I have a fondness for both the least popular of this generation of GM’s A-body coupe, and also for the greasy, salty, crunchy deliciousness that is Popeye’s fried chicken. Neither would be particularly good for me right now, as I currently have no access to garage space, and also as I am working on my fitness following a week of recent business travel with no exercise, lousy sleep and terrible eating. As I’d probably spring for the 8-piece box (with the best price for eating now and saving some for later), I’ll bet the LeMans has as many cylinders under its hood with a 250-hp, Pontiac 350… that is, if the Loyola University-aged gent behind the wheel is as fortunate.
Edgewater, Chicago, Illinois.
Thursday, October 10, 2013.
(Loosely) related reading:
Popeye’s Fried Chicken is appropriate considering how Popeye Doyle trashed a LeMans sedan in The French Connection.
They closed the only Popeyes Fried Chicken near me. You can justify an occasional fried chicken meal by acknowledging that you are only doing your part to keep them in business so that the next generation can experience their fine recipe and presentation. It’s your duty as a fried chicken lover.
I’m sure Annie from the commercials would agree! :). As do I.
Maybe it’s only me, but Annie seems like a formidable customer. She’s nice until she’s mad, then watch out! 🙂
As for the LeMans, it looks like a well-kept original. Other than some mediocre fuel mileage, that would be a great long-trip cruiser. Then again, my 350 Firebird seemed to pull at least 15-16 mpg on my fall color drive last weekend, so maybe it isn’t even that bad on fuel.
For a number of years circa the 1990s, there were Popeye’s in the service areas on the Massachusetts Turnpike, but there were few, if any, anywhere else in the state. (There were definitely no non-Mass Pike locations in my area, which is the central part of the state, but I think there were a few – though only a few – in the Boston area.) It was an odd arrangement; I’m guessing that they bid on the Pike contract with the intention of expanding further into the state, but for whatever reason that never really came to pass. Eventually they lost the Pike contract, and completely disappeared from the state.
A Popeye’s opened near me several months ago, in a building which previously housed an Arby’s that had closed. Aside from the ones that used to be on the Mass Pike, it’s the first Popeye’s we’ve ever had in this area. When it first opened, the place was mobbed, with lines of cars at the drive-thru extending out into the street. Lately, however, I notice that it never looks busy.
Gotta say Im guilty of loving the Popeyes myself. Cant go wrong with anything spicy…those chicken wraps in particular are nearly addictive. Why KFC even exists when theres Popeyes…Ill never know.
Yeah, KFC sucks. The only decent thing they sell are their pot pies or the $5 tenders so you don’t have to deal with the bones.
I like Popeye’s well enough, but it’s no Bojangles’ either. Then again Bojangles’ doesn’t exist nationwide, so I guess there has to be something for those in the land of “no-jangles”.
Their red beans and rice side item is quite good though.
The most positive thing to come out of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita was a dispersion of the Popeye’s franchise following the population that left the Gulf and never returned.
(No Popeye’s in New Mexico until post Katrina when some N’aw Leans residents relocated)
Thats funny because in Canada Popeye’s is marketed as home style Louisiana home style chicken. We have a few in my home city here but I’ve never eaten there–Canadian’s have a strong love of KFC, It was one of the earliest fast food restaurants in Canada and was a real treat on a summer Sunday early 70’s.
Speaking of KFC, I spotted that vintage ad aired in Canada in the early 1970s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-0PuyEiyT8
And this French ad aired in Quebec in 1979 where KFC is known as PFK for “Poulet Frit Kentucky” with Colonel Sanders speaking a bit of French.
!! That commercial is so awesome, Stéphane! I miss the actual Colonel Sanders, but I’d guess that George Hamilton could probably pronounce those French words a little better as a trained actor. 🙂
Good points right there!
Mine was a T-37 LeMans stripper with 250/auto. Not a bad car…but boring….
I love Popeyes Fried Chicken! Hometown favorite for me! Al Copeland, the founder, was also quite a local character–every year he put on an enormous Christmas light display that would attract people from all over New Orleans to drive by for a look, much to the chagrin of his neighbors in his fancy Lakefront neighborhood.
That LeMans is sweet also!
Rare to see the original steel wheel covers, most were pulled off for “mags” in the 70’s. 😉
Believe it or not, but one could get a new GTO with these wheels. I think it’s a ’72 from the decorative fins on the front fender. LeMans moved to base model this final year of the ‘muscular’ A body.
I should know my 70’s GM cars, but I checked and the 72’s didn’t have the strips, so 71?
The front valance panel, by the turn signals was chrome in ’72. [exc. GTO]
To be completely honest, Tomcatt630, I was unable to positively identify this one as a ’71 or ’72 based solely on this single frame (the only angle I managed). I researched and researched on-line, and I couldn’t find any cues from this rear-quarter view of this LeMans would tip me off. I chose ” ’71” simply because this was the first year for this basic styling.
Popeyes fan here also. We buy the big boxes too, what isn’t eatin at home goes with me on the truck. Love the LeMan’s. Uncle had one back in the day. Too young to remember too much about it except i rode in the back seat briefly when he got married.
Wow, this looks just like the car my Uncle Bob bought midway through the 70s. They bought it from someone my Mom knew. At the time, a dingy white 5-6 year old Lemans 2 door with brown vinyl top and interior was perhaps the least appealing vehicle on the face of the earth to me. The center of the front bumper rattled against the bottom of the grille center.
I still think I would prefer the Olds or Buick version today, but I like this one more than I did then.
As for the chicken, 2 things make Popeyes worth going to – the Sparkle Seasoning for the chicken and the Red Beans & Rice. Yumm.
+ 1 on the Red Beans and Rice! I know what I’ll be having for lunch today! There’s a Popeye’s a couple blocks from work. I’ll take a walk there to burn off some calories before I put ’em back on!
Oh God, the red beans and rice…and me on the Atkins diet 🙁
Now I wish I hadn’t brought my lunch. There’s a Popeyes in the train station across the street…
In 1971, it would be a toss-up between the Buick, Olds, or Pontiac intermediate cars. As far as I’m concerned Plymouth’s 2 door coupes were the only cars that gave them any competition. But 12 months later Ford would roar back with it’s (admittedly “bloated” looking) Gran Torino and Montego twins and the now 5 year old GM body style would be a bit dated looking.
Oddly, to me, the 71 Le Mans looks pretty decent even as a stripper 2 door pillared sedan….depending on color and options, of course
Love Popeyes, i’m currently in an area with very few and being on the road with most meal choices being fast food, I’m really really craving them!
Like the Lemans too, happy to see it’s not dressed up with judge stripes and a rear wing like so many lemans coupes are
Love the friend chicken topic Joseph. I’m curious if anyone from the South can tell me about Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken. Because we just got one out here at Pico and Crenshaw and let me tell you it rocks. The skin is thin but at the same time very crispy.
From what they told us this is the first location in LA but there are others mainly in the South?
Sometimes when a new chain comes to town it’s a big deal and then you mention it to folks who are where it’s from and they do an eye roll. We had a place called Shake Shack open out here and the lines were ridiculous. I gave it a try and did the eye roll myself, what a disappointment. Five Guys is good, but really expensive. I don’t think they are going to make it.
What’s the story on Gus’s anyone know?
Went to Gus’s in downtown Austin, Texas last month (two blocks from the Convention Center). I really liked it; spice was just right. The plastic cup my drink came in had a list of locations printed on in. It seems most were in Tennessee or Mississippi. I guess they like states with repeating connssonnannttss. 🙂
When I lived in Memphis, Gus’s was considered to be THE best chicken restaurant. I’m not a huge fan of fried chicken so never ate there.
I seem to remember that the 1st restaurants were either east of Memphis or “across the border” in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
One of the biggest reasons why I’m glad I moved to Florida from Memphis is that 95% of restaurants are either Bar B Que “joints” or chicken shacks….or a combination of both.
Two thumbs up: One for Popeye’s and one for that LeMans. It’s rare to see one with original wheel covers, no added “Performance Accessories”, etc.
Great photography as always Joseph. Your topic reminded me of an article I saw earlier this summer from Ottawa, Canada of a driver who apparently couldn’t wait to eat at Popeye’s. Actually, she lost control. Thankfully, no one was seriously hurt.
http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/two-children-taken-to-cheo-after-vehicle-goes-through-popeyes-front-window
Tried Five Guys for the first and last time in one visit. Stupid expensive for a burger the quality of Wendys, and the fries were horrible. I make better fries at home. I will take Popeyes and the LeMans any day over Five Guys.
You’ve got either the country’s best Wendy’s or the country’s worst Five Guys.
We just got a 5 guys here. You telling me I’d be wasting my time going there? Just as well, I can make a bigger better burger at home. And cheaper.
Five guys’ burgers are good. The biggest issue are the fries. There isn’t any ‘small’ size, and they make them to order. So, when you get them, they’re fresh out of the fryer (meaning really hot) and there’s a big pile of them. By the time they’ve cooled enough to eat, you’ve already finished the burger.
$11 for a small, greasy cheeseburger, mushy fries and a soda. Unimpressed.
Yeah, I think I’ll just make mine at home.
Again, nice to see one that has hubcaps and isn’t a GTO clone.
Feh, you guys can keep your chain restaurants, I prefer to dine with the hipsters on James St N..
My favorite GM A body, although I prefer the taillights from the ’68 and especially the ’69. The C pillar just worked better than the Malibu, Cutlass or Skylark.
Popeyes does do a good bird. Great sides as well. Far superior to KFC, IMHO
I do like these GM A bodies. For me, the ideal version would be a replica of the GTO Judge as seen in Dazed and Confused. That one just really resonates with me…as did the movie.
Hmmmmm,
How does Church’s Chicken compare to P-Es
Originally, I didn’t care much for the 68 – 72 GM A-bodies. But I’ve grown to appreciate them as they were more solidly built, with somewhat better quality, and less bulk, than the ‘Collonade’ intermediates that replaced them.
Happy Motoring, Mark
I’m not going to lie, I also love KFC, for different reasons. I grew up with KFC, and the one my family went to as a treat when I was growing up in Flint is still open. Buy Popeye’s is just…so…good. It’s torture sometimes passing this particular neighborhood store, with its delicious aroma permeating the air, while on the way to shop for groceries. Stupid weekday responsibility. 😉
As for the LeMans, I love how factory-stock it looked. Major props to the owner for keeping it that way… which is (to my own, personal preference) hopefully the way it stayed.
Hahaha, I all too well feel your pain regarding the smell permeating this particular area. I cannot and will not resist Popeye’s when I’m presented with the opportunity. This is why I refuse to depart the Red Line at Loyola. The new Taco Bell doesn’t help this situation ether. Yeah, I also like to eat trash.
I actually moved back to the windy city almost immediately after your tweety bird Miata post, and landed in Rogers Park this go around. Morse saves me some dignity, but then it’s JB Alberto’s and Los Portales pulling on the heart strings…
Chicago is way too much of the inevitable buffet. I have no impulse control, but a crazy metabolism. Thanks Dad!
Saw a gold 70 lemans just today. There’s been a Popeyes near me for several years, but I’ve never been there.
Wow. Way more comments about Popeye’s than about the car!
I like both. Popeye’s is a “guilty pleasure” but who doesn’t enjoy some crunchy goodness? Well, I DO know somebody….or did. He’s dead now. He always peeled off the crust and skin from fried chicken and threw it away. Must have thought he was being healthy. Did I mention, he’s dead now?
Oh, yes…the car. That Pontiac is well-proportioned and graceful-looking. Who knew that in only two model years, GM would go to the excesses of the Colonnades?
When Curbside Classic turns into that recent “Black Jeopardy” episode of SNL….
LOL. “Oooooh Doug you’re alright”. Kenan Thompson should have his own show.
I honestly don’t see the connection, Laurence. I’ll leave it at that.
I don’t know if the intention of using the stereotype trope of people of color loving fried chicken to reveal a common ground that, well, there might be a common ground of more than the stereotype in media (on a relatively popular media platform) was the intention, but it appears to be a passive result.
That’s completely fair, Laurence – I got it. Thanks for clarifying. That was a great sketch.
Great to hear from one of my all-time, favorite contributors. Love Dynamic Drives. https://dynamicdrives.wordpress.com/author/laurencejones/
“…You can warm ’em back up
with your French fried potatoes.
Snackin all night, it’s all right all right
Got an eight piece box. Eight piece box.”
More verse from the song by S.C.O.T.S.
Wait, what??? Burger King just bought Popeye’s earlier this week. I hope they don’t touch the menu… or the flavors.
http://money.cnn.com/2017/02/21/investing/restaurant-brands-burger-king-popeyes-acquisition/