Noob

[Jdubya]

Hey, everybody. I'm an old car guy and have owned dozens of cars over the years. My only previous Pontiac was a '66 GTO. I've restored several muscle cars, built several phantom cars, and have been playing with cars my whole life. Between the wife and I, we have a very eclectic collection.

I just scored a 1963 LeMans off FleaBay. It's a solid car with no rust, 4 cyl with factory air. I have a weakness for one-off unusual stuff, so I'm going to make it into what a 1963 GTO might have looked like if John Z. had played his cards a year earlier. My intent is to make it just as it might have appeared on the showroom floor. I've got a very talented hard-core Pontiac guy who owns his own shop to do most of the work, so I'm gunning for something that is authentic as possible. We'll see how it unfolds over the next year or so. I hope you don't mind if I ask questions.

 

[melsg5]

welcome to the forum and good luck with your unusual project

 

[cammerjeff]

Welcome to the Forum, does your Lemans have the 326 V8 or one of the 195 slant 4's in it? Manual or Automatic?

I have always liked the design of the 63 Lemans & Tempest's.

Are you planning on upping the HP of the engine? Or just sticking with cosmetic mods?
I ask as the rear transaxle in the cars is known to be weak, it is basically the same unit that was used in the Chevy Corvair with just a few mods.
They are expensive to rebuild and getting hard to find parts for the automatic's. The manuals are basically Saginaw 3 or 4 speeds.

Post some pictures when you get a chance.

 

[Jdubya]

Welcome to the Forum, does your Lemans have the 326 V8 or one of the 195 slant 4's in it? Manual or Automatic?

I have always liked the design of the 63 Lemans & Tempest's.

Are you planning on upping the HP of the engine? Or just sticking with cosmetic mods?
I ask as the rear transaxle in the cars is known to be weak, it is basically the same unit that was used in the Chevy Corvair with just a few mods.
They are expensive to rebuild and getting hard to find parts for the automatic's. The manuals are basically Saginaw 3 or 4 speeds.

Post some pictures when you get a chance.

The plan is to make it look correct, while implementing any performance or safety upgrades. For example, we'll use a 389 block but build it up to 400+ horsepower. We'll upgrade to disc brakes, but they'll be hidden by the steel wheels. The rear end will be a solid axle. The fuel injection will be hidden by the OEM air cleaner, and so on.

I'll post pictures over the weekend.

______________________________

 

[Jdubya]

Here's one of the photos of the car from the auction. The transport just picked it up and the driver said it was a very solid car. I don't know which 4-cyl engine it has, I didn't ask the seller since it was going to be pulled out.