Pontiac’s Grand Prix never caught my attention until the big 1969 redesign. And it held it through the ’72 model year only to be lost afterward – and for good. That being the case, I sing the praises of today’s find, a former quarter-mile brawler looking resplendent in its “notice me!” Monarch Yellow finish. Yes, this car seems an odd choice for running the 1320, but that’s the story that follows this big Germantown, Maryland-domiciled 1972 Pontiac coupe. Stay tuned for more.
Many know the story of Pontiac’s fabulously popular personal business coupe. In 1969, it was down-sized from GM’s full-size B platform and placed on a very stretched A-body chassis – the one that served as the underpinnings for the LeMans/GTO. The big difference, of course, was the wheelbase. The Goat made do with a 112″ spread while the GP resided on a 118″ stretch. Always known for its prestigious power, the Grand Prix was starting to fade in ’72 as federal emission controls did their best to strangle all of the fun out of big-engined steeds.
A one-owner since 1973, this Grand Prix hit the drag strip in ’75 and managed to throw a rod with just 13,000 miles on its clock. The seller makes no mention of mods that may have been applied to its original 400 CI V8 engine but 250 net HP trying to hustle almost 4,000 lbs. of bulk doesn’t sound like the essence of drag-strip dreams. Regardless, the damaged prime mover was replaced with a hopped-up Pontiac 389, a strengthened Turbo-Hydramatic 400 automatic transmission, and a narrowed twelve-bolt rear axle, replete with 4.56 gears and having been harvested from a ’65 Chevelle. The engine has seen a recent refresh and the suspension has undergone some road manners upgrades. The seller claims a 12.9 ET in the quarter as its best time.
The Monarch yellow finish is an attention getter and it still presents beautifully. The seller adds, “Body is very solid with no rust, patches, or body filler. One small spot on the trunk about the size of a quarter has a couple of minor bubbles, but paint is still covering it. Paint is probably an 8-9 out of 10 and all white metal chrome is in great shape“. Note the depth of the rear wheels, they’re ten inches and are accommodated via that narrowed rear axle. The entire package is presented perfectly and gives no indication of its drag racing past.
As stylish as this GP’s exterior is, the interior gets kudos too for its wrap-around dash. First making an appearance with the ’69 redo, it’s a timeless design that puts the driver in focused and complete control of all motoring activity. Other than the steering column-mounted tach, there are no other visible shenanigans related to this Poncho’s racing past. The only demerit to be given is for a split in the driver’s seat – something that can be easily remedied.
So, what’s not to like? From my perspective, primarily the non-streetable 4.56 gears and those wiiiide rear wheels which seem a bit much, for a cruiser anyway (I’m not sure drag racing this rig is something I’d want to consider). That said, there’s no denying this Grand Prix’s fine condition. Interested in learning more? Check this one out here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $14,600 with the reserve not yet met.
Must I be the 1st on these? Former drag car? 12.9? The way the car is equipped, maybe low 14s, but 12s? No way. It’s okay, you can race whatever you bring, and tell your buddies how fast it was, but a timing slip tells all. 12.9,,,that’s a good one. The description seems genuine, but cars like this could never turn 12s. It takes a lot more than this. Makes a good story, and the car is beautiful, but they can drop the drag racing schtick along with the 4:56 axle. It’s just not the audience interested in this type of car.
Sorry Howard, 😞, way off the mark. I raced ponchos for many years and will forget more then you will ever know about pontiac racing. Drop THE 🎤
The the only way this car will do a 12 sec 1/4 mile is if it’s dropped out of an airplane.
Cool – 12’s no problem > There’s a Pontiac powered 69 Grand Prix that runs 8’s in the 1/4 mile 500 ci. etc. :)
In stock eliminator, this car with a 400 would run in I/SA on a 12.30 index, so mid 12s are probably the norm in that class. 4:56 gears in a narrowed housing denote a serious effort somewhere in the car’s past.
Don’t forget the index is the minimum for that class. Typically cars running Stock eliminator will run at least 1/2 a second under the index, with the faster cars for a competitive class running closer to 1 second under.
Steve R
You can race what want but this is an odd choice for a bracket car. The squealing you hear is the lack of air conditioning, not the tires.
Wow, apparently you guys were only around STOCK motors back then. A modestly built 389 would and could run in the 12’s easily. With the gears and some drag radials or Hoosiers a very simple task. Howard, you need to get out to the track and Really see what is possible. Do you sit and read old hot rod magazines to get your times? New Tire technology alone will drop times 1/2 to a full second if the car has traction problems, and I’m sure when that car was raced it had slicks or something equivalent on it. My 2023 F150 4X4 with a 3.5 Ecoboost runs 13.73 @ 100mph at 5,200 with me in it bone stock. Thinking that Pontiac can’t run a high 12 is hilarious! You guys need to get out more!
No way on the “modestly built” 389” or the F150 4X4 with a 3.5 Ecoboost that runs 13.73, runs that fast. Save those stories for the backyard beer bust, or the pool hall. Car guys would laugh you out the door.
they must have 1/4 mile and 1/8 mile confused lol
They shouldn’t laugh, both those scenarios are absolutely possible. I have a friend that’s been racing Eco Boost 4×4 F150’s since they were introduced, he’s run as quick as mid-12’s with just a tune. Go to YouTube search F150 Sonoma Raceway and you will see several videos. He’s raced since the 1960’s and is good at getting cars down the track. He also worked with tuners that send programs to test in the real world. He trades his trucks in every 2 years and won’t do other modifications so it won’t effect the warranty or hurt trade in value. Normally he runs the mildest tune for that reason, those will typically run mid to high-13’s depending on the wind and weather, the track being at sea level doesn’t hurt either.
As for a Pontiac GP running 12’s, that’s not hard either. Get a well set up car with good driver, in good weather, at a low elevation track (Maryland would qualify) it wouldn’t be too hard, this is a low option car, no AC, manual windows and door locks. It’s not much heavier than a late-60’s or early-70’s GTO, which nobody would bat an eye if they claimed that ET.
You could diffently get in 12s with a LS swap…Go
This Grand Prix, is the epitome of “A Gentleman’s Muscle Car”.
I owned a 1973 Type J with a 400ci and TH-400 in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
It was no slouch with 230 net h.p. and surprised a lot of stoplight drag racers, including a factory Ford Grand Torino Starsky and Hutch car, with a transplanted 428 Cobra Jet complete with shaker hood.
Disclaimer: Kids… don’t try this at home.
I thought that the Grand Prix and the Monte Carlo both shared the same 116″ wheelbase that the 4-door A-bodies used. The description above and the Pontiac brochures of the day DO list this as 118″ wheelbase, which is news to me. Just wondering what the justification was for the additional 2″ over the Monte, which was already 4 inches longer between the wheels than the A-body 2-doors. Was that a single model frame or were there other 118″ wheelbase vehicles that shared that wheelbase?
Your first two sentences of this description are spot on.
It was like this iteration was the pinnacle
& there was no way up, so they went down.
If this pup turns 12s, I’ve got some swampland in Arizona to sell you…or maybe a bridge in Brooklyn over troubled water.
what a shame for a car like this. would have liked to saw it when it was new.
Why is it a shame? It’s in really good overall condition and hasn’t been gutted or extensively modified, it even retains its heater. Swap out the rear end with something that gears 3.23’s put on EO valve covers and air cleaner, install reproduction Ram Air exhaust manifolds and it would visually pass for stock and be a great cruiser.
Steve R
Curious, ken, where would you cut it and what type of saw would you use?
. Maybe at 74 I have forgotten a whole box of things, but one thingy I have not forgotten is that my stock L-79 65 Vette with an M-21 and 3:73 gears would run a fairly consistent run low 13s and I guarantee you a 389 Grand Prix or Ford 150 Eco boost pickup would not have stayed within 3 car lengths of it. You must be reading the same fairy tales that say a 6 barrel GTO can outrun an L-S6 Chevelle. I grew up street racing in the 60s and I know first hand what is really fast and what is not.
Charles I’m a little older I’m 78 and in 1967 I bought a new Corvette and I have to agree no 389 Grand Prix could come close to in fact I won’t have wasted the gas to even race it
Charles and you other guys from the 60’s. Go on you tube and look up 3.5 EcoBoost 1/4-mile racing. I will wait for your apology!!! I am 65 and in high school had a 70 GTO, my F150 is quicker hands down, AWD 500 FP of torque and 400 HP to the wheels with 212 Cubic inches And average 19 mpg! That’s factory numbers on premium gas. The new trucks will dust most muscle cars all day long. You guys need to go to a local track or read some currant articles for sure. Do I love the old cars, absolutely! I prefer the 60’s & early 70’s bodies over the new stuff, but power trains now are light years better for performance on the street for a daily driver. Were cars fast back then, yes. But to with today’s technology a Nisson Maxima would outrun a Lot of the old cars. Not saying they are better because you can’t work on them anymore but just saying they are way faster with 1/2 the cubic inches. Honestly guys, you talk about pool hall talk and how unbelievable it is, what’s unbelievable is how far in the past you guys are. Hard facts don’t lie! Do some YouTube surfing, do some googling and research before being naysayers and you will be quite surprised. Welcome to the future guys! That being said, the Grand Prix could run those numbers easily, you all are the ones peddling false facts. Buy the way, I’ll sell you a nice fishing pier in St. Augustine! LOL!
With that gear set under it, tie a basket under the oil pan and cross your fingers… Ponchos don’t like to rev that hard.
I used to race a 65 GTO back in the day I put it a 4.11 in it and it would float the lifters before the end of the 1/4 had to go to taller tires to make it to the end. Can’t imagine a 4.56 making to the end.
I got married in a 72 GP SJ!!! It was my best man car ! Memories!!!!!