Claiming to be the first of anything is fraught with peril, but I imagine few will argue with the assertion that the four-seat Thunderbird created the personal luxury field in 1958. Sure, cars like the Continental Mark II of 1956 might apply, but its absurd price tag and exclusivity assured that it didn’t have much of an effect on the category at large. If the T-Bird was first, many might argue that the 1963 Riviera was second, because it had a unique body and a similar price tag to the T-Bird; however, Pontiac and Oldsmobile offered full-sized bucket seat cars a year before the Riviera came along, and they were at least worthy of mentioning in the same breath as their Dearborn and Flint competitors. Pontiac’s entry was the Grand Prix. It was fundamentally a Catalina with bucket seats, a console, fancy trim, and a more powerful standard engine, but it opened the door for more Pontiac sales throughout the ’60s. This one has a four-speed, making it that much rarer (about 90 percent of them had the Hydra-Matic). This one has been off the road since 1980, it’s being offered for auction on eBay in Los Angeles, and the high bid is currently $5,100.
The Grand Prix was apparently purchased recently from its original owners, and it’s had little to no maintenance done since it was parked. It did survive the Northridge Earthquake of 1994, but it does have a few dings in the trunk from objects falling from on high. Here, you can see the four-speed shifter and the Grand Prix’s standard “buckets-and-console” seating arrangement, which was exceedingly popular in the mid 1960s.
The standard engine was the 303-horsepower 389 four barrel, which the Grand Prix shared with the automatic-equipped Bonneville. When ordered with the Borg-Warner T-10 four speed, the Grand Prix got a standard 3.42:1 axle ratio, so it would have held its own in any impromptu stoplight Grand Prix (ha ha) of 1962. The seller has done nothing more than crank the engine to make sure it was not seized – it is not. The brakes go to the floor and the car will need a complete mechanical restoration before it’s safe (or even able) to drive.
Fortunately, this car will make for a comparatively easy resuscitation. The undercarriage looks as an undercarriage from dry Southern California should, and the general condition of the car will give the new owner the option to fix it up to drive or completely restore. Given the condition of the body and the interior, either would be a good choice.
As if things couldn’t get any better, the Grand Prix has Pontiac’s signature 8-lug wheels, which are as “Pontiac” as a set of Rally IIs or Honeycombs. If you’re looking for a big Pontiac from the early ’60s, this one seems like a no-brainer, especially if the sale price is reasonable. It’s the kind of solid project that Pontiac guys dream about.
Whew, I’ll tell ya’, there aren’t too many cars that trip my trigger, but the ’62 GP is clearly one of them. While the 4 speed isn’t for me, in ’62, it could have very well been standard equipment on a car like this. Hot rodding, auto racing, to be exact, had a grip on this country’s gearheads, the likes we’ll never see again. Pontiac had a short fling being the hottest stick for a while, and a 4 speed WAS practically standard. In ’61 and ’62, Pontiac enjoyed a rift of success with the 421, it was more than the 409, or 406, and mechanics were just getting the 392 hemi to run, 426 couple years away, and Pontiac had some big names on board. And THIS was the car those successful racers drove off the track.
Quick note, notice the outside mirror on the fender. Someone mentioned a while back, why they did that? Many times, if the mirror was mounted on the door, slamming the door would alter the adjustment, and we don’t think of it today, but “slamming the door” was part of a 60s car. I hope someone saves this beautiful car, it wouldn’t take much, aside from a fat wallet that is.
Probably one of the best looking cars of the era and any era you wanted to plug it into.
GM really had some beautiful full size designs all throughout the 60’s. And this ’62 Grand Prix is certainly one of them. And with that 4 speed, even better. And those Pontiac 8 Lugs are one of the nicest rim designs to come out of the 60’s from GM.
This will be an interesting auction to follow, it’s located within a 20 hour drive of 10,000,000+ people and will appeal to people located everywhere. The rust free condition, 4spd, attractive color combination and 8 lug wheels are a major plus. With 6 days left there have been 53 bids so far, with the highest at $8,700 without the reserve being met. The seller is right to have a reserve, this is the type of car a seller should not let go to cheap.
Steve R
Drop dead gorgeous. bobhess nailed it
My older brother was 25 then and had a friend who worked at Post Office… and bought new Grand Prixs in 63 and 65 or 66…and later…. always nice looking ones with 4 speeds. We lived 2 blocks away on a big street and the friend drove past our house to work every morning… before air conditioning… so the windows were open. I could hear his GP start out and he ran it up a bit each day. Lots of other fast cars got wound out on that street, but It had a particular sound… a good sound…. and I was a Mopar kid…
More 62 Pontiacs… I cut the grass for a ”moneyed” family and the dad bought a new 62 Safari wagon.. Black.. fully loaded…which I thought was cool. Looked it over every time I saw it…. Pretty sure it had the turbine wheels… and It had that grab handle on the dashboard for the passenger… this was before seatbelts were mandatory.. Hang on !!!….
This is a really nice 62. A 4 speed and someone added a/c. And it might be possible to bring it to roadworthy status without spending a fortune. I’ve always wondered was there balancing equipment designed to work with the eight lug wheels?
This is my favorite year of full size Pontiacs and being a Grand Prix with a 4 speed and eight lug wheels makes it just about perfect. It’s up to $9,100 now.
yeah, this is 1 badass poncho in amazing condition. nice to see without tri power. if i had the means i would bid on it this. this on my list of wish cars. oh well
I’d get it up and running a it should. I don’t know if there is any other sheet metal damage that needs fixing, but I’d leave the earthquake dents in.. Makes a nice conversation starter.
One step away from a, 421 an 2 steps away from a 421SD. Be still my heart. Same color as my adopted father’s ’62. (He adopted me at age 19, he was my boss and took me under his racing wing while I was still in college.) He had a,”65 421 and 400 hydro in his.
im all in ..wear do i sign
There’s a link to the eBay auction right in the fist paragraph.
Someone will be getting one nice Poncho if the seller accepts their offer. I would just get it roadworthy and enjoy. The eight lugs and four speed are a siren song for me. GLWTS
I’ve lusted for this exact car for many decades. Unfortunately I’m well past the time when I’d tackle such a project.
BTW…what on earth is that weird shift pattern on the console.
That’s the pattern that most of us aspired to for much of our lives! NOW DAYS it is a theft detourant pattern that is also linked to the 3rd pedal under the dash. Only automotive intelligent people can follow and understand the moves required along with the coordination of the 3rd pedal that I mentioned previously.
This car will go for an easy fifteen grand and twenty might not be out the question. One of the NEATEST Pontiacs made.
Beautiful looking car.
I guess I just don’t ever remember seeing the reverse over to the left and up. Have I led a sheltered life?
Yes, you have!(lol)
My Dad had one just like it but auto, Maladay Red. I would take.the air cleaner off and it would Howl one time LAPD gave me whooper of a ticket, my Dad after that wouldn’t let me drive it unless he was with me. An older guy I worked with had Burgundy Tri-Power4speed, he wouldn’t let me Drive it. Couldn’t beat a 409 or a Goat but for a 16 year old it was haven on wheels