The Grand Prix (GP) was a new model in 1962, a performance-oriented personal luxury car. Along with the GTO, it was spearheaded by none other than John DeLorean who wanted to position Pontiac as the GM car with muscle. The GP received new sheet metal in 1963 as all of Pontiac’s full-size cars got a facelift. This example hasn’t run in more than 20 years and has probably been sitting outside for much of that. The entire car is going to need some serious work, but the asking price of $2,000 here on craigslist may be attractive. Medical Lake, Washington is where the car currently calls home. Thanks for the tip, Dawson Hittle!
For 1963, the Grand Prix gained its squared-off roofline with a concave rear window along with stacked headlights and a new Pontiac-trademark split grille and “hidden” taillights. Aside from the front and rear of the car, exterior chrome trim was held to a minimum on lower rocker panels, wheel arches, and roofline. Inside the GP the driver and passengers were treated to Morrokide vinyl bucket seats, though on the seller’s car their best days are in the past. Pontiac built just shy of 73,000 GP’s for ‘63, of which just seven percent had something other than an automatic transmission. This was a big jump from the 30,000 cars assembled the year before.
The seller’s 1963 Grand Prix was once finished in dark green with a matching interior. A fair amount of patina resides there now, otherwise known as surface rust. However, there is deeper evidence of corrosion in the trunk and lower rear quarter panels, though I wouldn’t count out parts of the floorboards. This car hasn’t run in 21 years (remember Y2K?) for reasons unknown, so Mother Nature has had plenty of opportunities to have her way with the car’s metal and non-metal components.
This Pontiac has a 389 cubic inch V8, which was standard in the Grand Prix. That must be the rustiest-looking installed engine I’ve ever seen, so perhaps the hood was left open over the past two decades. While its carburetor is no longer present, it was likely the 4-barrel that helped produce 303 hp, the most common GP set-up. Tri-Power was also available with the 389 and three versions of the 421 V8 were also options.
The seller has priced this car to sell, so the asking price is subject to negotiation. It looks as though he just wants it gone. Though located in Washington, the Pontiac will come with a notarized title from the State of Montana. With the basic V8, Hagerty pegs a ’63 Grand Prix to top out at $35,000 in terms of resale value, but that’s for a perfect show-quality car. You’re going to have to write a lot of checks to save this one, but purchasing the car itself will likely be the smallest one.
Looks like engine drowned.
It’s probably not a viable restoration project, however, the price is within striking distance of being a good parts car. These are really good looking cars, it’s too bad it’s wound up in this condition. It would have been interesting to see what it looked like when parked.
Steve R
Rust could be a big problem by the looks of the inside of the trunk lid, good pics under the carpet and trunk floor would be welcomed before you go up there to look at it in person. For some reason the cost to build a Pontiac engine is more than most V8’s, maybe a BBC and a turbo 400 out of an old motorhome would be a good way to go and be done with that Slim Jim tranny…
Your going to have to really love this to restore. Your money will be sunk into this boat.
I have always loved these GPs and have always wanted one. Hopefully somebody will save this sweet machine because these are some real head turners when fixed up.
I almost submitted this as a tip but backed out because the rust scared the bejesus out of me. I’m with Steve on this one – it’s a parts car or a serious bondo-queen.
This GP and its Olds colleague have been for sale on CL for quite some time and unless you enjoy welding (a lot) and can get it for scrap value it’s sadly a parts car only. ’63/’64 GPs have good survival rates so it should not be hard to find one in way better condition. Unless you opt for a $$$ adapter you’ll be bound to the Roto-Hydramatic(pre’64 Pontiac engines aren’t prepared for bolt-up starter) so this is one of those few times when an LS conversion would make perfect sense.
I’d love to lay may hands on that vacuum gauge cup, just not at 2K
My first car was a 63 Pontiac Catalina 2 door I drove the dog out of it of course the transmission went out I tried to put a turbo 400 I was told it would fit God was everybody wrong first off then is the crank widen cut for the torque converter no starter holes motor so I got a 400 motor and 400 trans that solved some of the problems mounts did not lineup transmission did not fit in the tunnel properly crossmember did not work after all that work I hung the frame up on some railroad tracks the only thing I have left is one of the spider of motor wheels that it Road on I’ve kept it just for good memories of my first car oh did I note the girls loved it peace hey
gone.