Although it could never match Chevy or Ford in overall sales, Pontiac was certainly the most overachieving auto manufacturer of the 1960s. Its marketing department was the best in the industry, using elegantly illustrated Fitz/Van ads for the big cars in addition to tigers and thinly veiled street racing references for the GTO. Under chief stylist Jack Humbert, the 1965 Pontiac managed to look, in the words of Robert Cumberford in the October 1964 issue of Car and Driver, “one full ‘style wave’ ahead” of the Ford and Dodge it was being compared to. The engineering department was doing its thing with Tri-Power induction and three different versions of the big 421. It’s hard to choose a “top-of-the-line” Pontiac for 1965, but the Grand Prix was certainly a special model. With a unique roofline, grille, and taillights, the GP stood out from a crowd of Pontiacs that were impressive even in base Catalina form. Barn Finds reader T.J. found this one posted on Marketplace in Topeka, Kansas, for $19,500. The seller says that it’s not perfect, but it “always draws attention.”
The sporty bucket seats, consoles, and floor shifters found in the personal luxury cars of the first half of the decade began to give way to the less sporting bench as the 1960s elapsed; in fact, either was available for 1965 in the Grand Prix. The original owner of this one rightly chose the classic buckets and console, with a vacuum gauge positioned just forward of the automatic transmission selector. Woodgrain trim was standard on the Grand Prix’s dashboard, although the power windows you’ll find in this example were optional. Before anyone asks, the window crank seen on the passenger door panel operates the vent window. The seller mentions that their car isn’t perfect, and there are a couple of issues I can find in this picture: a hole in the carpet near the driver’s rocker panel and a speedometer that seems to be perennially stuck on 80 miles per hour. With a claimed 137,000 miles, a lot of speedometers in ’60s cars are flat worn out (I’ve had two rebuilt in the last two years), so I would probably budget a few hundred dollars for that job.
The seller has provided no pictures of the engine compartment, but nothing’s surprising in the world of online commerce. Out back, we see the Grand Prix’s special taillights and rear trim panel with a ribbed horizontal motif. Dual exhausts were standard on the Grand Prix, in addition to a 389 four barrel that produced 325 horsepower in the case of this Turbo Hydramatic-equipped car. (Just for the sake of discussion, the manual-transmission 389 was rated at 333 horsepower, as it had the slightly hotter 067 camshaft as compared to the automatic’s 066.) The Grand Prix also had a sportier axle ratio than its Catalina or Bonneville counterparts (3.08:1, compared to ratios as tall as 2.41:1 in the Catalina).
All this talk and we haven’t even gotten to the eight-lug wheels, which are certainly on the podium when it comes to attractive wheel options of the 1960s. For those who are unfamiliar with eight-lugs, the stylized brake drums constitute a large portion of the “wheel” itself. They look great, but these days, you’re stuck with drum brakes if you want to keep your wheels (not that bad a thing, really). You also will have to buck up to get the drums relined if they are turned beyond their maximum specifications, which is kind of a bad thing if you’ve ever priced that operation. Still, these are the costs of driving old cars like this attractive ’65 Grand Prix. Is the asking price reasonable? I’ve bought cars on auction sites sight unseen, but not for $20,000 and certainly not on Marketplace, so I would personally want to take a closer look before making any deals. If you are in position to do so, let us know in the comments!
That ’65 Pontiac dashboard is a masterpiece. So interesting to look at. Compare that to the dash of the cyber “truck”.
I agree. Especially considering Pontiac used real wood on their dashes, not a decal. The lighting on the photo of this dash really captures its beauty. I Especially like the wood with black. Just looks classy.
I just realized that the cybertruck should be called the “Cyber -duct”, because it really just looks like ductwork.
Blowing hot air?
I havent sat in a CT, but are those thin bucket seats in the above pic rock hard? Does ANY new vehicle made today have comfy seats/ride like big Amer lux vehicles of the 1980s?
Thanks Toth. Really informative write up. ✍️ Great looking car. Love the Grand Prix model. 🏁
The speedometer is not stuck. This GP has the cruise control option with the white needle as the speed setting. Looking carefully you see the red needle down in the lower left is the speedometer needle. This GP is loaded with options. Proper research and experience with these Pontiacs of the 60’s reveals better information.
Hi John, I don’t think so. I believe that white needle is called the “Safety Sentinel”, and was set by the knob near the 0, and buzzed when the speed was reached. Please be careful regarding the research, the authors do a great job.
Hi Howard A, — The white speedometer needle was a safety feature – meant to use to alert the driver they are exceeding the speed limit. AND – it was also the limit where you could set the auto speed control. Since the states back then each had their own maximum speed limit, and again do today (in Kansas it was 80 mph, where this car is located) you could set this feature to the max speed limit of the state as you crossed state lines, which was a very nifty feature that kept you from absent mindedly cruising along and getting a speeding ticket. Also: the authors did NOT do a good job when they called this feature a “stuck speedometer”, and so John was both part correct about the feature and correct to call out the error in the authors write-up of this gorgeous iconic car.
No they don’t they are constantly making mistakes…..
That knob and white needle on the speedo is utilized on two 1965 full-size Pontiac factory options:
Code 634 “Safeguard” Speedometer and (low) Fuel Warning option. The control knob lets you set a desired speed limit with the white needle … a buzzer and light warns you when you exceed that speed.
… OR …
Code 514 “Electro-Cruise” option is also set by the same type control knob and white needle. As an added bonus, Electro-Cruise functions exactly like the “Safeguard” speedometer when the cruise control is NOT set. This option also provides a low fuel warning as well.
An underhood photo could confirm whether or not this Poncho is equipped with Electro-Cruise, thus which of these two factory options it is actually equipped with.
UPDATE: A closer look at the speedo photo on Marketplace confirms that this car has the speed warning option as indicated by the “Safeguard” logo emblazoned on the lower righthand side of the speedometer. (just below “120” mph)
Honest mistake, gentlemen. I didn’t see the speedometer needle in the picture. My ’63 Riviera has the speed minder, but for some reason that option didn’t cross my mind on the Grand Prix (or Electro-Cruise, which has to be an uncommon option).
I apologize for the error.
No worries, Aaron … we all learn from each other on BF. Keep up the great reporting!
Aaron, its a great write up, I agree with Howard, all you writers do a ton a research which takes time, and you all do a great job. I always learn something new on here. I have to admit, i was so busy admiring the beautiful dash with the real wood, I wasn’t even paying attention to the speedo needle at all ( some people have better eagle eyes than me thats for sure). I didn’t even know about those options on Pontiacs from this era. I thought they were a little more common on Buicks and Oldsmobiles. This is one beautiful Grand Prix.
I don’t think an apology is in order here, Aaron, these people pointing out mistakes push the bile to the tip of my tongue, and,,,oh, right, the filters,,I’m not going to waste time even acknowledging their remarks, big experts have to call you out. I’m here on a bigger scale, not some inane tidbit about a speedometer, jeez, and since we’re ax grinding, as a kid in the 60s, I don’t EVER remember cruise control as a feature. There were corny aftermarket cruise controls mounted on the inner fender, that ran off the speedo cable,, but I don’t remember any from the factory until the 70s. That needle was just a buzzer reminder, my uncle had that on his ’65 Catalina. He had a heavy foot and it was going off constantly. There was merit to that device, as these cars rolled like thunder. 75 didn’t seem any different than 55.
I’m glad you can let gruff remarks roll off you guys, it’s the sign of a professional. It’s why I’d make a lousy writer.
One of the FEW cars that look GREAT with fender skirts. (Cybertruck BS doesn’t belong here for so many reasons).
Full sized mid 60’s Pontiacs wore fender skirts very well. Both 2 door and 4 doors look great with them.
IMO, the full size ’71-’76 GM cars & the biggest Eldorados look good with them too.
Just like a 65 Riviera with a 401 in it instead of the 425 or even better the 2X4 version I see a beautiful 65 Pontiac Gran Prix which was suppose to be a muscle car equipped with a 389 4 barrel instead of the 3X2 version or the 421 3X2 version that was available in them. Why not spend a couple bucks more and make it what it should’ve been, a muscle car!
Whew, sure am happy to see that we got the “automatic go further for gas speed controller, before it’s time, cruise controller” issue figured out.
Nice Poncho..
65 and 66 GP, Catalina and Bonnie just blow me away! Love the styling of these two years from Pontiac! My favorites!
My next older brother’s buddy when he came back after 1st. tour in Vietnam, bought a 65 GP like this, with everything but the kitchen sink, but he bought one with 3×2, 421, and 4 speed.That was one of the best riding cars I have been in , and with big ole 421, it was not to bad off the line for such a big car.Unfortunately he didn’t come back from second tour.He had put the car on jack stands when he left, car stayed like that for 15 years.His dad died and his mom sold it at an estate sale for scrap price.Wish I could have bought it, but was on this big floating airfield at the time.
The first US car to offer cruise control was the 1958 Chrysler Imperial.
My ’65 Dodge Polara 500 also had factory cruise control, so why wouldn’t Pontiac have it – particularly in the top tier models as an option – by ’65??? Just because someone never saw it in a car during that time doesn’t mean anything.
Years ago I had a friend that had the 4spd. 421 version of this Pontiac Grand Prix.
It was a beautiful car and it was one of the last of the high performance luxury cars.