Coming in well over a foot shorter than the previous generation cars, the smaller fifth-generation Grand Prix still had enough interior room for most people and their passengers, despite the sheet metal being pared back a bit. The seller has this 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix posted here on craigslist in Laveen, Arizona, and they’re asking $10,000. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Rocco B. for the tip!
Call me crazy, but I really like the fifth-generation Grand Prix. It’s a nicer size for me, even though I’m 6′-5″ tall. I prefer smaller vehicles, and this one does the trick. You probably noticed the wheels, and the seller says they still have the original wire wheel covers, and they go with the sale. I’d put them back on, but that’s just me.
There are a few issues with the exterior, as you can tell, and please check out the seller’s listing and look at the photos. It’s rare for a craigslist ad to have 23 photos, including an engine photo. Nice job, seller! They even show the underside. Hopefully, the nicks and scratches can be taken care of without having to do major work. One thing that you’ll need to find is the passenger side reverse lens next to the license plate.
The interior looks pretty good both front and rear, and it has a new headliner, so that’s nice. The fifth-generation Grand Prix was made from 1977 for the 1978 model year, until the end of 1987, and it came in one body style, a two-door sedan as seen here. I may have to spend some time creating a four-door sedan. Why didn’t you make any other body styles, Pontiac?! COME ON! Well, there was an Aero Coupe with a sloping rear window, and a t-top car, but no sedan or convertible. This car does have a working sunroof, so there’s that.
The engine is a Chevrolet-sourced 305-cu.in. OHV V8 with 165 horsepower and 245 lb-ft of torque when new. It’s sent through an automatic transmission to the rear wheels, and the seller says this car has tremendous potential (?) and that it’s ready to roll. Have any of you owned a fifth-generation Grand Prix?
Great write up SG. Love the Grand Prix model. Look at the seats 💺 Good looking cars from the General.
You could throw a blanket over the Regal, GP, Cutlass and Monte at this point. All comfortable cruisers.
Nice eye as usual Rocco 👍
Call it the “Type A” personality in me. Actually its more like I have C.D.O. it’s like O.C.D. except…… The letters are in order….As they should be………lol Anyways. I agree with you Scotty on the rims. Cutlass rims belong on a Cutlass. ( just my opinion). Great write up Scotty, I’ve had an opportunity to be in several of these years ago. Nice comfortable cruisers for sure. Some elbow grease on the interior and exterior and its a nice driver for sure.
What are the Pontiac wheels, Rally II’s? That’s what I think would look good on this.
Interior is toast. Sunburned to oblivion, torn, crushed seat back, no passenger armrest on door, lovely floor mat ……..and so on. Crazy money for me.
Interior clean? I’m not so sure. Always liked a GP but would prefer wheel disks over the Super Stocks.
Nice car – I am a G body guy, but I prefer the earlier, last “A-body” versions – 78-80 because they still used steel bumpers (at least on the Cutlass, Regal, Malibu, El Camino, Grand Am and Grand Prix). The Monte Carlo went to plastic covered bumpers first in the 78-80 timeframe, then the others followed. Price is very optimistic on this one. Sunroof is a plus, but T-tops, bucket seats, console and PMC aluminum wheels are generally necessary for a 5 figure price on these. Somebody really set on a sunroof 86 Grand Prix might come along, but I’d think a more reasonable price would be about 50% off the current ask. The hole in the grill is concerning. That may be an unobtanium part.
I owned an “81 and ’85 GP. My favorite G body.The Lemans and Grand Lemans were the 4 door versions of the Gran Prix. 10K seems a little high for this considering The cracked grill, worn bumper strips, and damage to the door cars.The 305 in my ’85 was much better than the 265 in my ’81
It’s cute the seller calls these “Pontiac Rims” just because a Pontiac center cap happens to fit.
how about some pontiac wheels instead of the olds wheels?
We had a ’79 black with T tops and black bucket seat interior that we bought new. My favorite car over the years. The A/C was crap however.
Way back, my wife and I rented an 81. We loved it! Great ride- loved the style. It was light blue and had Rally lls on it. Sharp looking combo and got decent mileage. Hated to return it. Would have bought one, but it was out of our range at the time. Hopefully someone returns this to it’s past glory and enjoys driving it. Definitely would ditch the Olds rims for a nice set of Pontiac Rally rims.