1967 Pontiac Lemans

“GTLS3”

Owned by: John Wargo

Photos by: Jason Carroll

If you’re looking for a custom Pro Touring build that breaks the mold, GTLS3 by John Wargo of The Custom Shop in Flanagan, Illinois, is an absolute showstopper. This 1967 Pontiac Lemans, transformed with GTO styling cues and powered by a modern LS3 engine, is more than a restomod — it’s a bold statement in craftsmanship, creativity, and pure performance.

The Birth of GTLS3

The name GTLS3 speaks volumes: a blend of GTO styling, Lemans heritage, and a Chevy LS3 powerhouse under the hood. Originally purchased for $18,500, this Lemans was anything but ordinary. The inspiration behind the build was clear — John Wargo wanted to create a Pro Touring custom from a platform rarely seen at this level of customization.

Over the span of a year, John and his team poured their expertise and artistry into transforming the car into a $225,000 masterpiece that turns heads on every street and at every show.

Heart of the Beast: LS3 Performance

Under the hood sits a 2016 Chevy LS3 376ci V8, built with a Thumper cam and topped with a Sniper intake. This high-performance setup includes:

• MagnaFlow stainless exhaust

• Hedman headers

• NGK plugs

• Spectre Performance dual intake air cleaner

• Entropy custom radiator

• Trans Dapt motor mounts

Built by GM Performance, this engine delivers raw, responsive power that perfectly suits the car’s aggressive styling and modern chassis upgrades.

Road-Gripping Chassis and Driveline

To handle the LS3’s power, GTLS3 rides on a Roadster Shop Spec chassis with Aldan coilover shocks. The chassis is fully Prizmatic powder-coated for durability and style. A Moser rear axle with 3.73 gears ensures performance meets reliability, while every component down to the spindles and shocks was hand-selected for performance handling.

Show-Ready Exterior

Painted in stunning Voo Doo Blue using Prospray paint, the exterior of GTLS3 features silver and red graphics with ghosted pearl details. The body has been extensively modified:

• GTO center scoop hood with side inlets

• Custom mesh grille

• Tucked bumpers with front chin spoiler and rear diffuser

• Custom billet wing from Ringbrothers

• Ground effects, laid-back quarter panel gills, and billet cowl grills

• Functional Ram Air intake through the top headlight housings

All bodywork was done by Richard Lloyd and John Wargo, proving The Custom Shop’s hands-on expertise in every square inch.

Rolling Art: Wheels and Tires

This Pontiac rides on 3-piece American Racing Wheels, 18×8″ in the front and 20×10″ in the rear, wrapped in 245/45/18 and 295/30/20 tires respectively. The combination of size and stance gives GTLS3 that perfect Pro Touring muscle car look.

One-Off Custom Interior

The interior is just as impressive as the exterior, wrapped in red and blue custom leather. Highlights include:

• Custom dash and floating center console

• Dakota Digital gauges

• Billet Specialties steering wheel

• Sony AVX8100 multimedia head unit

• GS series amps and a full custom audio system with 12″ subs

• Odyssey dual battery system

• Nu Relic power windows, Painless wiring, Flaming River tilt column

The upholstery, completed by Matt Gurgone and John Wargo, includes LED lighting, billet inserts, and Thermo Tec sound deadening — ensuring both style and comfort.

Family Ties and Future Dreams

This build was personal for John. His daughter, Brianna Wargo, was the featured model in the shoot — something he says he’s “very proud of.” John also credits his wife Kim, his son Brandon, and the dedicated crew at The Custom Shop for their roles in the creation of GTLS3.

This isn’t John Wargo’s first masterpiece. Previous builds include a 2020 C8 Corvette Widebody and a 1968 AWD Camaro nicknamed SSAWD. As for what’s next? In John’s own words, “Build more cool cars… lol.”