Big changes were coming for the Pontiac Grand Prix in 1978, or maybe smaller changes might be a more accurate way of describing what was ahead. The General Motors A-bodies were destined for the chopping block, with the GP scheduled to lose around 600 pounds and more than a foot in length. However, buyers had one last opportunity to own one of these Collonade hardtops before the fifth-generation cars took over, with this end-of-the-run 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ about as nice as you’re likely to find. This one was sold new in Easton, Pennsylvania, but has since made its way up to Canada, presently in Montreal, Quebec. This beauty can be spotted here on eBay, where it can be bought right now for $15,900, or you can also submit a lower offer for consideration.
Considering how quickly most silver cars faded during this period, it would be easy to speculate that this one received a high-quality respray at some point, as the entire outside presents beautifully anywhere you look. That’s not the case here, as the seller says this one’s still wearing its factory-applied paint and vinyl roof, with a lifetime of indoor storage helping to preserve that fragile exterior finish. The lack of very much driving hasn’t hurt either, as this Pontiac is said to have just 10,800 miles on the odometer.
Of the three trim levels available on the Grand Prix in ‘77, this one is the luxurious LJ model, and it would be considered loaded by mid-to-late seventies standards. Silver and red were a popular combo during this time, and not only does the interior look comfortable, but the condition is amazing considering this Pontiac is not too far from the five-decade-old mark. Some power accessories that can be found here include a driver’s seat, windows, door locks, and trunk release, plus there’s also cruise control, a tilt steering column, and even an AM/FM/8-Track tape player Stereo system.
If there is a downside, it’s the 301 engine under the hood, which was the base and smallest powerplant available. However, with so few miles of travel, there are probably years worth of life left in the small block, and the seller mentions a complete tune-up was just performed. I’d be more excited to find one of the optional larger engines in the bay, but with the stunning condition this one remains in, the little V8 is a trade-off I could probably learn to live with. What are your thoughts on this 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix LJ?
This is unbelievable. And if its the original silver paint which it really may very well be, even more impressive. As Mike brought out, silver used to fade super fast on GM cars during this time frame. There is no visible wear on the woodgrain on the steering wheel ( usually a dead giveaway its high mileage). Also, look at the rich color the carpets and seats have. There is no fading that I can see. The 301s were not that bad. Its no 400 but it will move the car, and keep up with traffic reasonably in my opinion. This must’ve been kept in a garage with no windows or daylight to be this well preserved. Great find, and great write up too Mike.
Good write-up Mike. Very sharp car. The ‘big’ personal luxury coupe would be coming to an end, this is a great example of when they were large and in charge. Would be a great cruiser. Looks to have had terrific care; I had the same thought, it is rare to see a silver or silvery-blue car of this era with original paint.
Beautiful. This gem HAD to have either been covered well in a garage, or the garage itself had no windows bringing in outside light. And nearly 50 years old already!
The red velour is as deep a shade as when it sat on the showfloor. Power seat, windows and locks; what more do you need really? I’d be tempted to drive it a bit to keep the battery/fluids up instead of allowing belts/hoses to age and get brittle. A nice 50 mile drive on a summer day once in awhile anyone?
Will, your last sentence describes what I call a “mental health day.” Summer (or fall or spring or even winter), preferably warm enough to have the windows down, on back roads, 50 miles (maybe more), just me and the vehicle and the radio enjoying the drive. I’m happy.
When did they eliminate wheel well chrome?
The chrome is there .
Given the price of new cars these days, at $16k I could seriously consider buying a low mileage survivor like this to use as my daily driver. Although, it would pain me to see daily wear and tear.
The 301 is a turd, but this car itself is nice, and you couldn’t really justify modifying it given the miles. So just enjoy it and give yourself plenty of time lol!
Thanks for the great write up.this is my car here in Montreal.i hope it goes to a good home as this car is all original and a great cruiser.enjoy the pics on ebay.
No console and bucket seats is forgivable, the 301 isn’t
In 1977, a local dealer won a bid for a quantity of GP LJs with buckets and console and every factory option including T-tops plus a refrigerator in the trunk. I think it may also have had aluminum wheels. The middle-eastern oil baron who ordered them then canceled the order after the cars were in production so the dealer was stuck with them. My father bought a two-tone silver and gray one with the red interior.
A week or so later he called to tell me the car was on fire in a shopping center parking lot. It turned out that the alternator in those cars was not up to keeping the battery charged given the amount of draw on them so the ignition system didn’t receive enough current to complete the combustion process, resulting in raw fuel entering the catalytic converter, where it burned. The right front floor got so hot that the plastic carpet backing melted, setting the carpeting on fire.
Although the refrigerator was not factory-installed, the dealership was able to have the vehicle repaired under warranty (I’m sure the refrigerator was not mentioned to their district service manager). The dealership told my father a higher-output alternator would be installed but he didn’t trust the car and traded it in while the repairs were being performed.
It was a cool car, though.
No F41 suspension is kind of a bummer, it really transforms these cars without sacrificing comfort.
I bought one of these used in the early nineties for my daughter to drive to high school, it had a 301 and I pulled my boat with it occasionally, not bad at all really.
The add says “Original Paint” But when did they start painting the Nader pins? The pin for the pass door has paint chips on it. Or am I off base on this one?
This same seller had another in teal blue, white interior and t-top roof, with the 400 engine. That one sold mighty quick.
Looks almost like my 77 SJ. My car had red velour buckets, console, 400 engine, snow flake wheels, Hurst Hatches, optional steering wheel; power everything. Flew to NC one way from Philadelphia. Paid for the car and drove home with roofs out. Was losing storage soon after and couldn’t bear to see it sit outside. The car is now in Texas. I miss it. As mentioned, I can deal with no console and buckets but the 301 is a total boat anchor. This car was bought new in Pennsylvania, about 60 miles from my location. Beautiful car. Almost 280,000 Grand Prixs were sold in 1977. Yet, you never see them. Best looking GP ever.
I had a 1975 same colour with the 400.
The paint was so bad that in 4 years when I traded it in, the salesman asked me if I had ever had an engine fire. No I didn’t, but the hood did resemble a speckled trout.
The 400 was a big disappointment for performance. My previous car was a 350 Camaro which probably could have beaten the GP, going backwards!
Having said all of that, I was a young man who was happy to have had a very cool looking car, at least when it was new.
Didn’t the LJ come with courtesy lights in the doors, or did they drop that for ’77? I do see the B pillar lights…
This is a very nice car if the mileage can be verified, it is worth it i would offer just a little bit less this is a great investment and these were great cars with great styling until Pontiac changed the body style and ruined them. You cant go wrong for this car being 47 years old this car will be a future collectible and increase in value, if i did not have three other collector cars i would seriously consider purchasing this car enough said GM was stupid for dropping the Pontiac and Oldsmobile line these were better cars in styling, performance and class compared to a Chevrolet which just had higher sales