When General Motors retired the Pontiac brand, it was a sad end to a company that had produced some of the most iconic cars ever to roll off an American production line. Who could forget the Trans Am, the GTO, and of course, the Grand Prix? Our 1965 Grand Prix is an original classic that is highly optioned. It presents nicely, but lifting it to the next level would be straightforward. Changing circumstances means that the owner has decided that it needs to go to a new home. Located in Miami, Florida, you will find the Grand Prix listed for sale here on eBay. Solid bidding has pushed the price to $14,800, although this remains short of the reserve. For buyers who wish to bypass the auction process, the seller provides a BIN option of $22,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting another wonderful classic for us.
The 1965 Grand Prix is already a handsome car, but its visual appeal increases when finished in a shade like Nightwatch Blue. The paint on this car looks extremely good for a vehicle of this age. The seller notes a few minor flaws that he planned to address, but the car remains untouched since these were not urgent. This Pontiac has split its life between Florida and California, making it no surprise that its impressively straight panels, floors, and frame remain rust-free. The trim and chrome look nice, although the owner suggests that sending the bumpers to the platers might be a wise move. Their condition isn’t horrendous, but this course of action would reinstate their original luster. The tinted glass appears excellent, with no significant flaws or defects. One of my favorite Pontiac options from this era was the 8-lug wheels. They give any Pontiac a bold and aggressive appearance, and the ones fitted to this Grand Prix appear perfect.
For buyers seeking an effortless classic motoring experience, this Grand Prix delivers. Its engine bay features the 389ci V8, a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. With 325hp on tap, this Pontiac should storm through the ¼ mile in 16.1 seconds. That number looks pretty impressive for a car that tips the scales at 4,546lbs. The seller indicates that the vehicle is numbers-matching and has been appropriately maintained. The under-hood presentation is spotless, and it doesn’t flatter to deceive. The car runs and drives perfectly and appears to be a turnkey classic where the buyer could fly in and drive home.
Pontiac wanted buyers to feel special when they climbed aboard their Grand Prix, meaning that they added some distinctive luxury touches. Bucket seats and a console were standard fare, although a buyer could specify the optional bench seat with center armrest. The dash and console featured acres of faux walnut trim, while the sparkle of chrome and bright trim pieces added to the luxury impression. Our feature Grand Prix is in excellent condition. The owner has replaced the carpet, headliner, and a few other trim pieces. The Black Morrokide vinyl upholstery appears excellent, without wear or other issues. The same is true of the timber trim, the console, and the dash. There seems to be a single crack in the wheel, while the cover makes it difficult to determine the state of the dash pad. It may hide some problems, although the overall condition of the rest of the interior suggests that it could be there to protect that area from harsh UV rays. The owner installed a CD player in the glove compartment with speakers in the rear parcel tray, but there appear to be no other aftermarket additions. Luxury appointments abound inside this Grand Prix. The buyer receives ice-cold air conditioning, power windows, a power driver’s seat, power trunk release, and a tilt wheel.
While Pontiac remains an active trademark, there is little chance that General Motors will ever reactivate the brand. Economic rationalism suggests it would not be financially viable, meaning that it is another marque consigned to the pages of history. That makes it vital that vehicles like this 1965 Grand Prix are preserved for future generations to appreciate. Lifting this car’s presentation from its current level to the highest standard would not be difficult or expensive and would seem to be worth the effort. The bidding hasn’t been frantic, which is a surprise when you look at the options that this car features. The BIN looks highly competitive, and I won’t be surprised if this Grand Prix heads to a new home very soon.
Back in the day I wouldn’t have looked twice at this.
Today? Beautiful.
My late father loved Pontiacs. This one looks nice. Sellers would benefit if they posted better pictures and include the underside. Walk around and cold start videos would be a bonus.
Love The BIG Pontiacs. My Uncle had one of these back in the day. Loved It Then, Love It Now.
The interior wood panels aren’t faux at all – these are walnut veneer parts and usually dry up and crack. I suspect this specimen was cared for and garaged from day one since its clear steering wheel – which usually yellow and crack – is still in very presentable condition. While not on the the level of our time’s retro musclecars I can attest that a 389 – even in a fullsize Pontiac – is definately no boat anchor.
Personally I couldn’t care less about Pontiac now gone, same goes for Oldsmobile. Back when this GP was new GM’s divisions carried a uniqueness which I can’t say I’ve seen on their offerings the last 4 decades. Believe it or not; this GP shares its main body architecture with the ’65 Chev still it’s a very different car both visually and technically. A modern day Pontiac was nothing but a Chev or Opel only with a different face. If it’s a split grill you want on your new GM car just buy an axe
Hey Local sheriff. Pontiacs had chromed metal interior parts. Chevys got chromed plastics on radios, window crank handles door locks. Suspensions were different too. Remember what Wide Track was?
Tman; as an owner of both a ’64 ‘pala + a ’64 Bonnie I regard myself as ‘fairly familiar’ with the differences between the two in the 60s. That was my exact point above; back in the days the division’s offerings were so different both VISUALLY and TECHNICALLY that it could be justified to churn out divisional models.
All these unique features were lost once GM settled for their corporate solutions in the late 70s turning every GM car – regardless of division – to as good as identical. There were simply no advantages of buying a Pontiac or Olds over a Chev other than the grill badge…
These mid 60’s Poncho’s were (IMO) the height of GM’s styling range. Although my preference is for the ’66, this one is a beauty and I’d not evict it from my garage! That instrument panel, WOW! what one should look like before “bean counting” de-contenting (stupid, but it sounds better than “stripping”, I guess!). GLWTA!! :-)
Loved my ’66, only “drawback” with mine was the bench w/armrest and column shifter. Would embarrass new Mustangs and Camaro’s back in the 80’s, and that’s with the skirts&spare in the trunk! Sure wish I kept that one.
If it only had a 428 and a 4 spd…
In the early ’70s A good friend had a ’65 2+2 421 Tri Power 4spd, black on black . What a car! You could actually see the gas gauge drop when he ran it through the gears. Good times…
I Has Two Cars That Did That. My 65 GTO ( 3 Duces) and My 60 Plymouth ( 2 4’s) Loved the race between the gas gauge and speedometer.
Road Eater!
Neighbor had this exact car. It was a treat as a kid getting to ride in it. The dash was beautiful then and is today. First car I ever saw with a factory tach right there in the console. My dad was frugal and never moved up from Chevy’s.
That is not a tach in the console it is a vacuum gauge.
Richard, that’s not a tach, it’s a vacuum gauge.
My parents bought a 65 in 67 when I first got my license. I used to take it cruising the Ft. Lauderdale beach almost every night. Plenty of room in that backseat for most activities. Like this one, ours was fully loaded and even had a reverb switch…talk about a cool feature in 1967!
I am going on memory and stand corrected. Now that I remember it had a green, yellow and red area. It was a great riding car. Had everything my parents’ car didn’t. A/C wasn’t in any of my parents cars until 15 years later.
With all the respect in the world: the factory tach was located on dash just left of the speedometer…the factory vacuum guage was located on the console. That is where the factory install was…someone may have relocated the tach to the console.
Yes, you are correct, and that is where they are located on this car.
My first car was a1965 Grand Prix in Midnight Blue with white interior and four speed on the floor that I ordered brand new. Back in 65 you could order it special from the factory. Great car brings back great memories of my youth
Too bad the seller did not pay the extra few bucks for the full size photo format!
When I was in grade school,there was a teacher
who drove a red one.One of those cars that sticks in
your memory.
My parents bought one new in 1965. It was Palmetto Green with a black vinyl top. It didn’t have full power like this one does. It was the first time they didn’t buy a Chevrolet or Rambler. In 1974 the milkman ( for those that remember them) lived in the neighborhood and bought his wife a new Monte Carlo and they had a 65 Grand Prix with full power. He sold Ike the GP for $200. Damn, I wish I had kept it. These are great cruisers.
I bought 65 Grand Prix in 1985 for $650 and used it delivering pizzas for Domino’s. It was fast, kept me out of the “30 minutes or it’s free“ zone and always started. Unfortunately it chewed up its drum brakes roaring up and down Queen Anne Hill in Seattle.
The interiors of the Grand Prix’s were so nicely appointed with the real wood veneers and all the chrome as mentioned in an earlier comment. I think the 8 lug wheels were about a $83. or so option. Today if you can find them you’ll spend about $1500. for a good set.
I almost got one of these in 1982-83 in the same color. Some dude my dad was talking to brought it instead. My uncle had one in a peach color and that baby would run! I wouldn’t turn this away one bit.