We have eagle-eye TJ to thank on this tip, for a pristine 1971 Grand Prix Model J. It’s located in Dayton, Ohio, and advertised here on Craigslist. If you go for the $31,000 asking price, great, but there is room to make an offer. You’ll drive away with a nearly irreplaceable 47,000-mile car that still wears its factory paint and practically everything else Pontiac put on it when manufactured.
I’d buy this car, with just two reservations. (And even those, I think I could overcome.) As lovely as it looks sitting on the street, I don’t love the interior. It’s not that it’s a mismatch with the Castilian Bronze exterior, though it kind of is. It’s the fact that tan vinyl, tufts aside, is just not that good-looking. For the condition, however, I think I could adjust since I’m all about originality. The second thing is the price. This number may well be achieved, and it may well be fair, but it just seems high when you think that 1960s GTOs are often seen in the mid-$30K range these days, a phenomenon explained by one expert as, “Well, everyone who wants one of those now has one.” The same thing kept the 1950s Thunderbirds at $25K forever.
Get the car down into the $20s, though, and look what you’re getting: those low miles are on a 400-CID engine, nearly impossible to kill, and not even sweating at under 50,000 clicks of the odometer. The fitness to drive is assured by a recent carb rebuild and the installation of various tune-up parts. The car has new tires. Are you seriously not going to try to drive this home to where you live? What a great first adventure a road trip in this luxury two-door would be. You’ll do it this summer, you say? The AC is blowing ice-cold so that the vinyl won’t get sticky.
How often does a car like this come around? Not to geek out too much, but it has what looks like the original spare. Under the hood is clean and cared for. The vinyl top, apparently original, looks flawless. The curved IP in front of the driver just demands that you get in and go somewhere, preferably somewhere far, so you can enjoy the originality and the style baked into this gem. In short, this is a time capsule car if all is as it appears to be in the ad. Barn Finders, do you agree, or do you have other thoughts?
Another outstanding find!
The only Pontiac with radiator hoses 6 feet long!
I had a 69 Grand Prix with the 428CID 370HP turbo 400. Burgundy with black interior. Loved that car!!! Quick!
Wish l still had it.
Me too except mine was green with a black roof. This was in 1979 and it was very well kept.
My parents had a 71,I swear it had the longest radiator hose I ever saw!
I never realized it before, but this is also a Monte Carlo with different creases in the body. This one is very period and original. Over time it’s a good purchase in the low twenties IMHO, but worth the asking price for the cool factor for those with too much lunch money.
The last time I commented on a similar GP here it happened to be lime green in color and although I liked the car, I did not care for the color and I mentioned that fact.
As a result, I received some rather simple minded and over the top feedback for that.
I also like this GP, and in this case most definitely do like the color. And as for those that might find fault with my comments here as well, may I suggest where you can direct them to? (Hint; you will need to shout)
I had a 69 Grand Prix with the 428CID 370HP turbo 400. Burgundy with black interior. Loved that car!!! Quick!
Wish l still had it.
Also like the color, the interior color tho’ doesn’t blend with it. I’m thinking black would be much better. For $31k l think pwr windows and tilt wheel should be listed and it has neither. Had a ’71 GP cream w/brwn top and this same interior, wish l still had it!
My parents 71 was gold with this interior, loaded with just about every opion. A friend at work had a Poppy Orange? 71-72 with a white top and interior, you could see it a mile away
Earlier today the GP was still posted. Check it again later and it’s gone. That’s quick..this was a super clean GP. Even the engine compartment was clean. Lucky new owner.. 🐻🇺🇸
So, some think that the asking price was too much, yet it appears to have been sold. When this happens, I think the seller doesn’t ask enough. Just my opinion.
Hindsight is 20/20.
As was said, how often does one of these come up? You get a turnkey survivor for cars and coffee and cruise nights. Buy now or forever hold yhour peace. One caveat though. I always wonder why someone is unloading a car with a long list repairs and replacements done. I always suspect there is something that has an outrageous price or cannot be done at any price.
I always thought this Grand Prix was one of the nicest designs to ever come out of Detroit.
This one sure is pretty in those colors, seems like most had black interiors. Someone checked the right boxes on the order form when they bought this. Nice to see one this clean with an interior that is not all worn out. Looks like it already sold too.
I got married in a 72 SJ in 72! Great car and quick!
Had a 72 w/400ci bronze w/creme vinyl top. Wish I had it back like every other previous owner.