Motivated by the 1970 Oldsmobile 442 from the 2007 film The Hitcher and the lineup of classic cars in My Name Is Earl, I got it in my head that I needed an American-made muscle car from the late 60s to early 70s. I looked at plenty of cars, a few that caught my eye and plenty that didn't, until I stumbled on this 72 Pontiac LeMans Sport. And I'm no hardcore gearhead or a mechanic, but I know what I like, and this one had me right then and there. 400ci V8, Turbo Hydra-Matic 3-speed, Rally II wheels, hood-mounted tach... it's got just the right mix of muscle and class if you ask me.

When I first saw it, the thing that grabbed me wasn't even the specs. It was the color. Wilderness Green. That deep, rich green you just don't see rolling down the road anymore. The paint is still gorgeous, deep shine, pops in the sunlight, and it's got that perfect balance of vintage soul and well-kept care. Makes you want to just stand there a minute before you climb in.

It was in pretty solid shape when I got it. Black "Morrokide" vinyl inside, driver's seat reupholstered, headliner replaced. Under the hood, it had already been treated right, upgraded heads, mild cam, long-tube headers, custom exhaust (look at me, sounding like I know what I'm talking about). That exhaust has just the right rumble without being obnoxious.

What I didn't quite expect, though maybe I should have, is how different it feels to drive compared to anything newer. Drum brakes, so you gotta put some leg into it. Steering is a little floaty. And it's not quick in the modern sense, it's not a C8 Corvette. It's still running that original 53-year-old Pontiac V8. But when you press that gas and feel it pull, man... that's pure 1970s muscle. And the smell, that mix of fuel and old vinyl, I weirdly can't get enough of it.

I've got a small to-do list, and I'm sure it will grow. Fix a little trunk floor rust, get the factory radio working again, put in some AC, keep up with the usual odds and ends. Nothing that's keeping me from driving it, but enough to keep me busy.

Part of what I love about this car is it's a bridge to a time I wasn't even around for. Cars back then had quirks, personality. They didn't hide everything under plastic. My goal is to keep it as original as I can without going full museum piece. I want it to feel like 1972 when I get in. No touchscreens, no digital stuff, just chrome, big round dials, and the feel of a real muscle car.

When I do crank the tunes (thanks to a little Bluetooth amp tucked under the passenger seat), it's gotta be that 'old time rock and roll'. Creedence, Skynyrd, Stones, Queen, Petty. The exhaust is its own soundtrack, but the music ties it all together.

My dream drive? Long, open two-lane highway, barely any traffic, windows down, cool crisp air, maybe a little diner halfway through. Eat, fill up the tank, and head back with the sun setting behind me.

One of the coolest parts, besides the car itself, is all the history it came with. Original window sticker, Pontiac Historic Services papers, service records, a photo album from its restoration, even a magazine it was featured in. Feels like holding a little piece of history in my hands.

I don't think I'll ever finish this car, and that's kinda the point. It's something I can drive, tinker with, and enjoy for years, knowing every mile is another story. And every time I turn the key, it feels like getting a glimpse of what driving was all about in the early 70s.