My parents had some wonderful cars, but the family favorite, BY FAR, was a champagne mist '67 Grand Prix. I was with my dad when he bought it, and for me, it was love at first sight. It had just rained that gloomy night, and bathed in the bright, overhead lights of the dealership, with water beaded on every supple surface, sat the stuff of every teenage boy's automotive dream. And to my surprise and delight, we took it home. We all still mourned that car decades later. Great retrospective of the fabulous and beloved GP. THANK YOU!!!
My Dad had a 1963 Grand Prix in a blue so deep and dark that it looked almost black. That stacked headlight, crisply drawn, wide-track Pontiac looked so good that it clinched 12 year old kid bragging rights. Dad got tired of chasing down seemingly endless nit-picking electrical faults, so that 1963 Grand Prix had a very short tenure. It was replaced by a white 1965 Buick Electra 225 in 1965. The 1963 Grand Prix still holds the top spot in memory for appearance, but that big Buick served Dad & Mom well into the 1980s.
Yep..seemed that the early to late 60s we're the best power producers. I have a 63 389 4bbl. She's currently a work in progress with big plans for her. I found her sitting alone on a wooden plank trailer she was sinking through on 5 acres.
You did your homework! That was a great overview! As a teenager in the 60s, I was big fan of Pontiac. I used to hit every auto show for many years to see all the new models. The 69' GP was a knock-out. I was so saddened to see Pontiac go away. You know, I see GTOs at every Cars and Coffee, but I'm sad to say, I can't remember the last time I saw a Grand Prix.
All Grand Prix's were great cars . They were beautiful except one year and that was the 68 G.P. I had one. Butt ugly. Needless to say I was sick when I saw 69 model. I didn't keep the 68 long to many carburetor problems. I kept the 68 for about one year traded for another brand.
Those early GPs were so dang cool! It's a bit mind blowing to think it's already been over 12 years since Pontiac drove off into the sunset. As a kid in the 60s I saw the Pontiacs as the beautiful ones, the pretty face with the wide track and V8 power to back it up. Back then the yearly styling changes were fun to look forward to.
My dad bought a 1967 Grand Prix with the 428 engine. I loved that car and learned to drive with it! I would love to find one to purchase but they are very scarce. Great video it brought back many good memories.😊
The 1962 Grand Prix reminds me a lot of the 1964 2 dr hardtop Galaxie 500XL. Something magic about the proportions and overall designs that makes both those cars look so right to me. Add in their top v8 power plants, bucket seats, consoles, 4spd’s on the floor, all the options you could get and there you have powerful, comfortable, timeless, stunning beauties.
Instant subscriber! I had a '73 with the 455 when I was in high school. Adjustable rear air, swapped stock for an after market 4 barrel, exhausts and manifold after she was bought in '79. Man you could actually watch the gas gauge drop when you put it to the floor. I miss that car!
I was born in 1960. I've always liked the Pontiac up till the 1980s when the HP dropped. I'm an Over the Road Trucker. 1998 I purchased a 1968 2Dr Hardtop Pontiac Tempest Custom specially ordered from factory day 1 a 350cid with ps ac accessories . Love this GTO Lemans look for that year. I still have this car stored inside. Thanks for sharing all this information about the Pontiac Grand Prix. Keep em coming. Truck Driver Ray ✝️ 👌 😎
Born in 69 I’ve always loved American cars. Only Pontiac in my possession was the 2006 GXP with the 5.3L V-8. Bought it for the sleeper car look. The sideways mounted motor with front wheel drive was very squirrelly off the line. I really liked the car with all the tech it had for the time. Especially the HUD. The only reason for selling it was the transmission. It was designed for the V-6 GTP. Thanks for the video history.
I had a '72 Grand Prix in High School. Pastel Yellow with a white halo top and a white interior. The car had been ordered with a 455 and the trailer towing rear end. As was the fashion back in the late 70's, I traded the stock wheels for a set of chrome cragers. I also swapped out the stock carb for a holley 850cfm double pumper, an edelbrock manifold, set of hooker headers, custom dual exhaust with cherry bomb mufflers. The thing was a monster. I could easily blow off any of the supposedly fast cars of that era and most of the fast cars from the 1960's. I had neighbor buddies that had new trans ams, corvettes and a few with vintage GTO's, chevelles etc. The only cars that I couldn't easily beat were a 1970 Monte Carlo with 454 and my girlfriends dads 1969 Corvette. (yes, he used to race me as long as I didn't tell his wife. ) He also taught me how to do a brake torque on their family station wagon one afternoon while waiting for my girlfriend to return with her mom from shopping. Today an adult would be jailed for drag racing his daughters boyfriend on the streets of suburban chicago but hey, it was the 1970's and a very strangely permissive era to say the least. If I wanted to leave rubber on the street, all I had to do was put in low and nail the gas to the floor. That car would light up both tires for an entire block, engine screaming through that open exhaust and both rear wheel wells billowing great clouds of vaporized goodyear rubber into the atmosphere. The sound of all that air being sucked into that huge carburetor sounded like some sort of demented vacuum cleaner from hell. To a 17 year old gear head, there was no sweeter sound. All of my friends parents hated me as did all of the neighbors on the street my parents lived on. I drove that car to Los Angeles to go to school and ended up selling it in 1981 when gas had reached over a dollar per gallon and they stopped selling premium leaded gasoline. Regular 87 octane made it rattle and ping and I knew it was time to move on. Pontiacs were always my favorite GM car. in the last 1960's and early 1970's, I looked forward to every fall when my dad would take me to all the car dealerships to see the new models. My dad and I never had much of anything in common. But on those cool autumn nights so long ago, the dealership windows papered over and banks of klieg lights out in front sweeping the skies letting the world know that the new models had arrived, on those magical nights we were best friends......and there was nothing better.
Lauren Chapin, who played little Kathy on "Father Knows Best", wrote in her autobiography that when she turned 18, she received a payout of around $19K for the money that was already saved for her. She stated that she ended up at a Pontiac dealership and fell in love with a 1963 midnight blue Grand Prix on the showroom floor and even though she did not have a driver's license she bought the car with a wad of $100 bills in her pocket. Her friend who was with her had to drive out of the dealership with it! Chapin bought two other cars and burned through her windfall in a matter of weeks she wrote, and sold off two of the other cars, but kept that Grand Prix!
Thank you for a great video. You did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the footage. I liked how you put the 1988 Grand Prix commercial in the video too. I saw some Grand Prix models I have fond memories of. You hit all the points too. I liked many of the model years especially 1977, 1981-1987, 1988, and a few others. I drove the 2004 model when it came out as a rental car for a week. The more I learn about them, I appreciate them. I once again thank you for your efforts and hard work.
Just found your channel, great presentation on the Grand Prix. Had a friend in high school who got to drive his mom's 74 SJ Grand Prix all the time, I thought that car was so darn cool. The personal luxury car segment is my favorite in the classic car hobby. Currently own a 1989 Lincoln Mark 7 LSC, starting to think I might like to have something more from my youth and growing up period, yes, I can see a Grand Prix in my future. Again great job thanks for this video.
I still have my 2008 base Grand Prix, silver gray exterior and black cloth interior. Still runs great, can’t replace the beautiful smooth ride. Love the way it handles for such a big car.
We recently discovered this channel and we are loving it! Well researched with nice editing and an excellent resource for a myriad of marques. We are big fans! Thanks and we'll be spreading the word!
The ‘83 Grand Prix was the easiest by far to identify during the run of the nearly identical GPs from ‘81-‘87. It was the only one, in that era, to not sport a hood ornament 😉
Me too, in late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... and turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
My mother bought a new '69 Grand Prix Model J. Special paint: 67's Chevrolet- Deep Water Blue. Parchment Cordova vinyl top. Parchment Morrokide bucket seat interior. Unfortunately a drunk driver totaled it after only 6 days. It cemented my 5 year old hearts love of cats. Bought a '69 Cameo White, Parchment top and interior one while I lived in San Diego. ❤️ them. Great video. Thank you.!
I washed and detailed cars at a Pontiac dealership where my Dad was a salesman. Over several years I washed about 1,000 of these Grand Prix's and its still my favorite car. I can describe the interior from memory. They drove so smooth and seemed pretty classy to me.
On my 7th birthday, my mother arrived to our house driving a 1964 Grand Prix and took a Schwinn bike with a banana seat out of the trunk. My birthday party was already underway, but everything stopped so that all the guys could check out this car. Of course, I pronounced the name wrong ("pricks"), and was quickly chastised by a few of my buddies that knew how it SHOULD be pronounced, and we all were fascinated by this car. I had never seen anything like the car or the bike and was overwhelmed. I loved that car and my dad occasionally would let me sit in his lap and drive it out on country dirt roads. It was probably my "first favorite" automobile. I have seen a few in auto shows and they don't look as big as I thought they were back in the sixties. I always thought the trunk lid was big enough to sun bathe on. Thanks for the memories!
Again, terrific presentation. Although the brochure shows the optional SD 455 for 1973, they never actually built any, however they did manage to build a couple of Grand Am's with the SD. I still have my dad's 73 Porcelin blue 73 Grand Prix that he bought brand new. I have such a soft spot for all the late 60's - mid 70's personal luxury cars, especially Eldorado's, Rivera's, Tornado's & Lincoln MK V's & of corse 3rd gen Grand Prix's. I am actually building a 77 GP with a Raylar Engineering 8.1 big block that will look completely stock but drive like a modern day luxury car... the best of all worlds!
Sounds sweet. Seems the Grand Prix was not the only car that had advertised options that never made it into production. I suppose it isn't terribly surprising when some options were cancelled after only a dozen cars or less were ordered with it. Usually a performance option. But collectors love that sort of thing.
The 1969-71, and '72 Grand Prix were absolutely fantastic muscle cars. They remind me of the 1969 LeMans, GTOs, and the 442 Cutless Supremes. The old V8 engine was a real "Screamer" and sounded pretty cool. Practically anybody didn't really care that these cars were fuel guzzlers, but that's what made them extra special. The '69 Grand Prix was pure, and super-tough. These were the times when Pontiac built REAL cars. Pontiac was a great company, too bad it's no longer around.
Had that exact car minus the T-Tops. Two Tone Blue my first new car got it second year in college at UT thought I had the only one in Austin Tx but sitting at a light one just like it pulled up next to me but it had T-Tops and it was a friend I went to elementary through high school with! We were both laughing! Saw him recently and both agreed it was out favorite car!
In the early eighties, my brother had a black 73 Grand Prix SJ, we rode in every morning, going to high school. I bought a new 99 Grand Prix GT coupe in March of 99. I still drive it ,and really enjoy it after over 24 years.
I remember walking into my local Pontiac dealership in the fall of 1977 and in the showroom they had a leftover 1977 GP which was sold, next to a new downsized 1978 GP. I couldn't believe how GM butchered that car. Luckily they did a much better job with the 1981 redesign.
In late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... and turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
@@thehopelesscarguy There werent really any leftovers. I was a mechanic and a Pontiac dealership in 1979-81. Owner had a loaded 1980, every option. Ugly car. I had a 1977 LJ at that time.
I believe they didn't downsize until a little later. 79? Not sure my uncle had a 78 and it looks like the 77 with a different slightly grill. The ride was phenomenal on those things. I had a77 with the 301 so slow but for its size really good gas mileage. Guy sold it to me out of his yard has been sitting for a long time. Fired right up and the AC worked! $200 full of rust kept it for about a year.
So awesome. Before I changed my first name, my initials were GP. always wanted one. Still may. But gotta get these Bonnes and Grand Villes up and running great concise history and great photos. Thanks
Another great history lesson on another unfortunate casualty of GM’s downsizing. The third generation GPs seemed to be everywhere one looked at the time of their best ever sales years, particularly among younger buyers who had their first significant career jobs.
It is sad how the Grand Prix went from the Premium Pontiac to just another generic GM mid-sized car. But that is automotive marketing, milk a reputation until it no longer has one.
@@thehopelesscarguy Excellent point. One wonders what the history of the Ford Thunderbird might be had Ford decided to directly compete with the Corvette beyond the first generation? That’s not to say Thunderbirds didn’t for a while have its own great luxury coupe niche and excellent sales. But it quickly changed its feathers.
@@Primus54 Yes, the Thunderbird reinvented itself a few times, some more successfully than others. But I have to wonder, if the Thunderbird had remained a sports car, would there have been a Mustang?
@@thehopelesscarguy Great question about the Mustang. In fact, think about all that transpired after the Mustang was introduced. No Mustang perhaps means no Cougars, Camaros, Firebirds, Barracudas, Challengers or Javelin/AMXs?
I got to drive the '78 Grand Prix in Driver's Ed in High School. Really liked the styling and handling. Later on in life I got the chance to drive a 2003 Grand Prix GT and that indeed was an impressive ride. The last Grand Prix I drove was a 2005 SE Sedan that was nice but not nearly as Awesome as the '03 Grand Prix GT. Gotta say that one was my favorite of all!
Good job covering this popular Pontiac through the years. I am currently working on a ( approx.) 75% restoration of a '99 GTP coupe. I do have to disagree with the stats you referred to for 1/4 mile acceleration as I personally did a 15.47 @ 87 mph with my stock ( at the time brand new) '98 GT coupe with the 195 hp. GTPs of that generation were running 14.9-15.0 pretty consistent as I witnessed this at Atco Dragway in New Jersey.
I had a 1977 Grand Prix SJ black with a light beige interior and bucket seats. Beigelines down the side and around the trunk and Hood and I took a 455 from a 73 SJ and ran the dual exhaust from it as well. It transformed it into a different type of Performance Machine
Well in late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... added turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
Was going with a girl in 8th grade and her father bought a '62 Gran Prix. It was a light powder blue, white interior dark blue carpet and the beautiful 8 lug wheels. I'm 75 and it's STILL a bucket list car
had a 70 SJ, and a 77 LJ, two-tone, black with silver hood/trunk, red pinstripe, leather seats, hurst t-tops, wire wheel hubcaps. Was quite the stunner. Its was just like the one at 9:44
It would be interesting to know what happened to the rarest GP of all... That was a gold 1962 (Aztec God, if I remember correctly) with a black vinyl roof and black real leather interior. The car was equipped with a 421 tri-power, 4 speed and 8-lug wheels. All that would have made it pretty rare, but what made it aboslutely unique was the badging and the owner: the badges did not read "Grand Prix", they read "Daytona Champion" and the car was given to Glen "Fireball" Roberts, winner of the 1962 Daytona 500. Bunkie Knudson himself presented the car to Roberts, with John DeLorean. Fitting, since these two were responsible for the GP and, two years later, the GTO. Glenn drove the car until his death (just two years later, after a horific crash at Charlotte). Wonder what it would be worth now, and what happened to it?
as an Italian I can't think that in the US today FCA tins or minis are circulating when you were producing sculptures on 4 wheels like the various Pontiacs where the bodywork design was the culmination of a dream.. something forbidden in Europe. I wish I owned a Pontiac..
My first car in 1988 was a 76 red Gran Prix with a white vinyl top. Previous owner blew the engine and installed an Oldsmobile 350 rocket in it. Had a blast in that car!!
My dad bought a 71 Grand Prix in 72 and that car had the same tilt leather rally steering wheel that the Trans Am had. I've seen many GP interiors of that era and I've never seen another one with that steering wheel, I don't think it was an option. He did buy if from a friend that owned a Pontiac dealership, maybe he had it put in custom, if anyone could it'd be an owner. The steering wheel made that car, it really did.
@@thehopelesscarguy For decades I just thought it was an option cause I know my dad bought it as is. It made that car, it looked good, and performed well. It's surprising it wasn't an option frankly.
In 2003 I rented a new Grand Prix Which Really liked. As you have already said, It was the first year it was only available as a 4 door, and last year before a final restyling.
The 3.8 engine was fantastic. I had a 3.8 series #1 in my 1994 LeSabre Limited and a series #2 in my 2000 Park Avenue. The LeSabre was faster. Less plumbing on it. Never owned a 3.8 Supercharge though. It was sad to see GM discontinue that engine. I believe it was the best 'Overall Engine' they ever had. I would understand if others disagree. But that engine was bullet proof.
I had a '73 maroon Grand Am and the interior was very similar to the Grand Prix in those years and one thing Pontiac really got right was their interior design. It's sad to see them gone.
The Super Duty was not available in anything but the Firebird Formula and Trans Am for 1973 and in the Trans Am for 1974. The SD455 was initially going to be optional on the ‘73 GTO (maybe Grand Am also?), but that was idea was scrapped. No 400 or 455 was offered in the Ventura-based 1974 GTO, which had the 350 as its largest option. I’ve never heard of any plans to offer the SD455 in the Grand Prix , so interesting if true.
My dad had a Brand new 1977 Grand Prix a long time ago it was Powder blue with baby blue interior bucket seats console in the middle w/floor shifter...wow memories long ago not sure what year it was i just loved thAT CAR
BRINGS BACK MEMORIES I had one shone here the 1975 BRONZE COLOR ! My first vehicle…. Bought in 1982 for $ 2,300 at James Martin Chevrolet in Detroit while working at my 1st REAL JOB at the FRB Detroit branch in my 1st rent paying apartment / duplex that I ended up buying the building from the owner Ms. Rollins rip 🌹
Cool video. Really sad how the Grand Prix evolved into a mid-size badge engineered GM family car. Well, all the excitement was gone by then, so I guess it really didn't matter.
Hahahaha..they can't even sell Chevy cars--oops they had to stop due to poor sales and Cadillac may be next. So sure Gomer lets step right up and bring Pontiac back along with those turd Oldsmobiles.......
My father had a 1969 model in burgundy with a black vinyl top. My opinion is the 69-72 models were the best. The J class as it was called. My father had his for quite a while and everywhere he went in Detroit, people made offers for it. The 1972 model is my favorite year of all.
Where does the $2250 price for the Super Duty come from? In '63, the 390 hp 4 bbl 421 Super Duty was $1003.91. This is from a repro of a window sticker in Pete McCarthy's book
I rode in a new Pontiac GP in 1969 when I was in the Navy this guy had only had it a couple months Ihis car was the 1st car to have a radio antenna in the windshield like my 1970 Monte Carlo I have today
The SD 455 may've been listed as optional in '73, but never saw the light of in ANY GP...'73 OR '74. That motor was strictly a Formula or T/A option in its 2-year-only production.
I have been trying to find another 1972 grand prix for 15 years I owned 7 in my life don't no why I sold any of them but then they was just another fast car but I loved mine they r the most. beautiful car that has ever been built in the world
I was in the market for my first new car in the fall of 1977. I was driving a 1974 Grand Prix and was torn between the leftover 1977’s or the new 1978’s. I ended up buying a 1978 Bonneville as the Grand Prix just was not much of a car.
The 1978 Grand Prix had the SJ and LJ trim with the available "Viscount" leather bucket seats and center console. But my favorite is still the 1978 Buick Regal Limited Coupe with the 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham Coupe a close second.
@@SpockvsMcCoy It would have been a dark carmine red one with a white Landau top and red cloth 60/40 interior. As a matter of fact the Bonneville Brougham that I ordered was exactly this combination. The Grand Prix would have had a 301 V8 and because of the price difference between the two, the Grand Prix was going to have a factory installed Astroroof.
Remember when John Belushi, filmed The blues Brothers, the iconic, Sundance orange metal flake paint job, on the Pontiac Grand Prix, ❓❓❓ Guess who painted the car 4 the Boyz in Hollywood 🎥🎞️🎞️📺
Around 1979 I owned a 1968 Catalina with a 400ci. Nothing to special about the car but it was pretty perky. I ran 105 octane in it. I loved that car. Especially the styling. Oh and it was that very common GREEN color. LOL
My parents had some wonderful cars, but the family favorite, BY FAR, was a champagne mist '67 Grand Prix. I was with my dad when he bought it, and for me, it was love at first sight. It had just rained that gloomy night, and bathed in the bright, overhead lights of the dealership, with water beaded on every supple surface, sat the stuff of every teenage boy's automotive dream. And to my surprise and delight, we took it home. We all still mourned that car decades later. Great retrospective of the fabulous and beloved GP. THANK YOU!!!
That is very cool.
I had the 78, 400 small block. All steel. The kids mom always had a story how no one could touch her on the 405. The fastest car I ever have driven.
My Dad had a 1963 Grand Prix in a blue so deep and dark that it looked almost black. That stacked headlight, crisply drawn, wide-track Pontiac looked so good that it clinched 12 year old kid bragging rights. Dad got tired of chasing down seemingly endless nit-picking electrical faults, so that 1963 Grand Prix had a very short tenure. It was replaced by a white 1965 Buick Electra 225 in 1965. The 1963 Grand Prix still holds the top spot in memory for appearance, but that big Buick served Dad & Mom well into the 1980s.
Nice
Yep..seemed that the early to late 60s we're the best power producers. I have a 63 389 4bbl. She's currently a work in progress with big plans for her. I found her sitting alone on a wooden plank trailer she was sinking through on 5 acres.
When Pontiac meant something special.
When they built excitement.
Amen to that
You did your homework! That was a great overview!
As a teenager in the 60s, I was big fan of Pontiac. I used to hit every auto show for many years to see all the new models. The 69' GP was a knock-out. I was so saddened to see Pontiac go away.
You know, I see GTOs at every Cars and Coffee, but I'm sad to say, I can't remember the last time I saw a Grand Prix.
As many as were sold you would think more of them would be around.
All Grand Prix's were great cars . They were beautiful except one year and that was the 68 G.P. I had one. Butt ugly. Needless to say I was sick when I saw 69 model. I didn't keep the 68 long to many carburetor problems. I kept the 68 for about one year traded for another brand.
I remember having a 65 Pontiac GP once upon time and I had to sell it.
Awesome video 😎👍
I miss Pontiac cars so bad 😔☹️🥺😭
Thanks.
Those early GPs were so dang cool! It's a bit mind blowing to think it's already been over 12 years since Pontiac drove off into the sunset. As a kid in the 60s I saw the Pontiacs as the beautiful ones, the pretty face with the wide track and V8 power to back it up. Back then the yearly styling changes were fun to look forward to.
In the 60s Pontiac sort of bent the rules of GM to establish its own image. Too bad it struggled to maintain it later and lost its relevance.
My dad bought a 1967 Grand Prix with the 428 engine. I loved that car and learned to drive with it! I would love to find one to purchase but they are very scarce. Great video it brought back many good memories.😊
Cool car. Scarce and pricey.
My grandfather had a 69 then a 75 Grand Prix.. My folks still have the 75 and still take it to shows..
Nice
You should make a video for your channel about their 1975 Grand Prix.
Very nice, I had a 75 LJ red over burgundy, the best looking car I've ever owned, I certainly miss it all these years later.
The 1962 Grand Prix reminds me a lot of the 1964 2 dr hardtop Galaxie 500XL. Something magic about the proportions and overall designs that makes both those cars look so right to me. Add in their top v8 power plants, bucket seats, consoles, 4spd’s on the floor, all the options you could get and there you have powerful, comfortable, timeless, stunning beauties.
No arguement from me.
Instant subscriber! I had a '73 with the 455 when I was in high school. Adjustable rear air, swapped stock for an after market 4 barrel, exhausts and manifold after she was bought in '79. Man you could actually watch the gas gauge drop when you put it to the floor. I miss that car!
Thanks. Sounds pretty cool.
Yeah we didn’t go by mile’s between fill ups back then, it was how many minutes to next gas station! 😳🥴😂
@@ianb82456 👍😄
I was born in 1960. I've always liked the Pontiac up till the 1980s when the HP dropped. I'm an Over the Road Trucker. 1998 I purchased a 1968 2Dr Hardtop Pontiac Tempest Custom specially ordered from factory day 1 a 350cid with ps ac accessories . Love this GTO Lemans look for that year. I still have this car stored inside. Thanks for sharing all this information about the Pontiac Grand Prix. Keep em coming. Truck Driver Ray ✝️ 👌 😎
The 68 Tempest is a great looking car.
Born in 69 I’ve always loved American cars.
Only Pontiac in my possession was the 2006 GXP with the 5.3L V-8.
Bought it for the sleeper car look.
The sideways mounted motor with front wheel drive was very squirrelly off the line.
I really liked the car with all the tech it had for the time. Especially the HUD.
The only reason for selling it was the transmission. It was designed for the V-6 GTP.
Thanks for the video history.
I was surprised when the dropped a V8 in those, but I was pretty ok with it.
A high school friend had a silver ‘62 tri-power. What a powerful tank of a car! Haven’t seen one since.
Not something you run across too often.
Worth a King's ransom nowadays.
I had a '72 Grand Prix in High School. Pastel Yellow with a white halo top and a white interior. The car had been ordered with a 455 and the trailer towing rear end. As was the fashion back in the late 70's, I traded the stock wheels for a set of chrome cragers. I also swapped out the stock carb for a holley 850cfm double pumper, an edelbrock manifold, set of hooker headers, custom dual exhaust with cherry bomb mufflers. The thing was a monster. I could easily blow off any of the supposedly fast cars of that era and most of the fast cars from the 1960's. I had neighbor buddies that had new trans ams, corvettes and a few with vintage GTO's, chevelles etc. The only cars that I couldn't easily beat were a 1970 Monte Carlo with 454 and my girlfriends dads 1969 Corvette. (yes, he used to race me as long as I didn't tell his wife. ) He also taught me how to do a brake torque on their family station wagon one afternoon while waiting for my girlfriend to return with her mom from shopping. Today an adult would be jailed for drag racing his daughters boyfriend on the streets of suburban chicago but hey, it was the 1970's and a very strangely permissive era to say the least. If I wanted to leave rubber on the street, all I had to do was put in low and nail the gas to the floor. That car would light up both tires for an entire block, engine screaming through that open exhaust and both rear wheel wells billowing great clouds of vaporized goodyear rubber into the atmosphere. The sound of all that air being sucked into that huge carburetor sounded like some sort of demented vacuum cleaner from hell. To a 17 year old gear head, there was no sweeter sound. All of my friends parents hated me as did all of the neighbors on the street my parents lived on. I drove that car to Los Angeles to go to school and ended up selling it in 1981 when gas had reached over a dollar per gallon and they stopped selling premium leaded gasoline. Regular 87 octane made it rattle and ping and I knew it was time to move on. Pontiacs were always my favorite GM car. in the last 1960's and early 1970's, I looked forward to every fall when my dad would take me to all the car dealerships to see the new models. My dad and I never had much of anything in common. But on those cool autumn nights so long ago, the dealership windows papered over and banks of klieg lights out in front sweeping the skies letting the world know that the new models had arrived, on those magical nights we were best friends......and there was nothing better.
Lauren Chapin, who played little Kathy on "Father Knows Best", wrote in her autobiography that when she turned 18, she received a payout of around $19K for the money that was already saved for her. She stated that she ended up at a Pontiac dealership and fell in love with a 1963 midnight blue Grand Prix on the showroom floor and even though she did not have a driver's license she bought the car with a wad of $100 bills in her pocket. Her friend who was with her had to drive out of the dealership with it! Chapin bought two other cars and burned through her windfall in a matter of weeks she wrote, and sold off two of the other cars, but kept that Grand Prix!
I suspect she was not the only one that did that sort of thing.
My high school buddy's dad was doing auto financing and brought home that same car for a while and we got to drive it around some evenings...
Those were the days! The ride felt like a big boat on a lake. Squishy suspension. The interior felt like a living room.
Every time I get in one of these I am surprised by its ride.
Thank you for a great video. You did a fantastic job. I enjoyed the footage. I liked how you put the 1988 Grand Prix commercial in the video too. I saw some Grand Prix models I have fond memories of. You hit all the points too. I liked many of the model years especially 1977, 1981-1987, 1988, and a few others. I drove the 2004 model when it came out as a rental car for a week. The more I learn about them, I appreciate them. I once again thank you for your efforts and hard work.
Thank you. I like to use commercials where I can, but it adds a lot of time to editing and they are not always easy to find.
Excellent video, very informative and narrated, keep these coming.
Thanks.
Just found your channel, great presentation on the Grand Prix. Had a friend in high school who got to drive his mom's 74 SJ Grand Prix all the time, I thought that car was so darn cool. The personal luxury car segment is my favorite in the classic car hobby. Currently own a 1989 Lincoln Mark 7 LSC, starting to think I might like to have something more from my youth and growing up period, yes, I can see a Grand Prix in my future. Again great job thanks for this video.
Thanks, and I hope find something you like.
Sweet!!! I Like the earlier models, '62-'64.
And why wouldn't you.
It’s crazy how many changes they made it’s almost hard to keep up
And some were for the better, and some maybe not so much.
I still have my 2008 base Grand Prix, silver gray exterior and black cloth interior. Still runs great, can’t replace the beautiful smooth ride. Love the way it handles for such a big car.
I understand.
We recently discovered this channel and we are loving it! Well researched with nice editing and an excellent resource for a myriad of marques. We are big fans! Thanks and we'll be spreading the word!
Thank you, much appreciated.
Excellent video , thank you for making it. The 83 grand prix is my first car. This brings back so many wonderful memories.
Nice, glad you enjoyed.
The ‘83 Grand Prix was the easiest by far to identify during the run of the nearly identical GPs from ‘81-‘87. It was the only one, in that era, to not sport a hood ornament 😉
77 was my favorite year. I loved the way Pontiac did the dash on the Colonnade models. I used to own an 84 GP
Cool.
Me too, in late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... and turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
@@thehopelesscarguy
P
My mother bought a new '69 Grand Prix Model J. Special paint: 67's Chevrolet- Deep Water Blue. Parchment Cordova vinyl top. Parchment Morrokide bucket seat interior. Unfortunately a drunk driver totaled it after only 6 days. It cemented my 5 year old hearts love of cats. Bought a '69 Cameo White, Parchment top and interior one while I lived in San Diego. ❤️ them. Great video. Thank you.!
6 days? Ouch.
I washed and detailed cars at a Pontiac dealership where my Dad was a salesman. Over several years I washed about 1,000 of these Grand Prix's and its still my favorite car. I can describe the interior from memory. They drove so smooth and seemed pretty classy to me.
Smooth in a way modern cars just aren't.
On my 7th birthday, my mother arrived to our house driving a 1964 Grand Prix and took a Schwinn bike with a banana seat out of the trunk. My birthday party was already underway, but everything stopped so that all the guys could check out this car. Of course, I pronounced the name wrong ("pricks"), and was quickly chastised by a few of my buddies that knew how it SHOULD be pronounced, and we all were fascinated by this car. I had never seen anything like the car or the bike and was overwhelmed. I loved that car and my dad occasionally would let me sit in his lap and drive it out on country dirt roads. It was probably my "first favorite" automobile. I have seen a few in auto shows and they don't look as big as I thought they were back in the sixties. I always thought the trunk lid was big enough to sun bathe on. Thanks for the memories!
Thanks for sharing.
Great cars up through 67. My friend had a mint 64 with the 421 and what a great car it was! GM really took a nose dive in the 70s ... that's too bad.
The whole industry took a turn.
This was SPECTACULAR!!!!
So many memories!!!
Great video brother!! ✊🏿✊🏿💯
Thanks
Again, terrific presentation. Although the brochure shows the optional SD 455 for 1973, they never actually built any, however they did manage to build a couple of Grand Am's with the SD. I still have my dad's 73 Porcelin blue 73 Grand Prix that he bought brand new. I have such a soft spot for all the late 60's - mid 70's personal luxury cars, especially Eldorado's, Rivera's, Tornado's & Lincoln MK V's & of corse 3rd gen Grand Prix's. I am actually building a 77 GP with a Raylar Engineering 8.1 big block that will look completely stock but drive like a modern day luxury car... the best of all worlds!
Sounds sweet.
Seems the Grand Prix was not the only car that had advertised options that never made it into production. I suppose it isn't terribly surprising when some options were cancelled after only a dozen cars or less were ordered with it. Usually a performance option. But collectors love that sort of thing.
I miss my 1969 GP that I bought at 15 in 1985 had painted and drove 1986 -1989 those tires made a lot of smoke
The 1969-71, and '72 Grand Prix were absolutely fantastic muscle cars. They remind me of the 1969 LeMans, GTOs, and the 442 Cutless Supremes. The old V8 engine was a real "Screamer" and sounded pretty cool. Practically anybody didn't really care that these cars were fuel guzzlers, but that's what made them extra special. The '69 Grand Prix was pure, and super-tough. These were the times when Pontiac built REAL cars. Pontiac was a great company, too bad it's no longer around.
Banker's hot rods.
70 model SJ 455.
the 87 black ang silver car is pretty darn nice. THAT IS MY CAR.
It is nice.
Had that exact car minus the T-Tops. Two Tone Blue my first new car got it second year in college at UT thought I had the only one in Austin Tx but sitting at a light one just like it pulled up next to me but it had T-Tops and it was a friend I went to elementary through high school with! We were both laughing! Saw him recently and both agreed it was out favorite car!
In the early eighties, my brother had a black 73 Grand Prix SJ, we rode in every morning, going to high school. I bought a new 99 Grand Prix GT coupe in March of 99. I still drive it ,and really enjoy it after over 24 years.
That's cool.
Memory lane and I loved it, great post.👌🏽😎.
Thanks.
I remember walking into my local Pontiac dealership in the fall of 1977 and in the showroom they had a leftover 1977 GP which was sold, next to a new downsized 1978 GP. I couldn't believe how GM butchered that car. Luckily they did a much better job with the 1981 redesign.
It must have been hard to sell downsized models if there were left over models still on the lot.
In late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... and turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
@@thehopelesscarguy not really, as we had both a 1973 GP model J and 1978 model SJ. The smaller 78 was a much better driving car in terms of handling.
@@thehopelesscarguy There werent really any leftovers. I was a mechanic and a Pontiac dealership in 1979-81. Owner had a loaded 1980, every option. Ugly car. I had a 1977 LJ at that time.
I believe they didn't downsize until a little later. 79? Not sure my uncle had a 78 and it looks like the 77 with a different slightly grill. The ride was phenomenal on those things. I had a77 with the 301 so slow but for its size really good gas mileage. Guy sold it to me out of his yard has been sitting for a long time. Fired right up and the AC worked! $200 full of rust kept it for about a year.
So awesome. Before I changed my first name, my initials were GP. always wanted one. Still may. But gotta get these Bonnes and Grand Villes up and running great concise history and great photos. Thanks
Thanks, and good luck with your Ponchos.
@@thehopelesscarguy I need all the well wishes I can get 🤣🫣
@@SeaTravelr123 Understood.
Another great history lesson on another unfortunate casualty of GM’s downsizing. The third generation GPs seemed to be everywhere one looked at the time of their best ever sales years, particularly among younger buyers who had their first significant career jobs.
It is sad how the Grand Prix went from the Premium Pontiac to just another generic GM mid-sized car. But that is automotive marketing, milk a reputation until it no longer has one.
@@thehopelesscarguy Excellent point. One wonders what the history of the Ford Thunderbird might be had Ford decided to directly compete with the Corvette beyond the first generation? That’s not to say Thunderbirds didn’t for a while have its own great luxury coupe niche and excellent sales. But it quickly changed its feathers.
@@Primus54 Yes, the Thunderbird reinvented itself a few times, some more successfully than others. But I have to wonder, if the Thunderbird had remained a sports car, would there have been a Mustang?
@@thehopelesscarguy Great question about the Mustang. In fact, think about all that transpired after the Mustang was introduced. No Mustang perhaps means no Cougars, Camaros, Firebirds, Barracudas, Challengers or Javelin/AMXs?
@@Primus54 Looking at it that way, it may have been a good thing the Thunderbird went all luxury touring in the late 50s.
I (personally) see a strong 1961 Lincoln Continental styling influence on the 1963 and '64 Grand Prix's. Absolutely gorgeous cars.
I suppose I can kinda see it.
Excellent! Thank you.
Thank you.
1973 with 400/400 was my first car. Man was that a nice car, they just don't build 'em like that anymore.
Love my GPs, I've had many throughout the years. You forgot a few details but still, a great video and nice pictures!
Thanks, It is hard to cover everything.
I got to drive the '78 Grand Prix in Driver's Ed in High School. Really liked the styling and handling. Later on in life I got the chance to drive a 2003 Grand Prix GT and that indeed was an impressive ride. The last Grand Prix I drove was a 2005 SE Sedan that was nice but not nearly as Awesome as the '03 Grand Prix GT. Gotta say that one was my favorite of all!
Nice to hear.
My dad picked up a slightly used stunning 71 J455 during the height of the gas crisis for cheap. I drove it whenever I could. My all time fav
Nice.
I had a 1974 Grand Prix . Metallic Blue/white. What a car!
Awesome.
Excellent video. R.I.P. Pontiac.
Thanks.
I had a 1987 black Grand Prix le roadster edition. Classy!
Good job covering this popular Pontiac through the years. I am currently working on a ( approx.) 75% restoration of a '99 GTP coupe. I do have to disagree with the stats you referred to for 1/4 mile acceleration as I personally did a 15.47 @ 87 mph with my stock ( at the time brand new) '98 GT coupe with the 195 hp. GTPs of that generation were running 14.9-15.0 pretty consistent as I witnessed this at Atco Dragway in New Jersey.
I suspect the content creator is referencing “official” published data for his stats, not real world tested data.
@@Primus54 Perhaps. I find that "official" stats are those that exist only in fairy tales, such as that quoted by Dodge for the Demon ( 9.65 ET).
Acceleration times are taken from the Automobile Catalog, which usually has several different #s depending on packages and options.
I had a 1977 Grand Prix SJ black with a light beige interior and bucket seats. Beigelines down the side and around the trunk and Hood and I took a 455 from a 73 SJ and ran the dual exhaust from it as well. It transformed it into a different type of Performance Machine
I imagine it would have been quite something.
Well in late '76 I special ordered a '77 Grand Prix in mint green, white vinyl interior, white padded half top... added turbine finned wheels... 301 V8 for its great MPG, and auto trans... a stunningly sharp car... drove it 5 years...
My 73SJ was one of the best cars I ever owned. When the 400cui wore out.
I put a 455cui in it out of wrecked judge!
Loved that car!
I can see why.
Was going with a girl in 8th grade and her father bought a '62 Gran Prix. It was a light powder blue, white interior dark blue carpet and the beautiful 8 lug wheels. I'm 75 and it's STILL a bucket list car
Nice.
My dad had the same color 62,seafoam aqua with parchment inside
had a 70 SJ, and a 77 LJ, two-tone, black with silver hood/trunk, red pinstripe, leather seats, hurst t-tops, wire wheel hubcaps. Was quite the stunner. Its was just like the one at 9:44
Cool
It would be interesting to know what happened to the rarest GP of all... That was a gold 1962 (Aztec God, if I remember correctly) with a black vinyl roof and black real leather interior. The car was equipped with a 421 tri-power, 4 speed and 8-lug wheels. All that would have made it pretty rare, but what made it aboslutely unique was the badging and the owner: the badges did not read "Grand Prix", they read "Daytona Champion" and the car was given to Glen "Fireball" Roberts, winner of the 1962 Daytona 500. Bunkie Knudson himself presented the car to Roberts, with John DeLorean. Fitting, since these two were responsible for the GP and, two years later, the GTO. Glenn drove the car until his death (just two years later, after a horific crash at Charlotte). Wonder what it would be worth now, and what happened to it?
I wonder.
I owned 2 Gran Prixs, I wish I still had them, they were top of the line automobiles.
Nice.
as an Italian I can't think that in the US today FCA tins or minis are circulating when you were producing sculptures on 4 wheels like the various Pontiacs where the bodywork design was the culmination of a dream.. something forbidden in Europe.
I wish I owned a Pontiac..
Original Minis are a bit rare here, but old Grand Prix are not exactly common either.
@@thehopelesscarguy not original mini but bmw mini
@@edoardozampetti4601 I see thost for sale all the time, usually with mechanical issues.
My first car in 1988 was a 76 red Gran Prix with a white vinyl top. Previous owner blew the engine and installed an Oldsmobile 350 rocket in it. Had a blast in that car!!
Cool.
I love the body style of the GP Grand Prix and the catilina
I loved the Pontiacs from about '64 to '71.
My dad bought a 71 Grand Prix in 72 and that car had the same tilt leather rally steering wheel that the Trans Am had. I've seen many GP interiors of that era and I've never seen another one with that steering wheel, I don't think it was an option. He did buy if from a friend that owned a Pontiac dealership, maybe he had it put in custom, if anyone could it'd be an owner. The steering wheel made that car, it really did.
Dealers back in the day had more freedom to alter products.
@@thehopelesscarguy For decades I just thought it was an option cause I know my dad bought it as is. It made that car, it looked good, and performed well. It's surprising it wasn't an option frankly.
My uncle "OT" would always be cruising in a new Pontiac back in the 60's and 70's. RIP tio,I know your still low and slow wherever you are😮
RIP
In 2003 I rented a new Grand Prix Which Really liked. As you have already said, It was the first year it was only available as a 4 door, and last year before a final restyling.
Glad you liked it.
I had an '05 Grand Prix GTP. Loved it! That supercharged 6 could make that car fly.
Nice
The 3.8 engine was fantastic.
I had a 3.8 series #1 in my 1994 LeSabre Limited
and a series #2 in my 2000 Park Avenue.
The LeSabre was faster. Less plumbing on it.
Never owned a 3.8 Supercharge though.
It was sad to see GM discontinue that engine.
I believe it was the best 'Overall Engine' they ever had.
I would understand if others disagree.
But that engine was bullet proof.
We had the Catalona a great car even with the 4 door. I really loved the 70's Grand prix.
Right on
My first car was a 63 Catalina clean car It cost me 400.00. back in the 70's. I had the gree 70 Grand Prix in the 80's
Ah the good ole days.
Wow brand new 3,500 in 64 could go in there today buy it w cash lol one my favorite cars just beautiful
Can't get a rough one for that now.
I had a '73 maroon Grand Am and the interior was very similar to the Grand Prix in those years and one thing Pontiac really got right was their interior design. It's sad to see them gone.
Perhaps the best example of early 70s Aero.
and the quality was crap....money pits after 3 years.
Nice video! Very accurate! Dave...
Thanks!
Had a 1973 GP ..400 2dr .. sweet beauty..cruise machine
Sounds awesome.
The Super Duty was not available in anything but the Firebird Formula and Trans Am for 1973 and in the Trans Am for 1974. The SD455 was initially going to be optional on the ‘73 GTO (maybe Grand Am also?), but that was idea was scrapped. No 400 or 455 was offered in the Ventura-based 1974 GTO, which had the 350 as its largest option. I’ve never heard of any plans to offer the SD455 in the Grand Prix , so interesting if true.
Apparently it only made is as far as sales literature.
My dad had a Brand new 1977 Grand Prix a long time ago it was Powder blue with baby blue interior bucket seats console in the middle w/floor shifter...wow memories long ago not sure what year it was i just loved thAT CAR
Nice.
BRINGS BACK MEMORIES I had one shone here the 1975 BRONZE COLOR ! My first vehicle…. Bought in 1982 for $ 2,300 at James Martin Chevrolet in Detroit while working at my 1st REAL JOB at the FRB Detroit branch in my 1st rent paying apartment / duplex that I ended up buying the building from the owner Ms. Rollins rip 🌹
Wow, that is a string of nostalgia.
Cool video. Really sad how the Grand Prix evolved into a mid-size badge engineered GM family car. Well, all the excitement was gone by then, so I guess it really didn't matter.
Had a silver 72 and love that big car
I can understand why.
Back when gm made cars as a leader now they look like everyone else's, what a shame.
Agreed.
GM should have never stop production of the Pontiac !!
Seems to be a popular opinion.
Hahahaha..they can't even sell Chevy cars--oops they had to stop due to poor sales and Cadillac may be next. So sure Gomer lets step right up and bring Pontiac back along with those turd Oldsmobiles.......
@@chadhaire1711 If you are trying to sound knowledgeable I think you've already blown it.
I'll never understand the hault to Pontiac. While Buick is a top Favorite of mine, they should've kept Pontiac.
Once they start removing the individuality of a brand, you know its days are numbered.
My father had a 1969 model in burgundy with a black vinyl top. My opinion is the 69-72 models were the best. The J class as it was called. My father had his for quite a while and everywhere he went in Detroit, people made offers for it. The 1972 model is my favorite year of all.
Cool
Where does the $2250 price for the Super Duty come from? In '63, the 390 hp 4 bbl 421 Super Duty was $1003.91. This is from a repro of a window sticker in Pete McCarthy's book
My brother has a 1977 red T top Grand Prix SJ model with red claw it's 10 o'clock interior it was the best Pontiac made Is red on red with 2 tops
Nice
'62 Gran Prix are just plan stunning
I like 'em.
I drive a 2006 base Grand Prix, it's a great car.
Glad you like it.
I own a 62 Grand Prix ,the 60's is the era when GM's cars were pieces of art. Doesn't look like cars will ever be anything like that again.
Right you are.
I liked the styling of the 1971-72 Grand Prix the most.
They did have a style.
I had a '77 for a few months. Liked the car but I decided to go back to school, so couldn't keep up the payments and had to sell.
That's too bad.
Love my Pontiac Grand Prix, that's all my family drove as a kid!!! And my 1st car!!!!@
That's cool.
I rode in a new Pontiac GP in 1969 when I was in the Navy this guy had only had it a couple months Ihis car was the 1st car to have a radio antenna in the windshield like my 1970 Monte Carlo I have today
Seemed like a great idea, but sometimes replacement windshields would be installed without them.
Owned a 1988 and I still own a 2000 GTP Supercharged, the 88 had over 300,000 & my 2000 has 236,000. 2 of the Best cars I ever had...
Nice.
62they were beauties still are❤
I like em.
The SD 455 may've been listed as optional in '73, but never saw the light of in ANY GP...'73 OR '74. That motor was strictly a Formula or T/A option in its 2-year-only production.
You are not the first to point that out.
I have been trying to find another 1972 grand prix for 15 years I owned 7 in my life don't no why I sold any of them but then they was just another fast car but I loved mine they r the most. beautiful car that has ever been built in the world
Good luck in finding one.
I was in the market for my first new car in the fall of 1977. I was driving a 1974 Grand Prix and was torn between the leftover 1977’s or the new 1978’s. I ended up buying a 1978 Bonneville as the Grand Prix just was not much of a car.
How'd that work out for you?
The 1978 Grand Prix had the SJ and LJ trim with the available "Viscount" leather bucket seats and center console. But my favorite is still the 1978 Buick Regal Limited Coupe with the 1978 Olds Cutlass Supreme Brougham Coupe a close second.
@@SpockvsMcCoy
I was going to get an LJ. I ended up with a Bonneville Brougham instead.
@@dave1956 Landau Coupe? What color?
@@SpockvsMcCoy
It would have been a dark carmine red one with a white Landau top and red cloth 60/40 interior. As a matter of fact the Bonneville Brougham that I ordered was exactly this combination. The Grand Prix would have had a 301 V8 and because of the price difference between the two, the Grand Prix was going to have a factory installed Astroroof.
Wow! What a talker!😉😉😉😉
Good stuff
Thanks.
Remember when John Belushi, filmed The blues Brothers, the iconic, Sundance orange metal flake paint job, on the Pontiac Grand Prix, ❓❓❓ Guess who painted the car 4 the Boyz in Hollywood 🎥🎞️🎞️📺
I'm not sure I remember that car.
what is the difference between Quicker & faster and what does it mean when you use those words in conjunction?
Quicker would normally indicate acceleration, and faster being top speed. How fast can it go, and how quick can it there.
Around 1979 I owned a 1968 Catalina with a 400ci.
Nothing to special about the car but it was pretty perky.
I ran 105 octane in it.
I loved that car. Especially the styling.
Oh and it was that very common GREEN color. LOL
Sounds kinda special.
Always liked the '69 the best.👍👍
Changed the segment.
My favorite is the 64 grand prix
They had a style.
That was my first car I brought in 1971 while in high school and still my favorite car and still miss it to this day 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix