The 2nd Generation of the Pontiac Grand Prix was introduced in 1969 and remained in production until the end of the 1972 model year. This Grand Prix is from that final year of production and appears to be a tidy survivor. The owner claims that it has a genuine 62,600 miles on the clock. If this claim is accurate, that means that this is a classic that should be capable of providing many years of classic motoring enjoyment. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for spotting the Pontiac for us. It is located in San Fernando, California, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The sale price has been set at $11,900 OBO.

The owner only supplies photos of one side of the Pontiac, which’s a little bit frustrating. It makes it harder to make a definitive call on the vehicle’s overall condition. However, the panels do look straight, and there is no visible evidence of any rust problems. It also isn’t clear whether the Cinnamon Bronze paint is original or whether the Grand Prix has undergone a repaint at some point. The paint appears to be a bit patchy in a few spots and looks to be developing a matte appearance in others. I suspect that a repaint will be on the cards if the car is going to present at its best once again. On a more positive note, the chrome seems to be complete and in good condition, and there are no issues with the glass. The Pontiac rolls on a set of 15″ Rally II wheels, and there aren’t any apparent faults with these.

Powering the Grand Prix is a 400ci V8, while the vehicle also features a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This is a numbers-matching classic, and it appears that it is in sound mechanical health. The V8 should be capable of producing 250hp, which is enough to have the Pontiac scooting through the ¼ mile in an even 16 seconds. The car has recently received new KYB shocks on all corners, while I can also spy a shiny new master cylinder. The owner refers to the Grand Prix as a turn-key daily driver, meaning it is ready to be enjoyed immediately. He states that the vehicle has covered a genuine 62,600 miles, but it isn’t clear whether this can be verified. Included with the Grand Prix is the original Build Sheet.

The interior of the Grand Prix looks quite serviceable, but there may be a few issues that might need to be addressed. The photo quality leaves a bit to be desired, so some problems could have a question mark hanging over them. The rear seat is a case in point. It appears to have a tear in it, and the upholstery doesn’t seem to match the front bucket seats. I’m not sure whether this is a fact or an illusion. The same is true of the passenger-side door trim. It looks dirty in the photo, but this could be an illusion brought on by the photo’s quality. There is some damage to the lid on the console, but the rest of the console, the dash, and the carpet all appear to be in good condition. I can’t spot any aftermarket additions, but the Pontiac does come equipped with air conditioning, power windows, and a tilt wheel.

At face value, this 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix is a promising find. It appears to be a rust-free survivor that might not require a lot of work to really sparkle. However, it is also a car that perfectly demonstrates the need to personally inspect a classic car before handing over the cash. There are some potential issues here, but determining which ones are real and which are flaws in the photos is difficult to say with any conviction. If I were considering purchasing this classic, I would probably contact the owner to see if he could supply some better photos, especially of the areas that I have identified. They might not only allay some fears but help to clarify whether an inspection is worthwhile. What do you think?