I write this entry with a tear in my eye. In the Sunday Indianapolis Star I read the following story ‘Alas, the Pontiac- R.I.P..

Mr. Dan McFeely noted on the next line that ‘Aficionados lament General Motors’ decision to end production of the brand now likely to be a hot classic’. The obituary noted that GM life support for Pontiac was pulled on April 27^th, 2009. Pontiac (nee the Oakland Motor Car Company) was born in 1926 in (appropriately) Pontiac, Michigan. Pontiac was the proud parent of GTO, Firebird, Catalina, Grand Prix, Bonneville, the Chief, the Star Chief, Fiero, and my beloved Lemans (just to name a few ).

I  owned a 1967 Pontiac Lemans convertible in 1973. I had that car for six months before it became car number five in a six car sandwich. The car was totaled in April in Cleveland, Ohio. I never had a chance to put the top down and enjoy it. I owned it for six months of which only one month was considered spring (I lived in Cleveland at the time).

In 2001 I thought I had seen a ghost. Appearing on the internet was the exact same car. It was the same color, the same year, the same make, the same everything. It was for sale in Southern California by its second owner who enjoyed driving the car to the beach with his surf board in the back.

Friends of mine looked at the car and I made the purchase. For the past eight years I have an exact copy of my 1967 Lemans (as I remember it from 1973).

I am sure you have all heard of the GTO and perhaps not so much about the Lemans. The Lemans has been called the poor man’s GTO. It has a very similar shape and look. This is my toy.

1967 Pontiac Lemans and home.                                                       

 

 1967 Lemans – top down and ready to go cruising for burgers.

No 1967 muscle car would be complete without a hula girl on the console. This was courtesy of ‘Old Blue’s’ previous owner.

Fred Leickly