The Pontiac that spawned the iconic GTO, the LeMans arrived in 1961. And what many people don't know is that this nameplate started out as a compact car. The LeMans did not become a midsize rig until 1964, the very model year it became available with the GTO performance package.
Even though it's often overshadowed by the GTO, the LeMans outlived its more legendary sibling. While the former was discontinued in 1974, after a final year as an option on the Ventura compact, the LeMans soldiered on through 1981.
Sure, the LeMans was nowhere near as potent as the GTO, but Pontiac offered a V8 in addition to the base inline-six mill. The 1966 version you see here comes from an era when the optional 326-cubic-inch (5.3-liter) V8 was available with an HO option rated at 285 horsepower and 359 pound-feet (487 Nm) of torque.
But this Montero Red Poncho is a deceiving classic. While it looks mostly stock on the outside, this LeMans hides a massive surprise under the hood. And by "massive," I mean a V8 that displaces a whopping 455 cubic inches. Indeed, it's an engine that wasn't yet available in the LeMans or GTO in 1966. However, the company began offering it in the GTO in 1970 and the LeMans in 1971.
It's unclear whether this 455 V8 is a true LeMans unit or sourced from a different Pontiac, but it doesn't really matter. The unit is no longer stock and uses a Ford nine-inch rear end to send all its oomph to the pavement (through a two-speed Powerglide). And based on the quarter-mile runs in the video below, this Pontiac packs way more oomph than the average factory LeMans.
Spotted at Byron Dragway, the coupe hits the strip against a bunch of modern vehicles, starting with a 2016 Jaguar F-Type. The result is far from surprising, as the F-Type crosses the line first with an 11.4-second run. But at 12.96 clicks, the LeMans is more than three seconds faster than a 1966 version with the HO version of the 326 V8.
The second race sees the LeMans line up against a 2015 Nissan GT-R. And as you might have already guessed, the Poncho doesn't stand a chance. The GT-R takes off like a rocket and hits the line in 12.1 seconds. The LeMans needs nearly 14 clicks to cover the distance. That's a big gap compared to the first run, but our host points out that the owner was still fine-tuning the muscle car.
Next up, the LeMans takes on a 2019 Kia Stinger GT2. The Pontiac loses yet again by nearly a second but delivers a solid 13.66-second run. The Pontiac eventually scores a win against a 2017 BMW 530i xDrive. The clock stops at 13.28 seconds for this one. Finally, the LeMans makes a solo pass and cross the line in 13.31 clicks at 108 mph (174 kph).
Sure, this Pontiac is not fast enough for most modern rigs, but it's an impressive classic that would defeat most stock vehicles from the golden muscle car era. It's also a proper sleeper worthy of a "GTO" badge.
Ask Ciprian about cars and he'll reveal an obsession with classics and an annoyance with modern design cues. Read his articles and you'll understand why his ideal SUV is the 1969 Chevrolet K5 Blazer. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News