Few things are sadder than being forced to part with a beloved classic due to circumstances beyond your control. That is the story behind this 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix. It is an eye-catching turnkey proposition that needs little to lift its presentation to a higher level. Due to health issues, the owner must part with it, meaning someone is set to become the proud owner of a classic that is guaranteed to turn heads. If you wish to be that person, the Grand Prix is listed exclusively at Barn Finds Auctions.
Some classics blend into the background, while others possess the “wow” factor guaranteed to turn heads. This Grand Prix falls into the second category, with its Bright Blue Iridescent paint shining beautifully following a repaint around five years ago. It shows no significant marks or patchiness, with only a few minor stone chips the winning bidder could touch up with little cost or effort. The chrome offers a striking and tasteful contrast. The underside shots reveal nothing but dry surface corrosion, with actual rust confined to a few repairable exterior spots that could be tackled as time and circumstances allow. The Soft Ray tinted glass appears flawless, and the shiny new American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels and Cooper Cobra tires add a touch of aggression that many will welcome. If they aren’t your cup of tea, the owner includes the original hubcaps, so a factory appearance is achievable without spending a fortune.
Lifting this Pontiac’s hood reveals a 3.8-liter V6 that sends 110hp and 190 ft/lbs of torque to the rear wheels via a three-speed automatic transmission, which was rebuilt about 3,500 miles ago. Those seeking an effortless driving experience will appreciate the inclusion of power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes. The owner indicates that as well as new wheels and tires, they recently replaced the carburetor. The presentation is tidy for a classic of this vintage and doesn’t flatter or deceive. Mechanically, the only issue the seller notes is that the AC doesn’t blow cold and the system may need a recharge or a full service. Other than that issue, this Grand Prix runs and drives beautifully and is a turnkey proposition where the winning bidder could fly in for a vacation and build a relationship with this car as they drive it home.
The theme of tidy presentation continues when we open this Pontiac’s doors and examine its interior. The faux woodgrain trim is virtually perfect, while the rest of the dash and pad haven’t succumbed to UV damage. There is no wheel wear, and most upholstered surfaces appear excellent. The driver’s seat has an outer seam separation, but a competent upholsterer may be able to repair it without the winning bidder resorting to the cost and effort of sourcing a new cover. There is a dirty mark on the carpet near the driver’s left foot, and if a deep clean doesn’t address the shortcoming, spending $160 on a carpet set would make a dramatic difference. All gauges work, minus the fuel gauge which works intermittently. Although it isn’t loaded with factory options beyond the cloth upholstery, the air conditioning, Alpine CD player, and tilt wheel should make life on the road pretty pleasant.
When I look at cars like this 1986 Pontiac Grand Prix, I struggle to understand how a company that could produce vehicles of this caliber could cease to exist. It is a stunning car, and its odometer reading helps to lift it beyond the ordinary. It is designed to be driven and enjoyed and would undoubtedly attract attention wherever it goes. Setting it loose on our streets would be an excellent way to keep the memory of this great manufacturer fresh in our minds. If an affordable and eye-catching classic has been on your radar, bidding on this Pontiac would be an excellent way to make that dream a reality.
- Location: Titusville, Florida
- Mileage: 50,500
- Engine: 3.8-Liter V6
- Transmission: Three-Speed Automatic
- VIN: 2G2GJ37A2G2221317
- Title Status: Clean
Bid On This Auction
- Whitey bid $3,450.00 2023-06-02 09:46:36
- JosephT7 bid $3,300.00 2023-06-02 09:03:47
- Carl bid $3,200.00 2023-06-01 15:39:56
- Mr.Zepol bid $3,100.00 2023-06-01 11:06:11
- 2manyvettes bid $2,950.00 2023-05-31 08:54:21
- PTRVA bid $2,800.00 2023-05-31 07:05:08
- WillBrooklyn bid $2,700.00 2023-05-30 12:37:52
- Rica bid $2,600.00 2023-05-29 20:57:20
- Mr.Zepol bid $2,500.00 2023-05-29 03:49:34
- 2manyvettes bid $2,100.00 2023-05-28 19:11:24
- Ramon bid $2,000.00 2023-05-28 06:41:58
- 2manyvettes bid $1,500.00 2023-05-26 12:34:26
- Jp_kleist bid $500.00 2023-05-26 10:48:28
Wow! This GP looks GREAT w/o the vinyl top, and the color/wheel combo is an exellent choice. I would fix the minor issues and enjoy this beauty as is! GLWTA!! :-)
The color and wheel combo is great but the motor kills it for me. Of course the 305 was no great shakes but at least it was a step up.
I’m local if anyone wants a PPI. The 3.8 was a pretty decent motor. We towed a boat with mom’s Bonneville with that motor.
Looks like a cool semi-custom. Just enough touches to make it stand out without being too aggressive.
What a dream car. Legend like the grand natty cutlass supreme and mc ss
Oooo boy has a big 3.8 liter a 110 hp V6 no thanks. Maybe $800.00 if it runs!!
Wow, a Speedo, a Clock, and a Fuel Gauge that works sometimes.
Sorry no gas gauge Don’t work at all. Thats why it’s past full mark. Only three things it could be.
I’m 46 and this was the era of cars that were on the showroom floor when I got the bug and simultaneously subscribed to C&D, R&T and MT. As much as I have memories of being driven around in these velour clad beasts (loved the sans serif Olds badging on everything in the stablemate Cutlass), I just have no passionate desire for almost any US vehicle of this time. Mandatory 3rd brake light or not.
Interesting comment Wing. What vehicles do you have a passionate desire for?
Pontiac with a v6 is that the same people that make the Pontiac G T O with the 389 v8 ?
Problem for me is, it’s a Pontiac with a Buick (corporate engine) V6 under the hood. Otherwise a beautiful car but, I want a real bumper to bumper Pontiac.
Good luck with that. After 1982 the only bona fide Pontiac motor was a 2.5 Iron Duke putting out 90 hp in the Firebird. Count your blessings that this slug of a four pot wasn’t offered for the GP. Pontiac closed its doors in 2010.
Very nice example of a mid 1980’s Grand Prix. Color combo of blue, with a smidge of chrome accent trim, and the black center torque-thrust style wheels, really set it off.
Those who want a little more go to match the show, could take and put a turbo kit on it, like the Buick Regal T-type, or drop in a 3.8 litre stage 3 supercharger kit on it, and watch it fly.
Or watch the piston rods fly out the bottom.
BTW unless Herman Hermann drives it, who needs the suicide knob on the wheel? I remember these as pinky stear.
Con rod says “Hellloooo from the other side, I must’ve knocked a thousand times.”
I get a kick out of this. People disrespect a stalwart engine like a 3.8 V6 but they go out and buy these crappy little four cylinder undersized rides of today.
Crappy 4 banger in 7th Gen Celica (20 year old car) puts out 180 herspers on the GTS. A buck forty on the GT.
This is my favorite body of the G body series , beautiful car , IMHO there are many directions this could go ,leave it alone ,repair the small defects and run it , maybe a turbo with the associated parts it needs for the build ,or a nasty small block or ls swap ,I have had many G body Malibu classics and have had good luck with the platform ,good luck to whomever buys this one it a beauty.
Nobody questions why the tranny was rebuilt before the car’s current 50,000 miles? Hhhmmmm…….
More than likely transmission failure. GM wasn’t known for its “stellar” quality control then or now.
Ideal project car. Nice car but probably not five grand nice. One hundred ten horsepower carrying around near two tons of weight was somebody’s idea of a joke at GM. This car deserves a mechanical upgrade. GLWS.
I have never seen a GP that color I love the color
Is the plate bolted on the floor and suicide knob for handicapped driving apparatus?
I have the same wheels in 18 inch but with lower profiled black walls on my 85 el Camino. This is very nice solid car for the money just my opinion
Now if you dropped in a 455 mated to a 4 spd and then graphed a ‘ 70-71 GTO nose in front….hmm?
I love Pre 87/88 Rear Wheel Drive cars coupes & 4 dr’s.
what I don’t understand is why people who are not into these cars are reading & commenting negative on this site.
I’m not into 90’s & up BMW’s – I might read articles about it – but I won’t comment on it because I’m no expert on that mark. let the seller gets his best price & let buyer bid to what he thinks is worth to him.
negative people should stay away from ruining the auctions.
BTW I’m just looking / Not selling / Not buying.
If depression was vehicle, it would be from this era. Even at $5000 there’s not enough Xanax
This is the first properly priced vehicle I’ve seen here or anywhere else lately. These are not collectables or muscle cars. They are cheap made low HP disposable used cars. Yeah they are good looking. But not worth much over 5 or 6 thousand.
The great thing about these cars that made it to 1988 – they are old school. They were designed in the “mid 70’s” and represent the final era of “ body on frame “. You can still modify them the way you want to A LOT easier than the replacement FWD models. These cars are the last “ medium sized “ V-6/V-8 body on frame, all American, old school engineering. THE FWD replacement models – now those were made to be “DISPOSABLE “. Nice article!