This 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix represents one of the best models of the 2nd generation Gran Prix which was produced from 1969-1972. It is being auctioned here on eBay and has been bid to $6,620 with three days remaining in the auction. The blue on blue Grand Prix is located in Godrey Illinois.
Unlike most Grand Prixs, this one does not have any power options or air conditioning, even though it is an SJ model. The seats and carpet are worn and it is missing the radio. The three spoke steering wheel and automatic transmission console and shifter are all stock.
This car is equipped with the XF code 455 cubic inch V8 engine which was optional for the Grand Prix. The owner claims that it has the HO designation but based on my research, the HO455 was developed for the Trans Am, Formula and GTO for 1971-1972. The XF code 455 cubic inch V8 engine was rated at 370 gross horsepower and 500 lb ft of torque. The automatic transmission (Turbo 400) was a not cost option.
The blue exterior and no vinyl top look great on this car. I like the Rally II wheels also. There is rust behind the wheels but the seller said that it just needs a cosmetic restoration. The trunk lid needs to be replaced but a replacement comes with the car. I bet a few of you who are reading this article have owned an early Grand Prix. What do you think of this one?
A fast car in its day!
It was listed as a 455HO in sales literature (if I remember correctly). D Port heads and not round port.
GTO’s with this engine were 360 HP and not 370 HP.
Same engine specs as the GTO as far as I remember.
Too bad the buyer didn’t opt for the 4 speed manual trans
And the tach on the hood.
When was the last time you saw one of these without the ever present vinyl top?
April 19th.
Faster than most Grand Prix with almost 200 pounds missing with no options. Had a 70 GP 400 with Zero options and kicked so many cars butts across the Bridges in Harrisburg Pa in the early 80’s. Guys couldn’t believe it til i pop the hood after the race and found bone stock. Happy days for sure
Paul, that paragraph made my day!
I live in the Harrisburg PA area and the Wade Bridge and the South Bridge were a blast. I had a Dark Green 1970 Grand Prix and it had a heII of a top end. I regret selling that car to this day but I sold it to buy a 73 Formula Firebird.
Amazing how a 455 can look so small inside of an engine bay.
No a/c, cruise control or ford(or modern) type shock towers. Plus huge wide long hood area, & pontiac v8’s dont look as massive as chevy big blocks.
Never owned a Pontiac. But, if I were to, it would be a GP or a Bonneville.
Funny such a low-optioned car would have a cornering lamp? Part of the SJ package?
Yes, cornering lamps came with SJ, along with the 455, 12 bolt and auto-leveling rear suspension.
had a 69 400 ci and it was fast and heavy just wouldn’t start when hot,,,a GM problem with some of their cars
Oh! An older friend of mine, when I was only 15-16, had his license and his father owned one of these SJ Grand Prix! That was a beast! I remember growing up on Great Island R. I. , there was a long straight road, built after the terrible hurricane in 1958, that trapped hundreds of folks. So the local government built the “Escape Rd.””, that went righ over the marsh an tidal beds to save time. We used to go cruising down the road and hit passing gear! Just to see how fast that car would go, before hitting top gear, every time it hit 100 mph! That never let up till at least 120-130, depending on how the wind blew!! Till one day his father was looking through his telliscope, to see his son FLYING down the Escape Rd. In his car full of teens!! I remember his father tearing him out of that car just as he shut it off in the driveway when we got back to their house! From that day on he lost driving privileges in the GP! But instead he was only allowed to drive his older sisters 68 Firebird Coupe, that had a lowly 4.2 Lt OHC straight six, with PG automatic!
I had a co-worker in the Army, stationed at Ft. Meade in Maryland. He owned a “triple black” 1970 GP with the 455, 4-speed, and loaded with literally every option it could possibly have. Back then [early 1970s] both of us used to drive on I-95 between Washington & Baltimore, at a a time when I-95 was fairly new, and had very little traffic.
One morning on I-95, on the way to the base and driving my red R-2 supercharged Studebaker Daytona convertible, I was passed by my co-worker in his Pontiac. As we were the only 2 cars to be seen in either direction, I kicked the gas pedal down and activated the supercharger, giving him a run for his money.
The Pontiac was well in the lead when I finally dropped off the go pedal, due to the front end of the Studebaker starting to lift up off the pavement. Once off I-95 and on old 2-lane pavement, we both took turns riding each other’s tail until we got to the base. It’s a trip I doubt either of us will ever forget.
I lusted over his GP, but it wasn’t for sale. We ended up heading overseas, me to Europe, and he to S. Korea. Always wondered what happened to that beautiful all black GP.
what happened to the Studebaker? It is worth more than the GP now.
Vince H,
The Studebaker had massive rust issues, and as I had created it from a former Daytona convertible with a Stude 6 cylinder, I pulled the engine out for use in another Studebaker, stuck the 6 back in, and sold it.
I had a couple of 1957 Packard Clippers, these were factory equipped with the Paxton/McCulloch supercharged Golden Hawk engine. I had a ’57 Clipper with rust issues, so it was the donor car for the Daytona convertible. This was in the late 1960s & early 1970s, when an average, but running, supercharged Packard Clipper cost $50 to $100, ’cause no one wanted them.
I though it had 370HP , The 1969 400 motor in my J model was 350 HP ! IT WAS MORE THEN 10 HP difference in the 455 HO motor ! Maybe I am wrong
There’s a guy in my town with two of these!! Great looking cars!! They sure were good looking cars!!
I had a ‘71 Model J with the 400 c.i. And a Rochester Quadra-Jet. This stock car was the fastest I had ever owned and would give most anyone a run for their money. Sadly, 12 mpg made this beauty expendable when the gas crisis hit in ‘79. I sure do miss it though.
My first car 30 years ago was a 70 GP w/400 AT, power windows and AC. Bought it for $700. You didn’t see too many around at that time. It was a fun, comfortable car that looked great. I love them without the vinyl top. Thanks for posting.
My mother had a 1970 GP that same color. Sure brings back memories! We took it to the drag strip and it turned 14.7 or 14.8 as I recall. Fun times!
Love the 2nd gen Grand Prixs as my first car was a 1969 SJ with the 428-370 engine. And this looks to be a good buy at the winning bid of $9k. I still believe it’s a better car overall at a much lower price than a 1968-70 Charger.
A friend, who was coming back from Carlisle, back to Massachusetts, stopped at my apartment in CT, back in the ’80’s. He was driving a 1970 455 SJ, in Cardinal Red, with a black vinyl top, and the turbo 400. We took it out that night for a blast along the CT coast. It was fast, and looked great. He bought and sold cars, so someone wound up with a beauty.