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Completely Original: 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix

One of the most difficult aspects of writing for Barn Finds is that you see cars come across the desks that you look at, and you just want to buy them. For me, that’s the case with this 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix, because while I am the first to recognize the fact that it isn’t perfect, it is still a beautiful looking vehicle. Barn Finder local-sheriff spotted this stunner for us, so thank you so much for that. The Grand Prix is located in Clarence Center, New York, and is listed for sale here on eBay. With bidding now sitting at $11,300, the reserve hasn’t been met.

Gulfstream Aqua is a seriously nice color, and given the fact that the owner states that the vehicle has never been restored, I would assume that the paint that we see on the car is original. If it is, then it has survived quite well. The owner says that the underside of the car is clean and rust-free. He also provides a number of photos of the inside of the trunk, and it looks perfect. There are some small spots of rust visible in the lower quarter panel on the driver’s side just behind the wheel, along with a couple of even smaller spots in the bottom of the driver’s door. There is also some minor damage to the front edge of the hood in that distinctive pointed center, along with matching damage just below that in the center of the grille. One thing that I do like, and which really sets the car off nicely, is that it is wearing a brand new set of 8-lug wheels, along with new drums and tires.

Powering the Grand Prix is the 389ci V8 engine, while the car also features a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 303hp on tap, the Grand Prix should be a lively performer for what is a large and heavy vehicle. The owner doesn’t indicate how well the car runs or drives, but he does say that it has no leaks. It also comes with its original paperwork, receipts, and Protect-O-Plate.

As with the rest of the vehicle, the interior is said to be original and unrestored. Once again, it isn’t perfect, but I don’t think that it would take much to return it to that state. The first and most obvious thing is the state of the carpet on the passenger side of the car. It isn’t clear whether this is dirty, stained, or just worn. I would try to revive it if possible and failing that, I would be inclined to replace it. The headliner on the passenger side also looks like it has some strange marks or stains, so these would also need to be addressed. With those couple of issues sorted, the interior should look pretty trick, as if it doesn’t already. The interiors of cars from this era always amaze me, because manufacturers devoted so much energy and thought to really distinctive and decorative trim. The chrome on the dash and console looks beautiful, while the wheel is almost a work of art.

This Pontiac Grand Prix isn’t perfect, but I can forgive it the flaws that it has because it is just such an attractive looking car. I would love to shake the hand of the original owner because they chose a color that still looks fresh and stunning today. When the car was new it must have attracted plenty of admiring glances and comments. I’d be willing to bet that those would be nothing compared with what it would attract today.

Comments

  1. Avatar art

    Nice car but the trunk was resprayed..that’s not an original finish. I owned a very low mileage 64 Bonneville, so I know what was original. Also, I have never seen such an application of undercoat all over the inner fenders, heater, blower motor, hood hinges, wiper motor and firewall. Very unprofessional effort to sharpen? the car. Better it was left original to match the rest of the car. The undercoat alone would be a major, major removal/restoration project.
    What were they thinking?

    Like 14
    • Avatar WQ59B

      Some factories did use different trunk spatter colors. Looks like black w/ aqua, which was in all 3 of my ’64s.

      Like 3
      • Avatar art

        None had this sheen. OEM was a matte finish.

        Like 4
    • Avatar Anonymous

      I have seen this car previously, and I can assure that at least the entire engine bay is sprayed with that crap

      Like 5
    • Avatar Old Man Pennsylvania

      It’s that bad in person too, it’s all over the place!

      Like 0
    • Avatar Adam Clarke Staff

      I understand where you’re coming from with the spray on the inner fenders and other areas under the hood, art. I believe that it’s an anti-corrosion spray, and I’ve been trying to remember the brand (curse old age). A guy I know used to own a classic car restoration business, and he said that it did an amazing job of protecting the metal. He also said that its greatest weakness was that while it went on easy, it was incredibly difficult to remove and that if you want to repaint an area, it has to come off. Paint simply won’t stick to it. I hope that helps.

      Like 8
      • Avatar BRAKTRCR

        I believe you are referring to “Ziebart” and they were a franchise run company. It had good and bad points, as you mentioned, a pain to remove, but great for rust protection, and made the cars more quiet as well.

        Like 2
      • Avatar Tom King

        The under coating was a dealer option. In the dealership I worked in it was applied by one or two workers. They were told to cover it. No real specific directions. This was in 63 and the 64 pontiac was out.

        Like 0
    • Avatar Angrymike

      Such a beautiful Pontiac, but I wonder about the undercoating and trunk. I have to wonder what it’s hiding. Still, I’d love to park this in my driveway !

      Like 2
  2. Avatar sir mike

    Always loved the 8 lug wheels.

    Like 8
  3. Avatar David Dulmage

    I think that Pontiacs of the sixties are among the most attractive cars produced, and this car is no exception. An unrestored car is bound to have some flaws, including resprays and, for a 55 year old car this one is in exceptional condition. This is a car that someone has enjoyed over the years, much nicer, in my opinion than a trailer queen that is only started long enough to drive it on an off an enclosed trailer.

    Like 15
  4. HoA Rube Goldberg Member

    There were several nice cars of the mid-60’s, T-Birds, Rivieras, Rambler Ambassadors( that one was for Scotty G) and this was truly one of them. Such a shame to see what happened to Pontiac, especially when they built cars like this. One of my favorite Ponchos.

    Like 7
  5. Avatar DETROIT LAND YACHT

    Beautiful…not a bad angle to be found.
    Wonderful color.

    Like 8
  6. Avatar R Reagan

    Magnificent color. That car looks painted to me. The engine compartment is atrocious.

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Benjy58

    It’s a 55 year old car and in my opinion I’d love to have it and drive it like it is.

    Like 5
  8. Avatar Sixpackofstangs

    My dad had one of these in white with the 421 ci engine with three deuces on top. I learned to drive in that car. We had it until the timing chain went, with me driving it at the time of course, and receiving all the blame. Great car, I really liked it.

    Like 3
  9. Avatar JP

    Love those ’62 – ’77 GPs!

    Like 1
  10. Avatar Glen Riddle

    Reminds me of the 1964 Bonneville Brougham 4-door hardtop my Dad bought new and which I drove as my DD from 1970-1976. He always loved the GPs, but needed a sedan for taking clients out. Our car was loaded, with the 8-lugs, A/C. power everything, and the top dog 370-hp 421 Tri-Power engine(Dad always bought the highest power engine he could get with A/C and auto. trans). It was always a great car.

    Hope the new owner of this sharp GP takes care of it and enjoys it for many years to come.

    Like 4
  11. Avatar TimM

    I love these old Pontiacs!! Great drivable car regardless of any little flaws!!!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Frank Y

    Had a 66 GP literally pulled it from a barn outside of Columbus Ohio. Had 12 lug wheels build sheet and protecto plate in the glove box.
    Gentleman had painted it purple including the chrome bumpers ( saved the bumpers from rusting) inside was excellent with just a droopy headliner. Paid $750.00. Had to sell it 6 months later because my son totaled his car he took my wife’s and she got a new one with the sale of this. And what did I get. A headache. Lol.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Fred Alexander

    What the heck is with the Giraffe look flexible upper rad hose – – – lots of unwanted pressure on the radiator outlet neck that’ll cause a problem down the road – – – besides looking amateurish – – what else is lurking on this beauty?

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Doug B

    I don’t mind flaws from wear but I despise liars. Also Ziebart ended up being a dealers value added scam. After about 5 years it started capturing water underneath it and actually causing rust. Don’t ask how I know.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar Bob

    Nice car. All original! Undercoating will come off with heat gun and a lot of Patience paint is like new underneath. I’m the new owner

    Like 5

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