Finding a classic project candidate that can be enjoyed immediately can be challenging, but that is the opportunity provided by this 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix. Its presentation is good enough to turn heads, but there are enough tasks to attract those wishing to be hands-on with the ownership experience. Planning the strategies and assembling a budget can be daunting, but taking their time could be the key to success for this classic’s new owner. The Grand Prix is listed here on eBay in Portales, New Mexico. Bidding sits below the reserve at $3,320, with plenty of time remaining on this auction.
Pontiac unveiled the Grand Prix as its performance model for the full-size market in 1962. The First Generation remained in production until 1964, with our feature car emerging in 1963. The seller admits it features a previous repaint, which helps explain why the Cherrywood Bronze gracing its panels looks so clean and consistent. Any imperfections in it or the steel are insignificant, but that doesn’t mean this Pontiac is perfect. There are patchable areas of rust in the lower rear quarter panels, and the seller confirms its presence in the trunk pan. This isn’t a disaster because the remaining panels, floors, and rails are clean. Because the issues aren’t advanced, they could be addressed at the buyer’s leisure. The chrome and trim are in good order for a survivor, and the tinted glass has no significant faults.
The seller believes this Pontiac’s interior is original. If that is accurate, the condition is pretty astounding. The pad is badly cracked, a victim of extended UV exposure. However, that is one of the few faults worth mentioning. The seatcovers are in good order, with the back seat appearing to have received little use. The painted and remaining upholstered surfaces are excellent, and the dash is beautiful. I believe it features air conditioning for occupant comfort, with the AM radio relieving boredom on long journeys. The seller indicates the only non-functioning item is the vacuum gauge, but tracing the fault shouldn’t be complicated.
Pontiac marketed the Grand Prix as a high-performance Grand Tourer. Therefore, it needed something special under the hood to justify the claim. This car features a 389ci V8, with the remaining major mechanical components including a three-speed automatic transmission and power assistance for the steering and brakes. That V8 produces 303hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque. The four-speed manual was the pick of the bunch when teamed with this motor, but this car still offers respectable performance. The seller indicates there is free-play in the steering box, but this doesn’t affect how this beauty runs or drives. It cruises effortlessly on the highway at 80mph and is ready to hit the road with a new owner behind the wheel.
The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix has bucked the market trend over the past year, with values climbing in an environment where many fell. The growth has been around 14%, which is impressive and indicates these cars could be a sound long-term investment. This one needs work, but there are no tasks facing the new owner that place a question mark over its financial viability if the bidding remains realistic. Addressing its shortcomings to a high standard will yield a car worth over $20,000 for the new owner, although that figure could climb considerably higher if they achieve perfection. If you’ve ever owned a Grand Prix, did you enjoy the experience? Would you consider repeating it? If you answered “yes” to both questions, submitting a bid on this beauty could be an excellent starting point.
That interior and car in general is incredible. I just dont have room to park that thing!
The 1963 Grand Prix is one of my favorite 1960s design, but not in this color. Yuck. Who goes to a Pontiac dealership and says, “I want a new Grand Prix in Mud Puddle Brown”?
Haha true. But is like pea green sunburst refrigerators. Was glam at the time!
I had a 64 Grand Prix in that color, and I thought it looked great, but mine had more of a cocoa cast to it. It was equipped with a 389 and a four speed with a Hurst shifter. The interior was an off white I think and the carpet if I remember correctly, was gold. Power steering no power brakes, can’t remember if the windows had cranks or not. This was back in high school mind you over fifty years ago. It was a beast but it started burning oil. My uncle and I successfully put new rings in it after honing the cylinders but afterwards, even though it ran great, various minor problems cropped up and making it a full time job to repair. I sold it but now that I have the time it would be a great project car. Today’s Barn Find seems to be needing much less.
no 8 bolt wheels
I am going to reiterate what Ron says, where are the factory magnesium wheels?
The aluminum 8-lugs were on the options list with all of the other equipment this rather basic Grand Prix was ordered without.
Certainly not Grand Prix caliber, in the late 1980’s into the early 1990’s, I owned a very nice condition ’63 Catalina 4 door. 389 w/auto on the column. About the same time, my farmer boss gave me a ’72 Chevy C10 with a very tired 6 banger. Really all I wanted were the white spoke wheels. They fit perfectly on my off-white Catalina and gave it an interesting look.
Somewhere in that timeline, I bought a second ’63 Catalina 4 door in much worse interior and exterior condition. Same engine and trans but with posi. The exhaust was rusted off just below the manifolds so very loud. I’d drive it out in the cornfields in winter through deep snow just for fun. It never got stuck. I now cringe at the thought of dragging friends around in those snow-covered fields perched on an old car hood. Sharp metal, you know. I have no recollection of where those cars ended up.
Our 63 Grand Prix is white with a red interior. Personally I think it is beautiful. I am just not a brown car person. But I bet someone is.
I have to say, it is a unique color for a Grand Prix of this era. I actually like seeing a more basic one with hub caps. Dont get me wrong, Ive said before I think that the 8 lug Pontiac rims are absolutely beautiful. But we do see many of them, so this is a nice change. I’m sure someone is going to get this and enjoy it.
Actually, with my uncle into 60s Ponchos, naturally we noticed every Poncho, and GPs were rare, and even then, very few we saw had 8 lug wheels. Like hemis or 4 speeds, so prevalent today, these cost an extra $120,( over $1200 today) on a car that was already expensive( $3400), many chose the standard wheels to run through the slop. It was the interior that was the cheese. While I’ll admit, the color is a bit drab, it still beats the silver/black/white of today. What’s missing is the 3 gauges on the center dash, not available on A/C cars. Pontiac made some of the nicest cars, it’s zenith, I feel, was right here. The hobby is a strange one, indeed. For the cost of a rusty Bronco, you could have this,,,,go figure. Just shows to go ya’, people today wouldn’t know a nice car if it ran them over.
I love this year and I am fine with brown (I also like Verdoro green lol). If it was a 4 speed and a different time in my life I might have made a move on it. Looks like loads of fun and damn that interior is fantastic..389 of course all the hop up parts you need are out there- prob be loads of fun converting it to tri-power. OK let me stop before I talk myself into something glwta
I love Verdoro Green too! Is nice to see someone didnt do the 90’s thing to this of “Candy Apple Red” or Black