A few weeks ago, I wrote this piece on a 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix and stated, “Pontiac’s Grand Prix never caught my attention until the big 1969 redesign. And it held it through the ’72 model year only to be lost afterward – and for good.” Today’s subject, courtesy of ccrvt, is the follow-on ’73 edition which maintained a similar bearing through 1977. So, why a difference in opinion between the two model years? Well, read on and I’ll explain.
The two model years are essentially the same car though the ’73 version weighs about 200 lbs. more, is three inches longer, and has twenty fewer HP with the standard engine. But it’s more than that, the ’72 possesses a light, svelte fuselage design, whereas the ’73, to my eyes, with its gubmint-mandated five MPH front bumper just looks fat, like it could use a regular gym workout. Yeah, I know, styling is subjective but that’s just the way the ’73 hits me. Popularity? Well, the ’73 wins hands down with an output of 153K copies compared to 92K in ’72 – that’s a big difference!
No doubt about it, this repainted GP looks great. Other differences between this car and its ’72 predecessor are its opera windows and landau top – again two features that aren’t for me but at least the vinyl covering is in fine shape. This Pontiac shows as being sound but the seller mentions the need for a trunk pan and trunk lid weatherstripping. I imagine that degraded weatherstripping could have led to the trunk floor malady but I might want to consider the solidity of the floors too – just to be sure. As is often the case, Pontiac Rally II wheels support all four corners of this big luxury coupe – hard to go wrong with those.
In the engine room, we find a 230 net HP 400 CI V8 engine doing its thing via a Turbo-Hydramatic 400, three-speed automatic transmission. The motor underwent a redo about 40K miles ago (though it doesn’t look like it) so the 13,800 (138K) mile odometer reading should not be a cause for alarm. The seller mentions that the powerplant was juiced with a mild cam and the engine, “Runs and drives great; would drive across country tomorrow“.
The interior is said to be, “… pretty good, great headliner, great dash, good seats” and I would say that the tan vinyl upholstery does present well and from what I can see, I’d rate it better than just “pretty good”. The instrument panel is still ensconced in the wrap-around dash design, first appearing in ’69, and one of the cooler GP characteristics. The big column-mounted tachometer looks way out of place in a car of this stature but to each their own. As was usually the case, this Poncho was built with air conditioning but the compressor appears to be missing so I wouldn’t count on enjoying any A/C comfort.
The seller is asking $7,500 for this Milwaukee, Wisconsin specimen, which on the surface seems reasonable. Yes, I still prefer the ’69-’72 edition but this car would certainly be one to consider. The listing is here on craigslist and the seller says that he’s open to a trade. Anyone have a Suburban, Yukon, Tahoe, etc that they’d want to barter?
I see your point about the bumpers. It looks a little bloated. Still looks good to me.
I had a 74, Black on Black with red velour interior. Wish I’d never sold it.
Dad had a ’73 from ’73 to ’76, when he traded it in for a Bonneville. I have great memories of that GP.
This needs pinstriping bad
Hard to see clearly with the lighting in these photos, but it does already have white (or silver?) double-pinstripe accents running just below the fender peaks and into the doors, IMO done just right.
Isn’t the ’72 a completely different car – including the substructure?
I find it odd that the ’73 GP looks like it has a 5 mph REAR bumper, instead of a 2.5 mph req’d-for-’73 one. Compare the rear bumper to the one on a ’73 firebird.
Completely different !
The bumper is correct for the year , it has bumper brackets instead of the bumper shocks the 74 and up models had
I love this body style – but prefer the the four headlight look of later models.
I would probably be a poncho guy but I’ve had bad luck with every one I’ve owned. 66 gp 66 gto 62 Bonnie all three had issues with burnt valves and just didn’t seem to have the power they should after repairing the issues. My buddy had a 68 drop top goat and that car would run and run hard! Even so my 70 rr left him in the rear view. Mopar ever since. Glwts!
I had a ’73 Type J from 1979 until 1987. Same 400cid and similar options to this one. What a beast it was.
DeLorean was looking to create a Gentlemans Musclecar with the Grand Prix. I think he really achieved it with the 1969 to 1977 model years.
And he borrowed heavily from the Dusenburg cars of the late 1930’s with headight design and waterfall chrome grills.
looks like a decent price.
a/c missing and the rot in the door bottoms are definitely issues. good color combo.
I was 20, bought a 76 from the lady next door, it was an SJ, silver on the bottom , charcoal on the top, burgandy interior 400 V8 luvved that car