’67 LeMans: Enthusiasts Tell Their Stories

Welcome back to ‘Enthusiasts Tell Their Stories.’ Today, we’re thrilled to explore the journey of Heiko Friedel and his family’s cherished ’67 Pontiac LeMans. Like our previous features, Heiko’s story is a testament to passion, perseverance, and a deep-seated love for classic American muscle cars, intertwined with the bonds of family.

Even from his childhood in Germany, Heiko was captivated by the allure of American automobiles. In a place where these powerful cars were rare, Heiko’s fascination with them grew stronger. It wasn’t until later in life, after he got his first American car—a 2007 Dodge RAM 1500—that he started dreaming of owning a classic convertible. For years, Heiko and his family talked about buying one, preferably not fully restored. One day, while at a US car meeting, they found exactly what they wanted: a 1967 Pontiac LeMans. The owner, who they knew from their town, had a body and paint shop. Heiko had admired the car in the garage as he drove by, dreaming of owning it one day.

With a heavy heart, the owner decided it was time to part ways with the Pontiac to make space. Seizing the opportunity, Heiko made an offer, which was quickly agreed upon, and the Pontiac found a new home with him and his family. What started as Heiko’s dream soon evolved into a family affair, filled with the scent of gasoline. His enthusiastic children eagerly awaited helping their father with the restoration work and looked forward to every cruise in the classic convertible.

Navigating the world of classic car restoration in Germany presented challenges, particularly in sourcing parts. During this quest for authentic components, Heiko discovered OPGI, who quickly became instrumental in their restoration journey. Heiko shared, “We like to order them from Original Parts Group Inc. where we can find all the parts we need, and the processing and delivery to Germany is simple and uncomplicated. The parts are of very good quality and fit very well. All in all, a super service.” Check out some of these top-quality parts showcased on this LeMans.

The Pontiac’s journey is rich with history. Approximately two decades ago, its body underwent extensive restoration in Germany, complete with a striking paint job. Yet, the adventure is far from over. With every turn of the wrench and every part sourced from across the Atlantic, Heiko and his family continue to breathe new life into their Pontiac LeMans. Challenges abound, but so does the joy of witnessing their dream take shape.

Stay tuned for more customer features and don’t forget to request a copy of OPGI’s 2024 GTO Restoration & Performance Parts Catalog.