1976 · Pontiac · United States
1976 Pontiac LeMans: the 455 returns
The 455 returns to the LeMans options list, a 260 V8 with a five-speed arrives for the Sport Coupe, and a Rally RTS Handling Package replaces the GT.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that the 455 returns to the LeMans options list for 1976, a 260 V8 with a five-speed arrives for the Sport Coupe, and a Rally RTS Handling Package replaces the GT. This record's own overview states that Pontiac's 1976 intermediate brochure lists the Grand LeMans as a two-door hardtop coupe and four-door hardtop sedan, the LeMans Sport Coupe, and the LeMans two-door and four-door, with the 250 six and a column-shift three-speed standard, Turbo Hydra-matic standard on the Grand LeMans, and the manual not offered in California, and optional engines of a 260 two-barrel V8, 350 two-barrel, 350 four-barrel in California only, 400 two-barrel, 400 four-barrel, and 455 four-barrel.
This record's own overview states that a five-speed manual floor shift was offered only on the LeMans Sport Coupe with the 260 V8 and bucket seats, and not in California, and that the Rally RTS Handling Package included GR70-15 white-sidewall or white-letter steel-belted radials and specific front and rear stabilizer bars, with over-the-roof striping offered for two-door models. This record's own key facts state that Radial Tuned Suspension with FR78-15 steel-belted radials, High Energy Ignition, and a catalytic converter were standard on every 1976 LeMans.
This record's own production rows document an uncited compiler total of 96,229 for the LeMans line, whose series scope is not stated, alongside five separately scoped catalogue body totals from 8,411 Grand LeMans four-door hardtop sedans to 22,199 LeMans four-door hardtop sedans. This record's own production notes quote the catalogue's own further note that 8,249 two-seat and 5,901 three-seat LeMans Safari wagons, base and Grand combined, were built, a figure the catalogue itself does not split by series.1
Those same production notes state that no production split by body, engine, transmission, or package was found for the 1976 LeMans, and name the Standard Catalog of Pontiac, a 1976 Pontiac Accessorizer, Pontiac Historic Services, and the 1976 AMA specifications as the best remaining sources. This record's own prices section documents ten catalogue price points across five body styles plus two Safari wagons, from $3,768 for a six-cylinder LeMans two-door hardtop to $4,820 for a V8 three-seat Safari.1
This record's own engines section documents seven powertrains without horsepower figures in this record: the 250 six, the 260 two-barrel V8 exclusive to the five-speed, 350 two-barrel and four-barrel, 400 two-barrel and four-barrel, and the returning 455 four-barrel. This record's own transmissions section documents the standard column-shift three-speed not offered in California, the five-speed limited to the Sport Coupe with the 260 V8, and Turbo Hydra-matic, standard on Grand LeMans.
Eighteen exterior colors are documented for the year without production counts, and four interior trims are documented from a standard LeMans cloth-and-Morrokide bench to LeMans Sport Coupe all-Morrokide buckets. This record's own specifications section documents a 112-inch two-door wheelbase against 116 for four-doors, a 208.0-inch overall length against 212.0 for four-doors, a 77.4-inch width, and standard FR78-15 radials against GR70-15 with the Rally RTS Handling Package, and its performance, identification, and conflicts sections are all empty for the year.2
Fact sheet · 1976 · United States
The numbers
1976 Pontiac LeMans — The 455 returns to the LeMans options list, a 260 V8 with a five-speed arrives for the Sport Coupe, and a Rally RTS Handling Package replaces the GT.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Radial Tuned Suspension with FR78-15 steel-belted radials, High Energy Ignition and a catalytic converter were standard on every 1976 LeMans.
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans total (series scope not stated by compiler)3 LeMans line (scope not stated) · not stated by source Uncited compiler figure; whether Grand LeMans, Sport Coupe and Safari wagons are included is not stated. | 96,229 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (D37)1 LeMans · 2-door hardtop coupe (D37) · not stated Catalogue production total for the body style, all engines. Rows are separately scoped by body and must not be added into a series total unless a source states one. | 21,130 | not stated (catalogue production total), model-year | Reported |
| LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (D29)1 LeMans · 4-door hardtop sedan (D29) · not stated Catalogue production total for the body style, all engines. Rows are separately scoped by body and must not be added into a series total unless a source states one. | 22,199 | not stated (catalogue production total), model-year | Reported |
| LeMans Sport Coupe (F37)1 LeMans Sport Coupe · 2-door hardtop coupe (F37) · not stated Catalogue production total for the body style, all engines. Rows are separately scoped by body and must not be added into a series total unless a source states one. | 15,582 | not stated (catalogue production total), model-year | Reported |
| Grand LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (G37)1 Grand LeMans · 2-door hardtop coupe (G37) · not stated Catalogue production total for the body style, all engines. Rows are separately scoped by body and must not be added into a series total unless a source states one. | 14,757 | not stated (catalogue production total), model-year | Reported |
| Grand LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (G29)1 Grand LeMans · 4-door hardtop sedan (G29) · not stated Catalogue production total for the body style, all engines. Rows are separately scoped by body and must not be added into a series total unless a source states one. | 8,411 | not stated (catalogue production total), model-year | Reported |
No production split by body, engine, transmission or package was found for the 1976 LeMans. The single total below is an uncited compiler figure whose series scope is not stated.
The paint list is PPG's 1976 Pontiac chart, whose header covers LeMans among other lines but which does not give per-series availability; the colour names are the refinisher's.
Best sources that would close this gap: the Standard Catalog of Pontiac 1926-2002, a 1976 Pontiac Accessorizer or order guide, Pontiac Historic Services, and the 1976 Pontiac AMA specifications.
Body-style rows from the Standard Catalog of American Cars 1976-1999 are catalogue production totals of unstated accounting basis and do not identify sporting packages; they are separately scoped from any secondary totals already in this record and must not be combined with them.
The catalogue adds that 8,249 two-seat and 5,901 three-seat LeMans Safari wagons (base and Grand combined) were built (archive.org leaf 825, Note 1); those wagon totals are not split by series.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Factory price, LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (D37), six1 | $3,768 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (D37), V-81 | $3,908 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (D29), six1 | $3,813 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (D29), V-81 | $3,953 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans Sport Coupe (F37), six1 | $3,916 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans Sport Coupe (F37), V-81 | $4,056 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, Grand LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (G37), six1 | $4,330 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, Grand LeMans 2-door hardtop coupe (G37), V-81 | $4,470 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, Grand LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (G29), six1 | $4,433 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, Grand LeMans 4-door hardtop sedan (G29), V-81 | $4,573 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans Safari 2-seat wagon (D35), V-81 | $4,687 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
| Factory price, LeMans Safari 3-seat wagon (D45), V-81 | $4,820 | factory price (catalogue column), base car before options; catalogue FACTORY PRICE AND WEIGHT NOTE (archive.org leaf 826): for LeMans, figure left of the slash for the six, right for the V-8, 1976 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| 250 six, 1-bbl 250 cu in · one-barrel | standard | Not yet sourced | |
| 260 V8, 2-bbl 260 cu in · two-barrel | optional; Turbo Hydra-matic only in California; the only engine with the 5-speed manual | Not yet sourced | |
| 350 V8, 2-bbl 350 cu in · two-barrel | optional; not in California | Not yet sourced | |
| 350 V8, 4-bbl 350 cu in · four-barrel | California only | Not yet sourced | |
| 400 V8, 2-bbl 400 cu in · two-barrel | optional; not in California | Not yet sourced | |
| 400 V8, 4-bbl 400 cu in · four-barrel | optional | Not yet sourced | |
| 455 V8, 4-bbl 455 cu in · four-barrel | optional | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| 3-speed manual, column shift | standard on LeMans and Sport Coupe; not in California | Not yet sourced |
| 5-speed manual, floor shift | LeMans Sport Coupe with 260 V8 and bucket seats only; not in California | Not yet sourced |
| Turbo Hydra-matic | optional; standard on Grand LeMans | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rally RTS Handling Package (GR70-15 white-sidewall or white-letter steel-belted radials, specific front and rear stabilizer bars) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gauge cluster (fuel, oil pressure and temperature gauges, rally clock) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Over-the-roof striping (2-door) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Power-operated sunroof (2-door) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Landau, canopy, full vinyl or thickly padded landau top | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Automatic temperature control air conditioning | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Variable-ratio power steering | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Fuel economy gauge | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
11 |
Cameo White2 | Not yet sourced |
13 |
Sterling Silver2 | Not yet sourced |
16 |
Medium Gray2 | Not yet sourced |
19 |
Starlight Black2 | Not yet sourced |
28 |
Athena Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
35 |
Polaris Blue2 | Not yet sourced |
36 |
Firethorn Red2 | Not yet sourced |
37 |
Cordovan Maroon2 | Not yet sourced |
40 |
Lime2 | Not yet sourced |
49 |
Dark Green2 | Not yet sourced |
50 |
Bavarian Cream2 | Not yet sourced |
51 |
Golden Rod Yellow2 | Not yet sourced |
55 |
Anniversary Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
57 |
Cream-Gold2 | Not yet sourced |
65 |
Light Buckskin2 | Not yet sourced |
67 |
Durango Bronze2 | Not yet sourced |
72 |
Red2 | Not yet sourced |
78 |
Carousel Red2 | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
LeMans standard full-width cloth and Morrokide seat, shown in blue; also black. Rosewood vinyl instrument-panel trim, deluxe steering wheel | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans 4-door optional all-Morrokide custom interior, shown in blue; also buckskin and firethorn | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans Sport Coupe standard all-Morrokide notchback seat with fold-down center armrest, shown in blue; also firethorn, buckskin and white | Not yet sourced |
|
LeMans Sport Coupe all-Morrokide bucket seats (a choice in place of the notchback), shown in buckskin; also black, white, blue and firethorn | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase, 2-door | 112 in | 2-door (4-door 116.0) |
| Overall length | 208 in | 2-door (4-door 212.0) |
| Overall width | 77.4 in | 2-door and 4-door |
| Track, front/rear | 61.6/61.1 in | 2-door and 4-door |
| Fuel tank | 21.8 US gal | LeMans |
| Standard tires | FR78-15 GM-specification steel-belted radial | LeMans (GR70-15 with Rally RTS Handling Package) |
Identification
Read a 1976 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1976
- AMC AMX No AMX was sold in the United States for 1976. The Javelin ended after 1974, and the badge returned on the 1977 Hornet.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The last year of the V8 Gremlin. The 304 was cancelled at midyear after 826 installations, and the X package moved to Custom models only.
- Buick Riviera The GS name gave way to an S/R package, fitted to 1,619 of 20,082 Rivieras.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The final Laguna Type S-3 year; the 454 no longer appears on the compiled engine list.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Last Nova SS year in the source production table. Enthusiast-compiled production: 334,728 cars; Super Sport 7,416.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Colonnade-era El Camino; Chevrolet's 1976 data pages define the RPO Z15 SS option for the El Camino Classic. Team Chevelle's production totals give 44,890 El Caminos built, 5,163 of them with SS equipment.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The final year of the approved Dart chronology; MuscleCarClub reports 13,642 Dart Sports of all engines, and Flory says the Dart Sport 360 was dropped.
- Ford Maverick Grabber The Grabber was dropped and a Stallion paint-and-trim package took its place; no Stallion count was found.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 4,942 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.
- Ford Torino The last Torino year: 193,096 built with no Sport model left, and Ford's 1,000 white-striped red 'Starsky and Hutch' Gran Torino replicas were the only performance-styled edition.
- Mercury Cougar Outside the muscle focus: 83,765 Cougars for 1976 per Wikipedia's table.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds An appearance and handling option in this period; no Hurst/Olds was offered and no production figure was found.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The Duster's last year offered the 360 only with TorqueFlite and not in California, beside the new Feather Duster economy and Silver Duster decor packages; reference books disagree on production (26,688 or 34,681).
- Plymouth Road Runner The Road Runner became a Volare option package.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am The first black-and-gold Trans Am, the last Trans Am 455, and a Firebird line past 110,000.
- Pontiac Grand Prix Quad headlamps and a 50th-anniversary year for Pontiac; the last Grand Prix 455.