[67 LeMans 326]

It's all about the "look". Using OEM/stock/Pontiac parts is the key, nothing aftermarket for me under the hood. I like performance and or safety upgrades/mods but keeping them hidden is the challenge/fun of it all for me.

I could grind the "62"'s off the heads an no one would ever know. I just might do that in fact. I even have an NOS set of date coded plug wires (2nd quarter 67). She will look plain jane, bone stock but when the light changes it's over.

[Tripower455]

Originally Posted by 67 LeMans 326

It's all about the "look". Using OEM/stock/Pontiac parts is the key, nothing aftermarket for me under the hood. I like performance and or safety upgrades/mods but keeping them hidden is the challenge/fun of it all for me.

I could grind the "62"'s off the heads an no one would ever know. I just might do that in fact. I even have an NOS set of date coded plug wires (2nd quarter 67). She will look plain jane, bone stock but when the light changes it's over.

That was me, to a T, 10 years ago. Even down to the same exhaust setup (RA manifolds, 2.5" mandrel bent pipes. Lemme guess, Dynomax Super Turbos?).

Then it became a matter of more power, more better, might as well, trying to feed 462 cid @ 6000 rpms through a stock tripower intake, with stock fuel pump and 1/4" lines, then trying to squeeze that exhaust through the RA manifolds and little 2.5" pipes etc., and it's been downhill ever since.

Nowadays, I am happy if it's running well and just ignore the car show experts. Heck, I'd rather go to the track or just cruise around than go to car shows any more.

BTW, you have a killer LeMans there......... My favorite color too!

[67 LeMans 326]

LOL yeap, sounds familiar. Well, for me it's about as much power as possible while keeping the stock look. I don't know what it is about it, but I love the clean as it should be look. I thrive on the engine compartment compliments more than anything else. I think it's because it is difficult challenge and something you seldom see. I know the overwhelming majority of Pontiacs I see have anything but a stock appearing engine compartment.

I know when we still had our 68 Firebird, I received more compliments on the non-numbers matching 400 with RamAir pans and a 100% bones stock/ accurate look under the hood than anything else. It's tough to find all the right brackets, clamps, hoses, stickers, TVS & hoses, colors of parts etc. and it's very easy to walk into any parts store and pull carbs, intakes, chrome brackets etc. off the shelf and bolt them on.

So for me, it's more about the challenge than anything. To have a known Pontiac enthusiest look under the hood and say "damn, you have just about nailed this 100%" is worth all the effort.

[Tripower455]

Originally Posted by 67 LeMans 326

LOL yeap, sounds familiar. Well, for me it's about as much power as possible while keeping the stock look. I don't know what it is about it, but I love the clean as it should be look. I thrive on the engine compartment compliments more than anything else. I think it's because it is difficult challenge and something you seldom see. I know the overwhelming majority of Pontiacs I see have anything but a stock appearing engine compartment.

I know when we still had our 68 Firebird, I received more compliments on the non-numbers matching 400 with RamAir pans and a 100% bones stock/ accurate look under the hood than anything else. It's tough to find all the right brackets, clamps, hoses, stickers, TVS & hoses, colors of parts etc. and it's very easy to walk into any parts store and pull carbs, intakes, chrome brackets etc. off the shelf and bolt them on.

So for me, it's more about the challenge than anything. To have a known Pontiac enthusiest look under the hood and say "damn, you have just about nailed this 100%" is worth all the effort.

I hear you..... That's exactly what I wanted too. At some point I ceased to care. You're starting off with a much better "canvas" than I had. My car needed EVERYTHING, and at some point, I had to prioritize and bone stock looks finally succumbed to getting it done.

Every so often, I get the itch to go total stealth again, and might at some point (mine is not that far off), but not at the expense of power or driveability. Other than the dash, unless I open the hood, most folks think mine is a sedate, stock convertible. Some folks can't even tell WITH the hood open.

FWIW, There is very little in a parts store that will even bolt onto a Pontiac anymore!