For whatever reason-almost every manufacturer has a one or two year model that didn't sell well, but was actually pretty cool. If you run across one at a reasonable price they can be great sleepers and great fun to play with-because your not messing up a classic. Here's my list in no particular order. # 1 1970-71 Pontiac Tempest T37, 1972 LeMans GT. Often called the "Poor mans GTO" these strippy coupes had a 350 V8 and a 3 speed stick as standard equipment. However a 4-speed or an automatic was available, as were the 400 and 455 inch V8s. For some reason the name was changed to "LeMans GT" in 1972-but the package was basically the same. Dynamite if you can find one at a reasonable price. I say "If" because whenever I see one of these for sale the owner is usually asking more than what you'd pay for a Ram Air III Judge. But their cool if the price is right. # 2. 1971-72 "Heavy Chevy". These were a Malibu coupe with a domed SS hood, a blacked-out grille, hood pins, 14" slotted Rally Wheels and "Heavy Chevy" badging. Most had 350 power which certainly isn't a bad thing, but the 396 / 402 was an option. 6,727 were built in '71 and another 3,000 or so in '72. Expect to pay substantially more for the Rat-motored model. # 3. 1971 Dodge Super Bee. For this one year only the "Super Bee" package was offered on the Charger instead of the Coronet. A 383 Magnum was the standard engine, with a 340 small-block optional for the first time, as well as the 440 4-bbl, 440-Six-Pack, and 426 Hemi. Hemi and 440 versions are priced in the stratosphere, but you can still find a deal on a 340 or 383 model. 6,000 or so were built. # 4. 1971-72 Dodge "Demon". These were basically a 340 Duster with a dual scooped hood, a Go-Wing, and Special "Demon" badging which was a cute little smiling Devil holding a pitchfork. Mr Norm's Grand Spaulding Dodge even put "Six-Pack" induction or Paxton Superchargers on a few as dealer-installed options. Even in the '70's special-interest groups caused trouble. A Christian group complained about the "Demon" name and badging. Chrysler caved into the pressure and the name was changed to "Dart Sport" for 1973. Funny-where were all these loyal "Christian" buyers when Chrysler went bankrupt a few years later? # 5. 1974 Pontiac GTO. Often called "The best Nova ever built". For this one year-the GTO name was moved from the LeMans platform to the Ventura ( nead Nova ) platform. These had a 350 V8 backed by a 4-speed or a TH350, front disc brakes, front and rear sway bars, and a Trans-Am style "Shaker" hood scoop. The buff magazines-pissed off that the "Goat" nameplate was moved from the LeMans platform where the 400 and 455 V8s were still available-derided and made fun of the car. However since they only weighed about 3,200 lbs-600 lbs less than a Firebird and about 800-1,000 less than a LeMans-performance was decent for the time-15 second 1/4 mile times-it just wasn't as blisteringly fast as an SD-455 Trans-Am-which was now the flagship. On the upside if you get one-any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Camaro / Firebird fit these, and a 400 or 455 is a bolt-in swap. I can see a Ventura with WS6 suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes, radiused and flared fenders with 17X9 Snowflake wheels and 255/50ZR17 tires, and a snarling 467 inch Pontiac under that "Shaker" hood. Wouldn't that be a sleeper? # 6. 1975 Plymouth Road Runner. For this one year the "Road Runner name was put on the Sport Fury platform. They had Rally wheels, "Road Runner" badging, a "Tuff" sterring wheel and the "Beep-Beep" horn. 318 models are dogs, but the 360 and 400 versions can be made to run. About 6,500 were built. # 7. 1977 Pontiac "Can-Am". Trying to cash in on the Trans-Am's immense popularity Pontiac came up with this performance package for the LeMans. You got "Radial Tuned Suspension"-wrist-thick front and rear sway bars, a "Shaker" hood scoop, a "Ducktail" rear spolier, and "Judge" style striping. Power was a 400 Pontiac ( a 403 Olds in California and High-Altitude Areas ) backed by a TH400. Their fun if you can find one. I'm sure I missed a few-but we'll touch on those another time. Mastermind
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