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Backyard Find: 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix

The owner of this Pontiac was daily driving it up until the late ’90s when they purchased a new car. The Grand Prix was then parked near the back of their house and forgotten. At some point, they did start the process of getting it running again but didn’t get any further than removing and ultimately losing the radiator. With any luck, the next owner will be able to get this cool ride back on the road without too much effort. Find it here on eBay where bidding is only up to $2,550 with no reserve. Better hurry though because the auction is ending in a few short hours!

That dash cap looks a little toasted but things don’t appear to be too bad in here considering all the time this car has sat outside. From what we can see, the upholstery might even be salvageable. Well, as long as you value originality more than perfection. This Grand Prix was a sweet machine when new. It came standard with bucket seats, console, and a full set of gauges. More importantly, though, they all came with big powerful V8s!

Here you can see the results of the last startup attempt. The radiator is long gone and the rest of the engine bay looks a little crusty. That’s the base 389 V8 in there, but it was still rated for 325 horsepower! There were even more powerful options available, but those numbers are nothing to scoff at. The fact that the seller doesn’t mention if the engine turns over freely or not might be though…

The paint is a little sunburnt but I actually like the look. Unfortunately, the seller left out the answers to my top two questions. Is the engine seized and are the floors rusty? If the answer to both of those is no, then this might turn out to be a good buy. Install new tires, go through the brakes, and get the engine running and you might just have a car you can drive while restoring the rest. Thanks for to Barn Finds reader local_sheriff for sending in the tip!

Comments

  1. Avatar Dusty Rider

    Looks like they lost the radio and the hvac controls as well.

    Like 6
  2. Avatar Chris M.

    Sorry fellas, but this is patina I could live with!!!

    Like 6
  3. Avatar Superdessucke

    Forgotten? As in one day someone walked out back and yelled “Martha come quick! There’s an old Grand Prix in the yard!!”?

    Like 14
  4. Avatar Anthony in RI

    The hvac controls for a 65 pontiac with ac could be tough to locate. Nice car to save though with all those options. Even the fender skirts are in the trunk

    Like 3
    • Avatar Dave

      My first call would be to the Desert Car Kings folks.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Johnny

    That is a nice project. I have a radio-but nothing on it worth listening to. I ,d really like to have this one. Work on it and learn as you did. Geeting the dash pad looks like the hardest and most expensive thing to do. I sure would have JUST DASH,S touch it. Once they get your money–your forgotten. Yes this a a great car and comfortable to ride in all day. Without feeling sore when you got out of it. I love it.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar jerry z

    For me ’61-’64 model is my go to car. ’65 and up they got a little fatter for my taste. Still a good looking car though.

    Like 1
  7. Avatar bone

    I see the original blue plate has an expiration sticker of March 2020 on it ; odd they would keep it registered for 21 years and leaving it in the back yard LOL

    Like 1
    • Avatar Miguel

      I doubt they kept it registered, but rather got it registered when they took it out. No smog required on this car in California.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Steviealx

      Mom keeps her old jags registered since the 80’s

      Like 0
  8. Avatar don

    Wow, that Ebay ad reads like one of those old Chinese to English translated assembly instructions !
    I wonder what the flipper paid that old couple for the car ?
    “‘Well Sir , Its an old car and its missing parts ; I could do you a favor and haul it out of here for you – and hey, let me get a nice photo of you two by the car before I tow it away”

    Like 5
    • Avatar Superdessucke

      And I’ll bet they’ll include said photo with the purchase, to make some monied person feel good about their find!

      Like 4
      • Avatar Ralph

        It sold for $2900….

        No one is retiring to Belize on this heist…..

        Like 0
  9. Avatar redwagon

    That’s what I like — a solid bottom. How nice not to have to deal with floorboards or trunks.

    Like 4
  10. Avatar PaulG

    Jesse, There are floor pictures, and the owner states that they are solid.
    As far as the motor, I haven’t heard back from him yet.
    Also, it appears that the A/C controls are missing…too bad.
    Still a lot of car for the current bid.

    Like 3
  11. Avatar Maverick

    Looks like he eats well.lol.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Chris M.

      He does look very distended. Liver might be shot too.

      Like 1
  12. Avatar erik johnston

    Good parts car for my 66 2+2 vert. Its for sale @ 4000 with a good title.
    509-710-5838

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Miguel

    “Has its original CA blue & yellow plates.”

    Yeah right as if this car had blue plates on it originally. What a joke.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      Verdad!…now where did I put that radiator?

      Like 0
  14. Avatar Bob McK

    Well, it sold. I love these early to mid 60’s Pontiacs.

    Like 1
  15. Avatar Johnmloghry

    New power train new paint, done.
    God bless America

    Like 1
  16. Avatar David G

    Sold for a low price, wow. Plates are from 1979. Nicely optioned car for not a lot of money. Proof that there still are good deals to be found.

    Like 1

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