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Garage Find Driver! 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix

Under the boxes of Christmas ornaments and plastic reindeer in a Meridian, Idaho garage, someone discovered a running, driving Pontiac that now seeks a new home. This 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix needs some work, but the four-speed and the ’65-spec 389 cid V8 will get you down the road, and that’s more than many of our featured cars can accomplish. The listing here on eBay has attracted bids beyond $4500.

With its stacked headlights, the European-inspired Grand Prix looks rather like a larger, shinier Tempest from the front. Pontiac bragged about their Wide-Track design’s stability and handling prowess.

Definitely a step up from the Tempest dashboard, the Grand Prix unit appealed to a more upscale buyer. Though lacking the nifty center console, this Grand Prix has power windows, and is that “Reverb” on the Speaker lever? The vintage aftermarket tachometer and floor shifter suggest this classic had a little more fun than calm trips to church on Sunday.

One year after building this ’63 GM approved putting the division’s hefty 389 cid V8 in the mid-sized 1964 Tempest. Taking a cue from Ferrari they called it the “GTO” for Gran Turismo Omologato and created what some regard as the First Muscle Car. This Grand Prix’s later 389 features a modified cam and later GM electronic ignition. Best of all the seller says it “runs great.” High praise to the listing’s author for including the less-than-flattering pictures and details buyers need to help comprehend the car’s condition. A four-speed Grand-Prix isn’t exactly the Holy Grail, and this one’s got some rust and a host of non-original parts. All that makes it hard to price, and it may become a bargain for someone who just wants a big-engined, floor-shifted ’60s coupe. After a once-over for safety items, I’d be proud to drive it to work as it sits. What future do you see for this mixed-bag classic?

Comments

  1. Avatar IkeyHeyman

    My father bought a new ’63 Grand Prix, he went through tires pretty quickly because I don’t think anybody in our small town in PA had the adapter plate to properly balance the 8 lug wheels. At least that’s my take on it. I think this is one of Pontiac’s best designs.

    Like 8
  2. Avatar Stephen

    Merry Christmas everyone!

    Like 7
  3. Avatar glen

    It’s Christmas, why am I here? Merry Christmas !!

    Like 7
  4. Avatar mlm

    What a Christmas to see my favorite car on BF.This is THE car that got me interested in cars in the first place.Always loved the ’63 GP. Very classy car even by today’s standards IMHO.

    Like 4
  5. Avatar Angrymike

    My uncle was telling me about his GP this summer, 67 428 4-gear and 4:11’s. It was blue with white and black int.
    His brain was foggy, but I’d bet it was a beautiful fast old Pontiac. My father had a 67 2+2 428 four barrel and an auto. My first car was a 68 Catalina with a 2 barrel 400.
    I always loved these old Pontiac’s with the 62 being my favorite.
    This looks like a great project and hope someone restores this !

    Merry Christmas to all !

    Like 6
  6. Avatar Robert Sabatini

    Back in those days, Pontiac automobiles were true art and craftsmanship on wheels. Plus, they ran as good as they looked!

    Merry Christmas everyone!

    Like 4
  7. Avatar Patrick Kelly

    In fall of 68, a classmate came to school with a 63 Grand Prix convertible, red, with a 4 speed. He had worked all summer to buy it. It was beautiful….a week later, it had been stolen…

    Like 1
    • Avatar glen

      That’s a thumbs down!, I’d still be p’d off.

      Like 0
    • Avatar Craig M Bryda

      I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ’63 Grand Prix Convertible, it must be an extremely rare car ? Too bad it got stolen.

      Like 1
      • Avatar Rick Rothermel

        Pontriac made GP convertibles in ’67 only. No ’63s. Bonneville maybe?

        Like 2
      • Avatar mlm

        There isn’t a ’63 Grand Prix convertible.The only ’63 Grand Prix convertible was the ’63 Pontiac X400 show car.

        Like 0
  8. Avatar leiniedude Member

    I do not see a tach, the gauge that looks like one, below the radio is a manifold vacuum gauge. Popular and handy for tune ups back then.

    Like 2
    • Avatar Rick Rothermel

      EVERY GP of that era had a console.
      Wonder where this one went?
      My dad had a new ’64, I had two ’64s in 1980.

      Moderators PLEASE give a LOCATION for the cars you post! Distance can make a difference in the buying decision.

      Like 2
  9. Avatar Jaybird

    Wheres a tachometer?

    Like 0
  10. Avatar MikeL.

    Merry Christmas from mine to yours… here’s to a New Year of Barn Finds! Keep up the good work… there is none better!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Todd Fitch Staff

      Thanks and Merry Christmas, MikeL. and all our awesome readers. We appreciate your amazing collective knowledge and willingness to share it. Your comments bring the articles to life! It’s impossible for one person to be an expert on every car, but it *is* possible to get expert comments on every car. Thanks for all the added information, stories, and corrections that change a few pictures and paragraphs into a community-built story that enthusiasts can enjoy and improve with their own details for years!

      Like 1
  11. Avatar JP

    Great find! I love those ’62 – ’77 GP’s.

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Bob

    I have one of these. White with red interior. I truly love this car. She looks and drives like a dream. Think I will take her for a drive to celebrate Christmas.

    Merry Christmas to all you BF people.

    Like 3
  13. Avatar Beatnik Bedouin

    Nice car! As some of you guys know, I have a love of Pontiacs from the 1960s.

    Merry Christmas to all from Aotearoa, where it’s already a holiday called Boxing Day..!

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Richard

    I have a 63 4 speed GP that i have been working on going on 5 years. Midnight blue / white interior and its the only one in Alaska that i know of. My brother has 2 62s and 2 64s. Love them…

    Like 2
    • Avatar MLM

      You and your brother have very good tastes.Merry Christmas

      Like 4
  15. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    This car needs to be brought back. With the 4 speed and fresh engine, it could be a bargain. Seller seems to be straight up Honest. Lots of needed parts come with it. Go over the brakes and drive while you fix!! Good luck to the new owner!!

    Cheers

    GPC

    Like 1
  16. Avatar leiniedude Member

    Ended: Dec 28, 2018 , 2:29PM
    Winning bid:US $4,900.00
    [ 4 bids ]

    Like 0
  17. Avatar r s

    Sold for $4900… the buyer might be laughing… the seller ought to be crying. $4900 for a car like that with a 4 speed and power windows that’s not a basket case? Too bad he didn’t have a chance to get more for it.

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Bob

    $4900 seems like a deal to me. I love the 63’s.

    Like 0

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