With some classic cars, their backstory or a previous owner can be just as fascinating as the vehicle itself. Take this 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix as a prime example. It spent many years in the care of a single owner whose career involved working for NASA on the space shuttle and International Space Station projects. He retained the car throughout his retirement until he passed away in 2014. The Pontiac is remarkably well preserved, but it needs a new home. The Grand Prix is listed here on eBay in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. The seller set their BIN at $17,500, and 101 people are watching the listing.

The previous owner of this Grand Prix purchased the vehicle in 1973, and it remained a constant in his life until he passed away in 2014. It traveled widely across the country but spent most of its life in Colorado. The owner treated it to a repaint in its original Springfield Green, which still presents acceptably for its age. It isn’t perfect, but it does hold an impressive shine. The Black vinyl top is original, as is the tinted glass. The car was in storage for years, so the seller treated the exterior to a polish and ceramic coat. The panels are remarkably straight, but the lack of rust could be the ace up the sleeve of this Grand Prix. The exterior is clean, and the underside shots are simply stunning. There is barely a trace of surface corrosion, and most of the Pontiac’s Green paint remains intact. The Torq Thrust-style wheels are a later addition because the included original Window Sticker and Build Sheet confirmed it rolled off the showroom floor on a set of the legendary Rally II wheels.

The positive vibes continue when we examine this Grand Prix’s interior. The first owner ordered it trimmed in dark green vinyl and remains original and untouched. The front seat upholstery shows some splits on both bases. Still, it would be worth consulting an upholsterer to ascertain whether this could be repaired before considering spending the money on replacement covers. Otherwise, this interior seems to need very little. The remaining upholstered surfaces look excellent, the dash and pad are impressive for their age, and the carpet looks very presentable. The car hasn’t succumbed to the rigors of abuse or UV exposure, and there are no aftermarket additions. The original owner ordered it with air conditioning, a remote trunk release, and a pushbutton AM radio with the optional rear speaker. The A/C doesn’t blow cold, but the seller believes a recharge may address this shortcoming.

Lifting this Pontiac’s hood reveals a 400ci V8 that produced 250hp in its prime. The original owner didn’t order any additions beyond the standard specifications, meaning it features a three-speed Hydramatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. The Grand Prix may not be a genuine muscle car, but many considered its ability to cover the ¼-mile in 16 seconds pretty impressive in 1972. The seller indicates this classic runs and drives, but there is a list of small tasks for the buyer to tackle before it could be considered roadworthy. It is worth remembering the previous owner parked it in the 1990s, so the perishable items require a careful inspection. There is a small oil leak and a transmission fluid leak. The car is difficult to start after a long run, suggesting some form of fuel vaporization due to a carburetor fault. The seller indicates a noise in the front end that could be due to a faulty or worn suspension bush. To sum it up, the tasks appear small, but they equate to the buyer performing a thorough inspection before attempting any extended journeys.

Finding a classic car with a previous owner’s story to match the one for this 1972 Grand Prix would be challenging, and that is part of what makes this vehicle attractive. They may not have been an A-List celebrity, but their contribution to our history was significant. If we ignore that aspect and consider it a well-preserved classic, its needs seem relatively minor. The tasks required are all small, and ticking each off a list would be a rewarding way to occupy time during the upcoming winter months. Is that a challenge you’d be prepared to accept?