Pontiac released its Fourth Generation Grand Prix in 1977, and although it was slightly smaller than its predecessor, it was a relative giant compared to subsequent models. This 1977 Grand Prix SJ is from the final year of Fourth Generation production and presents well for an original survivor. The seller suggests it is ready to drive down the road in style, and it is hard to disagree with that assessment. The SJ is listed here on Craigslist in South Gate, California. The seller set their price at $14,900, and I must say a big thank you to eagle-eyed Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this survivor.
The original owner ordered this Grand Prix in a classy combination of Sterling Silver with a matching Landau-style vinyl top. No prior restoration work is mentioned, suggesting the paint is original. If that proves accurate, its condition is impressive. Silver is a shade prone to developing a matte appearance and patchiness with UV exposure, but this holds a deep and consistent shine. There are no visible flaws or evidence of bumps, bruises, or rust. The bumper fillers are excellent, with the chrome sparkling nicely. The tinted glass looks flawless, as do the wire hubcaps. I find the white mudflaps slightly jarring, and if the new owner can’t remove the white, they only need to spend $100 on a complete replacement set to address the issue.
The positive impression made by this Pontiac continues when we examine its interior. The original owner ordered it trimmed in Red cloth and vinyl, and the condition is as impressive as the exterior. The upholstered surfaces show no significant wear or marks, and the carpet continues that theme. A close examination reveals some discoloring and warping on the dash pad, suggesting it could be preparing to split. Since finding a replacement may prove difficult, I recommend spending $50 on a cover as insurance until the buyer locates another pad. It may take patience to succeed using online auction sites, but at least a cover will buy time and preserve the presentation. By modern standards, the interior equipment isn’t luxurious. However, air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt wheel, an AM/FM radio, and miles of spotless faux woodgrain trim should add to occupant comfort and enjoyment.
Lifting the hood reveals the 350ci V8 that sends 170hp and 285 ft/lbs or torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission. It’s worth noting that at 3,968lbs, the company focused on luxury rather than outright performance with the Grand Prix. Therefore, a ¼-mile ET of 19 seconds is about what buyers expected during this time. Still, it could be worse. Buyers ordering their Grand Prix with the 301ci V8 saw the figure balloon to 20.2 seconds! The first thing I note is that the engine bay presentation is about what I would expect for any car with more than four decades under its belt. Nobody has cleaned it or made merry with the detailing spray, which allows us to confirm no signs of fluid leaks or other problems. The seller states the SJ runs and drives perfectly and is ready for some relaxed cruising with a new owner behind the wheel.
If this 1977 Grand Prix SJ is original and unrestored, its condition is impressive. It has no immediate needs, although I’ve suggested steps that would help protect its survivor status. It is the last of the genuinely large models, and even an energy crisis and rising fuel costs failed to pin these cars to the canvas. The Grand Prix sales total for 1977 was 288,430, with 53,442 buyers selecting the SJ. This car would have cost its original owner around $5,800, which equates to approximately $28,500 today. That means it has depreciated by around 50% in real terms, which is not bad for any car emerging during The Malaise Era. That may be the tip of the iceberg because values for the ’77 Grand Prix SJ are climbing significantly faster than the market average. Recent sales results suggest the price for this one is very competitive. Maybe that’s enough to justify handing over the cash for a clean car that could represent a solid long-term investment. It makes you think. Doesn’t it?
Better price than that dealers Pontiac noted today.
I want to tell you because I worked Pontiac dealership all through the seventies in high school and that’s not an SJ because an SJ must be ordered with bucket seats look at the next SJ that they’re showing on there it has bucket seats I’m almost positive you have to have bucket seats for SJ and LJ no that’s not an SJ I don’t think it’s sweet I work that I’ve seen them all I’ve driven them all they were sweet one of the greatest cars ever built
The wire wheel hubcaps scream for whitewall tires, not raised white letters. It should have Rally IIs to wear RWLs.
Definitely not a SJ. No bucket seats, no full gauge package, no 400 (maybe a 403 in California).
You could get a SJ with a bench seat granted most were buckets but the SJ package was engine and handling Pkgs
Or just delete the mud flaps!
Not a bad looking car but IMHO I think the Cutlass had a better looking front end
This one looks to be a plain jane model.. I like the Loaded GPs.. Nothing today compares to that luxury.
This is not an sj. Sj came standard equiped with a 455ci and had bucket seats shifter in the floor this is a base gp 350ci
I owned a loaded 77 silver SJ with Hurst Hatches and other options rarely seen on these cars, such as the custom sport steering wheel and snowflake wheels. I made a bad decision and sold it in 2006. I have found the car in Texas, but have been unable to contact the last known owner. I want the car back at any cost.
Whoever ordered the car new most likely wanted a decent comfortable car plus options were sold individually back then
Not an SJ. This is a base model . Nice shape.
Definitely not a SJ, no bucket seats, no console, no 400 4 barrel Pontiac V8, not even any “SJ” emblems. The 1977 Grand Prix SJ option had the dual sport mirrors, painted pinstripes, Rally II wheels (standard in two-tone argent, body color optional) and the 400 with a turbo 400 trans and standard vinyl bucket seats with console (velour or leather was optional) and a console with floor shifter.
I had a new ’77 & it wasn’t smaller than it’s predecessors in fact it was the last year of the real GP’s before they shrunk them in ’78!
The 77 was only a couple inches shorter than the “boat” in 76. Yes, 78 was the major downsizing.
73 to 77 Grand Prix was the same frame . 78 up to the 87 was the same frame then they went unibody in 88. This one is a stripper GP no power anything. 6k is the max for this one
I had a all black 77 with bucket seats, center console and factory sunroof. These splash guards look stupid on this. In Soouth Gate.
Almost bought one of these as my first car…..but didn’t pull the trigger…went to look at a ’73 silver Charger……and that was the car !
Funny though it was only MOPAR i ever owned. Wish I still had it,
I could retire, without any worries.
Unless you are living in a trailer park Emel, I don’t see anyone retiring on the sale of a 1973 Dodge Charger.
https://www.hagerty.ca/apps/valuationtools/1973-dodge-charger-se
1973 Dodge Charger SE
1973 Dodge Charger SE
Hardtop Coupe 8-cyl. 400cid/260hp 4bbl (modified)
Sale Price: $119,790 (CAD)
Actual: $99,000 (USD)
Includes buyer’s premium
Date: 8/13/2021 Event: Mecum Auctions
Definitely a cool car and worth some bucks in perfect shape Emel. These cars are gaining popularity now and finally getting the credit they deserve. Great styling IMO. I had to look up the $99k Charger though. Yes there was a 73 Charger that sold on Mecum in 2021 for $99k but in all fairness, it was a highly modified and customized trailer queen example. The interior work alone was probably $20k and the same for the paint, conservatively. Even the gas tank was apparently base cleared. Super nice car but whoever bought it will likely be upside down on for quite some time at that price because you just don’t see any other examples selling for this amount of cash. The closest one in price to that one was $50k for a super clean nut and bolt restored example. Most of the others sold between $10k and $20k. I wish you still had it too but hope this eases your mind about dollars lost and a missed opportunity for early retirement.
I went through two of them back in the day. One was a yellow ’74 with white vinyl cabriolet roof and white interior with that horrid bench seat that doesn’t belong in a GP, but I was young and it was a beater (with really low mileage though). Next one with a car or two in between was ’75 LJ and it was loaded up with everything. Two tone silver/grey and red velour buckets. But this was kind of a beater too and with much higher mileage. Still dependable as any GM car from the time. Both had 400s except the ’75 had single exhaust like all of them b/c of the catalytic converter. Neither one of them was even 10 years old which is funny because today 10 years old is definitely not the same thing as 10 years old then. Cars today at 10 appear more like 5 year old cars from then. They last a hell of a lot longer now. Next time you’re tempted to talk about how cars “used to be so much better” think again 😉
$5,471.85 was the LJ base price without options. My loaded LJ rang the till up to $8,212.65.This is definitely not an SJ but a plain Jane Grand Prix,.
$5,471.85 was the LJ base price without options. My loaded LJ rang the till up to $8,212.65.This is definitely not an SJ but a plain Jane Grand Prix,. And the ’77 was the same size as the previous models – the down sizing happened in ’78.
Please! Whoever buys this, please remove the chrome splash guards! First thing!
I had a 73 I think the 73 was the best looking of the 4th generation I loved that car I keep looking for a 73 on barn finds far and few in between
I had the 73 4 years and it turned into a rust bucket bad had holes in the floor boards at 4 years old
Now I know why I like the SJ better.
I’d like to become a member but l’ve had problems with identity thief lately. Tell me my options. Thanks
My Dad has a 73 GP J ..as a young teenager he taught me well leaning how to drive.
Pontiac released its Fourth Generation Grand Prix in 1973 and it was in fact larger and heavier than its epic predecessor. The only reduction was 2″ in wheelbase. They do not identify it as an SJ in the ad and it in fact is not, but SJ didn’t really mean much by ’77 – your choices were emasculated or truly out of breath. The price is reasonable for an appreciating classic car in nice condition with a degree of flair unheard of in 2022 and a pristine looking set of five highly desirable and unobtainable Goodyear Eagle STs surely sweetens the pot for those in the know.
First of all, I will state that 1969-77 Grand Prix was one of my favorite designs of all times. I looked at a 1977 brochure online and Rally Ii wheels and bucket seats were standard on the SJ model. Maybe someone custom ordered a bench seat or different wheels or the Rally IIs were swapped due to theft or tire damage later. The 400 4 barrel engine was the one to have in 1977 but this doesn’t have it. The 75,000 claimed mileage would be good if there is enough provenance. Wonder if the air conditioning was converted. Nice car but the right equipment would have made it more desirable.
Had a ’72 SJ 455 triple black leather int. Ralley wheels buckets console fl shift 8 track sat on rear fl hump facing forward for loading. Factory option. Red pin strip was a great an pretty car.
The rear of this kind of reminds me of both the front and rear of a Chrysler Cordoba lol. Nix the giant mud flaps, reset the stance on some 18” rear and 17” front torque thrusts, nice cam, intake and headers and enjoy.
Yea I bought a 77 with 2 tone maroon w/pin stripes velour interior wire wheels bucket seats loaded after my 73 was wrecked which I bought new. I sold the 77 & got another 73 in 1980. Still got it & put the 4th engine in in 2013 out of a 76 a 455. The 76 is an LJ with factory Hurst T-tops. Still got it. My favorite cars are the GP’s. You don’t see them at auctions or at shows but have beautiful body styles & are very
Dependable. Still have window sticker fm the 73 & line ticket. I will sell the 76 body if iinterested