During its long and distinguished run, the Pontiac Grand Prix was only offered as a convertible one time. That was during the 1967 model year. These were beautiful cars, but perhaps the sales numbers weren’t strong enough for Pontiac to continue (less than 6,000 units in ’67). This edition has had the same owner for nearly two decades and is unique because tailfins from a 1961 Caddy were grafted on it. Love it or not, this beautiful one-of-a-kind Poncho is in Largo, Florida, and is available here on craigslist for $39,750. “Rogue1” is the source of this way-out tip!
The Grand Prix debuted in 1962 as a personal luxury car with a twist of performance. It would remain a Pontiac fixture for the next 46 years. The gurus at GM decided to try their hands at a convertible version of the auto in ’67, but some 32,000 buyers preferred the hardtop for some reason. A 400 cubic inch V8 was standard (replacing the 389 from before), and the one in the seller’s car is original, though it’s been tweaked here and there.
Since we’re told the black paint on this car is 10 years old, we’re guessing that’s when its transformation into “Bat Rod” (its name) took place. The changes aren’t meant to resemble the Batmobile from the 1960s TV show but certainly lean that way a little. The fins are 85 inches in length and were applied professionally, according to the seller. Gone are the Pontiac taillights, replaced by LED lights in the fins that do the same job (but maybe better). Along the way, the seller has accumulated a huge folder of all the work done on this car during his watch.
Newer stuff includes the hideaway headlights, a rebuild of the engine to north of 400 hp, and the TH-400 automatic transmission had been tuned up, too. Add to this the radiator, ignition, carburetor, disc brakes, alternator, and the list goes on and on. The upholstery was redone in factory materials with red piping to go with the rest of the Bat Rod look. At this stage, the Pontiac only needs a bit of TLC, so don’t expect a pristine show car, but one that may impress car people in any crowd.
At first. I didn’t want to like it. I truly love Cadillacs and Pontiacs from the 60’s. But the more I looked, the more I liked it. It looks like they did a good job grafting the ’60 Cadillac tailfins on. I totally get the Batman theme too. It actually does look like Batman and Robin could be seen crusing in this thing. I wonder why they did away with the Grand Prix tailights? It would have looked good with the fin lights. Overall I like it.
Is it still considered abuse by whapping someone behind the head with a rolled up newspaper? ( what’s a newspaper, gramps?) Normally, I have no biznezz condemning anyones “creations”, I have a tough time making a BM, but a ’67 GP ragtop,,,sigh, it’s hideous. That’s right, you heard me, what on our parched earth was this person thinking? Influence of immoral means? Perhaps, but to take a beautiful car like this, and butcher it with Cadillac fins, known for being the most outrageous of them all, ruins what this car was. If Jack Humbert( the designer) wanted fins, he surely could have plastered them on. I don’t see any correlation to Batman either. Am I that far out of it? Are my gripes legit here? We’ll see,,,
For me, it comes across better than what I would have thought if you simply said “graft 1961 Cadillac fins onto a Grand Prix.” Excellent ad. If you want something different, here you go; as the seller says, the world already has enough red Camaros.
Another person with more money than brains. What a hideous thing.
The Grand Prix lineage on a car this modified probably doesn’t count for much. It’s very personalized, which limits the buying pool, $39,750 will be a tough sell, there is a lot of competition around that price, best of luck to him.
Steve R