Looking Grand indeed, this 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix in Webster, New York hopes to tempt you into kicking off the New Year with the purchase of an elegant running, driving luxury time capsule. Parked in 2000, this recently-revived Pontiac comes to the market here on eBay in running condition and looks ready for a show ‘n’ shine near you. A handful of bids have elevated the market value above $4,800 and that number will surely rise before the gavel sounds.
The full-width tail lights and well-integrated bumper design make a handsome view from behind. Options of note include power brakes, power steering, and dual exhaust, though the K-Mart chrome exhaust tips would be quick to vanish if I took ownership.
Standard wood-grain lends an air of luxury to the dash and optional console. The two-tone interior compliments what looks like Fontaine Blue paint perfectly, and the optional two-spoke steering wheel provides an unobstructed view of the instruments. There’s plenty to look at as shiny bits catch the eye from dash to console to pedal trim. Manual windows and locks testify to the prevailing belief that such niceties were “just more things to go wrong” compared to reliable cranks and locks.
The 389 cid V8 (6.4L) is likely the 333 HP version, not as wild as the available Tri-Power 421, but well-regarded by enthusiasts. This never-restored rust-belt classic offers little to complain about, and I’d be proud to own this beauty. Where do you think bidding will end on this full-size Pontiac?
I saw a a very nice 65 GP convertible a couple nights ago and stopped to take some photos. It was white with white top and black interior and had the 8 lug Pontiac wheels. One thing that impresses you is the enormity of these, that one looked like a huge Great White Shark.
Of this nice green GP it is humorous to see the contrast between a car designed and built in an era that hadn’t yet imposed limits on the fantastic aspects of automobiles, parked in front of a house designed and built in an era that has imposed limits on us. Here is something like a McMansion composed of and cluttered by an assortment of conflicting architectural cliches all miniaturized and squeezed onto tiny lots. The car makes the house look small and cramped. Clearly they are built on different scales. The car is a full one to one scale and is unapologetic about it. The house on the other hand is built on something like 1/4 scale. It’s hard to properly compare because the house is relying on theatrical effects to fool the eye allowing you to think that it is bigger and grander. I would call that the “Disney Effect”. Two generations ago that housing tract would have been made up of single story stucco 2 and 3 bedroom 1.5 bath built on a slab if California or 2 or 3 bedroom with basement Cap Cod or saltbox if back east. Modest unpretentious dwellings.
That Pontiac is speaking volumes just being parked there.
If it where a GP convertible it would have to be a 67 it was the only year Pontiac built it from the factory.
I have a 65 GP convertible the vin# says it’s a Catalina 2+2 but all the badges say Grand Prix. What is this car ? No title or paperwork it’s been sitting in my father in-laws garage for 20 years.
Perhaps the photographer tried to create a pictural variant of the typical 60s Kaufman – Fitzpatrick renderings…?
Paolo, your articulate description of modern residential architectural design is, sadly, dead nuts accurate. Thank you.
A very nice car looking just a little worn. That rust over the front passenger fender should be addressed soon and while the paint shows quite a few nicks and dings, the car still presents well. Needs some detailing but it seems to be ready to enjoy right away. The intermediates of the ’60s are priced beyond the means of most of us but the full-size cars that are decent performers are still affordable. For now. Get one before we get priced out of the market on these too.
Very nice car. Never cared for stacked headlights, but Pontiac looked the best. My uncle had a ’65 Catalina 2 door, not quite the GP, but essentially the same car. Price is about $6g’s, which seems to be bargain for something like this. I mean, look what $6 grand could buy, compared to some of the other stuff that comes through here.
My favorite year Grand Prix, my entire 61 1/2 years. :)
My sister’s future in-laws, in our town, had a ’65 Grand Prix; maroon with black vinyl top and maroon interior. It made our Chevelle 300 Deluxe seem downright plebian!
BTW, Barn Finds, that’s not a two-tone interior on purpose!
That driver’s seat has been redone, and not to original.
Still, I like the car and that exterior color.
GM/Pontiac was (IMO) at its design best in the mid-sixties. These rolling artworks exuded attitude, confidence, and panache. The body sculpting and those interiors, WOW! Personally, though, I always liked the ’66 better, as it just seemed sleeker to me. This one only needs a little TLC, GLWTA!! :-)
goes to show you that pontiac and buick and cadallic had more then chevy look at what tranny they had for this car. All you could get from chevy was powerglide where as this car has the turbo hydro 3speed auto tranny.
I’m partial to GTO’s and Grand Prix ‘s only. This is sweet. Had a neighbor with a dark blue one that was nice until it burned. Was a 66 or 67. Miss that car. It sounded great.
I have the big brother of this car, a ’65 Bonneville coupe, and a few years ago had a ’65 Catalina 2+2 convertible (yes, I still regret selling that rarity, but it needed more work than three kids approaching college age would allow.) Absolutely love the lines of the big 65-66 Pontiacs, and the 389 has enough low-end torque to get things moving. If I could afford to have a collection I would be a bidder on this GP.
This car needs air.
Now with that said, I still maintain it one of the most beautiful cars that were made during the ’60’s, or after.
Great car!!