[ponchbro]

In Michigan there was a lemans package with a spoiler and a screaming chicken on the hood called a lemans sport classic. They came in white and black.

[Pontiacdaver]

The rear spoiler looks like the one in the "GTO kit" literature that is on Iowapub's website, here is the link: http://s1.webstarts.com/grandamman/uploads/DSC05501.jpg.
-Dave

[elcaminobill]

That interesting. Wonder how many of them were made?

[chicagoland]

Looks like a 1979 GA with '81 LeMans face and tails. Mix n Match parts like legos.

The GTO badge is definitely a mis-match, the purists would have panic attacks if they saw this!

[chicagoland]

One other thing about the '81 front, it was a one-year wonder. It's too bad they didn't keep it on the 82-87 Bonneville G body.

[iowapub]

Originally Posted by S Courter

Dash says Grand Am. What do you think??

Steve

Steve have you gone to verify that the dash plaque does read "Grand Am"?
I have never seen this in woodgrain.

Other than that, I think we all agree it is an 81 Grand Lemans with the added spoiler and "GTO" fender decals.

[S Courter]

WELL!!! I went to inspect it again and talked to the owner this time. Dash plaque does say Grand Am. Build date is 12/79 title says 80 All indications say it is an 80 Grand Am with an 81 front fascia added and I am the new owner!!!! Got it with the tires and rims, 301 4 bbl PONTIAC motor with estimated 5000 miles on rebuild, some rear frame rust and a little in the body but not too bad for less than 2k. Picking it up tomorrow pm.

[elcaminobill]

Sounds like a good deal! Give me a shout if you need any Lemans specific parts once you get started.

Bill

[iowapub]

Congrats on the new ride Steve. Could you post a good picture of the dash plaque?

Has anyone else seen the "Grand Am" in wood grain? I've seen Bonneville and Grand Lemans, so maybe someone working on the line slipped it (or a few) through?

[Lightfoot]

Sheesh, I just opened this thread for the first time tonight, and as soon as I saw the photo of the rear end, I thought it was most likely a 1980 Grand Am with '81 front facia.
The tailights were a good clue; 1980 Grand Am pieces. I can see the Ontario gray paint on the bottom, in the first picture, also.

Not so bright owner obviously didn't know what he had. Good for Steve.

It just needs a few corrections, mainly some Pontiac wheels, and GM steering wheel.

edit: I take that back. After looking a little closer, they are actually 1979 Lemans tails.
Tom

[Lightfoot]

Originally Posted by ponchbro

In Michigan there was a lemans package with a spoiler and a screaming chicken on the hood called a lemans sport classic. They came in white and black.

Good call. 1979 models. I have seen two or three of these specimins. That's what I thought this car was, (with '81 facia added) until I studied the photos.
In 1987, me and my brother looked over a black '79 Lemans coupe that had these funky quarter window louvres and a decklid spoiler. There was a faded hood bird that looked similar to T/A except it was single color pin striped, and more narrow on the hood. I remember thinking the "Sport Classic" lettering was kind of cheesy. I don't recall it having buckets/console either. Pretty sure it was a red cloth bench.
This was in a used car lot in South Haven, Michigan.
The big let down was that it had a 231 V6 from the factory (VIN code A). If my brother hadn't just purchased a '78 Grand Lemans 4-door (his 1st car), we would have bought that black Lemans Sport Classic, and looked for a Pontiac or Olds V8 to put in it.

Years later I spotted a decrepid looking black 'Sport Classic' driving down the road and wondered if it was the same one, or a different one. I had seen a white one somewhere along the line, also.

[ponchbro]

Originally Posted by Lightfoot

Good call. 1979 models. I have seen two or three of these specimins. That's what I thought this car was, (with '81 facia added) until I studied the photos.
In 1987, me and my brother looked over a black '79 Lemans coupe that had these funky quarter window louvres and a decklid spoiler. There was a faded hood bird that looked similar to T/A except it was single color pin striped, and more narrow on the hood. I remember thinking the "Sport Classic" lettering was kind of cheesy. I don't recall it having buckets/console either. Pretty sure it was a red cloth bench.
This was in a used car lot in South Haven, Michigan.
The big let down was that it had a 231 V6 from the factory (VIN code A). If my brother hadn't just purchased a '78 Grand Lemans 4-door (his 1st car), we would have bought that black Lemans Sport Classic, and looked for a Pontiac or Olds V8 to put in it.

Years later I spotted a decrepid looking black 'Sport Classic' driving down the road and wondered if it was the same one, or a different one. I had seen a white one somewhere along the line, also.

I remember my older brother looking at them new. They did have red interior's don't remember what engine's. They were at the Pontiac dealer in South Haven MI,

[S Courter]

O.K. How do I determine if this really is a Grand Am ?? 79 tail lights, 81 front fascia?? Does the vin tell me? What did the Grand Am package consist of? It is dark gray below the side moldings.
Pictures- On my trailer arriving home. After a quick wash before my wife saw it. The dash plaque. What do you think??

Steve

[Lightfoot]

The second digit of the VIN should be a G if it's a Grand Am.
F = Grand Lemans
D = Lemans

All the '80 Grand Ams came with Ontario Gray as a lower body color, unless a buyer chose to order the car without it. I would guess very, very few were built without it. I've never seen one w/o.
Only other things standard on '80 GA (verses Grand Lemans/Lemans) were 301 4bbl, automatic trans, F41 suspension, and engine gauges; along with all the various trim nuances.

Looks like someone skillfully inserted a Grand Am nameplate into a wood grain dash strip to me. And those window louvres are the same style as the ones on the '79 "Sport Classic" I looked at in 1987.
The car looks really good cleaned up. If it were me, I'd leave the '81 front facia on it.

[Lightfoot]

You should also order a PHS packet for it, unless you discover it's not a GA, but I think the lower body accent color is a pretty good indication that it is one of 1647.

I speculate that the original dash was replaced at some point and the owners took pains to fabricate the Grand Am into the replacement dash plaque.

[S Courter]

Thanks Lightfoot. I'm happy to say that the second digit is indeed a G.

[iowapub]

80 Grand Am VIN's were all 2G27WAPxxxxxx

So it appears to be an 80 G/A with the newer gauges and wood trim interior and the other options mentioned. I think the tail lights are still correct
As lighfoot mentioned, a PHS would tell you more about how the car was ordered.

[S Courter]

Replaced the ignition lock yesterday and started the engine. Everything seems to work. Looks like I need an upper steering column bearing for tilt column. Where can I get one??

Thanks

[6 Grrrs]

Car looks great cleaned up. I'd take the GTO emblems off. Not a fan of the louvers either. Other than that I like it alot. I even like the '81 front end. Makes it unique.

Next on the list would be motor/trans. Those cars make great sleepers, since nobody knows what it is. Keep it poncho powered.

Nice score

[elcaminobill]

Originally Posted by S Courter

Replaced the ignition lock yesterday and started the engine. Everything seems to work. Looks like I need an upper steering column bearing for tilt column. Where can I get one??

Thanks

If you can make due with a used one I may have one from a disassembled column.