I’ll cut to the chase: This 1963 Pontic Grand Prix is a great find, but it’s not presented all that well, so I’ll have to talk through the listing. Barn-bound in Manchester, Maryland, this GP seems to be “all there” as the seller suggests. We can thank T.J. for this discovery and those with an interest in this big Poncho, will find it here on Facebook Marketplace where it’s available for $15,000.
The Grand Prix, now in its second year in ’63, sold exceptionally well, with 72K finding first-time owners that year. Based on GM’s B-body platform, the GP’s sole two-door hardtop body style rode on a 120″ wheelbase, stretched out 211″ in length, and tipped the scales at 3,900 lbs. worth of curb weight—a full sizer, yes, but huge? Not really. Two unrevealing exterior images don’t tell us much about this car’s overall condition. Judging its barn enclosure from what we can see – it looks more like a pole barn, I’d want to check this one from stem to stern. There is one image of the underside rear portion of this Tin Indian but it doesn’t tell us much. One very nice obvious feature is the inclusion of Pontiac’s vaunted eight-lug wheels.
The seller suggests, “Car Needs interior work ” and that’s evident. The black Morrokide vinyl bucket seat upholstery still looks strong but the console has been yanked out (it’s on the rear floor along with what looks like a door panel). Additionally, the rear sail panels are MIA too. Unfortunately, the images aren’t comprehensive enough to really give interested buyers a clear idea of what work will be needed. One neat feature is the vintage Pontiac labeled tachometer, suspended from the upper left side of the dash.
Standard GP power in ’63 meant a 303 gross HP, 389 CI V8 engine, and as denoted in the title, it’s attached to a four-speed manual transmission. The seller states, “It has period correct drive train, but I’m not sure how much it is original…” I gather this is a non-runner but it would be good to know if the engine will at least turn over. The engine image is stilted so it’s difficult to make an overall assessment of its completeness. The mileage is not disclosed.
Last week I wrote a piece on a ’67 Ford Galaxie 500 and kicked around the attributes and interest in full-size cars. This GP is right in keeping with that trend and drives the point further home with its four-speed manual gearbox. Also, this Pontiac hit the street a year before their famous GTO was introduced so it had no internal competition – unlike the ’67 Galaxie. In a way, this Grand Prix is like a GTO, just bigger and heavier. This is a cool find from the days when full-sizers ruled, hopefully, someone will want to take this project on and restore it to its former grandness.
Sorry, Jeff, but as usual, I think the 4 speed will be a deterrent. The car itself is a wonderful car, any younger gearhead would love to be seen in it, just not a stick. Go back to 1963 when someone ordered this car. Pontiac was big at the racetrack(s) and many wanted to replicate that on a daily basis. No stoplights or speed limits, you could impress your buddies with every neck jerking power shift. Today however, as attractive a car as this is, the stick will kill it( the motor) every time( pun intended). We just don’t live in a world where this car is compliant today, and quite frankly, it looks to be a mess. Value sure is in the eye of the seller.
Oops, Jim, sorry pal.
Howard, I don’t know but you may be a bit pessimistic about the younger generation. My two boys are fine with manuals and several of the young engineers at work drive interesting cars. One drives a Volvo Amazon, one a Volvo 245, one a NA Miata. And even though it’s an automatic the kid who daily drives his Jaguar XJS V12 impresses me! So I don’t think it’s correct to assume that they all just care about their cellphones.
Hi Beyfon, what, me pessimistic? Welcome aboard. I understand there are plenty of younger folks, that have an influence like you, that want to grab gears. I’m looking at the bigger picture, however. It’s a known trend, that younger people aren’t even getting their drivers license anymore, and the ones that want this car are dying off, its supply and demand. I’m glad your kids still enjoy part of our world, but I don’t see that happening in the future. How many new manual transmission cars are sold today?
I try to never putdown someone on a public forum, but every time a car or truck with a manual transmission is posted here, I just KNOW Howard A’s comment is going to show up.
Give it a rest. If you can’t say something positive…you know how it goes.
@Howard A
I lean towards agreeing with you, Howard. Back in ’63 you had more open roads, less traffic ( A LOT LESS) and didn’t have stop signs or stop lights every block.
Even with my automatic I’m frustrated because there is a stop sign every friggin’ block! Not to mention speed bumps.
Maybe if someone in the plains of Kansas or Nebraska or Iowa buys it they’ll have fun but any east, west or southern coast city and their left leg is gonna get awfully sore
This car is worth about 30-50% more as a 4 speed
Just not sure I see 15k worth
You are right, a 4spd in a car like this is a positive and add value. If on the other hand, someone had a car with a 3spd column shift, that will have a negative effect on value/desirability.
Several years ago the local track added a stick shift class to their Wednesday night program, within a month it was the second largest class, often attracting 30+ cars.
Steve R
@Steve R
I’m not denying that a four on the floor adds value especially to a muscle car but I am agreeing with Howard that in today’s world, it’s becoming more of a hinderence because of laws, lights and traffic.
I’ve never gotten into a car with a stick shift and thought I’d rather have a slush box. Even now as I’m applying for Medicare I still want a third pedal and a stick in any car. And I live in the big city.
On the other side of the coin anytime I get in a car with an automatic I wish it had a stick, on the tree or on the floor. Weird huh? (I realize I’m one of few.) And don’t even start with backed up traffic, who cares.
I’ll keep my 5 spd fiat 500, thank you. Basically a street legal go-cart.
389 4 speed im in. Price is reasonable in my opinion. Sure could it be cheaper yes.
But overall a solid car for the money.
When this was built, every year Automotive News published what they called “rear wheel horsepower” stats and Pontiac always won regardless of being 421 or 389.
Howard A and everyone elce, in a few years there will be a AI robot that you could buy or build to shift the 4 speed for you. The robot will have voice control, you can just say first gear floor it, power shift to second gear on and on. Problem solved.
Funny. Over the years all four of my kids spent time in the front passenger seat shifting/downshifting for dad as part of their education. Good times !
Let’s see: Pontiac Grand Prix 4-speed with tachometer and oil pressure instruments. In a barn. Any bets about it being run hard until it went ‘clank’ one fine day? Somebody’s going to have a ball with this, but first the seller needs to get realistic about the price.
And those wing nuts on the valve covers…..
From what I can gather from the pictures; this looks like it may be a good deal. I think the four speed is a positive selling point. At least for me. But I’m old school. A manual transmission is really becoming a rare thing in today’s vehicles. I think that’s the biggest reason why less young people know how to shift. But I know quite a few twenty somethings that not only do but prefer it. However, they aren’t interested in this car no matter what transmission it has. GLWTS.
It’d be great to see this Ponch back on the road. A 63 GP with a 4 speed is rare. The price seems reasonable, but the seller says “Barn find Runs well Drives Brakes work”, but doesn’t provide any pics outside of the barn.
Nice car. But I much prefer a “family cruiser” type, so I’d go with an automatic. When it comes to a standard, “three-on-the-tree”, please, with added overdrive — and a car from before automatics were available, generally. But I would drive a car THIS size for comfort and luxury, never for “sport” or “performance: I don’t care how fast it goes and how quickly; only how smoothly and quietly it runs, and how little any “mechanicals” intrude into the riding experience. But, for me, anything at this price had better at least be roadworthy as is, and not be a “project” car!
I see the negative comments about a 4 speed manual. We’ll if you are old enough to remember or do your homework, these big Pontiacs were built with the old 4 speed automatic transmission. They were junk new and trying to find some one to fix one today is nearly impossible. I will take the stick.
This one’s a manual.
According to Google there are 27 2025 vehicles available. Most of them sport versions. There is a Jeep and the Ford Bronco available. I have a friend teaching his daughters and 4 friends how to drive a manual jeep. They range in age from 13 to 16. I just wanted to see what was available and not taking a pot shot at anyone’s opinion on BF. Have a good day everyone!
Terrible ad (or at best lacking some pretty vital information) Without proper pictures and more details, it’s pretty hard to come to any kind of a comprehensive opinion of this thing. The couple of pictures provided show what appears to a fairly straight body and the 8 lug wheels and 4 speed are a big plus (as well as the factory branded tach which I have never seen before) I suppose what I am saying is it could be a pretty good find ,or it may not be worth the hassle.
The 4spd stick is the biggest plus for me with this car. Bit pricy. Seller is dreaming. At that price you should be able to fly in and drive it home. Nice ride though.
Taught my kid how to drive our 2012 5spd fiat 500 a couple years ago and all he could say was ‘why dad?’. Breaks my heart. Granted he has a point. But all I can think are well on our way to hell in a hand basket!
Wish i could buy it and put the 4 speed in my car.
Instead of buying a whole car, wouldn’t it be easier to just buy a 4 speed?
I bought a 63 Grand Prix silver with black interior, bucket seats, center console, automatic shift on the floor with a vacuum gauge on the center console. Air conditioning special light group that car had every extra on the list, PS, PB, PW, 8 lug wheels, lights everywhere, under the hood, a detachable light in the trunk on a wheel so you could us it anywhere around the car in an emergency. Lights in the glove box, overhead lights, console lights, the 389 with a big four barrel. I bought it in 1973 from a customer for $300. I knew the guy, I was 18 and he gave me a great deal. I used to detail the car for him. Full luxury corporate throughout in the trunk full-size spare the car was 25 feet long oh, plastic all chrome gauges. That car would get up and go as heavy as it was. I’d beat all kinds of cars off the line, stoplight to stoplight. Thank God, my Dad owned a gas station, because I never could have afforded the gas that that vehicle consumed
That car was marketed as a gentleman‘s sports car or an executive sports car. Tthat’s what it said on the brochures.