The Pontiac Grand Prix is obviously a significant nameplate in the company’s history file. Like many models, the originals are often considered the best, with subsequent generations gradually losing some of the allure. Fortunately, in the early 90s, Pontiac decided to inject some new life into its storied model, calling in reinforcements from two well-known companies in the aftermarket sphere. In this instance, Pontiac decided to recreate some of the success from the high-octane Buick GNX, sending its sixth-generation Grand Prix to ASC/McLaren for a variety of upgrades. This example has been with the same owner for 32 years.
For an obscure model like this, it’s impressive to see a caretaker hold onto it for so many years. It seemed to me that once it became clear the Grand Prix wasn’t going to rise to the level of the GNX, values flatlined and this high-performance Pontiac has remained a side-show curiosity more than anything else. The list of tweaks compared to a standard Grand Prix is extensive, and the far-flung changes included an interior with ridiculously-bolstered front and rear bucket seats, a steering wheel loaded with multi-function buttons, and a digital panel in the center stack that provided all sorts of useful information.
The Grand Prix’s performance wasn’t exactly thrilling when introduced, sporting a 2.8 V6 that kicked out a measly 130 horsepower. After it was shipped off to the team at ASC/McLaren, a turbo kit was installed and power rode prodigiously to 205 horsepower. Now clocking in at 3.1L, the engine wasn’t the only thing that grew in size. The bodywork also gained some muscle, sporting generous fender flares to accommodate the larger cross-spoke alloy wheels. With gold paint on the wheels and typically either a black or red bodywork, these were eye-catching models that made no attempt to hide their limited-production features.
Production was limited to around 3,500 cars sold over two years, so you definitely don’t see these every day. Often, when they do come up for sale, mileage is quite low and makes the car practically unusable. With some actual mileage on the clock, this Grand Prix is completely usable while still likely to be the center of attention at any car show or cars-and-coffee event you attend. The smoked taillights, dual exhaust, and Turbo badges further enhance the appeal, and if you’re looking for a collectible Pontiac from the modern era, this ASC/McLaren is worthy of a look here on craigslist.
Love the looks,
Hate the FWD.
Say what you will but they knew how to build a seat in the late 80’s/early 90’s…
Always liked these.
Excellent instrument panel layout, with enumerated water temp & oil pressure gauges- not in pods. Actually usable IP.
Long term ownership/history a huge plus.
Nice.
Holy grail W Body .
In my backyard .
Lot of coin . Barret Jackson money
GLWTSale
It’s nice but probably a bit optimistic as these never got their due. A 4,300 mile example fetched $18,750 on BaT last November. A 42,000 mile example brought $15,750 there in May. I suspect there will be a couple price drops but GLWTS.
Nice fun car but to much money for what I want to do with it, I would convert it to rear wheel drive with a nice LS Because I hate the front wheel drive of these things
Always like the look of these. Great color combination and those plump seats. Just wish it was another covering beside velour. Wonder about the torque steer though, or did McLaren find a way around that? Too much of an ask though.
This car has nothing to do with a Grand National much less a GNX. Does the owner think it does? He listed it as RWD.
I’ve owned 2 of these cars (both red) 1 cloth, 1 leather. I worked at a Pontiac dealership from 1987-1997 and was always on the “lookout” for new arrivals! They were ahead of their time! Great cars!
I think we have major author confusion here. This version of the Grand Prix, as pointed out by Steve, had no connection to the Buick GNX. That was the 1989 Indy Pace Car Trans Am, which had an improved version of the old GNX motor, and upon release ( just like its older corporate cousin) was the fastest car in the world.
Why Pontiac didn’t simply stick with that formula for the Grand Prix in 1990 has a great deal to do with engine bay size, and front wheel drive, neither of which were major issues with the Trans Am body style. Rumours were that McLaren ASC produced a 300 HP version of the Grand Prix but GM ordered it severely detuned. 210 HP was no joke in the early 90’s and this thing.was pretty fast in its day. Still beautiful.
That is the “Yes honey, I’m trying to sell it” price.
Still a good looking car three decades later. The wide body look being all in Vogue. The FWD haters can calm down. GM quickly learned from the X-car debacle and by the middle eighties were on top of the FWD arrangement. Sometimes you just need to learn how the car wants to be driven.
lot of money. don’t care for all the body and interior gack
Its very clean for the mileage and kinda rare. Not many left as they were dogged out and trashed. I like the Turbo badges much like the 89 turbo Tran am. Yes the instrumentation layout is excellently and clearly laid out. The seats look like Lazy boys and all the buttons looks like the space shuttle. Dam I miss the 90’s. Nice car priced a little high but should be in a museum!
I had a black one, It burned up due to a short in the steering column
I had one of these back about 7 years ago, but mine had leather interior and I dare say was in nicer shape than this one. Don’t recall any issue with torque steer at all. It was a quick, fin, comfortable car to drive. I sold mine for $8500 here in New Jersey, $17k is a strong ask.