By the mid-1960’s, even Ford and Chevrolet were offering new luxury trim and models to rival their Lincoln and Cadillac cousins. And in 1971, Pontiac entered the king-size luxury car field in a big way with the introduction of the Grand Ville. It was positioned as “the first true luxury car at a sensible price” and was touted for its roominess, comfort, a long list of standard features, a 455-cubic-inch V8, and “the richness of Grand Ville interiors” (including Carpathian burl elm vinyl accents). It was, without a doubt, the most posh Poncho ever made. Here’s a beautiful survivor from 1973 that, except for a few paint chips, looks to be in like new condition. It’s located in Guttenberg, Iowa at Dave Brown Classic Rides and is listed for sale here on eBay for $17,500. Another shout out to Mitchell G. for sending this grand-looking Grand Ville our way!
I’d like to know what this big Pontiac has been doing the last 52 years and its story, but based on the photos, it’s obviously been garage kept and pampered. The mint green paint (I believe it’s called Slate Green) looks shiny and presentable, the black vinyl top is in very good condition as are the bumpers, grille, rubber, glass, trim, and Grand Ville badging. With the fender skirts and Caddy-like fully wheel covers, this is one impressive Pontiac. Although the front styling on these luxury Pontiacs is “pleasant”, I always liked the rear styling better. It just has a hint of Grand Prix sportiness in my eyes.
Dave has posted a number of photos of the Grand Ville’s plush green interior and they’re a bit breath taking to say the least. It looks practically new with minimal-if-any wear visible on the seats, and the door panels are very impressive and luxurious. (And check out the two rear passenger cigarette lighters on the top side of the front seats that have never been used.) Pontiac’s slick sales brochure said it was the richest interior they’d ever put in a Pontiac and described the bench seats as “a rich, fluted damask trimmed in leather-like Morrokide.” They also bragged how their new front foam seats were so comfortable that your favorite easy chair could be nudged into second place on your comfort list. Being an old advertising creative guy and copywriter, I just love that line. This is one great-looking original interior and doesn’t look 52 years old at all.
Under that long, mint green metallic hood is the Grand Ville’s power plant: a 455-cubic-inch V8 with 44,890 original miles. It’s mated to a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. Yes, the Grand Ville was aptly named and definitely made a statement in GM’s now crowded six-passenger luxury car field. And at a length of 226.3,” it was within an inch or so of a Cadillac Sedan DeVille. This is one of the nicest, low-mileage ’73 Grand Ville four-door hardtops we’ve seen here on Barn Finds. If you’re looking for one of the best survivors out there in Time Capsule Land, I’d say look no further.
3 cigarette 🚬 lighters on board this beautiful GrandVille. The big motor, all the luxury, fantastic Pontiac 👍
Ok…. Show of hands….. who thought of the great chase scene from the movie The 7 Ups???? Bill Hickman did a phenomenal job in that movie, along with another somewhat ( joking) popular movie Bullet. I remember the big full sized Olds Buicks and Pontiacs with those cigarette lighters mounted on the ends of the front seats for the rear passengers to use Stan!! This Pontiac is absolutely gorgeous!!! I’m with you Ron, where has this been all these years!!! Its a gem for sure. Love the colors with the black vinyl top. It has all the luxury of the Oldsmobiles and Buicks too.
Great find Mitchell G and good pick, Ron. “A working man’s Cadillac” our neighbor said with pride about his deep green exact version of this beauty.
Awesome Hollywood memory, Dave! The roar of the intake and squealing of “premium rubber” jacked up many a moviegoer with both of these gearhead movies.
I immediately thought of that scene, one of the best, in my opinion. This one is beautiful, I wish I could buy it. It deserves to be preserved and enjoyed for what nit is.
I thought of that movie too with stuntman Bill Hickman driving the black Grandville and being chased by Roy schieder in a Pontiac Ventura. Those big Pontiacs had all Torque with those 455 engines. I have the movie at home.
This chase was much better than Bullitt, IMO. The Ventura borrowed the same engine sounds as the Mustang.
It sold at Mecum in July for $6,600 at Harrisburg
Nice flip. I just did a google search of the VIN
Good find. There is a lot of really nice cars it’s competing priced about what it sold first at auction, this may be nicer than most, but is it 3 times better?
Steve R
DONT FORGET THAT 350 VENTURA IN THE 7 UPS 😲😲😲
Great illustration of how we’ve went downhill with our cars, this Granville has the colors and luxury, there isn’t a car today to match the ride and luxury, and beauty of this Granville.
These are a nice successor to the Bonneville Brougham, maintaining the long wheelbase and inheriting the C-body roofline. I love the colors and would enjoy applying the throttle to that 455.
Hickman was a hell of stunt driver and stunt coordinator as well. they dont make movies like those anymore
i saw this @ Harrisburg mecum and it is nice but i would be surprised if they can almost triple the investment. there were a lot of people there and they felt 6600.00 was the # which is bit cheap, but this car has a limited market range. i guess time will tell
This would look great next to my 73 convertible Grandville!
I also saw this beauty at Mecum in Harrisburg. It is very nice, but the radiator is leaking near the neck. Try and find an old timer who can fix copper-brass radiators. Good luck. Today, we have plastic Chinese crap radiators we just throw away at our dealership. I smash off the cheap plastic tanks and get money at the local yard for clean aluminum, Someone added that stupid air cleaner label, these cars never had those. I grew up in a Pontiac family, had a 72 Catalina four door hardtop. Beautiful, hard on gas. This car is overpriced.