The Pontiac LeMans was first introduced in 1961 as a premium variant of the Tempest compact. Two years later, in 1963, it became a distinct model in its own right. By 1964, it had been revamped as an intermediate and began to incorporate design elements from the popular GTO model.
Although the Pontiac GTO was discontinued in 1974, the LeMans remained a midsize car until 1981. While the LeMans may not be as desirable as the GTO in modern times, its exterior design and drivetrains are still cool. As a result, it’s always a pleasure to see an old LeMans emerge from long-term storage, particularly if it’s a numbers-matching model. This was the case with a Springfield Green 1972 LeMans that had been in the same family since it was new.
The car was parked in a barn in 2002 after the original owner was unable to continue driving it due to aging. Unfortunately, with the owner’s passing and no one available to get the car running again, the LeMans spent two decades in the barn. The wooden structure housing the car was on the brink of collapse when the son-in-law decided to remove it from the barn and restore it to its former glory.
The son-in-law entrusted the task to the team at “Restored,” a YouTube channel, and the entire rescue operation was captured on camera. It’s always a joy to watch such events unfold.
Despite being buried under trash, the LeMans is still in excellent condition and can be made road-worthy once again. The car emerged from the barn as a remarkable survivor with minimal rust and a solid exterior. The striking green paint is also in good shape, which is impressive considering how long the car was parked in the barn.
What makes this LeMans truly special is that it’s a numbers-matching car with its original V8 engine still intact. According to the son-in-law, it has a smaller V8, most likely a 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) engine. Although this is less powerful than the 455-cubic-inch (7.5-liter) engine that produced up to 300 horsepower in HO form, the 350 still packs a punch with a net output of 175 horses, which was respectable for the 1972 model year.
Will the engine still run? We’ll have to wait for the “Restored” team to get their hands on it and find out. In the meantime, check out the video below to see the LeMans being pulled out of the barn.
Did you know that 1972 was the year when Pontiac stopped offering the GTO as a separate nameplate and turned it into an option package for the LeMans?
