1976 Grand Le Mans Safari

I still remember the day I rolled out of the dealership lot in the back seat with my father at the wheel in 1976. I purchased the car from him in 1989 and have been driving it ever since.

I've spent the past three summers tearing down and rebuilding the engine and front suspension.

I went with the Polygraphite bushing kit and coils from PST.

The 400 block got bored 0.030"
1968 casting #16 heads - 72cc
SSI-10335 cam .204/.214 duration: .420/.443 lift

Here is the definitive "before" picture:











This project still has a long way to go, but paint and interior work are $$$ away.
Its funny how these projects go. Every time you clean up one part, it makes other parts nearby look worse. Next thing I knew I had stripped and painted everything from the cowl forwards. Went way over schedule and over budget, but was it worth it?.... oh hell yes! This car will never be for sale. I've got 33 years of memories and adventures tied up in this car. Not really concerened with how much it will take to get another 30+ years out of it.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. That underhood looks great! I'm sure the rest will follow along soon enough. My first wagon memories were in a '76 Grand Safari clamshell. I only have one picture of the car but remember all the family vacations in it.

Wow! I really like the level of detail you have under the hood...and on the suspension parts. Very nice!!! I can't wait to see it all done!

Chris

very nice work in progress.

Love the front end on the mid 70s Pontiacs Pointy nose FTW!!!

Very nice looking work so far.

Cool to see a car that has been in a family for so long.