One Unique Ride: Tom Ulrich's 1968 Pontiac LeMans
Building a car like no one's ever seen before is getting harder and harder to do these days. Even the professional shops across the country are scrambling for ideas on ways to make the rides they build unique and stand out from the crowd. But when it comes to Tom Ulrich's 1968 LeMans, there's never been a problem with the car blending in with a sea of other “custom” rides.
Debuted at the September 2012 Goodguys Kansas City Show (at which the car won a Builder's Choice Award), Ulrich's Pontiac is not new to the car scene; but it is unique. Not only is the car truly a LeMans rather than a GTO, it's also been outfitted with just about everything you could want in the ultimate pro-touring Pontiac, but with a unique flair.
Built by Ulrich himself over a two-year period with the help of some friends, the car features a number of finite details, from the body work to the LS1 powerplant under the hood.
Just about every body panel of the car has been massaged in one way or another, all of the badges, trim, rails, etc. were shaved from the vehicle, and hardly a fleck of chrome can be found anywhere on the exterior. Of course, we can't forget to mention the custom front valence, rear bumper/taillight panel and those distinctive Pontiac Arrow rear side-marker lights. All of this is accentuated with a custom DuPont Green paint scheme with semi-gloss Black details and Orange pinstriping.
Side note: The muddy green paint color was actually the initial inspiration behind building the LeMans. Apparently a friend of Ulrich's scoffed at the idea of painting his muscle car the color upon Ulrich's suggestion, so Ulrich set out to build a car that would look good in his color choice — and look good it does!
Inside, the LeMans is simple yet refined. The Pontiac's stock seats have been bolstered with TMI Sport Foam inserts. A modified dash plays host to only the necessary Speedhut gauges. Three pedals on the floor, a B&M shifter and minimalistic accommodations make for a comfortable race-ready ride. After all, who needs things like a stereo when you're jamming to the heartbeat of a modern LS1?
Speaking of the engine, the LS1 under the hood is virtually a straight transplant, aside from the Bullet Racing camshaft, from a 2001 Pontiac GTO. The modern LS is backed by a Tremec T-56 six-speed manual transmission, which pushes the engine's power to the pavement via a Ford 9-inch rearend and 19-inch front and 20-inch rear Intro Raider wheels wrapped in Nitto NT555s measuring 235/35ZR19 and 285/35ZR20, respectively.
Underneath, a full RideTech suspension system supports the pro-tourer while air components allow the car to be lifted or lowered according to the current need depending on if Ulrich is just showing the car or taking it out for passes on an autocross or road course.
Truly a unique ride, there's just no denying the class and customization of this one-of-a-kind car. We've never seen one like it before, and chances are we won't see another like it in the future!
VEHICLE SPECS & DETAILS
1968 Pontiac LeMans
| ENGINE | 2001 GTO LS1 w/a Bullet racing camshaft |
|---|---|
| TRANSMISSION | Tremec T56 6-speed |
| CHASSIS | Powder-coated frame; Ford 9-inch rearend; RideTech spindles, single-adjustable ShockWaves, control arms, and MuscleBar sway bars; air ride; Wilwood 6-piston up front, 4-piston in the rear; 14-inch rotors |
| WHEELS | Intro Raider wheels |
| TIRES | Nitto NT555s 235/35ZR19 (front) and 285/35ZR20 (rear) |
| EXTERIOR | Shaved and massaged body; custom front valence; custom tucked rear bumper/taillight panel; custom Pontiac Arrow rear side-marker lights; Custom DuPont Green paint with Single-stage Black semi-gloss details, Orange pinstriping and clear coat; nearly all the chrome eliminated. Body work by Stu Waldron |
| INTERIOR | TMI Sport Foam seat inserts; modified dash; no stereo; Speedhut gauges; floral headliner; B&M shifter |
