78 Pontiac Lemans

[PBGBodyFan]

Very cool. Looks very clean, I only thought the 305 went into a BOP if it was a Canadian car, but not an expert with the early a/g-bodies.

As for value, do what you want with it. These will never be worth a ton even though I'm sure some do look for survivors like this to buy/collect to some small degree. Keeping something original never goes out of style as I like to say. Modifications may age poorly or not be what someone else wants, but if you plan to keep it, for enjoyment and less concern about selling it later, do what you please.

For the "keeping" it Pontiac, it crosses/crossed my mind with my 81' too. But mine came with a Buick 3.8, yours a SBC. So that is kind of a moot point. I guess you can make it all Pontiac, since it never was. Being that it's setup for a SBC, the ease/cheapness of parts makes that a pretty leading candidate if it was mine. A Pontiac motor would be cool though and even though there is some backlash against the tide of LS swaps on here, hard to argue that direction too except more money/work will have to be put into it. A Caddy 472/500 or Turbo 3.8 would be very cool also . It's nice to have options.

 

[CDUNIGAN1981]

And I even made it bold print too "not recommending such here"

"Hey my grandfather left me a vintage Jumpman sweat suit. What should I do with it?"

Me: Buy a cool pair of Jordan's
You: Italian loafers are a better shoe but I'm not recommended them to wear with sweat suit. I just wanted to point it out and also trash Jordan's bc they are not as nice as Italian loafers.

I'll let the guy get back to his thread.

Peace out Signore Merccariello.
I'll be in the driveway shooting hoops your loafers.

 

[BronzeLemans78]

I too love #'s matching but in this particular situation if you went with the 350 upgrade, and its keeping it stock looking under the hood, it would most likely increase the value.

Next question, if you all were building...crate motor or find a used block? Is the crate motor really worth the extra money?

 

[blk7gxn]

"Hey my grandfather left me a vintage Jumpman sweat suit. What should I do with it?"

Me: Buy a cool pair of Jordan's
You: Italian loafers are a better shoe but I'm not recommended them to wear with sweat suit. I just wanted to point it out and also trash Jordan's bc they are not as nice as Italian loafers.

I'll let the guy get back to his thread.

Peace out Signore Merccariello.
I'll be in the driveway shooting hoops your loafers.

It never ceases to amaze me...... apparently I'm just expecting people to have the minimal IQ level to understand what I wrote because it was so simple and self explanatory. My apologies for making it so difficult for you to understand.

 

[5spdCab]

I'm with localhero back on page one of this thread. A clean survivor deserves to be driven that way for a while. If your grandfather left it to you, you are probably at the age of a young family man. That would mean unexpected bills popping up for any number of reasons. It might be a wise thing to take care of the small items on your list with this car for the time being. You can then start building a plan for the car as you research the options available to you. Just my opinion. Have fun whatever you decide.

 

[PBGBodyFan]

I'm with localhero back on page one of this thread. A clean survivor deserves to be driven that way for a while. If your grandfather left it to you, you are probably at the age of a young family man. That would mean unexpected bills popping up for any number of reasons. It might be a wise thing to take care of the small items on your list with this car for the time being. You can then start building a plan for the car as you research the options available to you. Just my opinion. Have fun whatever you decide.

I'd second this, at least give it time before digging in, not that the OP is rushing anything. I tried to make it a point to keep my wagon "as is" at least mechanically the first year I had it and it was fun to drive no matter what. The lack of power and some other things I wanted/want to change but maybe it will grow on you to keep it original or maybe even change your mind in what you want out of it.

 

[grandamman]

I agree with keeping it as is, at least until you get it tightened up. Shocks, springs, bushings, BRAKE lines, and a whole lot of other things you are sure to find.
Just don't spend too much on items that will need changed once you go with a SBC 350. Exhausts, trans etc..

The standard engine was the Buick 3.8.
Chevy 305 was required in Canada, CA and CO (High altitude)
Badasses ordered the optional 301 Pontiac.

Where about was the car ordered?

 

[BronzeLemans78]

I agree with keeping it as is, at least until you get it tightened up. Shocks, springs, bushings, BRAKE lines, and a whole lot of other things you are sure to find.
Just don't spend too much on items that will need changed once you go with a SBC 350. Exhausts, trans etc..

The standard engine was the Buick 3.8.
Chevy 305 was required in Canada, CA and CO (High altitude)
Badasses ordered the optional 301 Pontiac.

Where about was the car ordered?

North Carolina

 

[Bonnewagon]

Beautiful!! Keep it stock for now and enjoy it. When the bug hits- and it will- a 301 "should" have been in there. Perfect motor for that car. And if that is not enough- a 400 will also fit.

 

[Pc3]

I would throw some raised white letter BF Goodrich tires on some chrome wheels ,tint the windows get a good sounding exhaust and call it a day,
Enjoy the car .