1975 LeMans

The 1975 LeMans received mostly trim changes including new crosshatch grilles on base and Sport models, and a distinctive vertical bar grille with more chrome on the Grand LeMans (renamed from Luxury LeMans) series cars and only revised nameplates and tailight lenses in the rear. Interiors were revised on top Grand LeMans cars to include the distinctive wrap-around dashboard from the Grand Prix and Grand Am models with simulated African Crossfire Mahogany trim, a notchback bench seat with armrest in sedans and wagons or a no-cost choice of the notchback bench or Strato bucket seats in coupes.

Base LeMans and Sport Coupe models carried over trim only slightly revised from 1974 including a revised Custom Cushioned steering wheel. Big news for 1975, however, was Pontiac's Maximum Mileage System which consisted of GM's new catalytic converter which reduced emissions while improving drivability and fuel economy, a High Energy electronic ignition, and lengthened routine maintenance intervals. Radial tires were standard on all models and a "Radial Tuned Suspension" option was available that included upgraded radial tires along with front and rear sway bars.

Engines were revised for 1975 to meet that year's emission requirements and mated to the catalytic converter, which spelled the end of true dual exhausts. The 250 cubic-inch Chevy inline six was standard on base LeMans coupes and sedans while the 350 two-barrel V8 was optional and standard on the LeMans Sport Coupe, and Grand LeMans sedans and coupes, and optional engines on all of those models including a 350 four-barrel and a 400 two-barrel. LeMans and Grand LeMans Safari wagons came standard with a 400 four-barrel engine that was optional on other models.

The 455 V8 was discontinued for all LeMans models for 1975, but still available in the Grand Am. Transmission offerings included a three-speed manual standard with the six-cylinder and 350 two-barrel V8, with the three-speed Turbo Hydra-matic optional with those engines, a "mandatory" option with all other engines in sedans and coupes, and standard on the Safari wagons. The Hurst-shifted four-speed manual was no longer offered.

1975 History and Identification A-Body



Having production of only 8,786 copies this season was the sporty Grand AM two-door Notch Back Hardtop, which came standard with a special Endura nose piece and "windowless" rear quarter roof styling. It was base-priced at $4,956 and had a shipping weight of 4,148 pounds. Standard features for all Grand AMs were about the same as the previous year. The Standard Grand AM powerplant was again a 170 horsepower Pontiac "400" V-8 with only two-barrel induction. A 200 horsepower edition of the 455 cubic-inch engine was available at extra cost. Style Number 2AH37 was applied to this car.

Like the two-door model, the Style Number 2AH29 Grand AM four door Notch Back Hardtop was also in its final seasonal appearance this year. It turned out to be quite a rare model, since only 1,893 copies were produced by the end of the run.

It now had a base price of $5,045 and a curb weight of 4,185 pounds. Originally hailed as an "American Mercedes-Benz," the four door Grand AM seemed hard to sell to domestic buyers. Because of the Endura nose treatment, both Grand AMs were a few inches longer than other intermediate models with similar "Colonnade" styling. The Coupe was 211 inches from end to end and the four door Hardtop was four inches longer still.

1975 Grand Lemans

A distinctive grille design with six groupings of vertical bars distinguished the Grand LeMans line. They were arranged with three groupings on either side of the nose center panel and parking lamps were incorporated into the grille at each outboard end.

The two-door Notch Back Hardtop was listed as Style Number 2AG37 and featured the "Colonnade" look with glass opera windows. Buyers had a choice of Notch-Back bench or bucket seats. This particular model had prices beginning at $4,321 with a shipping weight of 3,823 pounds.  It accounted for 19,310 deliveries and was the most popular of all Grand LeMans offerings.

Pontiac advertisements compared the Grand LeMans four-door Notch Back Hardtop to more expensive luxury sedans. It was a richly appointed model and fender skirts were included as a regular equipment feature.

It was sometimes also called the "Colonnade Hardtop Sedan," but the official designation was Style Number 2AG29. It had a production run of 4,906 units. With prices beginning at $4,377, this car listed a shipping weight of 3,916 pounds. This example seems to have many options and accessories including whitewalls; a Cordova top; sport miriors, and rear bumper guards. The 250 cubic-inch Six was the base engine for both Grand LeMans Hardtops.

1975 Pontiac Lemans 2 door
Forming a sub-series all by itself was the Style Number 2AF37 LeMans-Sport two-door Notch Back Hardtop, or "Colonnade Coupe." It features an egg crate style grille and the "windowless" rear quarter roof treatment. It was designed as a sporty-looking model and a GT option package was provided at $257 extra. The LeMans Sport, which registered a weight of 3,813 pounds, had prices beginning from $4,143. A total of 23,817 copies were sold. Two-door LeMans models, except Grand AMs, were 208 inches from bumper-to-bumper, but both series were on the 112-inch wheelbase. All fourdoors had a 116 inch stance.

The LeMans series had a bad season in 1975 with total production slipping below the output of full-sized models, despite factors like the energy crisis and the constantly increasing rate of inflation. Least effected, in terms of in dividual body styles was the 2AD29 four-door Notch Back Hardtop, which slipped by some 2,000 units, but still managed to net 15,065 sales.

It had prices that started at $4,047 and a weight of 3,859 pounds. A three-speed manual transmission with column-mounted shift lever was standard equipment, although a steep 98 percent of all units built were delivered with Turbo Hydra-Matic attachment. A four-speed manual gearbox was no longer provided except for Astre and Firebird models.

The lowest-priced LeMans was the Style Number 2AD37 two-door Notch Back Hardtop. It had a retail tag of $4,025 in standard trim with the 105 horsepower Chevrolet-built six cylinder engine installed. This motor had an 8.25:1 compression ratio and featured just a single-barrel carburetor. The majority of LeMans intermediates-91.6 percent were sold with either standard or optional V-8 powerplants. The Six was certainly not a common choice of buyers. Bucket seats were ordered for about one-third of all LeMans two-door models, including the Grand AMs. The base "Colonnade Coupe" came with opera windows and a weight of 3,786 pounds was registered. A total of 20,636 units were built, as it was a popular car