Thanks for posting explorer4, I like those cars and as you said, I can't recall when I've last seen a late-'60's Ambassador hardtop. I wish he'd included interior photos, particularly since he mentions buckets and console.
I don't know AMC cars, but the 'yellow jacket' model/nickname and 'production of 100' makes me chuckle a bit, although it could be true. I know that in the Studebaker Drivers' Club, when production numbers are thrown out, they are based on factory documentation in the museum archives or are actually based on someone going through the individual build sheets, as I did when I was trying to find how many '63 Avanti-engined cars were built with the sunroof.
I don't pretend to know the AMC market, but that guy's asking price seems very fair if the car is as nice inside and underneath as it looks on the top side.
I'd have to put whitewalls on it first thing if it were mine.
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That '68 Yellow Jacket is curious. The little bit of info I could find about that name (I had never heard of it before) says it was a '67 thing. AFAIK there is no badging or other indication on it indicating it is a "Yellow Jacket" model. In '67 it was a bit more distinctive as the Hialeah Yellow paint was not yet offered on other models, whereas it became a production color for '68. I wonder if the reason the owner can't find another '68 Yellow Jacket is because they didn't exist that year? This could just be a '68 Ambassador ordered with Hialeah Yellow paint.
I'd have to put whitewalls on it first thing if it were mine.
On the subject of tires, that reminded me...I've had my '76 Grand LeMans for a bit over 10 years now, so I'm thinking it's time to replace the tires. They still have plenty of tread, and look good, but I'm just worried about old age getting to them, and would rather NOT have a blowout at 70 mph!
Anyway, I figured I'd poll for opinions here. Right now it has raised white letter tires on it. I figure I could go for raised white letters, whitewalls, or blackwalls. What say you guys?
FWIW, here's a fairly recent pic of it, with the tires it currently has...
I'm leaning a bit towards blackwalls, but I dunno...maybe whitewalls would look okay?
My guess is that that car was delivered with whitewalls, even with the Rally Wheels. I was always a [non-permissible content removed] about whitewall width and spacing when I'd buy tires for my Lark...I always looked for about 7/8 inch for that particular car.
I'd vote for whitewalls, but I think the white-lettered looks nice too, as I seem to remember a fair amount of folks using those for the first replacement set on cars like that.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
On a nice day here in town today, a fine-looking Series 2 E-type ragtop, pale yellow in color, top down, parked at the curb on the main shopping street downtown. Hood and trunk open, three guys with tools fixing something under the hood. In other words, typical British car.
I'd go for the white letter look too, makes the car seem sportier with the wheels. Also kind of a period touch now - that fad seems to have evaporated. I don't know if any cars in my family ever had them, although maybe the S-10 Blazer, I have a vague memory of it.
If whitewalls, I would do it like uplanderguy and get something just a little wider than the skinny thin whitewalls seen on 80s-90s cars.
I think that vintage GM intermediate is pretty classic looking, so you can probably go with any of the three tire options. Personally, I'd probably steer away from the blackwall because of the darker maroonish exterior color. The whitewall will make it look more classy, the raised letter more sporty. Andre smile, you're in one of those rare can't really lose propositions in life here
I dug around some, and found some old pics of my '76 LeMans, I think from when it was listed on eBay. I had forgotten that it was showing white walls in some of the pics.
Unfortunately, it's fairly low resolution, but I guess it gives a good indication of how that car would look with them.
Saw a couple MGs today, a nice earlier 60s Beetle, an early Camaro convertible, a 66 Pontiac convertible, 46 Mercury sedan, 64-66 T-Bird quickly followed by a cigar Bird, a Cressida with a "Police Interceptor" label on the rear was good for a chuckle.
andre, didn't those cars have "Grand LeMans" nameplates on the front fenders? Going from memory here.
Yeah, it should have the badging right behind the wheel openings. Mine was repainted though, so I'm guessing whoever did the paint job pulled them off and didn't bother to re-attach. A Grand LeMans should also have a stand-up hood ornament, and every other one I've ever seen had a black rub strip across the bumper, to hide the bolts. And larger bumper guards.
I think mine was involved in a low-speed impact at some point. It has the grille inserts of a '77 Grand LeMans. You'd think all that stuff would be interchangeable, but I've been told that the inserts for the '76-77 base LeMans, and '77 Grand LeMans, are all interchangeable, but there's something about the way the insert for the '76 Grand LeMans bolts in that's different, so the header panel was supposedly different. At least, that's what I've been told.
Initially, I thought maybe one of the original inserts had simply broken out, and a previous owner replaced with whatever he could find. I did that with an '82 Cutlass Supreme I had. One of the inserts broke, but since they changed them up every year, when I finally found one in the junkyard, I had to buy both sides to make it match. I had found another '82 Cutlass Supreme, but it was a Brougham, which used different inserts.
Here's what a '76 Grand LeMans "should" look like...
I think that year they gave you the option of regular grayed-out Rally wheels like what mine has, or body-color Rallys. And fender skirts, thankfully, were not standard equipment!
About the only car I think looks as good or better with skirts than without, are the '70-72 Monte Carlo. It looks like skirts were an integral part of the design instead of an afterthought.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
Saw a couple MGs today, a nice earlier 60s Beetle, an early Camaro convertible, a 66 Pontiac convertible, 46 Mercury sedan, 64-66 T-Bird quickly followed by a cigar Bird, a Cressida with a "Police Interceptor" label on the rear was good for a chuckle.
On the roads, a VW Corrado, primer grey with a black door; a white Triumph TR7 convertible. At the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance: Puma, Allard, AC, Packard, you name it....and Wayne Carini!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
I'd have to put whitewalls on it first thing if it were mine.
On the subject of tires, that reminded me...I've had my '76 Grand LeMans for a bit over 10 years now, so I'm thinking it's time to replace the tires. They still have plenty of tread, and look good, but I'm just worried about old age getting to them, and would rather NOT have a blowout at 70 mph!
Anyway, I figured I'd poll for opinions here. Right now it has raised white letter tires on it. I figure I could go for raised white letters, whitewalls, or blackwalls. What say you guys?
FWIW, here's a fairly recent pic of it, with the tires it currently has...
I'm leaning a bit towards blackwalls, but I dunno...maybe whitewalls would look okay?
The firethorn red paint is one of my favorites. It had such nice depth. I had a 84 Plymouth Horizon SE 2.2 5sp that was of a similar color, thinking it was Dark Cranberry?? with same color interior. A good friend had a 84 Dodge Daytona 2.2 Turbo in the same color. Yes, the Daytona would leave me in the dust but we had fun..
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andre, didn't those cars have "Grand LeMans" nameplates on the front fenders? Going from memory here.
Yeah, it should have the badging right behind the wheel openings. Mine was repainted though, so I'm guessing whoever did the paint job pulled them off and didn't bother to re-attach. A Grand LeMans should also have a stand-up hood ornament, and every other one I've ever seen had a black rub strip across the bumper, to hide the bolts. And larger bumper guards.
I think mine was involved in a low-speed impact at some point. It has the grille inserts of a '77 Grand LeMans. You'd think all that stuff would be interchangeable, but I've been told that the inserts for the '76-77 base LeMans, and '77 Grand LeMans, are all interchangeable, but there's something about the way the insert for the '76 Grand LeMans bolts in that's different, so the header panel was supposedly different. At least, that's what I've been told.
Initially, I thought maybe one of the original inserts had simply broken out, and a previous owner replaced with whatever he could find. I did that with an '82 Cutlass Supreme I had. One of the inserts broke, but since they changed them up every year, when I finally found one in the junkyard, I had to buy both sides to make it match. I had found another '82 Cutlass Supreme, but it was a Brougham, which used different inserts.
Here's what a '76 Grand LeMans "should" look like...
I think that year they gave you the option of regular grayed-out Rally wheels like what mine has, or body-color Rallys. And fender skirts, thankfully, were not standard equipment!
Does your back bumper have the black rub strip and perhaps bumper guards? I think the rub strip and all was an option, but they would match front and rear. Looks nice, anyway.
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Does your back bumper have the black rub strip and perhaps bumper guards? I think the rub strip and all was an option, but they would match front and rear. Looks nice, anyway.
Yeah, it does have a rub strip in back, and the larger bumper guards. So, I'm guessing whatever impact it took to the front might have rough enough to damage the bumper. I'm really not too concerned about putting it back to its factory-correct, original state...I guess I've had it long enough and gotten used to how it currently looks, that it just seems "normal" to me the way it is!
I think the whitewalls would bring more attention the car's wheels, which you may or may not want. The blackwalls are probably cheaper and don't require the ww occasional cleaning. The whitewalls or raised letters will make it more obvious to non car people that it is a classic. Really just a matter of what look you're going for and what you want to pay. What engine is in it, the 350?
I'd have to put whitewalls on it first thing if it were mine.
On the subject of tires, that reminded me...I've had my '76 Grand LeMans for a bit over 10 years now, so II'm thinking it's time to replace the tires. They still have plenty of tread, and look good, but I'm just worried about old age getting to them, and would rather NOT have a blowout at 70 mph!
Anyway, I figured I'd poll for opinions here. Right now it has raised white letter tires on it. I figure I could go for raised white letters, whitewalls, or blackwalls. What say you guys?
FWIW, here's a fairly recent pic of it, with the tires it currently has...
I'm leaning a bit towards blackwalls, but I dunno...maybe whitewalls would look okay?
Mine is probably a minority opinion, with important qualifications. Since the LeMans is one of your hobby cars and not your daily driver I'd consider keeping your tires a while longer. Yes, they're old, but "they still have plenty of thread..." Of course, age and sunlight cause dry rot, but how a car is used is an important consideration in determining when tires should be replaced. If you keep the maximum speed to, say, 55-60 mph, especially in hot weather, and use one of your other cars for trips, your tires should continue to serve you well. Heavy loads should also be avoided with older tires. If you intend to exceed moderate speeds and/or drive long distances, you should definitely replace your tires.
After ten years, I'd buy new tires. I've heard more than one story where tires that are properly inflated on cars that mostly sit, have disintegrated in even under ten years on the road. Not being alarmist, but I've heard, and believe, that two things you shouldn't cheap out on, are tires and brakes.
2024 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2LT; 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LT; 2015 Chevrolet Cruze LS
On Sunday, I saw a 1980 Hurst/Olds W-30 driving around town, white with gold. I have seen this car previously at a car show. Unique in that it has the last of the Oldsmobile Rocket 350 engines under the hood (1980 was the last year of production for that engine before it was discontinued, a bad GM decision).
Here is a pic of it that I took at a car show a long time ago:
I think the whitewalls would bring more attention the car's wheels, which you may or may not want. The blackwalls are probably cheaper and don't require the ww occasional cleaning. The whitewalls or raised letters will make it more obvious to non car people that it is a classic. Really just a matter of what look you're going for and what you want to pay. What engine is in it, the 350?
Yeah, it's a Pontiac 350-4bbl, which I believe was a California/high-altitude engine. As for tires, one reason I've thought about blackwalls or raised white letters was mainly the cost. Plus, either one is easy to find. Whitewalls aren't so easy to find these days, though. Last year, I got a set for my '79 5th Ave, and at first they sent out blackwalls, so I had to send them back and get the order fixed. They weren't too horribly expensive though...I think $404 for a set of four 225/70/R15s, through Amazon.com, and then the cost to mount and balance.
Way back when the earth was still cooling in the '70s, that car would have had raised white letters at it's first tire replacement. Preferably BFGoodrich Radial T/As.
90s day here today - saw a Geo Storm GSi, 240SX convertible, stock looking 300ZX, I think a Thunderbird SC, very clean 90-93 Integra 2-door, Canadian spec plastic-hubcapped MB W202.
Two evenings ago, I saw a bone-stock-looking '64 Chrysler 300 two-door hardtop, in a color similar to 1963 Studebaker "Rose Mist"--a light, metallic color. I normally do not care for the styling of that era Chrysler but this car looked like such a time capsule, it put a big smile on my face.
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When I was younger, I didn't care for the '63-64 Chryslers either, but my attitude on them has softened over the years. I prefer the '64 models, mainly because of the trim around the headlights that helps square them off a bit, so they don't seem quite as protruding.
IMO the '63 models lost a lot of status, though, in moving everything to the 122" wheelbase. That was okay for something like the Newport, or even the 300, but the New Yorker needed to have more presence to it.
I thought aI saw seeing things, but was behind a Toyota Paseo convertible. I only saw it from the back, but the convertible top which was up, didn't look after market.
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I thought aI saw seeing things, but was behind a Toyota Paseo convertible. I only saw it from the back, but the convertible top which was up, didn't look after market.
In beautiful Tri-Cities (Kennewick) tonight visiting an old friend. Haven't seen much interesting - this is high desert with lots of sun, does a number on paint over time. I did see a worn looking W116, probably a diesel, still on the road. On the drive over the pass saw a number of cars on trailers, likely headed to the Mecum auction in Seattle this weekend. I will miss it, as I will be over here.
Comments
http://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/5048679302.html
I don't know AMC cars, but the 'yellow jacket' model/nickname and 'production of 100' makes me chuckle a bit, although it could be true. I know that in the Studebaker Drivers' Club, when production numbers are thrown out, they are based on factory documentation in the museum archives or are actually based on someone going through the individual build sheets, as I did when I was trying to find how many '63 Avanti-engined cars were built with the sunroof.
I don't pretend to know the AMC market, but that guy's asking price seems very fair if the car is as nice inside and underneath as it looks on the top side.
I'd have to put whitewalls on it first thing if it were mine.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Anyway, I figured I'd poll for opinions here. Right now it has raised white letter tires on it. I figure I could go for raised white letters, whitewalls, or blackwalls. What say you guys?
FWIW, here's a fairly recent pic of it, with the tires it currently has...
I'm leaning a bit towards blackwalls, but I dunno...maybe whitewalls would look okay?
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
I'd vote for whitewalls, but I think the white-lettered looks nice too, as I seem to remember a fair amount of folks using those for the first replacement set on cars like that.
Early Triumph TR4 parked. Not too bad, but atrocious body panel fit. Definitely an amateur restoration (at least I hope that's what he paid for).
'64 Corvair convertible, automatic (somewhat rare). Looked very original.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6
If whitewalls, I would do it like uplanderguy and get something just a little wider than the skinny thin whitewalls seen on 80s-90s cars.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Unfortunately, it's fairly low resolution, but I guess it gives a good indication of how that car would look with them.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/research/63-photos-of-stars-and-their-cars/ss-BBhXHgg?ocid=DELLDHP
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/4995521880.html
Saw a couple MGs today, a nice earlier 60s Beetle, an early Camaro convertible, a 66 Pontiac convertible, 46 Mercury sedan, 64-66 T-Bird quickly followed by a cigar Bird, a Cressida with a "Police Interceptor" label on the rear was good for a chuckle.
I think mine was involved in a low-speed impact at some point. It has the grille inserts of a '77 Grand LeMans. You'd think all that stuff would be interchangeable, but I've been told that the inserts for the '76-77 base LeMans, and '77 Grand LeMans, are all interchangeable, but there's something about the way the insert for the '76 Grand LeMans bolts in that's different, so the header panel was supposedly different. At least, that's what I've been told.
Initially, I thought maybe one of the original inserts had simply broken out, and a previous owner replaced with whatever he could find. I did that with an '82 Cutlass Supreme I had. One of the inserts broke, but since they changed them up every year, when I finally found one in the junkyard, I had to buy both sides to make it match. I had found another '82 Cutlass Supreme, but it was a Brougham, which used different inserts.
Here's what a '76 Grand LeMans "should" look like...
I think that year they gave you the option of regular grayed-out Rally wheels like what mine has, or body-color Rallys. And fender skirts, thankfully, were not standard equipment!
'21 Dark Blue/Black Audi A7 PHEV (mine); '22 White/Beige BMW X3 (hers); '20 Estoril Blue/Oyster BMW M240xi 'Vert (Ours, read: hers in 'vert weather; mine during Nor'easters...)
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
2021 VW Arteon SEL 4-motion, 2018 VW Passat SE w/tech, 2016 Audi Q5 Premium Plus w/tech
Your LeMans looks sharp, in photos and in person.
On Sunday, I saw a 1980 Hurst/Olds W-30 driving around town, white with gold. I have seen this car previously at a car show. Unique in that it has the last of the Oldsmobile Rocket 350 engines under the hood (1980 was the last year of production for that engine before it was discontinued, a bad GM decision).
Here is a pic of it that I took at a car show a long time ago:
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I lived it... lol
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IMO the '63 models lost a lot of status, though, in moving everything to the 122" wheelbase. That was okay for something like the Newport, or even the 300, but the New Yorker needed to have more presence to it.
2017 Cadillac ATS Performance Premium 3.6