The Grand Prix was one of Pontiac’s most enduring nameplates, running as a personal luxury car for 40 years. Popular was the Colonnade era of the automobile (1973-77) when GM began eliminating true hardtops while retaining frameless doors. This example from 1977 looks rather nice, though it has a few bumps and bruises at 87,000 miles. We’re told it runs well and has a “new” transmission. Located in Sacramento, California, this coupe is available here on craigslist for $6,500. Thanks for the latest tip, Rocco B.!
Fourth-generation Grand Prix’s were perhaps the largest and heaviest ever, increasing fuel consumption. And yet, with gas prices soaring in the mid-1970s, the cars got more popular than ever – before the across-the-board downsizing at GM began in the latter half of the decade. The 1977 Grand Prix models were the best-selling ones up to that point, at more than 288,000 copies (the Chevy Monte Carlo did even better at 403,000 units). Three models were still offered, the J, LJ, and SJ, and we assume the seller’s car is the former.
This machine has the largest engine Pontiac would sell in the Grand Prix at the time, a 403 cubic inch “Rocket” V8 borrowed from Oldsmobile (GM has already begun cross-pollinating motors across divisions). The seller says it runs and stops as it should, and a TH-350 automatic transmission was “just put in” – does that mean it’s new, rebuilt, or lifted from another GM car? The Pontiac looks good, showing no major exterior sheet metal and paint issues. However, the seller indicates there is some rust in the trunk but doesn’t show us how bad it is.
Overall, the seller rates the auto’s condition as “fair,” perhaps because the interior shows the car’s mileage. The driver’s bucket seat (swiveling?) has at least one tear in it, but it’s hard to say about the rest as the seller chooses to use photos that highlight only specific areas rather than broader angles of the whole car and the passenger compartment. If you like this era of the Pontiac Grand Prix, would you take a gamble on this one?
It looks like it has a lot of options for the base car but it doesn’t look like swivel seats as far as I can tell. I think swivels were one piece and this seat looks like it folds in two. Also I don’t think swivel seats were powered. That’s even if they offered them in these models…interesting car, too bad the interior is trashed
JCA you are correct, the swivel were one piece. Had a set in a 76 Cutlass S and always wished they could recline a little!
Did these have swivels? I had a 77 with buckets but not swivels…great car when you’re 16-17 but a heavy sled thats saucy on the road…I wouldn’t want it again even for nostalgia.
Some firebird’s also had the 403, not sure why the Pontiac 400 was as strong as the 455 within a couple HP and Ft Lbs.
What many people didn’t know is the GP and Monte both had engines set back several inches more than other models except the Vette which they shared the front cross member with that had the recess for the fuel pump so they could get it back as far as possible. Some short track guys know this very well, these were far easier to get a good front-rear weight bias.
Speak for yourself. I had one back in 92, and I’d still own one today, but prefer white, and with a T-400 trans and Pontiac engine that came with my 77. Still one of the most beautiful cars Pontiac ever produced.
Would take a visit for me to see and A- 1 mechanic to ensure its a solid car. I liked the 1977 edition & with that big 403. Anyhoo $6500 might is a fair price but again would have a mechanic check her out & put her up on a lift.
I have a soft spot for these as I had one in the 80’s. Maroon on maroon. It was an aircraft carrier but mine had a 301 if memory serves and it was a horrible engine.
Those olds engines would not pass a chevy vega, really dogs, probabally did much to start the downward spiral of GM and Pontiac eventually, just a sad and bad story from the bean counter CEO’s at GM running at great company right into the ground for stock profits for the chosen few. Now all GM’s are just rebadged Chevys made in Mexico and China.
Aside from maybe an L82 Corvette, was there anything made in 1977 that wasn’t a real dog? They went to “corporate” engines because of government regulations. Having five divisions competing with each other to make their own engines compliant with federal and California emissions and fuel economy requirements is a ridiculous cost. The rest of the car was already a corporate platform, and FoMoCo and Chrysler already had corporate engines and fewer divisions. The Oldsmobile 403 was used in Pontiacs because the Pontiac 400 wouldn’t meet emissions requirements, the same reason the carbureted Oldsmobile 307 outlived everything but the small block Chevy and was even used in some applications where the 305 Chevy couldn’t pass.
It always struck me as odd that GM buyers were bothered by engines coming from other divisions as Ford (the MEL destination would be called POC if GM had dumnit!l and Chrysler were doing it already, but TO THIS DAY are not “dissed” for it
Oh, well.. In this case one got an “upgrade ” by getting the Oldsmobile engine in a Pontiac!
I don’t think you really understand Ford to think the MEL is in this category.
There appears to be an “SJ” emblem on the right front fender.
My kingdom for a 455 SJ … in black. My buddy had a 74 with a massaged 455. It was a monster load of fun.
I own out GP with 455 v 8. Its got 23k miles Lt blue. I added 2 radiators because phoenix 100 f temps. Adding radiator custom shroud 4 fans. Owned 23 years
I had a 76 Grand Prix black red velour interior. It was a SJ model and has the factory Hurst TTops had the decal in the door jam from Hurst. I loved that car put over a 100,000 miles on it before trading it in. Mine had a 400 cid with a 4bbl carb and was a great highway cruiser. Every year I would rub it out with DuPont #7 to get the hairline scratches out and then wax it. It always shined like a mirror. Good luck to the seller and to the buyer happy cruising.
Those olds engines would not pass a chevy vega, really dogs, probabally did much to start the downward spiral of GM and Pontiac eventually, just a sad and bad story from the bean counter CEO’s at GM running at great company right into the ground for stock profits for the chosen few. Now all GM’s are just rebadged Chevys made in Mexico and China.
197-Malaise
I recently owned a ‘78 Buick Electra with an Olds 403 V8 and found it to be a super reliable, clean running engine that didn’t burn a drop of oil. You could do a whole lot worse in the mid-1970s–like the Buick 231 V6 that was in my Pontiac LeMans, for example. That car could not get out of its own way and used a quart of oil trying!
Love that Electra///plush velour, smooth shifting…armrest this former little guy was allowed to sit on before we got to the stop sign to turn on the main road.
Copy and paste duplicate posts much?
This car has been 4-Sale going on it’s 3rd attempt. Interior does need some attention but not too bad. Trunk pan appears very crusty with rust on the rear drivers 1/4 panel and who knows where else without seeing from the photos. My friend bought a new one and were indeed a nice cruiser and had some decent body lines. The location of the car’s area is not the greatest so if your intending on viewing, bring along some insurance. Owner said the vehicle runs well but will it SMOG in the 73 Billion dollor deficit of Calif?
Interesting that this has an Oldsmobile engine? Are you sure? We sold a swack of these back in ’77 and they either had a Pontiac-built 301, 350 or 400. I never saw one with an Olds. At least not in ’77. We sold Firebirds with 301s, 350s and 400s too. I might add that my Grand Am had a 301. All Pontiac built…
All 400’s sold in CA were sold with the 403 instead because the 400 couldn’t pass CA’s stricter emissions standards. All of the CA Tran Am 6.6’s were built the same way
OK. Our vehicles were Federal US so they obviously didn’t have the same rules. Now that you mention it I do remember seeing a bulletin regarding that same thing. Thanks for bringing it up…
A buddy of mine had one back in the early 90s and I thought it was odd that it had an olds in it, I thought for sure it had been swapped but when we bought parts for it the olds was one of the options. This was the year they started sharing engines and I believe the last year Pontiac stopped producing engines. I have a Pontiac 400 that came out of an original 79 firebird and the date code says 77. I had an argument with the guy at the local parts store, he claimed Pontiac didn’t put a 400 in the firebird in 79 and insisted that I had a 403 olds. I have several Pontiac and Oldsmobile, I sure I know the difference
Am I the only one who finds it amusing that Pontiac used specific accessory mounting brackets and a specific thermostat housing on the Oldsmobile engine to make the accessory layout and upper radiator hose routing look like those of a Pontiac engine?