Pontiac Le Mans 1968

Pontiac Motor Division General Motors Corporation Pontiac, Michigan Engine 215-hp, 250 cu. in. Ohc Six Transmission 4-speed manual Steering Manual Suspension Heavy-duty Brakes Disc F, Drum R Check list Engine Throttle Response Very Good Noise Insulation Fair Drive train Shift Linkage Good Synchro Action Very Good Steering Effort Fair Response Fair Handling Predictability Very Good Evasive Maneuverability Good Brakes Directional Stability Good Fade Resistance Very Good Interior Ease of Entry/Exit Very Good Driving Position Good Front Seating Comfort Good Rear Seating Comfort Fair General Vision Good Heater/ Defroster Very Good Weather Sealing Very Good Trunk Space Good Shortly after Pontiac provocatively christened its high-line Tempest model the Le Mans, they rolled out the GTO, eclipsing the Le Mans so totally that it never had a chance to become established in the enthusiasts' market. Equipped with the overhead cam Six, the Le Mans is undoubtedly the most European-in-concept of any car made in America--a point that Pontiac likes to hammer home whenever given the chance. Performance is on a par with many of Europe's medium-priced, smalldisplacement sports sedans; its handling is viceless (but we kept wanting more power to get the rear end out), the brakes work well (but pedal pressure is high), seating comfort was fine for short periods (but over the long haul you come to realize that there isn't enough hip and thigh support). In short, the Pontiac Le Mans Sprint is too European in concept for typical American driving conditions. On the old Interstate acceleration is lackadaisical, and around town you're working a lot hardershifting, braking, clutching-than you would be with a torque-some V-8. But during uninhibited trips down secluded back country roads the Le Mans almost makes up for all these drawbacks. Driving is fun again; you're in command of the car, not vice-versa. If any American-made car deserves a Continental name, this is it.