1970 Pontiac LeMans

The Pontiac Le Mans was manufactured in five generations, initially serving as the top-of-the-line version of the compact-sized Pontiac Tempest toward the close of the 1961 model year. The following year, it was a trim package on the Tempest but in1 963, it became a model in its own right. It reverted back for 1964 but in 1965, using a larger floor plan it, once again, it became its own model. All 1966 Pontiac intermediates received new styling featuring 'tunnelback' rooflines on the two-door hardtop and pillared coupés. In 1971, the Tempest nameplate was retired and Pontiac promoted the Le Mans nameplate to full-series status to identify all of its intermediate models. All 1972 Pontaic intermediates were now Le Mans and the low-priced T-37 line was replaced by a base Le Mans pillared coupe. On the other end of the spectrum, the top-line intermediate was the Luxury Le Mans available in hardtop sedan and coupé models and featured plusher interiors than regular Le Mans models.

Performance and acceleration was a sought-after commodity for Pontiac owners and for the LeMans in 1970, it could be ordered with the company's high-powered 400 cubic-inch V8s. Pontiac constantly sought increased power for its power plants with increased displacement, more efficient cylinder head designs and larger carburetors. The Le Mans Sport with 400 lb-ft of torque offered acceleration without hesitation, and represented the pinnacle of the high-performance Pontiacs before emissions equipment and lowered compression ratios took a toll on engine output.

The third generation of Le Mans styling was introduced in 1968 and would continue through 1972. They had a long hood and short deck, and two-door models rested on different wheelbases than the four-doors. In the front was a peripheral bumper grille while at the back, the taillights were integrated into the bumper.

The GTO personified performance, both visually and mechanically, especially when optioned with (WT-1) 'The Judge' which included the 400 CID RAM AIR V8 and Rally II wheels. Just 3,629 buyers selected the WT-1 option on the hardtop coupe and 168 on the convertible.

The 1970 intermediate line had bumper grilles inspired by the Firebird, with wraparound front parking and taillights, body-color nose panels, and crease sculptured side styling. The Le Mans was distinguished by four short horizontal chrome slashes located behind the front wheel openings and LeMans block letters positioned on the passenger's side of the deck lid. LeMans lettering could be found on the rear fenders. Body styles included a sedan priced at $2,790, a coupe at $2,735, a two-door hardtop coupe at $2,795, a hardtop sedan at $2,920, and a station wagon at $3,090. The most popular was the hardtop sedan with 52,304 units built, followed by 15,255 of the sedan, 5,656 of the coupe, and 3,872 of the hardtop coupe. Additionally, a total of 7,165 station wagons were built on the 'base' LeMans.

Standard equipment included in-the-windshield hidden antennas, dome lamps, automatic interior lamp switches, ashtray and cigar lighter lamps, side guard door beams, loop pile carpeting, day/night rearview mirror, rear armrests with ashtrays, and Morrokide seats and sides.

The standard engine for the Tempest, LeMans, and Firebird was the Chevrolet manufactured 250 cubic-inch six-cylinder with 8.5:1 compression, hydraulic valve lifters, a Rochester one-barrel carburetor, seven main bearings, overhead valves, a cast-iron block, and delivered 135 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. V8 offerings included 350 and 400-CID options with 2-barrel carburation and a 330 hp 400 CID four-barrel carbureted engine with dual exhausts. The four-barrel 350 HO was no longer avaible.

The newly introduced GT-37 package was offered with the three V8 engines, Rally II wheels without trim rings, white letter tires, a three-speed floor shift transmission, hood locking pins, GT-37 badging, sport mirrors, and chrome-tipped dual exhaust.

The LeMans Sport was the most luxuriously equipped version of the Tempest line, with all the amenities found on the LeMans plus front foam cushions, glove compartment and ashtray lamps, padded wood-grained dashboards, and knit and expanded Morrokide trim. Bucket seats or notchback bench seats were offered in the hardtop coupes and convertible, and notchback seats in the four-door hardtops. The LeMans Sport Safari wore exterior wood trim, helping to distinguish it from the base LeMans station wagons.

The basic styling introduced in 1968 continued through 1972. All GM intermediates became much larger in size for 1973, with the performance persona gradually fazed out due to safety concerns, emissions regulations, and the oil embargo. Luxury became paramount, soon to be displaced by fuel economy. The LeMans responded in kind until its eventual demise in 1982 after five generations of styling updates. The name was revived in 1988 and continued through 1994.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2022