Even in base form, the Pontiac Grand Prix is one of the General Motors G-Body cars that really excelled in terms of appearance, offering great looks both inside and out. Opting for the upper and lower two-tone paint scheme made the exterior stand out even more, with this 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix here on eBay wearing a combination of blue on top plus silver on the bottom. This one’s a real beauty, and with only 67,000 miles of travel, there’s probably some decent life left here as well. This cool Pontiac is located at Car Bar in Marietta, Georgia, and comes with a price tag of $16,500.
The Grand Prix was available in three different trim levels in ‘85, including the base model, the LE, and the top-of-the-line Brougham. Fun fact: I visited my local Pontiac dealer in the mid-eighties and looked at a new LE similar to this one, except it was black on top and tan on the bottom. The car was stunning, but one concern was the taped-on side decals that separated the two colors, as I felt these could deteriorate quickly or prematurely peel and fade. I was mistaken, as after almost 40 years they still look really good on this GP.
In addition to choosing a two-tone paint job, adding additional aftermarket pinstriping was also a popular fad during this period, with this one wearing plenty. Blue Lightning is the name given here, which was assigned by the original buyer, as this is said to be a one-owner example. Some of the details are a bit sparse in the listing, but the seller also includes a link to a YouTube video, and it’s certainly worth watching if you’re considering moving forward with this car. The paint quality is described as not perfect but excellent, and a few flaws are pointed out, all of which seem very minor. It’s also important to note that different wheels and tires are shown on the Grand Prix in the video, but the seller clarifies that the Pontiac rims in the photos here are what you’re getting, along with a new set of Cooper Cobra skins.
This one’s nice and sporty inside, and it’s always fun to find buckets and a console in any fifth-generation Grand Prix. There’s one very small blemish on the driver’s seat and its power motor isn’t working, but for the most part, things in here appear to be very well-preserved. I’m not seeing signs of staining, so hopefully, those T-Tops remain secure and are not leaking.
The positive news continues under the hood, as the optional 305 engine can be found in the bay. With 150 HP, it’s not overly energetic, but it’s good to have a V8 instead of the standard V6, which was only producing 110 horses. I guess my biggest issue here is the outside pinstriping, but as good as the exterior still looks, I sure wouldn’t want to repaint the car to lose them, so I’d probably adjust to calling this a nostalgic touch. What are your thoughts on this 1985 Pontiac Grand Prix LE?
Priced about $10k too much. While these were pretty good cars considering the times and this car looks pretty decent, a fancy older pinstriping doesn’t make this car particularly special.
Too bad that the fancy dash cluster doesn’t have the full “gage” package. GLWTA!! :-)
Is the word “gage” just a GM thing? I’ve noticed that too.
The so-called fancy gauge cluster should have a tach.
I’m a retired Auto Painter of 50 years. If it is “stock” paint from the factory, it might come off with a little bit of lacquer thinner. Granted, you don’t want to soak it. Try it on a small spot first. It was probably striped with “”One Shot” enamel. That sure would be easier than painting the whole car!
The hand painted striping can be easily removed with EZ Off oven cleaner if it was done with the usual “One Shot” brand sign painter’s enamel. The landau vinyl top is aftermarket and not OEM.
Was the landau vinyl, available with the T-top option ? Great looking front end and good lines on these G bodys from GM.
I bought one for a x wife, great looking car but very poor build quality,to much cheap plastic, always fixing something.
What’s up with the electrical rocker switch under the A/C vent left of the steering wheel on the dash? Maybe used for a little nitrous action for the Blue Lightning Pontiac? Hmmmmmmmm further investigation may be in order?
Ad says sale has ended.
Little shot of giggle gas ⛽️ for the GP KC lol😲🏁
Great reply Stan…..LOL!
I was shop foreman at a large Pontiac dealer in 1985. Having said that, there is NO WAY to stop T Tops in the 80’s cars from leaking in any rain. And forget car washes altogether. GM made several different styles of replacement weatherstrip packages. The movement of the roof made sealing it impossible. If you live near or in a desert, buy this car. If you live anywhere else. Keep your garage free of clutter. This car cannot come out in the rain !
When I worked at GM in the 80s one of the gals in our building had one probably the same year and color. Don’t recall the roof treatment but I believe the stripe separating the two tone is just tape. It even appears to be in the right rear photo. Maybe I missed that part of the story.
This Grand Prix is well preserved and a nice ‘G’ body example. It has nice color combos, bucket seats, T-tops, and Pontiac’s sport wheels. Appears to be a well protected legitimate 60k survivor. I have been watching marketplace, Craigslist, etc.,for a Cutlass in similar condition. The price looks pretty normal. The sellers price may seem proud, but the right Pontiac enthusiasts can see the value.
I have a79 Cutlass with the wee05.
Same kind of T-tops as this GP. My tops never leak. But if you roll the window down about an inch in the rain, water will drip on your leg. No driprails. My cousin had an 87 Buick T-type with T- tops. His didn’t leak either. His car had the 307 Olds engine.
I always liked the g bodys. But the plastic trim “formula mixture” from ’78 thru ’88 was completely different than earlier A body plastics. Especially the dash. Both my ’75 Cutlasses and my ’76 Cutlass dashes have 0 cracks. My ’78, ’79 &’83 Cutlass dashes are cracked all over.
This GP looks very nice. I wouldnt be ashamed to drive it. Even in the rain. 🙂
Too much money for too little horsepower to be called lightning.
These cars ride pretty good too.