Having a classic car that presents superbly would never be classed as a bad thing. When the vehicle in question possesses the muscle to back those looks, the chances are that you’re onto a winner. That is the case with this 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ. Its exterior looks stunning, but the original 455ci V8 under the hood means that it has the performance credentials that prove it is more than a pretty face. It has spent its life in dry southern climates, but the owner feels that it is the right time for it to find a new home. Located in Benton, Arkansas, the owner has listed the SJ for sale here on Craigslist. You can drive away in this classic for $24,950. A big thank you has to go to Barn Finder rex m for spotting this stunning Grand Prix for us.
The Grand Prix presents beautifully in Bronze with a matching vinyl top. The first thing to note is that the Cragar wheels that it wears aren’t original, but their traditional style is within keeping with this classic’s character. The paint is in excellent order, with no flaws or issues worth noting. The panels are about as straight as you could hope to find, and the gaps are impressively consistent. The vinyl top is in excellent condition, with no evidence of rips or bubbles that would suggest the onset of rust. The owner doesn’t mention any rust issues under the car, and if the floors are as clean as the exterior, potential buyers could be onto a winner with this gem. The trim and chrome shine as impressively as the paint, and the tinted glass looks flawless.
Buyers in 1971 had a couple of engine choices when they ordered their new Grand Prix, but the original owner of this car went straight to the top of the class. As a result, its drivetrain includes the 455ci V8, a three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. While emission regulations were beginning to make themselves felt, that incredible V8 could still churn out 325hp. That means that if the driver pointed the SJ at a ¼ mile, the journey would be over in a respectable 15.3 seconds. It seems that the news on the drivetrain front appears to be nothing but positive. The owner believes that the odometer reading of 35,000 miles could be original, but he can’t confirm this conclusively. However, when you look at the vehicle’s overall condition, it seems to be plausible. He doesn’t provide specific information on how it runs or drives, but the visual impression that this Pontiac makes suggests that it could all be pretty positive. He holds some of the vehicle’s original documentation but doesn’t elaborate on what this is.
If I have any qualms about this Pontiac’s interior, it revolves around the cover that the owner has fitted to the dash. If he is like me, that is there to protect the pad from harmful UV rays. I can verify that this approach is well worth the expense to protect this vulnerable aspect of the interior. If it is hiding any flaws, we don’t receive any information in that regard. Otherwise, the car’s interior is just as impressive as its exterior. The cloth upholstery on the seats shows no evidence of wear or stains. The carpet isn’t quite as good, although it is a long way from being a horror story. Potential buyers could live with it, although the temptation would be to spend $180 on a fresh carpet set. The remaining upholstered surfaces and the dash are excellent, while the factory air conditioning, power windows, and tilt wheel should add to a feeling of luxury for this classic’s occupants.
Cars like this 1971 Grand Prix SJ are historically significant within the American automotive landscape. It marked the last hurrah for the V8 before The Malaise Era strangled their performance to the point where they became a shadow of their former selves. It was decades before manufacturers could claw back the lost ground, but it also means that many of these pre-Malaise cars have become highly sought. That is the case with this vehicle because values for the ’71 Grand Prix SJ have been increasing at a healthy rate in recent years. The Malaise Era may be history, but performance car enthusiasts are facing another challenge in the future. New car manufacturers are beginning to turn their backs on internal combustion engines, focusing on zero-emission vehicles. Whether that will see internal combustion head the way of the dodo is something that we can only speculate about. What it does mean is that protecting and preserving cars like this will become increasingly important. I hope that someone does that in this case because this classic would seem to deserve that treatment.
Nice.
Nice car, but shouldn’t an SJ have buckets abd a center console?
I don’t know if it should have bucket seats and a console or not, but it doesn’t look right without them to me. That’s the only flaw I see.
I dont believe it is an SJ or even an LJ, that is the plainest looking interior ive ever seen on a GP, although it its very clean, also iirc, an SJ would say so on lower front fenders….pretty car regardless…
Bench seat and column shift on any GP is trash but on an SJ is even worse. Something has been tampered with here.
Saw that right away, it should have. My 1970 SJ did.
I am betting that this is not a SJ Grand Prix and bet that the engine is not a 455. Needs to show the phs to prove this car is for real
It’s a beautiful car but for that kind of money I want buckets and a console – not a column shift and bench. I find it hard to believe this was an SJ
First time I have ever seen any of these Grand Prix models with a bench seat and I have owned a few of these. Of course selling Pontiac Buick and GMC for well over 30 years I can attest to the fact GM would give you too many ways to delete and option, add specific options and color combos unheard of.
Never seen that era GP without a console.
I don’t remember the SJ markings to be on the front lower fender like that.
We may need to revisit the basic concept and definition of “barn find.”
IMHO, air cleaner base looks goofy painted blue. Surely, Pontiac would have done a better job matching the upholstery to the paint color; I believe it’s been redone.
As far as buckets and console, don’t claim to have any Pontiac knowledge, at all. But, in the case of my ’73 Riviera, only learned after buying the correct floor shift console that Buick didn’t offer buckets with oxblood (maroon) upholstery. Maybe Pontiac had similar restrictions.
Air cleaner is not stock looks to be from a Buick. Windsheild washer bottle is and holder is not from this era. Interior seat materials are not anywhere close to what the factory used. Nobody should buy a Pontiac until the have seen the PHS on the car they are interested in. This car is a complete fake
I have worked on a Pontiac 455 it is a massive engine the one in that car is too small. Interior is totally wrong for a Grand Prix SJ
LAWRENCE COX (are you Fawnda’s brother?) remind me to NEVER let you work on my Pontiac. All Pontiac V8’s were identical to look at…the same size, lol. You need to go back and retake “muscle car 101” I guess because you, obviously, missed every class.
Looks reupholstered to me.
Really? We’d have never known. Thanks!
That’s what I remember when I rode with Sarge in 72 looked like he was sitting in a cockpit.
You could get an SJ with bench seat.
That bench seat has been reupholstered, which makes me doubt the miles.
455’s had the dual snorkel air cleaner, but not painted.
SJ marking on the 70-71-72 we’re on that spot, 69’s we’re on the lower rocker behind the wheel.
The air cleaners were dual snorkel but rectangular and had manifold heaters….that look like an old Nailhead cleaner.
Body side molding were never in color, always black with chrome trim.
That appears to be an air cleaner from a 66 Toronado. The blue color is totally wrong. This is not an SJ model. His price is way high for the problems with this car.
This is NOT a Buick air cleaner…it is an early Oldsmobile Toronado air cleaner. Perhaps, the goofiest looking air cleaner of all time (especially when painted Robin’s Egg Blue, lol)! Anyway, the front seat upholstery is horrendous but, it may be an SJ. The bench seat was a no-cost option on any of the Grand Prix models.
I’ve owned a lot of pontiacs, and a real 71 sj came standard with a 455,buckets, console. Way to many things wrong with this car to list on this J model. AND, all pontiac blocks are the same outside dimensions from 326 to 455.
No Richard, it did not. The bench seat was a no-cost option on a Grand Prix SJ in 1971.
This SJ is a mirage , lot of incorrect issues on this car and way over priced for what it really is. 10k tops
Not necessarily
This car was listed in Hemmings with a full write up look it up and you can read the history of the car. People who know anything about car know that they could come any way you ordered them. Also all Pontiac motors are all the same outside dimensions, it’s the internals that are different.
A little more information. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/2015/10/16/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1971-pontiac-grand-prix-sj
I was glad to dump my 70 SJ back in the late 70’s. Black on Black on Black in Texas and it didn’t have ac. Do miss the 455 4spd however…Was a blast to drive but it was sooo dang hot!
Here is the option list, decoded, for this very car. Sorry to all of the naysayers but, you are wrong.
A01 Tinted Windows, All. A31 Power Windows, A41 4 Way Power Seat, A65 Notch Seatback,B30 Floor Carpet, B50 Foan Frt Cushion, B80 Roof Drip
Molding,B93 Door Guard Molding, B96 Wheel Well Molding, C08 Vinyl Top Brn, C24 Recessed Wiper,C50 Air Cond, C90 Courtesy Dr Lamp, D10 Arm Rest Ash Tray, D35 Outside RR V/Mirror, D98 Rally Stripe, GX1 307 Axl Ratio, JL1 P/PolTrim Pad, JL2 Pwr Brakes Frt Disc, J50 Power Brakes, L75 455 4BB, M40 Auto Trans, N10 Dual Exhaust,N30 Dlx Steering Whl, N33 Tilt S/Col, N41 Pwr Steering, PK2 G78X14 WWFG, P05 H/Comb Whl, U05 Dual Horns, U25 Rear Compt Lamp, U27 Glv Box Lamp, U28 Ash Tray Lamp, U35 Elec Clock, U58 Stereo Radio
Nice code breakdown Don. How about the SJ option code?Without PHS this car is a fake.
An SJ didn’t mandate buckets…
http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/pontiac/71npt/bilder/25.jpg
Not a fan of that bizarre Olds Toronado air cleaner & that non-Pontiac Robin’s Egg Blue engine paint!
The ad’s been updated.. No longer says it’s an SJ…
I can attest that in 71 Pontiac did offer a model J in that color with a 455 a bench seat and a column shifter I had one dark brown vinyl interior… I had one wish I still had it