UPDATE – While this car is a factory 421, the seller now believes the engine that is in the car is a 389.
Pontiac introduced its new Grand Prix in 1962 as a full-size performance coupe. It established itself in the market, remaining in production across eight generations until 2008. This 1963 Grand Prix is from the second production year, and its original owner loaded it with desirable options. Chief among them is the 421ci V8 that gave the car the muscle to match its good looks. It has rust issues, but given the options, this one deserves to be restored. The owner feels it needs a new home and someone willing to recapture its lost youth. Therefore, he has listed it with us at Barn Finds as a no-reserve auction!
This Grand Prix is one in a collection of Pontiacs that have recently come to us for auction. It has been fairly exposed to the elements since moving to Arizona, so its Grenadier Red paint is weatherbeaten and baked, but that might be an attractive feature to those into the “patina” look. Prior to its life in the desert, it was in Chicago, so rust is going to be an issue underneath that will need to be addressed. The seller has owned it since 2001, but they aren’t sure how long it has been in Arizona. The panels are straight and the glass looks okay beneath a layer of dust. A couple of small badges are gone, but most trim pieces look like they would respond positively to a high-quality polish. Rounding out the exterior are the beautiful 8-lug wheels, which I still rate as the best-looking production wheels to grace any American vehicle from the 1960s.
The original owner wielded their pen fiercely when ordering this Grand Prix, with much of the attention centered on its interior. They ticked the boxes beside air conditioning, power windows, the deluxe radio with its optional rear speaker, a tilt wheel, front seatbelts, floor mats, and an assortment of courtesy lights and mirrors. It is trimmed in Black vinyl, and although the front seats don’t look bad, the back seat is pretty shredded. It is beyond help, meaning the buyer faces at least a partial retrim. The dash pad is cracked, but there appear to be no missing items. The first job inside this classic would be to clean everything thoroughly. That should help isolate what requires replacement, but the overall condition suggests the list may not be long. It would undoubtedly turn heads once returned to its former glory, and the potential value of this Pontiac once complete justifies the expense.
If the interior appointments serve as the entree in this tasty meal, its drivetrain components must be the main course. The entry-level engine for 1963 was the company’s venerable 389ci V8 which, in its mildest form, placed 230hp and 386 ft/lbs of torque at the driver’s disposal. That offered performance to satisfy most buyers, but not this Pontiac’s first owner. They grabbed the Order Form and ticked the boxes beside the 421ci V8, the three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. That saw the power and torque balloon to 320hp and 455 ft/lbs, which pushed the 4,100 lb Grand Prix through the ¼-mile in 15 seconds on its way to 142mph. That demonstrated its performance credentials, but it is worth reflecting that all this came at a considerable cost to the original owner. The sticker price on a 1963 Grand Prix was $3,489. When the original owner added the options we’ve listed, that figure rose to an eye-watering $5,061. Still, if you’ve got the money, why not spend it creating the car of your dreams? This Pontiac is mechanically complete, although it appears to have hibernated for years. The bulletproof nature of the mechanical components means revival may not be complicated or expensive. It would be worth inspecting everything thoroughly first though, as it’s hard to know for sure given how long it’s been parked.
I find it hard to accept that a company that produced brilliant cars like this 1963 Grand Prix could cease to exist, but such was the fate of Pontiac. It fell victim to changing market trends and economic rationalism. There are no signs that General Motors plans a revival, meaning future generations of enthusiasts may never know what they missed with the company’s passing. The only hope is for the current generation to restore and preserve these gems as a tribute to a manufacturer willing to push the performance boundaries. Could you do that with this Grand Prix? If you believe you can, submitting a bid would be the first step in a worthwhile journey. Do note that the car is being sold on a Bill of Sale and the tires aren’t holding air, so please take both factors into account when bidding.
- Location: Phoenix, Arizona
- Mileage: Unknown
- Engine: 421 ci V8
- Transmission: Automatic
- VIN: 963P165382
- Title Status: Missing, Bill of Sale
Bid On This Auction
- Pontiac Zach bid $2,600.00 2023-05-13 15:03:30
- Hueby bid $1,950.00 2023-05-09 05:45:28
- larryb102 bid $1,850.00 2023-05-08 19:24:18
- Steve0127 bid $1,750.00 2023-05-08 17:15:23
- Pontiac Zach bid $1,650.00 2023-05-08 15:23:26
- Steve0127 bid $1,550.00 2023-05-08 11:47:44
- Chris Dunkle bid $500.00 2023-05-07 19:39:11
- Hueby bid $200.00 2023-05-07 12:11:25
Tach missing?
Automatic transmission cars had vacuum gauge instead of tach.
Both the vac gauge and the tach were options. The tach was a dash mounted option in 1963.
Plenty of options. Always liked 63s.
My Uncle, when I was a junior in high school (1971) drove one almost exactly like your car. It was red bottom with a white painted roof and red vinyl interior. I loved it then and definitely now.
What is the engine code?
I saw the car in person it had 389 casting marks
I stopped by when your son or inlaw was there and popped the hoods. The bonne 421 and the gp 421 were both 389 coded engines. Please take a picture of the engine codes for these folks bidding to prove the engine please.
Todd – This is what I know to be fact about the 1963 Grand Prix 421 car:
1) It left the factory as a very well equipped – 421
2) It was delivered new to a Dealer in Chicago
3) I bought it in 2001
4) I have no idea what happened to it in the 38 years before I bought it
5) It has sat untouched, in my yard for 22 years
6) I don’t know the engine code
7) I believe it had been sitting in a yard for at least 3 years before I bought it
8) The car was 38 years old when I bought it and is in the same condition now as it was then
9) I haven’t opened the hood in over 20 years
You seem to be implying that I am misrepresenting the car. I take exception to that.
If you and other readers think this is some sort of gross misrepresentation, I would be happy to have Barnfinds remove this car from the auction.
When they repost it we could give you credit for your great expose’ – “Todd Steinke states the engine code is that of a 389, not a 421”
Apparently you know the engine code – feel free to post it.
Ps – we know the red convertible is not a true 421 car. The reproduction window sticker proves that. We did not know the Grand Prix has a 389 block. (Taking you at your word)
Why didn’t you say something to us before we listed the cars?
I wish you were available to talk too when I was there. There’s no hard feelings which ever way It goes. I just assumed you had looked at the engine codes. It wouldn’t hurt to have someone double check it.
AC compressor missing beside alternator.
I saw the car in person it had 389 casting marks wrong engine not from this car
Todd. I am the owner of the car and if it is not a 421, that would be news to me.
It came from the factory with a 421.
When and where did you see the car.
Guys this is a 389 don’t be fooled the 421 is long gone.
Not buy’n the dry Arizona weather theory on this lawn ornament..
Pick it up for the engine/trans/rear-end. Then part out what’s left.
Rot box hot cat wagon never see the road legally again
Top speed of 142 is “theoretical”. Test of a 421SD with 3.42 gears was ESTIMATED as 135mph. That was a ringer car with at least 405 hp.
I had a 63 with a 421 in high school and will confirm with witnesses that it would pull 6,200 it top. This car was not limited by a lack of horsepower, only by rpm.
Sure, with 4.56 gears. A W31 Olds 350 could touch 6500 from what i have heard, but no Cutlass could reach 150. Hitting red-line in top gear with a normal street gear ratio is beyond the aerodynamics of older cars. When cars began to have overdrive transmissions, everyone thought they could go 200. The reality is top speed was accomplished in a lower gear like 4th.
Just for comparison, the 427 Cobra tested by Road & Track had a top speed of 154 with 3.54 gears.
JLHudson 158 MPH in 1,320 feet :)
Turn up the volume
https://youtu.be/Uelw9F968ZU
Speak English.????
I am the owner of the car and I have no idea what this person is saying. I will post more information about the purchase below.
Clarification of title:
I purchased this car in 2003. I had seen it sitting in a yard, in phoenix, for years and the owners did not want to sell it.
When they finally agreed to sell it to me the “title” was strange.
It is one single piece of 5 1/2” X 8 1/2” paper.
The front looks like a photo copy image of a State of Illinois title in the name of 2 people, a man and a woman, both with the same last name. Their names are both typed and signed, on the front of the title.
The back of the title, although a copy, is signed in ink. In the under the “assignment of title” area I have signed in ink, with my then Phoenix Address. Both the owners listed in the front have signed, in ink, the “seller” portion of the back of the title.
The photo signatures on the front, match the ink signatures on the back.
In the Sate of Arizona, there is a bit of a process to title a car that does not have a complete title, but there is no problem to legally title it.
I don’t know the process in other States.
i got a 6 year old ford truck rusted worse than this
I love the Pontiac brand and I think it was a big mistake to kill that badge. Personally, either Buick or Cadillac should have been one of GM’s “victims” back in 2009/2010. This ’63 GP is the hallmark of Pontiac class and power, but I would also take a ’63 CAT w/ a 389 just as well. Lastly, I still own a Pontiac to this day, but it’s one of the more mellow, modern ones…a white G8 with a 3.6!
John Kleist. It is not being sold as a rust free Arizona car. Read the details again. Look at the images. Also read the reproduction window sticker. Delivered new in Chicago. The description of the vehicle is accurate and honest. The gold Grand Prix sitting next to was meant to be the donor car.
Can we get a pic of the engine code / casting marks/…. for all those enquiring minds that want to know….”is you is or is you ain’t my baby?”
If this car had spent it’s whole life in Arizona the rust issues would probably not be a problem ’cause there would hardly be any.coming from chicago?the undercarriage rust could be a problem and the frame as well.Could be a money pit$$$
This car will evidently go over the $3000. This opinion is from a well seasoned car collector in Florida. If I was to place bid it would be at $3200, plus another $1000 for the parts car not shown.
Ed Herndon. Apparently the car currently has a 389 block installed.
Ed Herndon The donor car is listed in current Barnfinds “current auctions”
Got one of these myself. It was originally from Washington St. Made its way down here to Florida. 63, 389, slim jim, interior is complete, all gages are there, all glass is good, seats in good condition. Frame is a bit rusty…about the same condition as this one. Has Red and primer paint. Was told it ran and drove 5 or so years ago according to the son. But…mine has a bunch of extra parts including a nice rear glass, 2 Deluxe radios…I believe, heater climate control, tail lights, front indicator lamps ect..ect. Not sure what I may do with it. Waiting on the title status. I have it, but it’s in the 2nd owners name then signed off to the 3rd (he passed on in 2020) he never titled it and now the fella I bought it from. He’s working on that for me currently.
So it may make an appearance here…on “Barn finds” depending on title status. One can be acquired here in Florida, but it’s a process with the courts and could take a few weeks to months depending on circumstances….we’ll see.
Would it be possible to see the car, I live in the Phoenix area.