Pontiac introduced the Grand Ville series of full-size automobiles in 1971. The Grand Ville replaced the Bonneville, which was repositioned to sub for the discontinued Executive. They were some of the biggest cars Pontiac ever built, and 1975 was the last year you could buy one as a convertible. The seller has a nice two-owner example that looks ready to cruise, though it does have 103,000 miles. Located in Vineland, New Jersey, this land yacht is available here on craigslist for $12,500 (or about $2.68 per pound). Our thanks to Barn Finder “Zen” for the tip!
The Grand Ville was offered for five model years (1971 to 1975) and accounted for sales of 290,000 units. Peak demand was in 1973, after which sales dropped like a rock when the OPEC oil embargo drove up gas prices and buyers flocked to more fuel-friendly forms of transportation. Nearly 16,000 drop-tops were built through 1975, when the body style had its best year. That’s when word got out that all GM divisions except Cadillac were going to pull the plug (Caddy would follow a year later).
This ragtop was one of 4,519 to leave the assembly line with a standard 455 cubic inch V8 (you could substitute a 400 if you thought saving 1 or 2 mpg made any real difference). Naturally, it’s paired with a TH-400 automatic transmission and is said to run well (there is no mention of any rebuilds). It came with a factory Rally Gauge Package and all the best goodies, such as power windows and air conditioning (so why have a convertible?).
New parts on this Pontiac include the canvas top, associated hardware, and starter and alternator. The body, paint, and interior all look good enough, though the photos provided could be better. The Grand Ville spent most of its life in Virginia, where the climate would be more sparing than the winters in Jersey. If you need a car for parades and the like, this 50-year-old Poncho might be it!
Well, I guess with all the untruths that float around in our world, stating that 103,000 are “low Original miles” is no goofier than all the other eye-rolling stuff we’re faced with.
Photos in the bright sun are never the right choice.
15 years ago? This baby would be a screaming deal at $5000. Not no more..
Car parades? You could decorate this baby like a float and have the entire Cheer squad riding in it. As for the convertible w/ AC combo. Sometimes it’s just too hot to put the top down, especially if it’s warm and raining, obs.
Or if a summer thundershower hits, with 100% relative humidity and you need to defog the windshield in a hurry with the top up! Otherwise, your convertible turns into a sauna bath in about ten seconds, LOL! After owning three (3) Miatas, I am so glad all three (3) of my cars came equipped with A/C, which was made standard equipment after the NA Miata had been upgraded in 1994.
This is a beautiful car. It doesn’t appear to be in bad shape. However, it’s too much money for the miles that are on it. The engine should last quite a while, but it’s all the other things.
Wow,from my old town I left 33 years ago.Nice car.
does this Grandville have fender skirts?
Reason for asking is.
Front fenders have wheel arch moldings,
Rear does not . Moldings would be attached to the fender skirts,
Cheers
Way over priced – 8K more realistic
Nice one and I like the colors. Only one of the bunch save for the Cadillac to come with power windows as standard. I’m not certain but weren’t these technically a C-body or did they just share the roof with the hardtops?
Our parents bought a 1974 hard top Grandville for my brother and I to share. I suppose they thought that the gas mileage alone would keep us from getting too far away from home. Anyway, I loved it. Seating for at least 7, and at least 2 more in the trunk for stowaways going to the drive-in. As much torque as that 455 had, roasting a set a rear tires was not that hard to do. Probably the reason we stuck with used tires all the time.
And the radio is on the floor hump, because…………….
May have come with an AM and the owner was lazy with the install.
I almost bought one of these in blue about 35 years ago. I always wanted a big Poncho convertible. Went as far as paying for a comoression test, which the engine was healthy. But I psssed. I live fairly close to this car, may go take a look see. Gonna take my floor jack to look where it counts. After all, it’s 50 years old and a convertible. They leak. The good news is the ad says new top, lines and top motor. Today, at a shop thats gotta be $3,000. Yeah why is the radio lying on trans hump? Rear skirts are missing. I believe by 1975, they were fiberglass. Could be wrong.
I had one just like this one bur with maroon interior.had it for over 30 years and never let me down and always started after sitting all winter long.sold it 3 years ago for 3500 canadian but it needed every thing.very hard to find parts for because there is no after market for them.I still wish that I had kept it.
Nelson C: That’s LAZY!!!!