[Greg Reid]

Originally Posted by 1970 Pontiac

I have not herd one person say "cool Idea", yet most gto's I see are clones. Hypocrits, or regrets, what do you think.

Most GTOs you see are clones? How many GTOs do you see on a regular basis? I rarely see a GTO around here that's a clone. In fact, I can only think of a single one and it hardly qualifies as a clone as you can spot the '67 LeMans quarter panels from 200 yards away. By the way, I don't see very many GTOs or LeMans any more...but the ones I see and can get a close look at, with the exception of that one, are exactly what they are presented to be.
The only other exception would be possibly Judges...since you can't tell with a casual look whether a GTO is an original Judge.

[RaceMan]

I had the same idea at first, I always wanted a GTO but after reading alot and thinking more I've decieded to just dress up my lemans sport conv. with different paint and maybe tires and wheels. Good luck !!

[Norwood]

You can't turn a Lemans into a GTO. Only Pontiac could do that at the time of build.

[enjoytheride7072]

Hi, this is my very first post to this board, and I too am in the same situation. I've got a 70 LeMans Sport, it's a coupe, cardinal red with a black vinyl top, 350 2-bbl, and a black bucket seat interior. Ive attached the picture. Here's my take on the "Clone Wars".

I'm 23, fresh off a restoration of an authentic '72 Chevelle SS. The original motor was long gone, so I tastefully restored it and installed a non-numbers 396. I really enjoy the car, and I'll never sell it. It doesn't bother me one bit that it's a NOM car, and showing my Pontiac roots, I even changed the Burnt Orange Metallic to '69 Carousel Red. Now, for the case of the LeMans.

I hate that front end, and there's nothing I can do to even attempt to like it. Even as cheap as I got this southern rust-free beauty, I can't swallow the bitter pill without "GTO-ing" up the front end. Same reason why I restored a 72 Chevelle as opposed to a '70 SS. Given, I didn't swap a different front end onto that car, but the Lemans will be in the same formula - screw originality, build what you like.

Now, it's illegal, immoral, and as holy as I hold these cars, sacreligde to ever swap out a VIN/Trim tag. It's foolish as well, as GTO guys are a die-hard clan whom you'd never pull the wool over on. And if I'd ever sell it, I'd be honest with the buyer and show all the documentation I have of every nut and bolt I swapped out of the car.

But, for a car to go out and have a good time with, I see nothing wrong with converting the front end into a GTO. I'm going to cross other borders and install a his-and-hers shifter, a rear wing, remove and sell off the vinyl top stuff, and might even use the GTO decal as a stencil and have the GTO letters painted on. Probably will even utilize the small journal of a 400 and the long stroke of a 455 for the ultimate street engine.

That's just the way I see it, for me. All I'm saying is, build what you like. I'm young, I've got the time, and the talent, but I don't have the money to pay for what these cars are bringing. So, being a do-it-yourselfer, it's cheaper for me to do the conversion.


And as far as authentic GTOs, I bought my car at Fall Carlisle, and I went in search of an original GTO or an original 442 - guess how many of these 'originals' were authentic, in the six hours I searched? 1. A tri-power 400 442. No 242 A-Bodies, out of 20+.

Anyhow, this is my long-winded introduction to the message board, and I hope to utilize this board and it's every plentiful resource of pontiac diehards for the stops along the way. Thanks guys.

[Greg Reid]

I agree with you on the front end. If I'm not mistaken, the endura bumper was available on the post '70 Lemans Sport. To me, that's not cloning a GTO.
I also agree that people can do what they want to their cars...I just think a LeMans Sport is a pretty cool car in it's own right.

[matt1970pon]

the only problem is there isn't alot of parts for them.I don't think anyone makes a repo core support for them,and the GTO ones are different.If your bumper is good get it off the car and seal it from the inside to save it.1970 is the only yr of that bumper.You picked a cool car to restore but kinda costly.Rare,not many aftermarket parts,and its a pontiac you will pay twice compared to a chevy. then again chevy's the cheap then and pontiac's where expensive.Somethings never change.don't give up.

[71lemanssprt]

Here is my thoughts as cloning becomes more popular the original lemans /lemanssports will become rarer and rarer there for I will keep mine in lemans sport badging (71 455 lemans sport hardtop). I understand that as the GTO'S and other muscle car go up in price it is tempting to make it into a goat but also keep in mind theives wont run you vin before they steal what they think is a rare gto sitting on the street. Sometimes being a gto owner does have it 's down falls. Also most insurance companies will inssist on gto premiums now that your lemans looks like a gto. just some things to consider.

[Bullydawg]

1970 Pontiac, if you do clone it into a GTO, I will buy your front valance and maybe both fenders. If you would want to sell them

[Keith841]

I want to make a GTO clone from my 1970 lemans. My interest is putting in a 455 more than the looks part. I know a guy who has a 71 firebird 455 engine for sale and says it's the same block. Will this bolt right into my lemans? Also, can I use the 350 tranny I have or do I have to change up to the 400 tranny?

[Greg Reid]

It should be a drop in and the tranny should be no problem either.

[Johnny GTO]

I say keep it a LeMans Sport. Better yet, ask your mom what she thinks you should do, since it was her first car. She sounds like one cool mom with good taste in vehicles.