Finding a rust-free project car is nothing to sneeze at, especially when it is a classic like this 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix. It has spent its life in a dry climate that has preserved its steel. That means the buyer won’t face countless hours of cutting and welding to whip it into a sound structural state. This beauty runs and drives, but extended inactivity means it needs tweaking and tuning before the new owner attempts any long journeys. If you’re tempted, you will find this Grand Prix listed here on eBay in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bidding has raced to $4,050 in a short but sweet No Reserve auction.
Pontiac launched its Second Generation Grand Prix in 1965, with the company adopting the typical Coke-bottle styling from that period. Buyers could choose from a Convertible or Hardtop body, with both measuring around eighteen feet in overall length. The chrome rocker moldings and fender skirts accentuated the size but gave the vehicle a lower appearance. Our Cameo White feature car spent its life in Nevada, with the dry climate assisting in its preservation. The paint shines well for its age, although meticulous buyers may find a repaint too tempting to resist. The panels are straight, but the rust-free status might prove a bonus for those considering a DIY approach. It means there is no cutting or welding in this build, and any cosmetic work can happen as time and circumstances allow. The glass looks okay, and the trim is acceptable for a driver-grade classic. Rounding out the exterior is a set of 8-lug wheels, which rate as one of my favorite options from that era.
The same dry climate that preserves classic steel can exact a high toll on trim and upholstery, and this Grand Prix has not been immune. I’ve seen far worse, but the new owner will probably want to refresh this interior. The front buckets wear odd covers that are faded, and the blanket covering the top of the back seat may indicate baked and crumbling vinyl. It is unclear whether the dash cover hides similar issues, but some of the faux woodgrain is worn and tired. The tops of the door trims also show distress, and with worn carpet to consider, a trim kit would seem the most cost-effective option to address these woes. A high-quality kit will leave no change from $2,200 but includes everything to return the interior to as-new condition.
We’ve reached the point with this Pontiac where we must confront some potentially bad news for those considering the investment potential of this classic. The car rolled off the line equipped with a 421ci V8 producing 338hp. The original owner added a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. This combination allowed the 4,261lb Grand Prix to cover the ¼ mile in 15.5 seconds. Those figures are largely irrelevant because the original V8 is long gone. A previous owner slotted in a 383 Stroker motor, although its specifications are unclear. The seller indicates the car has sat for a while, and although it runs and drives well, it needs some carburetor work to transform it into a practical daily driver. If potential buyers aren’t concerned about spotless originality, the new motor should still provide performance to satisfy most enthusiasts.
This 1966 Grand Prix shows promise as a project car because addressing most of its shortcomings should not prove challenging. The only significant downside buyers must consider is the loss of its original V8. The replacement would still offer excellent performance, but the lack of a numbers-matching status will negatively impact its potential value. However, that hasn’t prevented nine people from submitting twelve bids on this Pontiac. The No Reserve status will attract potential buyers, but is that enough to tempt you to join the party on this gentle giant?
To me one of the nicest cars of the time.Too bad that smooth,powerful Pontiac engine is gone.
On another automotive site, that shall remain nameless, they featured a resto-mod car just like this, only black, natch, They showed the builder, a gray haired old fart with deep pockets, possibly obtained from bilking the public elsewhere,, that obviously liked the GP, but just had to schmaltz it up with some goofy 700hp motor, you know, the kind with no wires or hoses anywhere, silly wheels, etc, I know, it’s his deal, but I was appalled. As if the GP wasn’t a fantastic enough car as it was, just not good enough. Naturally, I got lambasted for my views, which I’m getting used to, but really, $4grand for this,(and $15gs for the rusty Bronco), and you wonder why I’m upset with the world today. Coo-coo, coo-coo,,,
AND, a quick mention to our unfortunate friends in Florida, who never thought Florida could have such nasty weather, let’s hope their valuables were on higher ground, if any.
Really, Seeing the Bastardized “383”, makes you wonder just what other “surprises” are in store for the next owner!
Howard, anyone living here in Florida and never thinking we could have such nasty weather, probably shouldn’t be living here. It’s simply part of the program.
Oh, and I agree completely about resto-modding the black GP.
After all of that, yeah these are very good looking cars. And fender skirts are part of the design. Not some crazy afterthought.
As far as bad weather in Florida a Cat 5 Hurricane is not normal bad weather. It is about the worst kind of weather events on our planet. Just got back from Ft Myers picked up my 92 year old mother. She was one of the lucky ones. The destruction it caused and still no idea the death till is not normal bad weather. No water, no power, no food, some without homes or transportation. Phones cell and land lines were down. It’s really bad and that hurricane did nothing they thought they knew about these storms. Put them in your thoughts.
Great example of what Pontiac called the the “Wide Track” Looking at the listing, the seats seem odd. Red back seats, and it looks like sprayed gold front seats?
might need a heater core
383 Stroker? Please…Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
I’ve mentioned before and will again,because why not.That’s real walnut wood trim..Pontiac was one of the last American makes to employ genuine wood in their interiors.That’s scratching and scuffing not fading you see..love big Pontiacs.
One correction to your commentary…..Grand Prix was only offered for one year as a convertible and that was in 1967. I know because I owned one equipped with a 428 high output engine coupled to a three speed automatic. Car was an absolute beast for its size and weight. Had it for a year, sold it, and bought my dream car, a 1970 GTO RA IV, four speed close ratio, and as I remember, a 3.90 rear. Need I say more?
What a beauty. 66 was a great year for about every model car ever made and this is one of them. I’d have to pop a vintage Air AC system in her and drive anywhere. Great find.
2 words: NO AIR?
I wonder if the guy who swapped the original engine for the 383 ditched the ac brackets and A6 compressor, or if it wasn’t a factory air car to begin with. A warmed up 389 may have been a better choice if he didn’t have, or couldn’t rebuild its original engine.
Patience would bring a proper 421 out of the woodwork. In the meantime, enjoy it as-is. My favorite Grand Prix, amongst a field of great looking GP’s.
FYI – 1967 was the only year the GP was offered as a ragtop.
I have a ’66 Bonneville. This car was never equipped for A/C (the blank plate on the firewall at the heater core). Yes, it has to be leaking to be bypassed like that.
I just happen to have a 1966 Y-code 389 & TH400 stored in my garage from my first ’66 Bonneville that was wrecked in 2000. Tempting…
It didn’t look like a blank plate to me, where the AC part would be,but you can tell heater core was bypassed when he did the engine swap. A 383 stroker is nothing to sneeze at but a 389 would have been a better match and these days good luck finding or rebuilding an original 421
Also: If this was a factory A/C car there’d be vent balls at the lower corners of the dash, left & right.
The blank plate at the firewall would be holed for the evaporator lines.
Replacing heater cores in these isn’t much fun. If someone added a Vintage Air system at least there wouldn’t be as much to remove it. Last time I did one the old heater box under dash had to be removed and replaced with the new unit.