Enthusiasts often seek classic cars with a known ownership experience because they provide a level of assurance often not found with other vehicles. The car becomes more attractive if it features an extraordinarily low odometer reading, and this 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix ticks both of those boxes. The seller claims to be this car’s second owner, and it only recently came into their care. It runs and drives beautifully and only has a minor cosmetic shortcoming requiring attention. They feel the time is right for it to have a third owner, listing the Pontiac here on Craigslist in Antioch, Illinois. You could drive it home by handing the seller $8,900, and I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Rocco B. for spotting this excellent survivor.
The Grand Prix had been a staple of the Pontiac model line-up since 1962, with the Fifth Generation appearing in 1978. Our car rolled off the line during the second production year, and although the seller describes the paint shade as “Custom,” it looks similar to Code 63 Camel. They say it has never been apart or dismantled, confirming that its steel is original and completely rust-free. The paint holds an impressive shine for a vehicle of this age, with no significant marks or flaws. This photo reveals the only fault the buyer would need to address. The Grand Prix has suffered the common malady of a crumbling bumper filler. However, a quick online search unearthed reproductions for $89, meaning addressing the problem should be inexpensive. The trim and glass condition is all you would rightly expect from a survivor of this caliber, and the Rally IV wheels look perfect.
The odometer reading of 34,000 original miles might make some people cynical, but the Pontiac’s interior condition supports the seller’s claim. The original radio has made way for what would have been a range-topping Pioneer radio/cassette player, but there are no other aftermarket additions. If this car is as original and unrestored as the seller states, its interior is a credit to both owners. The cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces show no signs of wear or fading, and the same is true of the carpet and plastic components. Life inside this classic would be pretty comfortable, thanks to the first owner’s decision to order it with air conditioning, cruise control, and a tilt wheel. Further adding to this Grand Prix’s story are the console bin contents, which include Regan/Bush campaign pins, movie tickets from the early 1980s, the Dealership documentation, and the GM Pre-Inspection paperwork.
Ah, The Malaise Era. It was a time when V8 engines seemed to transform gas into noise but offered modest performance. This Grand Prix would have been no exception, with its 301ci V8 producing 135hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque. It feeds to the road via a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, with the power assistance for the steering and brakes accentuating the subdued motoring experience. It might not be the most powerful car on the planet, but its mechanical condition is excellent. This gem runs and drives perfectly, with the seller claiming you can’t hear the engine running when on the move. The mileage claim is extraordinary, but the included documentation suggests they hold supporting evidence.
I acknowledge that cars from the late 1970s and 1980s have remained largely ignored as enthusiasts focused on earlier or later vehicles offering better performance, refinement, or both. However, a new generation views them as an affordable entry point into the classic world, and this 1979 Grand Prix demonstrates that. It has only been on the market for a day, and although the crumbled bumper filler prevents it from achieving perfection, the vehicle is priced far enough below the market average to justify its replacement. I believe it will quickly find a new home, but could it be yours?
The torque is more important here; it’s a relatively healthy amount. For $9K one would be getting a practical conversation piece and an artifact from a bygone era. I remember roll-forming the rocker panel moldings for this car. The shorter section of that lower trim molding set just ahead of the rear wheel was made from aluminum blanks in a multi-station short line of punch presses.
There’s a 85 GP in my town one owner 52k miles. Solid but needs a few things. Can be had for pretty cheap I’m sure.
Been thinking about it but have too much going on ATM.
Located in PA. I can get phone number on the car sale sign for anyone interested
Me dad dropped me off to high school in his ‘79 Grand Prix. Fond memories. This one looks mint and worth the asking price.
My family had a 79 also that I wanted to keep but didn’t have the funds. It also had the 301. It handeld very similar to the 79 firebird I eventually obtained and was very fun to drive. This would be a nice one to hang on to.
Nice ride for nostalgia purposes for very little dough. I bet this gets just as many looks on a Saturday morning as the Camaro and Mustang parked next to it.
Nice example. Nice price. Hope they didn’t actually try to tow anything with it though, lol.
My parents had a 79 LJ and I thought the 301 was fun. It also had T-tops and 17 year old me REALLY liked that.
Comfortable motoring. 🏁
Don’t see the Ralley IV wheels much. Mice car, hope it finds a good home!
Mice car? EEEWWWW!
😆
Don’t mean to be skeptical but gotta agree w/Michael here. Why the tow hitch on a small car with only 135hp? But more bothersome is, “seller is 2nd owner & states car just recently came into their care”. Begs the question why you selling it already then? Car flipper? Idk.
New owner better order all the bumper fillers at the same time. Not just for paint matching purposes, but the rest of the original fillers are likely ready to crumble at any time.
Agree w/ Michael on tow hitch. Car only has 135hp. And if the seller just got “this car under his care” as only 2nd owner, why is he selling already? Raises flags for me.
It is so nice to see one surviving so nicely. A friend that lived down the street got a brand new one of these given to her when she turned 16. She got to choose any car she wanted and she chose a beautiful Grand Prix in two-tone blue (a silvery blue over a medium metallic blue). It had t-tops and bucket seats.
I would love to have this car but there’s just something I don’t trust about the listing. I don’t think the underside looks like 34k miles, I believe the car’s been painted (which is fine but isn’t stated), and am I the only one who sees that the entire rear bumper filler is on top of the bumper instead of tucked under like it should be?
I have owned many Grand Prix’s from the early 70s to the 80s qualifiers I haven’t had no my cars they did not come with a turbo Hydro Matic transmission thay came with a metric 200. If it has the transmission he says it’s been replaced. And I would definitely doubt the mileage. They were very easy to set back those odometers it had to be out in the sun for a while, for those plastic filler panels to be no good, I really would pay caution to the buyer and I’m not bad mouthing the car I just don’t feel comfortable with the miles the transmission and the filler call panels
John Potter if it came with the factory tow package it would have come with the th350 trans . In 1995 I parted out an original 79 GP SJ 301 4 BBL with factory tow package and the stock transmission I removed was the th350 .
On looking at the rear of the car and enlarging the picture, it looks like someone fabricated a sheet metal bumper filler panel and got a poor color match. Too many questions to buy sight unseen.
If you have a large boat you could yank out the 301 and make a new anchor for it.Then replace it with a 383 stroker or Pontiac 350? A very clean,solid car with a straight body.The bumper filler problems are just cosmetic issues that can be easily addressed.
Pontiacs of this era always had nicer interiors. This one has the gauge package with the factory tach etc. Nice looking cruiser that’s easy to make into a real sleeper, or just leave it alone 👍
Well said.
Funny,
the last one couldn’t get past $3400…
I believe these were the “A” bodies, and shared with the likes of Cutlass, Monte Carlo, LeMans, Regal, and the last of what I call REAL cars, as the front drive G(?) body replaced it in ’82. Most of the badge engineered “A” bodies were very similar underneath, but Pontiac just had that extra zing, like Mercury with Ford. Again, I have a car rental trip a’ comin’ up, and will “settle” for a Ford Fracus( or equivalent), but it sure would be a nice trip in one of these.
The old man had a ’79 Bonneville 2 door ( B body?) for a short time( he claimed was too small), and had a 301. This is no kidding, that car got incredible mileage, almost like something was wrong. 25 mpg or more easily, and a cushy ride to boot. I was into British sports cars at the time, but it’s one of the few cars the old man had, I would have liked.
Btw, I liked the authors reference, “turned gas into noise”. That was an old 2 cycle Detroit diesel quip dubbed a “fuel converter”. Converts diesel fuel into noise”, and a bit overstated. While it’s true, our V8s lost the guts of yore, for a variety of reasons, it was still a V8, consarnit, and I miss them, in everyday life, dearly. Very nice cars, all of them.
Howard.. the 78-81 are considered “A” bodies. Starting in 1982.. they changed to the “G” body. I bought a Cutlass new in 82 and drove it many years just as I have my 1987 El Camino. Both “G” bodies. Front Wheel drive for these cars came in 1988.
Our 79 was an LJ and it also had 301 4bbl with 350 trans
I had a brand new 79, 2 tone blue, 301, every option plus spokes and Vogue tires, pretty car, ran nice, no performance car by any measure, great cruiser, NYC Disco days, I was 18
These were nice looking cars ( as well as the Regal , Monte ,Cutlass , Malibu) but nearly all of them were saddled with the lamest anemic engines of the time 200, 229 , 231, 301 – the lucky few may have had a 305 , and that’s not saying too much. The good part is that these can be easily swapped out, and different rear gears are readily available . The other thing to look for is rear frame rot . in the rust belt, this is what sent most of these to the junkyard ; they are notorious for that from the rear arches back , so much so that replacement rear frame pieces are now available .