From its introduction in the early 1960s, the Pontiac Grand Prix would be a leader in the personal luxury car market. And GM also worked to ensure that performance was always part of the equation. The Grand Prix, along with all of GM’s intermediates, got a redesign in 1973 using “Colonnade” styling and this 1977 may be the most attractive of the five-year iteration. Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, this impressive beauty is available here on craigslist for $19,500. Thanks for the bountiful tip, PRA4SNW!
The fourth generation of the Grand Prix was built from 1973 to 1977 and was enormously popular, despite the energy crisis that was going on at the time. More than 856,000 copies were produced during this period, and the ’77 editions set a record at more than 288,000 vehicles. So, the buying public was in love with the Grand Prix – and for good reason as it may have been the most stylish of the GM mid-size offerings. The Grand Prix (and the others) would get downsized in 1978 and it lost some of its charm in the process (IMO). Even though these cars had bigger-than-life bumpers, the Grand Prix wore them well!
This generation wasn’t as fast as the years before them thanks to an increase in weight and ever-growing emissions standards that robbed engines of horsepower. The biggest engine you could get in a Grand Prix in 1977 was the 180 hp (SAE net) 400 cubic inch V8, which was standard in the high-end SJ model like the seller’s car. Fortunately, these models escaped the new and anemic 301 V8 that was underpowered for the weight of the auto. And are now less popular with collectors.
We’re not told much about the history of this Pontiac other than it has 89,000 miles and has been clearly well-taken care of. Has the drivetrain, body, paint, or interior been refreshed? We don’t know, but it all looks stunning no matter what. The bucket seats are ready to reach out and grab you for a weekend road trip or perhaps an outing to Cars & Coffee where automobiles like this can be rare finds today. Is this the nicest ’77 Grand Prix left? Maybe, but if not, it’s got to be in the Top 10!
I owned a ’73 white on white over burgundy GP. IMHO the ’73 with it’s narrow bumpers was the high point in GP colonnade design. Ran like a raped ape with that 400.
My friend had a 73 with that same 400, white with tan top and interior. Loved the slit rear tail lights on those as well!
Ran like a raped ape, haven’t heard that expression in decades. It’s still good though
it’s been re-sprayed, and it’s missing the wheel mouldings.
And the side edge moldings are awol as well
It still looks real nice even know that’s true. The moldings are available in my garage outback.
Like a beautiful woman, these always had it coming and going.
Respray is a plus if done right. Probably had a landau top stripped too. I’d bet it was white or red. All good things have been done for this car already. Who cares about the wheel moldings? Buy new ones.
My guess is red landau roof, based on the red molding around the rear window. This molding matched the color of the vinyl roof, but would have been chrome on a car with a painted roof.
Buy new wheel opening moldings for a ’73 to ’77 Grand Prix? please let me know where as both my 1975 and ’77 could use some.
Those actually have handsome instrument panels
Not sure if 19,500 is fair or high so I will say, fairly high. The body lines on this Poncho are sharp, elegabt and classy, looks better without the body or wheel mouldings. Colr combo works for me and Yeah, the vinyl padded half roof rust maker is gone. Respray is fine if done well. Basic 400 Poncho, I think it would do you well to find some pre 1974 pieces like heads, cam, headers and intake, carbs (3 deuces?) to wake up that blue thunder under the long hood. That would keep it numbers matching but truly earn the SJ badging.
Firethorn was about the nicest red at a time when red was a desirable color. The lack of opera window trim doesn’t take away from the appearance from a distance. If it were the nicest it would have the wood tone on the steering wheel. Pontiac had good looking steering wheels in the 70s.
I bought a new 1977 GP, SJ model.
It was Roman Red with a white vinyl top.
White interior.
All SJ models came with the wide side moldings, chrome trim around the wheels and chrome looking trim around the rear opra windows etc.
This one looks nice, but really bland with all of these original parts missing.
I have also never seen a SJ model without a vinyl top?
A nice car, but really needs a few more dollars spent and make it look original.
I’m not sure about the steering wheel, but it sure doesn’t look like any other 1977 GP SJ model that I remember seeing ?
Just my oponion!
Normally, when I see fresh paint and missing rocker panel and/or wheel opening moldings, I suspect poor rust repairs. In this case, though, I think the builder just wanted a cleaner look, since the vinyl roof is also gone.
These were great cars imo. They were the classiest cars of the era besides the Caddy. I had a 77 LJ it was an emerald green with a tan Landau top and interior. The chrome T-tops were sweet. Had a nice set of superior spoke wheels with white walls. It did originally come with the anemic 301. After we blew up we ended up putting a 71 455 in it. Then it was a fun driver.
If this one is a ten, mine is a two or three!
Well I remember when…. yeah, I am that old.
We used to be able to pick these up for under a grand – usually in great shape with reasonable milage on them. A good friend of mine grabbed one for a winter beater (instead of the 6y.o. Vette) for $700 circa ’87 or ’88.
I always liked these, just never owned one… don’t know why.
I have a restored 73 SJ factory sunroof car, 455 every option except cornering lights, I too did not put my wheel opening moldings on cause they are ugly, no one repos them, NOS 1000.00 for 4, I already got robbed for the Mylar Pontiac emblem on the front between the grill, NOS 500.00,
Huh. That’s a nice, clean one. Like this better than the 77 LJ barnfinds.com featured the other day… This would be worth a look I’d say. As long as the exhaust isn’t messed with which it might very well be. The last dual exhaust GP was 1974. Anything with dual exhaust the catalytic converters have been removed and I just wouldn’t go with it.
From a distance, the paint job appears to be in good shape. Perhaps due to rust issues the wheel well moldings and vinyl top were removed. I did notice the turn signal stock cover is missing and the rest of the wood grain has been removed from the steering wheel
Now that I keep looking at this GP, I seem to remember mine having chrome moulding on the bottom rocker panels?
I can’t seem to find a picture of it, but I’m pretty sure it did?
Chrome was the thing to have in that era. More chrome equals a higher end vehicle.
Chrome always caused water and salt to collect, then later rust appears.
You sometimes didn’t notice the rust until you start removing the chrome to repaint it, then you face reality.
I understand this seller just wants to sell, but i would spend more money on it, then i could justify asking more money for the vehicle.
I love Gran Prix’s, starting in 1969 thru 1977.
The more of them that i see, the more I want another one!
Just my oponion!
Bought one just like this in fall spring of 1977. Only T tops and white leather seats. $8200 and thought that was crazy. Should have kept it.