Some classics are cars that don’t ignite huge amounts of passion amongst enthusiasts, while others will get pulses racing the moment they break cover. This 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix could be one such car because not only is it a low-mile survivor, but it features a list of desirable options as long as your arm. It is one of those cars that is guaranteed to turn heads, and you could experience that sensation by slipping behind the wheel. If that prospect sounds too tantalizing to resist, you will find the Pontiac located in Springfield, Ohio, and listed for sale here on eBay. The owner has set a BIN of $49,900, but there is the option to make an offer. Once again, Barn Finder Larry D has spotted a true gem for us, so thank you so much for that, Larry.
This Grand Prix comes with a significant collection of documentation, and the original Window Sticker makes interesting reading. Alongside the paint color, it lists the code as “SPS.” This indicates that this is a “Paint-Solid Special,” and it isn’t clear which shade of blue this refers to. I decided to dig through the Pontiac Color Charts back from 1967 to 1927, and I couldn’t locate anything that was the same as the shade that graces this car’s panels. The closest that I could get was one called Mayfair Blue, but Pontiac had last offered that back in 1954. That has made me wonder whether this is some form of a custom mix. The seller has undertaken to investigate this further and update his listing, but I suspect that he might struggle on that front. I believe that the paint is original because the seller doesn’t mention any touch-up work, and I can’t spot any evidence of this in the supplied photos. The panels are straight, and the original fender skirts emphasize the car’s long and low lines. There is no evidence of any rust issues, while the trim is in excellent order. The original owner ordered the car with Soft Ray tinted glass, and this appears to be flawless. Rounding out the interior is one of my favorite Pontiac features from the 1960s. I can’t think of any wheels that better combine style and aggression than the company’s 8-lug wheels. The original owner ordered those for this Grand Prix, and they appear to be perfect.
When we turn our attention to the Grand Prix’s interior, what we are confronted with is a continuation of the theme of immaculate presentation. I’ve previously discussed the benefits and drawbacks of pale vinyl trim, and the Parchment that we see in this car is as pale as they come. In good condition, they look cool and classy. However, they are also extremely prone to stains and marks, and it is a shade that can also develop an unsightly yellowish tinge as years progress. This car has suffered neither of those problems, and it continues to present as superbly as it would have the bay that the original owner drove the car off the showroom floor. There is no evidence of any wear or dramas, and the overall condition would seem to support the owner’s claim that the car has covered a documented 30,000 miles since new. As well as bucket seats and a console, the interior features some pretty desirable appointments. These include power windows, a remote driver’s mirror, front and rear custom seatbelts, a power antenna, and a pushbutton AM radio with the awesomely named “Verbra-Phonic” rear speaker.
If the listing for this Pontiac has one failing, the seller doesn’t offer a single shot of the engine bay. I even went searching their dealer website but managed to draw a blank. However, he does provide us with enough information to whet our appetite. The original owner order this classic with the Code YK 428ci HO V8 engine. This brute of a motor should be capable of producing 376hp, which finds its way to the road via a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission and a Saf-T-Track rear end. The vehicle’s curb weight of 4,233lbs is about what you might expect from a car of this type and size. That makes the 15.2-second ¼-mile ET look pretty favorable. The original owner didn’t stop ticking boxes with the engine and transmission because he also equipped the car with power steering and power brakes. With a genuine and documented 30,000 miles on the clock, this one-owner classic is barely broken in. Disappointingly, the seller doesn’t provide any information on how well the Grand Prix runs or drives, but he indicates that as well as the original Window Sticker, the car comes with its Protect-O-Plate.
This 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix Hardtop is a stunning car, and if it is as good as the listing and photos would seem to suggest, I can’t imagine that its buyer will be disappointed by the ownership experience. Its special order paint and overall condition should allow it to turn heads, while its drivetrain should set pulses racing whenever the right foot hits the floor. You will struggle to find another one in today’s market that manages to combine this car’s overall condition, mechanical configuration, and low odometer reading. The BIN price is right at the upper end of what you might expect to pay for a ’67 Hardtop, but taken at face value, that figure might be justified. Would you be tempted to pursue this one further with a view to owning a unique 1960s classic?
I think the price is justified given its condition. I can’t say I have seen this paint color or the interior color for that matter on a 67. I question their originality but it’s a beautiful car nonetheless. Can’t help but compare this the the Buick Riviera. Both beautiful cars built when GM on top of their game.
That I guess is where we disagree. $50K for this and it’s not even the one-year cvt.? And as for the color, that devalues the car a bit. Some custom-mixed baby blue shade GM never had does no favors based on the asking price. Yes it’s loaded, and if the 428 HO is numbers matching, all the better. But the color not being factory IMHO hurts the value just a bit. If I were a judge at a Pontiac show, I’d have to cunt a few points off for the paint alone.
Body tag reflects paint to order so this could very well be original.
The original docs from the dealer when sold new also states it’s a special order solid color. If you had the time to wait and the extra $ to spend they would let you order your new car in any same year or previous GM color, or even non-GM hues. A PHS verification would be interesting in this case.
Occasionally I’ve stumbled upon ’64 Pontiacs wearing the new-for-’64 Goldwood Yellow – it’s just that Pontiac was the only GM division that didn’t offer this color for ’64. Apparently there was different practice between plants on how special order colors would be denoted – some cars received dual trim tags while others were stamped ‘SPEC’ only – some even got the mix code.
http://davidsclassiccars.com/pontiac/518750-1964-pontiac-grand-prix-goldwood-yellow-coupe-389-v8-81761-miles.html
http://phscollectorcarworld.blogspot.com/2018/09/pontiac-special-order-paint-codes-1966.html
Most likely it’s a factory custom color, could be from another GM line or for just a few dollars you could order a color from Ford or Chrysler. Things were much simpler then.
I can guess why this has 30,000 miles NO A/C how could you order a full size with all the options but leave that off your list on a cruiser like this?
If you ordered A/C with the 428 HO and automatic, you got a 3.08 axle ratio. Without A/C, you got a 3.42 axle ratio. Perhaps the original owner placed more value on off-the-line performance than cool cruising.
I grew up in this era (in WNY) and my dad always told me AC was an unnecessary luxury item. In most cases, it wasn’t needed as the vents and side windows were designed to move more air than today’s systems. Wing window, intakes in the hood, etc.
My parents ordered a new 67 Olds Delta Custom (Starfire replacement) with no A/C. I was 17 and so angry with them.
I don’t recognize that color either but my recall a few examples of GM accommodating custom color requests. Custom as in GM colors and paint formulas that had been used on other GM cars and trucks in previous years.
The blue paint and creme interior is a nice warm look as long as you like baby blue. Some don’t.
It is a little strange that a highly optioned top of the line Pontiac does not have A/C. You could also have optioned a 4 speed transmission too. At any rate the 428 is a fairly rare and very desirable engine. The Pontiac performance folks I know speak of it in hushed tones.
If it’s as good as claimed the asking price reflects the rarity and condition. If you want a low mileage, excellent condition, highly optioned, full sized performance Pontiac this is good one. If, for some reason, you don’t like it go and find another comparable one. That won’t be easy to do and I would like to see what can be found.
Perhaps the color is 1967 Cadillac Venitian Blue? Whatever it’s called, it’s stunning! This is an awesome find!
I bought one of those GP to scrap out for the four speed tranny for my 57 Chevy. Can’t remember if it was 66 or 67. Tail shaft was too long and wrong spline. Traded the 4 speed for a 30- 30 marlin rifle
I have to add the GP was in good condition. Found a 67 GTO in a Amarillo in a scrapyard that had the 4 speed I needed. Wish I knew then what I know now as that GTO was in good condition also
Aside from the color, this is a great car. Still prefer my ’66.
I read somewhere that GM would paint any color in their pallet for a special order, so I would look further than the Pontiac color pallet. Also a Northern car back in the 60’s would be hit, or miss on A/C. There is nothing about a repaint, or color change on this type of car that would affect it’s value. This car is a nice cruiser, not a Pebble Beach Car.
Most people forget that in 1967 very few homes had ac, let alone automobile’s. Toughen up folk’s. Got AC in 2 of my car’s and don’t use it. Need to enjoy this car for what it is.
True about the a/c in 1966, my parents bought a 1968 Electra 225 and it was their first car with factory a/c. Two years earlier the bought our first house with central air. Both of these events occurred in Springfield, OH…where this GP is located.
Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, AC on cars was that extra belt to run the compressor that would lockup from lack of use.
My high school auto shop teacher told us to run the AC occasionally to prevent this I guess I forgot, as we were on a trip in the wife’s ’71 Nova when there was a loud squeal from under the hood as we were on I-90 just east of Snoqualmie Pass. The compressor was the only thing driven by that belt, but I would have to remove the belt(s) in front to take it off. I can’t remember if there was 1 or 2. So I cut the belt to remove it and we were back on the road in minutes.
In the 80s & 90s and possibly even to this day all Nissan cars with factory fitted AC were wired so that the AC comes on when the car is in reverse. Designed to get the AC oil circulating with the gas every time the car was driven to lubricate all the seals and prevent failure from lack of use, regardless of whether the driver used the AC or not.
I would drive that car ……
someone went a little wild with the ‘GP’ emblems
I think the blue color may be a first year Toronado shade. My dad ordered a ’67 Olds 98 with that special-order blue.
The rear fender has more metal in it than most new cars. Really like the faces of these cars.
I agree the color of the exterior is not correct for the car but the interior color is. GM did allow for custom colors upon request and on some makes/models, there is a code on the data plate that would indicate a custom color. Not sure if Pontiac did this or not but Buick definitely did.
The 428 makes this a very appealing car. And who doesn’t like the concave back window?
I forgot to mention in my post that it looks like the moldings that should be along the bottom of the fender skirts are missing? Hard to tell in these pictures. If so, based on the asking price, I hope the owner has them as they are probably very difficult to replace.
Truly a one of one car. The paint color is beautiful with the interior color. My dad ordered 71 GP SJ in bronze with a buckskin? By vinyl top and interior. The salesman didn’t want to order it because they thought the color combo would be odd. They called when it came in and asked if they could keep it in the showroom for a few days. We went up and looked at it and it was beautiful. They had written up at least two Chevys and another Pontiac maybe in the same combo. The old man said sure, it gave him a chance to say goodbye to his 66 tripower four spd GTO.
Egads is correct about A/C prevalence in 1967. My mom and dad got it for the house that year. The 1966 Chevy Not. My first A/C car was a 1985 Buick.
That baby blue color looks a lot like the color that was offered in the 1964 Pontiacs………
You can’t deny the fact that Pontiac really had its styling/design act together from 1965 through 1972. What a masterful group they had back then.
Oh heavens. Who’s gonna lay down the 50k? Hard call. Will have to remain a museum piece for that kind of money. or would you use it? It’s absolutely beautiful. If you really want A/C-just put it in – Heck there is nothing else you really need to do to it-
GM had a handful of colors that rarely made the various divisions’ RPO color pallette but were pretty much always available for special order, and one of them was this powder/sky/baby blue. Buick even brought this light blue back as an RPO spring color on certain models in the mid ’80s (1984, if I’m not mistaken).
While this color may not be everybody’s cup of tea it’s genuine GM, and it’s what it left the assembly line with, so it shouldn’t adversely affect the value of this car as would a post-production color change.
What a good looking machine this is. I don’t care what color it is,it is still beautiful IMO and wouldn’t mind having it in my driveway. This was made when GM was at the top of their game.
I have to agree with MLM. It’s a beautiful car and I’m betting it’s a joy to take out on a cruise.
Yes, back in 1967 many cars didn’t come with A/C, but most were lower priced cars. The GP was not a lower priced car. And don’t forget, Ohio summers cound get very hot and humid.
The people who would be interested in this car for $50k are probably going to want A/C. I think this car is going to sit around for a while because it’s not equipped with factory A/C. Today many people who buy cars like this really DO want A/C, unless they live in the upper northern States, or Provinces.
As for adding the GM Harrison A/C system as someone above suggested, That’s an incredibly complicated job, and will require the dissassembly of the entire front sheet metal and welding in a right side firewall stamped for A/C. But before you can do that, the owner will need to find a GP with working A/C, and remove all the hundreds of A/C parts, firewall, and hardware, not to mention pulling both sets of dashboards, and then reassembly, while protecting that gorgeous paint and interior.
I expect to see this car re-advertised at a significantly lower price in the future.
OMG no AC and it sold!!!!!!!!!!! terrible.( LOL )
I owned a 1960 Pontiac Ventura bubble top that exact same color. Miss that car.
I know this car very well, 2 owner car….the pictures don’t do it any justice, the last owner loved his cars and he had some beautiful ones!