They repaired and repainted the passenger fender and buffed some scratches out of the side of the front bumper on that side. I never heard the story of what happened, but since it was her first winter driving it, maybe she slid into something?? I know I found the repair work done in lead when I stripped the car last year.

I eventually had the rear window filler panel replaced in the late 2000's? (I have to see if I have any receipts for that yet) by a metal guy that did the metal work on my 69 Gto cv a few years earlier. I believe we also replaced a small portion of the trunk floor where the water had sat because of the continual window leak. The repairs were sealed with DP48 white epoxy. It remained that way until last summer.

Starting last summer, I stripped the existing Maaco and original factory paint down to bare metal using mostly razor blades and some chemical stripper. I had to put patch panels in the front fender heels as well as the rear lower part of the passenger side quarter (where the quarter trim goes), probably due to the window leak. Also two small rear wheel lip patches, one on each side. I did this work and I have lots of pictures of the repairs, before and after. Otherwise, the body had a bunch of door dings from her work days, no other body damage. Body was then primed with PPG Cre white epoxy primer. I had untold hours of block sanding. I then shot the Cameo Ivory using PPG Concept single stage urethane. Color sanded with grits up to 3000, then polished using PPG products.

Front and rear bumpers are the originals and I had them re-chromed ($$$$$).

Regarding the engine, the only part, besides the usual maintenance items, replaced was the water pump in 1978. Engine has never been apart. I replaced the valve cover gaskets this year. I also replaced the accelerator pump in the carb this year due to ethanol erosion.

I'll add further text and pictures, but for now, I'll end this with the important stuff.

Car is located in NW Montana. I'm about 90 miles from Missoula, MT and I90.

I'm asking $22,000 OBO. Again, I'm the 2nd owner (extended original family) and it only has 31, 661 miles.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632003674

Here is another thread of pictures of the car
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=851531

Interior is all original except for the package tray and sail panels. I used SEMS vinyl paint to re-dye the carpet and tops of the door panels as well as the top of the back seat (all sunburnt). The passenger bucket seat top outside corner is split. Not sure if repairable. There is a split in the vinyl of the outside bolster of the drivers seat. Dash pad is perfect. Headliner is perfect, except for the color has turned darker. Radio still works, though being AM only, I only get a single old school country station where I live!

The seat back panels have some scratches and somewhat chalky, but pretty nice for original.

All glass in the car is original. Unfortunately the rear 1/4 windows have scratches from the inner fiber guides.

Floor mats are original. Drivers is worn as expected and the rears are faded. She RARELY had passengers, so the front one is nice.
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632004500

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632006145

more
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632005141

more

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632005306

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632005377

The trunk was epoxied with the same DP. I then shot the trunk spatter using Thornton Restorations spatter. VERY close to original. It is oil based and no clear coat needed. I have the original jack/tire iron/adapter/sleeve, just not pictured here. I am missing the original spare wheel. I think I tossed it when we moved to Montana years ago. DOH! I'm looking for another to buy. Speaking of the wheels, the original deluxe wheel covers come with the car. I decided to paint the original black steel wheels Cameo and put on dog dishes. The dishes are used and not restored, but they stay on the wheels.

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632005844

Engine compartment parts were cleaned and shot with Rustoleum products where needed. Firewall is the original paint. The original engine info sticker has a spot worn in the middle of it, but I masked around it when painted the core support cover. I wanted to keep the original as I believe the repop replacements don't have the same font/size. The hoses are accurate repops (part numbers on the rad hoses). New Gates belts. The original and correct zinc plated water pump pulley is still present. New date coded spark plug wires. Original coil. It needs a new hood pad if one is desired.

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I forgot to mention that even the battery cables are the originals. I think it was me that cut off the original post clamps and put on the newer ones. My bad

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1632007073

Ok, that is a good start. I have many hundreds of photos. I'm sure I've left out a lot of info/facts. Reply here or PM me with any questions. I'd be glad to call anyone as well.

Forgot to mention. Rear is a tire shredding 2.56 non posi! LOL!

Thats a nice CAR!!!!

Appreciate it

Very nice LeMans.

Thanks

Wow, i like that.

Great looking car!!!!

Hope it finds a really good home with someone who appreciates such fine original. It's just too perfect for a "day 2" person like myself.

Thanks for the well wishes. Maybe it's a bad time of year to try and sell. I'll probably resurrect this thread once I get back north next spring, but in the meantime..

Best Offer????

I want to stay married.

[QUOTE=OG68;6283471]I want to stay married.[/QUOTE

C'mon! It would make for a great companion car to yours for her!