Made for only three model years, 1973, 1974, and 1975, the first-generation Pontiac Grand Am is a car that we (or I) rarely see in person anymore. It probably has Pontiac’s most unique grille configuration and is my personal favorite. This first-year 1973 Pontiac Grand Am is listed here on eBay in Ramona, California, and the seller is asking $7,000 or best offer. Thanks to Curvette for the tip!
This car is sharp both in design and condition – or it looks like it’s in nice condition. As always, I’d prefer regular factory wheels, but that’s just a personal preference. I get why people like to dress up their vehicles and personalize them, but for me, it’s about the memories, and reliving someone else’s dream isn’t the same as reliving my dreams. Enough of that, nobody cares, and nobody should care what I like. I mean, other than not putting ketchup on a hot dog (kidding) (sort of). We saw this exact car a few months ago here on Barn Finds, and the seller was asking $19,700. Hmmm…
I rarely, if ever, see a first-gen Grand Am in the wild anymore, but every day I see at least one fourth or fifth-generation Grand Am. They must have sold millions of those cars, and they did. The colonnade GMs were an interesting bunch, as some (most?) had inoperable rear side windows, so when the old man was working on a heater (smoke) with the windows closed, yeah, good times. This one has louvers back there, so for sure don’t go down. Here’s a 1973 Grand Am brochure.
Beige, black, and saddle were the interior colors available with this beautiful “Golden Olive” exterior paint color, and by the looks of the driver’s seat cover, I hope you have a good upholstery shop on speed dial. Speed dial? Everyone under 50 just rolled their eyes. There was a 4-speed manual available with the 400 V8, but this one has a Turbo-Hydramatic three-speed automatic, as seen by the selector on the center console. The dash is incredibly cracked, which may be one reason for the ultra-low asking price, when combined with work that may be needed on the driver’s seat. Still, this car is a steal at the asking price if it isn’t rusted out under the new (looking) paint.
Sadly, the seller didn’t bother to pop the hood, which is rare for an eBay auction. This car is said to have a “6.5 liter,” according to their very, very, very short description. It’s a Pontiac 400-cu.in. OHV V8 (according to the VIN) with 230 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, with a four-barrel carb and dual exhaust. Backed by the THM-400 transmission sending power to the rear wheels, they say it runs strong, and that’s it for an operating condition report. Maybe that’s enough when you’re asking a fraction of Hagerty’s value for your Grand Am. Hagerty is at an eye-watering $27,000 for a #3 good-condition Grand Am with a 400 four-barrel, and the seller is asking $7,000. Is this one real? Why is the asking price so low, or maybe Hagerty is too high, or a combination of both?
Hard to believe that someone bought this new (and possibly ordered it)
in this ugly color.
Maybe it was only driven after dark,so nobody would notice.That would
account for the low mileage.
That’s funny, I think the exact opposite about the color, I think it’s spot-on for this car.
It is a bit avocado-bathroom-suite, though…
Very much of its time.
Color is like weather, some like it hot, some like it cold. Red, blue, green, brown, white, black, etc. We all like what we like, and there’s nothing wrong with not liking this color. I don’t know if I’d say it was ugly, though, especially since I like it, ha.
I guess I was thinking the discussion might go towards how the asking price is $12,700 less than it was four months ago. I didn’t even give the 1970s color a thought.
I’m with you Scotty on the color not sure why just feel it works on this car. I had a 1975 Grand Am same car except the tail lights were vertical on the fenders. First car I financed bought it in 1977 off the Pontiac dealer down the road from my parents house I was 17 my stepdad cosigned for me loved that car black with a dark red interior and a 400 engine center console.
To funny. Ya made my day.
That low price, especially the “obo” part, raises a lot of questions for me. I dig the car, but it’s like someone offering me a Rolex for $250. Color me skeptical.
Russ Dixon wrote this one up on March 18th. I didn’t think that the Army ordered two of them 😆🤣😆.
You are correct, sir. I mentioned that in the second paragraph.
Ugly colors mean less theives.
Powertrain > color