1977 marked the end of the line for the fourth-generation Grand Prix, with sales numbers for the mid-size car also hitting an all-time high. More than 288,000 buyers flocked to their Pontiac dealer, as word had gotten out that the Colonnade styling would be replaced the following year with a different and downsized body. This 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix here on Craigslist is an absolute beauty, so if you’ve been in the market for a seventies A-Body, this one’s sure to please. Head south to Mobile, Alabama, with a minimum of $25,001 if you want to negotiate, or bring along $28,500 for a sure purchase. T.J., thanks for your great tip here!
A bit of sadness begins the tale here, as the previous owner passed away after only being the Pontiac’s caretaker for not even a year. A friend purchased the car from his estate and is now trying to find the Grand Prix a new home, which I’m guessing won’t take long given the way the car looks all the way around. The seller says it’s a non-restored original example, and describes the condition as like-new. Based on the exterior’s appearance, it’s hard to argue that he’s not on the right track.
If there is any bad news here, it’s that under the hood is the smallest engine available in a Grand Prix for 1977. The 301 is only churning out 135 horsepower, but the fact that it’s still the original engine and has traveled just 28,000 miles may help you forget it’s not one of the larger choices. The factory Turbo 400 is also present, so if this one’s been properly maintained, there could be years of service left and thousands of good miles remaining for the future buyer.
Stepping inside reveals an interior that seems just as nice as the outside, with the buckskin buckets said to be original. One aftermarket component mentioned is an Alpine AM/FM/CD Stereo, with the clock being the sole item stated as non-functional in the rally gauge cluster. Sure, I’d prefer to have one of the bigger powerplants, but with the condition here plus documentation since day one, the 301 is probably something I could learn to live with fairly quickly. How about you?
Beautiful example of a standard Grand Prix – usually low mile survivors are LJ or SJ, and this one has buckets/console and gauges. Originally ordered with an AM/8 Track, the selling dealer shows it had a dealer installed AM/FM 8 Track. I groan at the dash being cut up for a CD player, Alpine or not…
For detailed pictures, here is the link to ad from Fast Lane
https://www.fastlanecars.com/vehicles/2821/1977-pontiac-grand-prix
I’m with you on the aftermarket stereos. If you want it, put in the glove box or somewhere out of site, not butchering the dash, if that’s what happened.
Have to admit, I traded a Delco AM-FM 8-track for a Pioneer AM-FM cassette in my ’72 Caprice. I don’t think they had to modify the dash, but this was 1977 so who remembers.😄
Yeah, I have an aftermarket head unit in the glovebox of my 70 Olds and I agree that’s the way to go, but back in the day these cars were regular ol’ transportation. Quite a few people cut up their dash to replace the original stereo and also cut holes in the rear deck and door panels for speakers. I’m fortunate that my current car has had none of that done but I’ve had a few that have. I don’t think many were worried about these cars being future collectibles and classics, they simply drove them and modified them as they saw fit.
These were really slow and especially sluggish from a stop sign. They were great handling with good brakes, but would hardly get out of their own way. If you want to experience what a large personal luxury car can do drive a 1971 grand prix!
This is a beauty, but it’s the generation before this one (’69-’72) that was glorious. The 60’s GPs were beautiful too, but didn’t look all that different from their Bonneville, Catalina siblings.
Pontiacs in the 60s were gorgeous, but by the mid 70s they lost that hard to describe “it” factor they’d had.
LUV it…the 301 would have to go n either a 428 or 455 bolted in its place to the 400 or a LS n 4L65-E:HD in it
428 if you got one !
The Grand Prix is my all-time favorite car of the 70s. I came close to buying one, until a good friend came in and ordered one. Deciding to be a bit different, I opted for a Grand Am, which accidentally came in with a 301-4bbl. I really didn’t have any problems with it, either in performance or economy. I put 5K miles on it and sold it; the new owners running it for at least ten more years.
The 301 was an interesting engine. The first thing I noticed was that the 2bbl version was a carburetor that had 2 holes open but the rest of it was blanked off. A 4bbl would’ve dropped right on. We sold a couple of Firebirds that were so-equipped. I have no doubt that they were changed before they had too many miles. Sit it beside a 455 and you had to look for the differences. The 301 was lighter (obviously) but it still looked like a typical Pontiac…
I remember that in my 78 Grand Prix! I hadn’t thought about it in years but you jarred my memory.
Another “low miles” car with no documentation on Craig’s list!!
Buyer Beware !!!!
I don’t see any pictures but the seller says he has “FULL” documentation from the day this car was sold until now proving miles and everything. I’m guessing it’s legit. Have to read the ad.
Click on Big_Funs link in the first comment. Documentation listed in the Fastlane advertisement.
My dad had a new 77 we drove it off the floor it had a Delco aam fm cb radio in it it’s the only one Ive ever seen it was cool the paint was silver on black with a silver vinal top with red pin strips and a cb atena on the trunk his handle was saxman it was cool
The 301 is a deal breaker! Hardly enough power to run the belt driven accessories !
I can’t say that I’ve been in a 301 powered car that was a pooch. They did “OK”. But suppose some were.
I had that same car as an early 20 something back in late 80’s. The 301 was a great running smooth engine that kept me out of trouble! Car made it to Nags Head and back from Ohio with no problem. The 400 would have been great! I’ve had a few 69-71 Grand Prix’s and they are my favorite years!
Lovely Grand Prix.
I can’t believe this things has a turbo 400 in it. I had to go look at the pictures to be sure and it does look like a 400 to me.
I thought that was odd too with the 301. You would’ve thought a THM 350 or smaller. Which GM did in those days. Heck, my 77 Delta 88 had an Olds 260 and a THM 200. At least the THM 400 will last forever with that 301 in front of it.
Already gone.
Wow, so I guess it’s neither an SJ nor an LJ, but at least it’s got bucket seats and Rally II wheels. Pretty decontented for the most part either way. As for the TH400 trans, I guess I don’t understand the difference between it and the TH350. I thought it had to do with what engine you got. So, it’s got a 301 with 2bbl carb and the TH400 transmission. It’s in beautiful condition with low miles, BUT the color and engine would have me decline this one.
For $28,500. I am not doing a motor swap. That is a lot of ask for a GP with a 301. For that kind of scratch I’d want to see what the market has to offer with a GP that already has a 400.
All and all, I don’t think the Pontiac 301 was a bad engine. Early ones were down on power though. I drove one of these, might have bought it except I had to to a panic stop when one of Wisconsin’s government beef (deer) ran across the road in front of me. I managed not to hit it, but the car swapped ends on me. I ended up parked facing the other direction on the shoulder of the road. Not real sure where the great brakes and handling were on that one. The only other car I ever had do that to me was a 1969 Dodge Dart GTS 340 Convertible. Chrysler “A” bodies were known for doing that crap. GM’s, not so much. Needless to say, the car scared the hell out of me. Only other one that did that was a 1970 Plymouth GTX with a 440-6 Barrel car. That one only scared me because of how powerful it was. Today I could drive that car and probably never open the secondary carbs up. Maturity will do that to you.
It’s gone. The 301 was disappointing, but a bit of basic hot rodding ingenuity would wake it up. Let me at ‘er, I’d make it a runner.
I had a 301 in an 80 Trans Am … there is no “waking it up” … total sloth.
I had a 76 Cutlass S with a 260. I can’t actually say whether I liked or disliked it, but the fact I don’t remember the car, except that I owned it tells me it was probably a slug.
The 301 engine would not be a deterrent to me at all. After driving an anemic 1.5 litre engine in my 2018 CR-V these last six years, this would probably be refreshing.
Such nice cars and I love the Orange! I had a ’77 Cutlass Salon coupe, Olds 350 with the THM 350, it was a fairly responsive, but not quick combination. The Pontiac 301 reminded me of the Olds 260 V8, a bit smaller than the 350s but seemed much weaker. I am perplexed by the M40 THM400 in this car. It’s listed on the build ad the M40 Auto Trans-HD, never seen a separate reference to a HD automatic before on a build sheet. Certainly not with a 301. It’s one area of this car you won’t have to worry about, the THM400 will live forever behind the weak-sauce 301.
My name is bill i had a 77 grand prix sj with a 400 ,400 turbo and instead of a clock in the dash it was a factory tachameter does anyone no how many 77grand prixs they sold with a factory tach in place of the clock i really loved that car
I’m not surprised that it’s gone.This is one of the nicest GP’s I’ve ever seen.l’d do nothing to it. Gorgeous 77 Gran Prix.
I’m not surprised it’s gone.This is the nicest GP I’ve ever seen on BF. I’d do nothing to it. Wow
The 301 was a boat anchor. It really hurts the value of that car. In my opinion it takes 10k right off the price. Other than the engine, it’s a nice ride.
What kind of gas mileage would the 301 get ??
The 301 is a deal killer. Very slow and the 2 bbl carb feels fuel starved. The curb weight is 3939 pounds per Hemmings so that is a lot of weight to pull with 135 hp. The GP is beautiful as are all 1969-77 generation offerings but for 28k a buyer deserves the 185hp 400 4bbl engine and a stack of bills change back on the sale. The 455 was retired by then for fuel economy.
Cardinal sin 135 hp in this car. If you favorite the 73-77 GP it’s the 73 you want for many reasons. They were definitely tuned down but still could get 230-250hp depending on 400 or 455 with 330-? torque with duel exhaust which could definitely get out of its own way. You used premium gas too. You had real wood interior. The 73 sat prettiest and that rear end with horizontal taillights are gorgeous and I like the round headlights on front end too. Believe me drive the two back to back and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Now if it’s fast that you want 69-70,71-72.
Open up the wallet an buy it. Won’t find one any nicer. Absolutely beautiful car.
Stick on aftermarket moldings. Hope the paint hasn’t faded around those ugly things.
That I didn’t notice – if you’re talking about the body side moldings, believe it or not those are not aftermarket, that’s the WIDE molding offered that year. It’s OEM.