Hemmings Classic Car – October 2019

Though the Le Mans was an upscale model,

the AM pushbutton radio was still optional

equipment. At the time of our photoshoot,

the original mileage read just shy of 62,000.

progression of her career, until cancer

claimed her life in 1979. Matt’s father

then drove the Le Mans briefly before

he transferred ownership to his in-laws.

Upon their subsequent passing in 2011

and ’12, Matt became the rightful steward

of the Le Mans. Having earlier relocated

to the Scottsdale region of Arizona, he set

into motion a path for the Pontiac’s future

when he paid a visit to Ward Gappa,

proprietor of Quality Muscle Car Restora-

tions, the following March.

After two visits, the second of which

involved a detailed examination of the

Pontiac, Ward outlined an extensive

plan that would painstakingly resurrect

the family heirloom to its former glory.

Despite the undercoating, a vast amount

of metal had been afflicted with rot, so

the decision was made that a donor car

would be the most efficient way to help

expedite metal repairs. Fully supported

by Matt’s enthusiasm and a deep under-

standing of the costs it would entail, the

Pontiac was officially delivered to the

shop in November 2013.

Ward and his staff began to disas-

semble the convertible while taking

meticulous notes pertaining to unex-

pected discoveries, such as the structural

damage that had weakened the rear

section of the main body shell. Though

it was known that the floorpan seams

had fractured due to rot, the remaining

metal was dangerously thin. A same-year

Tempest coupe, which had laid dormant

for 40 years and whose metal had been

spared, all but surface rust on the hood

and roof due to the high desert climate,

was found in Tuba City, Arizona.

While the bodies of the two Pontiacs

were being disassembled, and usable

and unusable components were sepa-

rated, Greg Greulich, of Greulich Engine

Machining in Phoenix, oversaw the en-

gine’s rebuild. Using the scant reproduc-

tion components available on the market,

in conjunction with cleaned original

parts, the OHC Six was rebuilt to factory

specifications.

According to Ward, “When they

tested the engine, a multitude of prob-

lems arose immediately. Greg called and

said, ‘What were they thinking when

they designed this thing?’ He went on to

explain that when he rebuilt it to spec,

it leaked everywhere, the compression

90 Hemmings classic car OCTOBER 2019 I Hemmings.com