The owner of this 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix looks like he might have been an impulse buyer. He purchased the car as part of a deceased estate collection, intending to restore it. However, he has found that he already had too many projects on the go, so he has decided to move the Grand Prix on to someone who can do it justice. It looks tired, but as you will see, those looks are pretty deceptive. Located in Sacramento, California, you will find the Pontiac listed for sale here on eBay. The auction is set to open at $7,500, but there have been no bids. However, with 80 people watching the auction, that situation might change pretty soon. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder local_sheriff for spotting the Grand Prix for us.
The deceased previous owner of the Grand Prix sounds like he might have had a soft spot for 1960s classics because this car is only one of many that needed to be sold as a part of the estate sale. The seller purchased it with good intentions, and although the Aquamarine Pontiac is looking tired, it is a real beauty. The paint has a matte appearance that is a sign of age, but if you look closely at the front fender, you can see that it might not have deteriorated beyond the point of no return. This is a spot where the seller has tried a bit of basic polishing, and the resulting shine is quite surprising. It is possible that the rest of the paint may respond similarly. Otherwise, the panels are generally straight except for one issue that we’ll get to shortly. The trim and chrome seem to be good, while the tinted glass appears to be perfect.
As far as rust issues are concerned, there’s nothing much to report with this car. The original owner ordered the car with underseal, and this remains intact. The floors and frame look spotlessly clean, with no evidence of any problems. The same is true of the exterior, with the lower extremities and the area around the back window appearing to be sound. The only corrosion of any note that the owner mentions is some on the inside of the trunk pan. It seems that some moisture might have been trapped under the mat at some point, and light surface corrosion has developed. This hasn’t penetrated the steel, so fixing it should be a piece of cake.
This photo shows the only body damage that can be found on the Pontiac, and it isn’t that bad. The seller believes that a previous owner might have gotten the car too close to a garage wall and has given it a bit of a rub. The damage extends from the rear corner to just beyond the rear wheel arch, but it isn’t severe. It has pinched the steel above the arch, and I would be giving that area some careful attention. This could become a rust-trap in the future, so fixing it properly would be worth the effort in the long run. This accident damage has also marked some of the stainless trim in this area, so replacement pieces will need to be found.
It seems that the deceased previous owner purchased the Grand Prix in the early 1980s, and that was the last time that the car saw the road. It has been parked in a garage ever since, and that would explain its overall condition. However, under the hood, the buyer will probably need to spend some time and money on this one. Powering the vehicle is a 389ci V8 that would have been pumping out 306hp in its prime. The original owner also chose to equip the car with a 3-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This drivetrain made the Pontiac a lively performer, although its overall weight of 4,110lbs did take the edge off it a bit. Still, a ¼-mile ET of 15.8 seconds stood as pretty respectable in 1964. The current owner pulled the carburetor and had it rebuilt, but that’s as far as he has gotten in the revival process. He believes that getting that 389 runnings again might not be difficult, but the buyer will have to go through all of the usual tasks like servicing and checking everything, along with flushing and cleaning the fuel system. My main concern is the amount of corrosion visible on some components, which means that it might be a bit more involved than the seller has indicated. Only a closer inspection will confirm this one way or the other.
The Grand Prix’s interior is this car’s ace because it presents exceptionally well. The carpet looks like it might be faded, and there are a few minor marks on the lower dash, but the rest of it is close to perfect. All of the upholstered surfaces are free from wear or damage, while the dash pad is spot-on. The console and all of the brightwork look like it would clean nicely, and the headliner needs nothing. As well as presenting so well, the interior comes nicely equipped. The console features a vacuum gauge. There is air conditioning, as well as power windows, and an AM radio.
When taken at face value, it appears that getting this 1964 Grand Prix to a roadworthy state might be a straightforward proposition. This is a classic with a lot of potential and it would suit someone who wants to tackle a project in their home workshop. Depending on where the bidding goes on this one, it could be worth the effort financially. While it is possible to find some tidy examples with the 389 for around the $20,000 mark, pristine examples regularly push beyond $30,000. This one isn’t pristine, but getting it to that point would certainly be possible. Values have been creeping up in recent times, which is another reason why this is a 1960s classic that probably deserves a closer look.
The seller sounds legit though I doubt anyone from CA would buy this if it’s not “Non-Op” listed with their DMV; that said, I’d get it running, make it safe, fix the damage and use it!
I’m surprised it’s not been bid on yet but I’ll bet it climbs right up there once it does..
I agree – if it doesn’t have Non-Op (Nonoperational) paperwork,
the buyer could be looking at a lot of $$$ in back fees,although I have
heard of some CA DMV offices waiving them.
I bought a ’68 MGB for $300 that came from an estate sale.When
I went to transfer it,I was told that there was about $750 in back fees,
penalties,etc.,so I took some parts off of it & gave the rest away.
Used to be that you had to renew the Non-Op every year,but they changed that so that it’s good until you re-register the vehicle.
One of the few things that’s a good deal & makes sense in CA!
You can lien sale it and clean up the back fees in California
There will be NO back fees IF it surpasses 10 years. So as long as the last registration was prior to 2010-11; it falls off of the DMV account. Then the registration fees are just as if you bought a car that was up to date with its registration. I’ve done this with many cars bought here in CA.
A quick trip to AAA or DMV will tell you. I believe there is a look up now on DMV’s site to check with the license plate number.
As touched upon, registration is the elephant in the room. It’s one thing selling a $500 car you bought at an estate sale that’s not in your name and is out of the system, it’s another thing altogether to ask $7,500+. Regardless of his reason for selling, his tactics mirror that of a someone flipping a car looking to maximize his profit, not some guy that bit off more than he could chew.
A friend of mine has a tow yard and AAA contract for his town in Northern California, he deals with several realtors that call him whenever they are clearing estates and need cars to dealt with. The realtors come to him, because he processes the paperwork through a broker that does registration work for fleets, dealerships, body shops, tow yards, anybody that does high volume or has cars with difficult histories. Cars like this have the potential to be a nightmare, since it’s likely out of the system and a death certificates will at some point be asked for. This could turn into a giant headache that isn’t worth the hassle to deal with.
Steve R
Just did the DMV search online and it appears to be out of the system, therefore no back fees.
Clean car, I wish I had the space.
In CA, requesting info on a vin# automatically puts it back in the system. I would NOT have put the plate# in the photo
I have the space, just don’t have the bucks! Would love to have it, though!
Obviously needs paint. Historically, the transmissions in these were junk. You would really have to love this to own it.
I once bought a 65 Impala SS for $200, the red paint flat and dead. Or so I thought. After an afternoon spent with a can of DuPont Rubbing Compound my Impala SS looked like it just rolled off of the showroom floor!
Did the same with a 57 Chevy, nitrocellulose lacquer
Think a lot of that would buff out on that quarter panel looks like house paint!
Mr. Clean Magic Eraser will easily remove that if it’s house paint.
Did it on my shiny black Charger and left it good as new.
It’s worth saving this one big time!,but needs to be done “right”and the transmissions weren’t necessarily junk,you just needed to know how to utilize them and not thrash them too hard,its a cruiser car,not a racer.
For the money, not worth it. There are a few here in NC that are in better shape for the same money. I do like these car though especially ’61-’64 whether its a Bonneville, Grand Prix, or Ventura.
Drove to the beach in one just like it After the prom 1971. Love to own one. Back then you could buy these cars all day long for 1k or so.
I have always had a soft spot for these GPs .This one needs to be saved and I would love to own this beauty if I could.They don’t make cars like this anymore.
Trany depends on if it’s the hydromatic 4 speed or the junk slim Jim.
GPs were like Catalinas, and they used the slim-Jim. The big cars (Starchief and Bonneville) use the 4 spd Hydra.
63-644 Grand POrix were the best looking Pontiac especially in dark colors. This is a noce solid car. worth fixing up.
The department of motor vehicles in california is an agency of the air quality rescources board and is an embarassment to the state. And its residents.
I have a 41 year old (this May) little Japanese truck called the Puppy, I’ve written about it before, we all love an and drive it and I just received my annual license fee bill from the department above. It is $130.00. It is shear robbery.
The state refuses to do anything about the department and makes the residents suffer with astronomical fees and stupid qualifications and paperwork.
This GP has wonderful potential. Watch out for the incompetent DMV.
We have seen some nice ponchos show up here recently, this one no exception. A good body man could straighten that quarter. Good luck and stay safe,.
Cheers
GPC
I see there are lot of crack people that don’t see whats going on. Just say you want to sink $50,000 into a car, make it pristine and it may reach $40,000. Unless you are truly a purest and a Millionaire this is a runaway not a run to type car..
Love to have it but no space to restore it. I’m puzzled by the fact that the seller was never curious enough to even turn the engine over to see if it was stuck. mmmmm. Can the rear quarter be refinished to match the rest of the paint or is a complete repaint needed? Probably not.
Ads been pulled.
God bless America
EBAY ad shows sold, winning bid $7,500. I do not think that is pulled.
Grand Prixs of this era had some of the coolest taillights ever.
They surely did and was often imitated by other automakers along with the stacked headlights. No wonder Pontiac did so well in the ’60’s.
EBay ad stated 1 bid sold $7500 ???
It may not have 8 lugs, but I’ll take those optional spinner wheel covers any day. This car is definitely worth saving.
It may not have 8 lugs, bit I’ll take those optional spinner wheel covers any day. This car is definitely worth saving.