Oh the shame! Oh the agony! My first year in college, I was handed the keys to the ultra-used, gas guzzling, already rusting, extra family vehicle. It was a 1974 Pontiac Lemans. The car was only five years old, but my Dad was not taking care of it, and gave it to me so I could get back and forth to college.The Le Mans was already rusting right behind the wheels on both sides, and it needed a new muffler. Over the course of five years, I put three new mufflers, a new set of brakes, several new starters, and almost an entirely new body on that vehicle. I was really lucky that gas was so inexpensive back then, because I was almost totally broke as it was putting repairs into that car. I was so happy when my Dad said it was mine, but not after I soon realized that I had to keep putting so much money into the Le Mans to keep it road worthy. I couldn’t afford to buy a new car, or even a very used car, so I had to deal with this rust bucket that chewed a hole in my wallet every month it seemed like.Little did I know that by the time the 1974 version of the Pontiac Lemans came along, that it was nearing it’s last legs. By 1981 General Motors sent the Le Mans packing, and stopped producing this vehicle. In her place they created the Pontiac Bonneville. Never would I have thought that this car started as a compact car in the Tempest line, and was manufactured as part of the GTO line of vehicles.My rust bucket, falling apart, car was at one time a muscle car? My mid-size Le Mans had major get up and go; with I believe a V-8 engine by this time. That was one of the only things I loved about this car, was that I could win any race. My racing days were over when the police pulled me over though. I learned a major lesson that day, and I never pulled that stunt again. By the way, I won the race that night too.The other aspect of the car I adored were the bumpers made out steel. They were certainly not like the plastic bumpers that fold up like a tent when anything touches them, that are on today’s vehicles. The bumpers on this vehicle were awesome! I had just started driving and I had several accidents and the bumpers did not dent, scratch or show any signs of sliding into any trees, or curbs on really nasty, icy days. Lucky for me this vehicle had great get up and go, and really strong, bumpers, or else I would have been in really big trouble!Little did I know that the Le Mans lifespan was over with General Motors in 1981, when they ushered her out of the back lot. My car that I came to despise, kept me out of hot water, got me to school on time, when I was running late, and carried many of my friends to many fun outings. This was the vehicle that by 1989, Daewoo got my Le Mans car’s name and made a former — almost muscle car into a sub-compact. How could they? When I saw the name of the Le Mans on a tiny car riding on a major highway, I was very distressed.This was the car that got me through college, and some really lousy jobs, and gong out to clubs and bars staying out carousing to all hours of the night, or was that morning? I was so upset, I think I cried, and had to pull off the road. How could they? Why would they do that to perfectly good rust bucket like that?It was too much to bear, and I vowed that I never would buy a Daewoo vehicle no matter how inexpensive with great mileage those cars were. It was shameful to do that to a vehicle that was part of a muscle car line of vehicles.Even though the Pontiac Le Mans, 1974 vehicle I owned had some major rust problems, and I had to replace the muffler almost every year, she was a good car, with major thrust, and solid bumpers that kept my friends and I safe, even on those nasty winter days. Category:Home › Autos • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 2 • You should never use after-market auto parts when maintaining or fixing your car • Should a new car be rust-proofed? • Will the trend toward economy-size car models lead Americans back to buying smaller-sized cars? — part 1 • Five safest cars in North America • How to ensure your teen drives safely after getting a license • Pros and cons of using an hydrogen generator for your car • DIY automotive maintenance: How to change the oil