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Rare Hurst: 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix SSJ

p1

We have featured some unusual Hurst-modified cars here on Barn Finds, but this is one I wasn’t familiar with before today. From 1970-72, Pontiac Grand Prix buyers had the option of ordering the SSJ option, which meant the car would be drop-shipped to Hurst Performance to receive its special touches. This Hemmings article gives a lot of details, but one of the impressive things that jumped out at me was the low production numbers. Depending on what source you believe, somewhere between 52 and 200 of these cars were produced in 1972. This one is located in Fredericksburg, Virginia and is featured for sale here on eBay, where bidding starts at $2,000 and the buy-it-now is set at $10,000.

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Believe it or not, that may be the original color scheme, and quite possibly the original paint showing. The gold along the bottom differs from the pictures of other SSJ’s that I can find online, although the seller feels that is the original pattern, and they may well be correct. The landau top looks to have been originally gold but resprayed black, and it will be difficult to determine whether that was done at Hurst Performance or not. What is unquestioned is that this car is an SSJ, as it has the 50-012 delivery code which means it was sent from Pontiac to Hurst’s facility in Roseville, Michigan for the conversion to be completed.

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Although the big Pontiac has been off the road since 1991, it is said to start, run, drive, steer and stop. Unfortunately, this is not the original 455 engine, although it is a replacement of the correct size. Most of the factory components are there, with only the original radio and air conditioning compressor missing.

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There’s certainly a fair amount of rust repair needed, although the panels seem to be relatively straight to begin with. The seller maintains the trunk floor and frame rails are solid, and details the panel work they feel is required. The sunroof along with the big engine and the rarity factor made this car pretty special when new, but it’s going to take a person that really appreciates that to bring this one back to it’s former glory.

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Inside, the car is a mess, albeit original. The seller is including an uncracked and uncut dash top to replace the one currently on the car. Again, a lot of work will be required. I’m wondering how far below the buy-it-now figure the seller is willing to go? Have you heard of this rare Pontiac before, and what do you think it’s worth in it’s current state?

Comments

  1. Avatar DENIS

    $10,000? aaarrrggghhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Like 0
  2. Avatar Alan (Michigan)

    Ugh.
    I have never seen a headliner in quite that condition. Is that original fuzz, or the worst mold case ever?

    Dad had a ’72 SJ, ok car I guess. Was rear-ended at an intersection by a kid in a Camaro running about 50. the back bumper was pushed up under the edge of the rear glass. Inexplicably, the insurance company insisted that it should be repaired! But there was soon a problem with rear axle bearings… I suggested that it was likely tweaked from the incident, and the car was sold shortly.

    Like 1
  3. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    You would have to bleed Pontiac engine blue to get involved in restoring this one. It looks like someone added a shag headliner when they put in those ugly oval shaped windows in the sail panels. Those aren’t stock. Oddly enough it doesn’t seem to have a Hurst shifter?? if it is, it’s pretty ordinary looking.

    Like 2
  4. Avatar A.J.

    The missing Hurst shifter is strange? Interesting car that would cost a fortune to restore and is missing its original engine which is important with muscle cars.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar skloon

    Hurst and opera windows ? wow maybe there is a Shelby model with a fake convertible roof too

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Karl

    I’ve seen cars that had been underwater that had nicer interiors.

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Duffy

    Wow, this one is going to take a ton of work plus a ton of money to redo. I don’t think you can recover your investment. Maybe redo the vehicle and plan on keeping it. I know of one Pontiac gentleman that rebuilds Pontiacs and he says its not for him. Way to costly.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar JW454

    Back during this time period, why would “Hurst” promote a car with an automatic transmission? Weren’t they predominately a standard transmission shifter company?

    Like 0
    • Avatar Chris

      They made the dual gates on the 442s. Those were all TH400s.

      Like 1
  9. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    They were big on Automatics too. Search for GTO Dual Gate shifter, AKA “his and hers” shifter.

    Like 2
  10. Avatar pontiactivist

    Who ever gave the prior owner a sawzall needs smacked. Those Lincoln Windows are a disaster. If it is an original black ssj it may be fairly rare but still would be a labor of love. Most of these were white. Have seen a blue one up close that is a one of one car that was way way way worse than this before it was saved. So anything is possible if it’s rare enough and someone thinks it deserves the love I wish I could afford to give it. I have a soft spot for these. One of my bucket list cars actually.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Moparmann Member

    Apparently, there was no special Hurst shifter for this car; there were, however some rare color combos (green, blue, silver) all PHS documented per the following link:
    http://www.pontiacsonline.com/HURST%20SSJ%20GRAND%20PRIX.htm
    The link is full of sales bvrochure pictures from 1970-1972. :-)

    Like 1
  12. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    Good link. This car may be rare but doesn’t do much for me.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar Barry T

    Were they keeping cougars in the car? Those are pretty gnarly looking seats and the opera windows just look goofy.

    Like 1
  14. Avatar A.J.

    As far as Hurst specials and automatics to the best of my knowledge all the Hurst special equipment cars, Olds, Pontiac, Chrysler, etc had automatics with the Hurst shifter. Not sure there was ever a factory Hurst car with a 4 speed which is a shame.

    Like 0
  15. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    Hey Skloon, this is off the Pontiac subject but since you mentioned it;

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/fredsredt/20387553998

    How about a vinyl top on a GT350? It is said to be a prototype. Shelby hated the look and never put the vinyl top on the option list. It was at Pebble Beach this year.

    Like 0
    • Avatar Jett

      Wow, I’ve been a Mustang nut for over thirty years, and don’t recall ever seeing this fastback. I like it! The ‘67 vinyl-roofed Green Hornet and Little Red Shelby prototype hardtops were great looking cars, imho. Not sure how Shel could hate this one.

      Like 0
  16. Avatar George

    Nothing like a car parked outside for 30 or more years with a leaking sunroof!

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Wildfire

    There is no way this car is worth 10k I am no expert however I have seen cars that were under water after Katrina and this car does look like it was in salt water up to the mid door and I am wondering if the SSJ decals were moved from another car to this car as there don’t seem to be any Hurst parts on the car the shifter is a GM stock I would want to research the VIN# before making any offer or just stay away

    Like 0
  18. Avatar joeinthousandoaks

    Wildfire, I thought the same thing but if you look at the link Moparmann added it shows the same plain shifter from the factory. I would think the opening bid would buy the car.

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Mark S

    That is one rough car looks like it was stored under a waterfall

    Like 0
  20. Avatar Steve H.

    Looks more like a car “Shaft” would want and drive in the early 70’s. I had a 69 GP and it looked nothing like this one. I loved it still to this day.

    Like 0
  21. Avatar Ted

    I just found this Revere Silver and black two tone ’72 SSJ probably the silver one reported to be George Hurst’s personal car. Funny everyone ragging on the price of this black/gold SSJ but it ended up selling for almost 8K.

    Like 0
  22. Avatar W e bammerlin

    Not a SSJ Hurst. We have an original in the family. Bought new. This one isn’t one.

    Like 2
  23. Avatar chuck

    If that gp was in Tenn i put the head liner in . but the white was gold and it had a moon roof. and it dam sure did not look that bad wow.

    Like 0

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