Last week we covered this 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix, a beautiful car with a somehow disappearing opera window -a mystery that I believe is still unsolved. Today, we’re going to review a very similar, one-year older, 1971 Model J and this one has a bit more oomph under the hood (and no questionable opera window confusion). It’s located in Pleasanton, California and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $18,100, with the reserve not yet met. There is a BIN price of $32,995 available too.
This example is as much a stunner as the ’72, even if it isn’t green. It’s a standard Model J, as opposed to the higher trim and more powerfully equipped SJ, and presents beautifully in its respray of Nordic Silver. Subjectively speaking, I wouldn’t have put a white vinyl top (and interior) with a silver exterior but I must admit that it works. And that vinyl top is not revealing any of the usual foibles frequently associated with that late ’60s/’70 styling theme. As far as the exterior is concerned, no complaints, it looks new! There are several images of the underside included in the listing and there are no worries there either – the seller mentions that this GP has always been garaged.
Now, being a Model J usually meant being powered by a 300-gross HP, 400 CI V8 – but not in this case. Under that football-length hood is a 325-gross HP 455 CI Poncho powerplant – standard in the SJ and an option in the J. The power output’s a bit light for such a humongo engine but ’71 was the start of the great horsepower disappearing act as federally mandated emission reduction rules started to take place. Regardless, I’m sure this GP moves out with authority. The seller tells us, “runs and drives excellent. Powerful, fast, true highway cruiser“. Backing up the big 455 is a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission that is connected to a Chevrolet twelve-bolt differential.
I’m always hesitant around white upholstery – I just imagine my big greasy paws making a mess out of it. It also has a tendency to yellow with age – not a good look and it’s starting to do that here, just a bit, and not too terribly so. The physical condition of the “Morrokide” upholstery, however, is fine, as is the carpet, console, and the very cool wrap-around dash. The driver’s side armrest, unsurprisingly, is experiencing some degradation, but that’s expected after half a century of use.
The seller claims “low miles” with an odometer reading of 11K miles but he never makes claim to that recording being the authentic mileage. My guess is that the odometer has been once around but it’s really of little matter based on this car’s physical condition, and assuming that the engine has been maintained and not abused. The uniqueness, today, of a big powerful, two-door hardtop is the draw that this car has for me. Automobiles of this nature were so common not that many years ago, and now? Essentially nothing! OK, price assessment time, $32,995 takes it away, and the reserve is probably set a bit under that. And that begs the question, priced right or not quite?
Oh GM!…How far the once mighty have fallen! This one’s even nicer than the previous green one; although I wouldn’t kick either of them out of my garage! GLWTA!! :-)
Beautiful GP but, having hard time with the mileage. Maybe the speedo was replaced. To me this looks like 65,000 miles. It’s clean underneath the interior is nice except the driver door panel. I would take the 455 over 400 any day. I like the color with the white interior .. you don’t see that many like this. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻🇺🇸
Beautiful Prix. 455ci in the more econo model is cool. Is that the factory/stock tailpipes arrangement ?
My dad has a ’72 in Sundance Orange! He bought it off the showroom floor in Jan. or Feb of ’73, It will be mine someday. I’m happier now that I still have him at 85 and he’ll hand me the keys anytime I ask! Beautiful GP Sir! GLWS!
When I was a teenager, an acquaintance had a ‘69 Gran Prix SJ with, I think, the 400 cui 4bbl and a nitrous oxide system that kicked in at full throttle. That car was amazingly fast for such a large, heavy vehicle. My memory might not be the best, but I remember it having a speedo that topped at 110mph, and he buried it on every straight stretch of PA backroad we drove on. It had the TH400 slushbox with a shift kit and it would bark the tires shifting into 3rd gear at full throttle! I also remember it handled pretty well for such a big car. Another memory of why I love fast cars. About 15 years ago I drove past his house and the garage door was open, and that green Gran Prix was still there, collecting dust from the looks of it. I wonder if he and his car are still around…
Speedometer was 140 I believe.
I really don’t know the market on Gen 3 GP’s. But $32K seems high.
The buy it now for 32k is rediculous. For that money, it needs to be perfect. Goodluck finding a driver door panel. Also if I’d serviced the transmission, that pan would be clean. No jack, no spare ?
I would only be interested if we could carve an Opera window out.
One would be nice….two preferential.
right door and front fender different shades of sliver
Right on 59poncho! I’m glad someone other than Ashtray notices some of these mismatched paint jobs? And some ads claim these mismatched paint jobs are original paint? I will assure you the final assembly plants never sends out a vehicle with two different shades of paint down the sides of a vehicle.
I do like Pontiac GP’s though. I have owned several. One 1969, two 1970 models, one 1972 and a 1977. I loved all of them. This particular color listed is very bland. I think I would have changed the color, even though that is a huge job. It isn’t original any way?
I don’t even remember this color?
Just my opinion!
And a 2005 with a 5.3 V8 engine
I had a 71 GP in white with a very light tan vinyl top and tan interior also had the 455ci big block . Loved that car !
also did not put emblems back on fenders
Wonderful personal luxury car. The SJ 455 V8 makes it special even among Grand Prix models. Silver is not my color…now matches every modern gloomy gray car, truck and SUV on the road. White interior makes it far less dreary. I agree that the mileage has to 111K at least after 52 model years unless provenance from titles and service records decisively proves otherwise. The Grand Prix styling, handling for its size and larger displacement engines made it “sporty” plus frequently came very well equpped. My favorite car in a time of great cars when I was young. The current asking price is not my favorite :(
The dealer only makes claim of “low miles”, so 111K could be considered low for its age.
I think I like the condition of the underside of this car better than the topside.
I owned a 72 sj455 it out ran a Datsun 260 I shut it down a 140mph, I could burn rubber for over 1/4 mile it was a dream to drive
My friend’s mother had one of these in 1980-81, pristine, silver/ black, 455ci. That car could “pull you back in your seat “ like a jet taking off! The sound of the engine/ exhaust was impressive, no growling exhaust just jet – like. That dashboard even looked like a cockpit! She always bragged about having to put “ premium” gas in it and how it was totally worth it. Her husband was a doctor. Must be nice, after all, the gas needle moved just as fast. Great article! And good luck to the new owner!
A friend of mine had a ’71 SJ in dark blue and I think he drove it a couple of times and stashed it in the garage where he lived in southeast London. That was back in 1983. He also has several classic British motorcycles INSIDE the house, Norton Commando,350 Velocette Viper replica of a Thruxton (?), and a few others! I often wonder about the Tin Injun!
Why does this car have a 1972 grill above the bumper and a 1971 grill below the bumper? Zoom in on the front end picture. Nice enough looking car in a not so common color combination but I would want to know the reason.
I stated the same thing. That was the first thing I saw was the front grill. The 71 has verticals and the 72 has verticals and horizintal in the front grill. The 72 grill is a little more busier. I had a 71 so I know the car very well.
One of many Pontiac Classy cars . they knew how to build cars back than
Sorry but it has a 72 front grill. Is it a 71 or a 72. I know the car very well…. I had a 71 for 24 years.
276571A158772: It’s wearing a 1971 VIN (sixth digit).
JO
Then they changed the upper grill. That is NOT a 71 grill. Its a 72 upper grill.
I once owned a 72 Grand Prix burnt orange with white vinyl top, White interior, 400 company motor, fully loaded power everything. Paid $1,500 for it in 1982 it had 42,000 miles on it. Wish I still had it.
I’m not a GP guy, however my 72 Catalina had a similar off white interior. It was called “parchment” and the vinyl top matched. I wonder if this car came with a similar top.
How hard would it be to find the proper grill? Was the original swapped out for personal preference or a result of damage? What ever the reason, it would look better if the upper matched the lower.
It would only be another assumption as to why its not correct? The 71 and 72 looked very similar in the front. I would assume this is the first or best grille available at the time when someone was trying to put it back together? So, they went with this 72 grill thinking no one would notice?
The 69 and 70 grill’s were similar also. One year the bars were vertical and the next year horizontal. Or vise versa?
Little things like this shows me the professionalism of the rebuild, along with the botched-mismatched paint on the passenger side. It ok to do a vehicle on a budget, just don’t try to pass it off as original and 11k miles?
Just my opinion!
Exactly. The 69 and 70 are totally different. The bumper was bigger and they had the 4 headlight system.. no comparison. The 71 and 72 were identical except for the small changes in the front grills and the plastic dividers in the rear tail lights. That’s the only difference.
Yes the 69 and 70’s grill were the same. Then they changed and went to the 2 headlight system in 71 and 72.
Its also very possible its over 100,000 miles. Those cars are good for 300,000. I had 240,000 on mine and it still ran very strong and didn’t burn any oil. I use castrol 20 60 in mine. There’s something about this car I just don’t trust.
20 50 not 20 60
At least the underside is not covered with fresh undercoating, so you can actually see the sheet metal. It appears to be a good driver quality vehicle. 30k is a little high. 20-25k I think is realistic.
I see only 5 photos of this car. Am I missing out on something? Wheres the under carriage and the door panel people are talking about?
I found it on Ebay. There are more pictures listed.
The underbody and most of entire car actually looks pretty good. If it was mine i would try to do something with the door and repaint it?
Just my opinion!
Hey, thank you for the response. ok on EBay. Yeah repaint the whole car is what I would do. Not sure I would keep it silver, not a very happy color. I do like gray though and there is a difference lol. Gray with a white top and white interior would be nice. If you change the color entrirely then you have all of the jams to do, under the hood, the trunk deck etc. I had a 71 for 24 years. Greatest car they ever made. They managed to make a car that was both luxury and sporty all in one….and fast. I use to race Mustangs and all sorts of cars and they could never accept that a big Pontiac would beat them.
You’re welcome Steven.
Yes, i would repaint it even though it is a labor intense job. This is about the worst color of any GP that i have ever seen. I don’t even remember this particular color, but it might be correct?
The car seems pretty solid overall.
I couldn’t find it on EBay, no biggie but theres a silver one… 455 black vinyl top for $56,000.00. Are you kidding me. My 71 was mint.. stripped and repainted back in 80. It was 5 years old 1 owner with 33,000 miles on it I paid……1,800.00 and a 65 Corvair…funny huh? I no longer have the car but it was a beauty. Had it 24 years 76 – 2000. If these cars are selling for that much.. then mine would have done very well. BUT..Why would I sell it.. unless I really needed the money. These cars were built strong and they had alot to offer. Both speed and luxury. I wish I could send you a pic of my GP.
Arriverderchi. :-)
The Ebay auction ended at $19,666.00 and the reserve not met. So, i suppose it didn’t sell?
And that’s what it’s worth.
Yes, that’s what a public auction that reaches millions of potential buyers though it was worth.
I agree!
Just my opinion!
THANK YOU! Its getting out of hand with these prices. How can you justify these crazy prices? Its a car NOT A HOUSE! Trust me.. no one is into cars more than me. My dad was a car builder so I have that in my blood but PLEASE…. with these prices people.
Are you talking about the silver one or the one for $56,000.00?
The silver one with the jacked up paint on the passenger side door.
Might have been a $32,000.00 but it now price?
Then that’s all it’s worth. Give me a break with these prices already! Give people a foot and they take a yard as they would say in the good ole dayts!! Enough is enough. How can you justify the price of these cars??
Ok so here’s my calculations, this car may have been in a fronty end MINOR accident due to the changing of the upper grill from a 71 grill to a 72 grill and the mis matched colors of the front fender and door. Hows that? Not to hard to figure. So, this car is not weorth anything over $15,000.00! PERIOD! I had the same car. So I’m not pulling this out of my hat. And my dad built and painted cars for a living so I know exactly what to look for.