GM V8 Addict - currently in Ohio

The story, for anyone who cares: In 2002 I bought a '76 Laguna S3 (known as a Chevelle with a Camaro front end by the car lot) for $3500 of my own money after my 1980 El Camino had finally given up the ghost; it was Firethorn Met with the white stripe, white vinyl roof, mahogany cloth buckets, console (obviously), power locks/windows/truck, cruise, rear defroster, "econo" gauge, moon roof (not factory, I assumed), 400/TH350...I guess everything except the swivel buckets and "posi". This was in Abilene, TX.

Right when I bought it I had a new Art Carr TH350 put in the car. Then the rear end went out of the car a few months later, and an acquaintance I knew had a shop. He helped me put a new rear end in it. A few months later I had trouble with the engine. As a poor college student I did nothing but park the car and start saving money to fix it. During that time, the acquaintance asked if he could use my transmission for a race truck he had. I said ok, because I felt in debt to him for the help he had given me when the rear end went out.

He trailered the car to his shop, pulled the transmission, and told me when I wanted the car back to let him know. I let him know several times, and he was always too busy. I lived out of town (75 mile round trip) and could not afford to have it towed myself. Long story short...the car "vanished" and has never surfaced again to my knowledge.

Now we fast forward to 2011; and I am still trying to find a car to replace that one.

I have found 76's for sale in various conditions...and with prices that follow no logic. There's a nicely (if you like velvet interior) restored 75 for sale for $5k; and then a 76 "basket case" for $14k...

All I really want is a rust free 76 Laguna with a console and power windows/locks...I should probably start shopping for Arizona ocean front property, too...





After the Laguna and my grandmother's borrowed truck, I got a real job and have owned several GM's after that, the cars I've owned in order.

1980 El Camino Conquista
1976 Laguna S3
1992 Camaro Z28 t-top
1994 Camaro Z28 'Vert
1999 Formula Firebird hardtop
1984 Oldsmobile 98 Regency (grandmothers car I inherited)
2003 Mercedes CL600

Long story short - my Formula burned (was a 9 second, stock appearing car), I am not a "Mercedes guy" (even though a 540rwhp/780rwtrq land barge is fun), so now I'm back to searching for a Laguna...

Welcome Finally Zach nice sounding ride you had here ............GOOD LUCK WITH SEARCH

Thanks!

PS: It's a small world...I personally know the guy you bought the green Malibu from - and if you remember the big, bald guy...my Laguna turned out to be his old Laguna.

Now help me find another one?

Yes i will but do some more splaining Lucy I am confused ??

Ryan (I think he's mal76ibu on here) said you got the green Malibu from him? Or maybe you bought George's? In Texas?

I called Ryan yesterday to see if his dad wanted to sell his Laguna. And...like I've heard so much on these 76 Laguna's...it's not for sale.

oh Gotcha and yea I got Georges Malibu, Ryan's one will live in the form of a 55 Chevy ( parts of anyways ) Very Happy finding a Lime Green Malibu again ..

Too Bad you didnt want a rust free cutlass 77 for I am gonna hate ripping her apart tomorrow

You really don't seem all that shook up about it, ha ha!

I couldn't remember which one you got; but it makes sense cause of damage. Anyway, best we can figure, I wound up with George's car.

Have you looked at any 76 Malibus? All you would have to switch is the nose and the paint scheme/stripes.

I can't believe that a 76 Guna is that hard to find. 75s were the fewest produced, and I see them from time to time...

I'm telling ya...I have found four 75's in remarkable shape for $5-$10k.

I have found 2 76's. 1 Laguna parts kit (yes, it was that rough) for $14k and a very nice black one for a little more.

I have considered a 76 Malibu; but...it just doesn't seem right. I haven't had real great luck finding one of them either, though?

The 75/76 nose seems to come up often for sale...but not so much on the window louvers.

FormulaZR wrote:I'm telling ya...The 75/76 nose seems to come up often for sale...but not so much on the window louvers.

I need and want that nose and am not to awfull far away so keep me in mind bro

Welcome to the forum! Hopefully you find a Laguna soon & like RC said, a Malibu Classic & Laguna are the same vehicle minus nose & louvers. Worst case scenario you could find a 75 & convert the tail panel to 76. Not too hard to do since the parts that need swapped are bolted on & would likely take a whopping 30 minutes to disassemble & reassemble.

I'll look for a Malibu, too.

Would you guys keep your eyes peeled for well optioned cars? A/C, Power windows/locks, bucket seats, console shift, etc.

I got the power locks, windows, lower door panels, etc. for sale in a set right now. It's all still in the car. Just saying if you find one soon enough without these I got them.

Hey Rago... weren't you going to let me know if you didn't sell all this stuff with the doors/glass?

Rago, I will definitely keep that in mind.

Actually...maybe we should just get in touch and see what kind of price you're looking for...I should probably have that stuff "just in case"...

Pdawgie wrote:Hey Rago... weren't you going to let me know if you didn't sell all this stuff with the doors/glass?

Yes. I'm trying to sell it as a package for $300. If no one buys it as a complete package after a couple of months listed, I'll do the grunt work of taking everything apart & you have first dibs.

Rago, give me a call please...my number is xxx-xxx-xxxx. I have a plan now...