Revive and Restore: Unlocking the Potential of a 1963 Pontiac LeMans Stored Away

 

Pontiac LeMans made its debut in 1961 as the top-of-the-range version of the Tempest, but two years later in 1963, the parent company decided to release it as a stand-alone series with just two body styles, namely coupe and convertible.

As many people already know, the LeMans also paved the way for the introduction of the GTO in 1964, initially as a performance package and later as a separate model.

Getting back to the 1963 LeMans, the standard engine was a 194ci (3.2-liter) l4 unit developing approximately 120 horsepower, yet the lineup now included not only a 215 (3.5-liter) V8 but also a new optional 326 producing 260 horsepower.

The same engine is also powering the LeMans that we have here, and according to eBay seller boatscapt.rocky, it’s the same unit that came with the car back in 1963 when it rolled off the assembly lines.

Found in a storage container in the Southern California desert, this LeMans has already received plenty of fixes, yet small extra TLC is still required to get back in tip-top shape. So for example, while the engine runs correctly with no smoke, the brakes still need some adjustments, which isn’t necessarily surprising given the car has been off the road since 1995.

The rust doesn’t seem to be a concern this time, but the seller does say there are signs the LeMans has already been repainted at some point.

An air conditioning system installed from the factory is also offered, and other things that are part of the TLC section we told you about include the headliner and the side door window, which appears to be cracked.

But overall, this LeMans looks like an easy restoration project, and this is probably the reason why the car has already received 14 bids since it was posted online. However, the reserve is yet to be met, with the top offer at the time of writing set at close to $8,000.

Preserving Timeless Elegance: Immaculate Beauty of a 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS 409 with Only 23K Miles

 

Finding a 1964 Chevrolet Impala in mint condition isn’t necessarily mission impossible, but in most cases, these are restored models whose engines have already been rebuilt or replaced with a newer unit as part of a restomod package.

On the other hand, what we have here is an Impala SS that’s still very original, and more importantly, comes with a shockingly low mileage.

First and foremost, according to eBay seller mikek01.windstream, who shared a detailed history of the car as part of the sales ad, the vehicle was ordered new from Earl Davis Chevrolet in Mansfield, Ohio.

Later the same year, however, the original owner traded in the car at Kerr Motors in Shelby, Ohio, with the Impala eventually purchased by the brother of an employee working at the Chrysler dealership.

Since then, the car has always been babied, garaged, and washed regularly, and it’s believed the last time it was driven was in 1972.

There are several tidbits, however, that any potential buyer should know about this car.

First and foremost, the owner says the 409 (6.7-liter) V8 engine was replaced by Chevrolet itself in 1965 on warranty. No information has been provided as to why this was necessary, but given it happened approximately a year after the car left the factory, it probably had just a few miles on the clock.

And speaking of the mileage, the car comes with only 23,000 miles (37,000 km), and the seller guarantees they are all original and unmolested.

Then, it’s the overall condition. The car still looks impressive, especially considering it has never been restored, though as you can easily tell by simply browsing the photo gallery here, it’s not a perfect 10 by any means.

The paint does show its age here and there, but there’s not a single spot of rust on the body, and this shows the car has indeed been properly stored during all these years.

The price of this SS isn’t necessarily surprising given it comes in such a good shape with everything original, low mileage, and a 409 V8 with 425 horsepower under the hood. The auction starts at $45,000, with a Buy It Now price set at $58,000.

Resurrecting Timeless Elegance: Restoring a 1958 Chevrolet Bel Air from Yard Neglect at an Unbeatable Price

 

1958 was the year when the Bel Air gave birth to the Impala nameplate, but this doesn’t necessarily mean the other models in the lineup didn’t deserve our attention.

 

In fact, Chevrolet introduced several important changes for this third-generation Bel Air, making the cars longer and lower. The interior also received a few extra touches, as the GM wanted the

cabin to feel a little bit more luxurious.

Several changes happened under the hood as well, and the most notable was the introduction of a 348 (5.7-liter) V8 as optional. The standard engine remained the 235 (3.9-liter) six-cylinder with 145 horsepower, while the standard V8 was now the 283 (4.6-liter) small-block V8.

The 1958 Bel Air that we have here still has an engine under the hood, but on the other hand, very little is known about it. eBay seller crazynorsk claims there’s a “282” in there, though that’s obviously a typo and most likely they were referring to the 283 V8 we told you about earlier.

The car obviously doesn’t come in its best shape, as it looks like it’s been sitting for a while in that yard, so it’s hard to determine if it can be restored easily without checking out everything in person. So if you do want to buy this Bel Air, you should first see it live, especially because not a lot of information has been provided by the seller.

But of course, you should expect a lot of rust since the car seems to be parked under the clear sky. Be ready for some serious patches, and obviously, there’s a good chance the car is no longer complete – after all, the headlights are already missing, so who knows what else is no longer there.

The good news is this Bel Air is ready to go for pocket money, as the seller posted it on eBay as part of a no reserve auction. In other words, the one submitting the highest bid can take it home, and right now, the top offer is just $500.

Preserved Elegance: Rediscovered 1965 Chevrolet Impala, Stored for Years with Just 25K Miles, Remains Breathtaking

 

1965 was the year when the Chevrolet Impala officially earned its place in automotive history books thanks to a totally impressive market performance.

The GM brand sold over 1 million units in the United States alone, with the Impala therefore becoming the first car in the country to reach this milestone.

And in case you’re wondering what made the 1965 Impala such a hot seller, just check out the example that we have here. Because at the first glance, this is the best look you can get at the ’65 Impala, as this model has never been restored, is still all original, and comes in a condition that certainly catches everybody’s attention.

eBay seller carmen 9967 says this Impala spent years in storage after the original owner parked it at some point in the fall of 1974. The car, however, has recently been pulled from the garage and given a repaint, as some moisture that was formed under the cover affected the paint here and there.

The repaint, however, has been done according to factory specifications, so the car features the correct Ermine white finish it came with back in 1965 when it rolled off the assembly lines.

At this point, the Impala only features two rust holes in the trunk, but other than that, almost everything outside and inside is in impressive shape.

The seller says the car was ordered by someone who was in Vietnam serving, and the original documents are still around, along with the build sheet and the owner’s manual.



As for what’s hiding under the hood, power comes from a 283 (4.7-liter) V8, and of course, it runs just fine. Several fixes have been made recently, so the car now sports a new fuel filter, water pump, and radiator. The odometer indicates a little over 25,000 miles (40,000 km), of course, all original.

Without a doubt, this is one of the nicest ’65 Impalas we’ve seen lately, and it’ll certainly be interesting to see how high the price ends up going. The top offer at the time of writing is $12,100, but the reserve is yet to be met.

Embrace the Nostalgia: Embark on a Summer Road Trip in an Autographed 1955 Mercury Monterey Woody

 

Here is a big, woody treat. A 1955 Mercury Monterey Wagon is up for grabs at Mecum’s annual Monterey auction in California. It not only looks great, but it also comes with all the proper nostalgia-infused vibes and many more.

For starters, we need to address the elephant in the room. Aside from the obvious jokes that we are presented with a Monterey (car) that is for sale in Monterey (city), the atmosphere is of utmost importance with this one. Never mind the pristine looks – these are a given since the consigner mentions it was rebuilt to mirror the original specs.

How about a Mercury Monterey Woody Wagon that screams relaxing summer road trips? Complete with a stroll down memory lane back to the long-gone decades when life was simpler? And with the autographs of The Beach Boys, Chubby Checker, Dick Clark, and Christopher Knight – the actor who played Peter Brady in the Brady Bunch.

Now that’s what you call an automotive star. And it’s up for grabs at no reserve if you can imagine that. It belongs to the Jim Zanardi Collection, which has all sorts of wonders produced in between the 1930s and '60s. But aside from the 1961 Jaguar XK150 Fixed Head Coupe, which is an AACA National First Prize holder, the Monterey could be considered chief among them.

After all, it was Mercury’s flagship model for 1955, and this unit is seen here dressed up in Turquoise over a cloth and vinyl upholstery interior is also as rare as it gets thanks to an interesting detail. Probably just to make sure those summer road trips can be enjoyed alongside as many people as possible; this example was also fitted with the third-row seat option.

Right now, the estimate for the auction in Monterey (August 12th through 14th) isn’t exactly overwhelming. Perhaps a $50,000 to $60,000 quotation might sound like much, but let’s remember that we are dealing with an incredible piece of memorabilia that harks back to a bygone era.

Unearthing the Gems: Exquisite and Iconic Bentley Cars Take Center Stage

 

ome of the most exquisite and earliest Bentley cars in the history of the British automaker will be put on display at the Hampton Court Palace during this year’s Concours of Elegance. Among them, you can also find the original model featured in the “Peaky Blinders”, a Bentley 4 ½-liter.

Some of the finest Bentley vehicles ever to roll out of the factory will be showcased at the famous event, produced as early as 1926, 1928, 1929, and the 1930s.

You might recognize one of them from the popular Netflix series “Peaky Blinders”. The GC 6002 is a Bentley 4 ½-liter, a sports four-seater with wings in a green finish. It’s a 1930 model with less than 100,000 miles on the clock. This Bentley is still in regular use and has never been rebuilt. His owner was the landlord of the Southampton Arms, renowned in the 20s for its race track wars. They were also featured in the series.

There’s also a 1928 Bentley 4 ½-litre Le Mans Team Car to be admired, which still has its original chassis, engine, and body numbers, and has an impressive raci

ng background with multiple wins.

Another Concurs of Elegance attraction is the 1926 6 ½-litre Sports Tourer, a unique survivor to still have the 11 ft chassis with its original one-off aluminum body on it, as well as its

originally installed engine. Bentley refers to the model as the ¾ folding head coupe.

The Concours of Elegance will display almost 1,000 cars this year, including 95 British vehicles meant to celebrate the Queen’s 95th birthday. This year’s edition will take place between September 3 and 5. You can buy day tickets or opt for a pass for the entire event. There are simple, standard entry tickets available or full three-course hospitality packages, starting at £288 (approximately $400).

Resurrecting a Myth: 1964 Chevrolet Impala SS Awakens from 37-Year Slumber, Unleashing V8 Power

 The 1964 Chevrolet Impala included an already familiar mix of six-cylinder and V8 engines, as the GM brand wanted to make sure the refreshed series can target more customers with a choice of both economical and powerful powertrains.

 

Just like before, the standard engine was the 230ci (3.8-liter) six-cylinder that offered only 140 horsepower, so obviously the purpose of this unit was to let people drive an Impala even if they weren’t necessarily interested in the power under the hood.

Those who were could choose from a wide array of V8 units, starting with the 283 (4.6-liter) Turbo-Fire and ending with the 409 (6.7-liter), which returned to the Impala family with three power outputs, namely 340, 400, and 425 horsepower. The 425 hp was the only version that came with twin four-barrel carburetors.

The Impala that we have here also flexes this high-performance 409, and more impressive is that it started right up after the car got cleaned up. According to eBay seller ginadylan, the Chevy has been sitting since 1984, so without a doubt, an engine starting so easily is definitely good news for someone planning a full restoration.

What’s not good news, on the other hand, is the overall condition of the car. As you could easily figure out from the photos in the gallery, the Impala requires a full restoration, and the body has clearly seen better days. The seller themselves claim most body panels need to be repaired or replaced completely, and the floor must be patched.

Obviously, this is a project car in all regards, but given it’s almost complete and has never been restored, it’s a very good candidate for someone planning to bring it back to factory specifications.

As for the price of the car, only the Internet can decide it, but the eBay auction posted online starts at $8,900. Given it’s a no-reserve auction, whoever sends the highest offer can take the car home.