Man buys abandoned 1976 Chevrolet Laguna cheap and finds good news under the hood

When it comes to classics from the golden muscle car era, you could say the market has gone crazy in recent years. Many restored vehicles are selling for six-figure sums, while dilapidated barn finds are fetching much more money than they did a decade ago. However, most classics from the Malaise era are still dirt cheap.

The Malaise Era, a period of adaptation to new demands for safer and more fuel-efficient vehicles, spanned the early 1970s to the mid-1980s. This period is often remembered as a time of underpowered and poor-quality vehicles and uninspired designs. But that’s not to say that all cars from this era were boring.

Although they were indeed underpowered compared to the cars of the 1960s, rides like the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird Trans Am, and Chevrolet Corvette were still exciting to look at. The Cadillac Eldorado of the mid-1970s is also a beautiful vehicle in my opinion. I’m also a fan of the Plymouth Volare and Dodge Aspen twins, which spawned a pair of NASCAR-inspired “kit cars” in 1978.

Speaking of NASCAR, the series also had a major influence on the design of another Malaise-era vehicle. I’m talking about the Chevrolet Laguna, a short-lived nameplate based on the third-generation Chevelle.

The Laguna debuted in 1973 as the top-of-the-line version of the Chevelle. Positioned above the Malibu, the series included all body styles. This changed in 1974, when the line was renamed the Laguna Type S-3 and limited to the Colonnade coupe version.

The Laguna remained a coupe-only model until it was discontinued at the end of the 1976 model year, but 1975 brought another big change. The coupe hit showrooms with a sloped aero-style urethane nose and louvered windows. These features were developed specifically for NASCAR and remained in use the following year.

Thanks to its aerodynamic properties, the Laguna was able to continue the Chevelle’s successful career on oval tracks until it was no longer allowed to compete after the 1977 season. Cale Yarborough won 34 races and took the first two of his three consecutive Winston Cup championships with a Laguna S-3.

Chevrolet built 32,680 Laguna S3 street models over three model years, a relatively small number compared to the Chevelle on which it was based. But this type isn’t as loved these days, and most aerodynamically styled 1975-1976 Lagunas rot in junkyards and barns. The 1976 example shown here is one of those rides.

The Chevy was found in a field where it had been sitting for many years and was purchased by our host for only $200. The car was in better condition than the price suggested, but it didn’t run and had a few problems. The elements had taken a toll on the body and interior.

The new owner expected to find a seized engine under the hood that would need a complete overhaul. To his surprise, the old V8 didn’t need much to get running again. After a few hours of work and less than $300 worth of parts, the engine was running again. The transmission also shifted perfectly, making the Laguna a drivable classic.

Admittedly, it’s not exactly roadworthy as it is, but a good-sounding engine, a decent gearbox and a body that isn’t too rusty is good news when a car has been sitting for so long. I don’t hold out hope that this Laguna will be restored (it’s not worth it relative to its market value), but the fact that it can be driven on public roads again is a big win for a Malaise-era vehicle. Check it out in the video below.