Though it was launched in 1962 as a personal luxury car with a performance twist, the Pontiac Grand Prix didn’t receive its own body until 1969. And the public would respond enthusiastically by buying 112,000 copies versus the 32,000 that were sold in 1968. This ’71 edition has had just one or two prior owners as the car’s paperwork dates back to 1972. In very nice condition with either 23,000 or 123,000 miles, this sweet ride is in Elizabeth, Kentucky, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $22,500 OBO. A cool tip brought to us by Pnuts!
John DeLorean headed up Pontiac when the decision was made to develop a completely new Grand Prix for its third generation (1969 to 1972). To save design and production costs, the car would use the mid-size A-body platform, and hardware from the Tempest/LeMans/GTO. That approach would work so well that the new 1970 Chevy Monte Carlo would take the same approach within that GM division. Both cars would feature the longest hoods in Pontiac/Chevrolet history. Only one body style would be offered, and the car would come in “J” and “SJ” trim.
The biggest visible changes in 1971 would be the adoption of single rather than quad headlights and a slanted boattail-style rear that looked a little like the Buick Riviera’s but not as pronounced. The seller’s car has the standard 400 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor and the TH-400 automatic transmission. We’re not told if this set-up is numbers matching, but the seller does say the car performs as it should. It has received some recent maintenance, though we don’t know what that exactly entails.
Repainted in the 1990s, this Pontiac sports Tropical Lime Green paint which is an interesting color for a car like this. The machine is said to be original except for the Torque Thrust wheels, but the ones that came off the car (Honeycombs) will go with the deal, too. The A/C could stand a recharge (old school R-12) but – other than that – this machine may need nothing else on its way to cruising the drive-in scene on Saturday nights. For some tunes, you could stick a cassette tape into the reverse-mounted player which we’re told was a rare option.
I will be the first to address the “interesting” lime green paint.
Not interesting.
Someone, please save this car. change the color, and ditch the wheels while you are at it.
A Grand Prix should not emulate a bad popsicle.
Yes, quickly make it black, silver/gray or white. Take away as many unique characteristics as we can manage.
Sorry TimS, You may have missed my point. I wasn’t suggesting to make it blend in with all the other contemporary car colors like black, silver/gray or white.
Grand Prix of this style already possess many unique characteristics and the last time I checked there were many other and more appropriate colors available for a good repaint. Just not this one.
My opinion.
Stop putting down a nice car
You’re wrong!!! That is a fabulous color, on a spectacular set of wheels. I hope it lands in my driveway!
“More appropriate color “? Not sure what that even means. 🙄
Apparently you’re in the minority on this one…
To all, the color as you see it belongs in the ’70s and it isn’t “that” bad of a color per say, but to also add the same color to the interior makes it….well just awful! Makes you feel like you are driving a bowl of pea soup! Wish l could see the reverse cassette player, didn’t know that was an option, 8-track yes. Why no pwr windows? It’s like almost all of the Monte’s l’ve seen, you are ordering a mid sized lux car and get it with crank windows? Had a ’71 GP, beige w/saddle interior brown top, ran like raped ape!
I like it. Had a 72. Yellow with a brown top and interior. Ran great. Though it kinda looked like a banana going bad. Be it a quick 1.
Sorry 370zpp. I like it as is. Looks like a lot of fun for not crazy money. Good luck to all.
I had a 69 Grand Prix with the 428 370HP engine. Burgundy with black interior. I loved thst car!!!
I had a 69 sj white black top. Best car I ever owned.
I think it looks just fine also. Too bad it’s not an SJ would look even better!
What’s the difference in power/governmental emission regulations between this car and the 1970?
The 1970 had higher compression
I currently own a 77 SJ with 53,000 miles. The final year off of the A body platform. Coincidentally the same year I was born. Mine came trimmed in triple black with hurst T-tops and 400 4 bbl. I absolutely stole this car for $5000 and I will probably never sell despite being offered $20k. I love this car
My mom had the exact same car, She and Dad had a 66 Tripower GTO, A 71 GP, a 74GP and the 77 GP. My uncle bought a new 428 HO when he retired from the Navy and my parents fell in love with it. My paternal grampa was a Oldsmobile man, my dad is a Pontiac/Chevy man my aunt is a Jeep woman and I love all things Mopar. Quite a diverse group in one family
But what about the difference in power/governmental emission regulations between this car and the 1970?
Joe some car companies drop the compression with the pistons. To help get better gas mileage. Some had added air injection to the exhaust manifold. And some other EPA devices. 72 was a big drop in horsepower from 70. I knew some guys who had a 72 Plymouth Road Runner took the 440 and rebuild to 1970 specifications. Results up the horsepower a lot. I hope this helped.. 🐻
They dropped compression due to the upcoming introduction of lower octane unleaded gas that was coming soon also.
Thank you. I’m looking for a 1970 SJ, and I was just wondering if this one dropped the horsepower too much from the 1970.
Color is in the 👁 eye of the owner the wheels are fine
You choose your car fore yourself
If you don’t like it leave it
I Had a’72 SJ 3× Black with red pin stripe 8 track was on rear hump facing forward. Bought new was a really nice car.
Nice as is with color and interior.
This is a great body style vehicle and survivor with still a non original repaint.
The inly comment to the write up is that it’s Elizabethtown , KY not “Elizabeth” which is driving one South past Louisville depending on ones heavy foot or not less than an hour.
The pictures look taken at Freeman Lake in Elizabethtown or nicknamed Etown.
(In my youth have been their many times)
Good luck on sale as its a beaute!
I love the color and I’m not a big aftermarket wheel fan but those torque thrusts look nice on it.I’d leave it alone.Price is fair too.Color reminds me of a hot wheels car color from the early 70’s.
the color for exterior doesn’t bother me; but not a fan of it on the interior.
Green was popular in the early 70’s so were other funky colors. what’s the problem ?
I don’t mind the color at all! Compared to todays plastic bubbles this old girl exudes style and muscle! My only question is the front scripts says 455 under Grand Prix, yet sellers states it to be a 400? He says he bought from a 80 year lady, so I doubt she would have added that script? Could it be a 455 placed in a J series?
I see that too (go to the FB ad). Interesting. The engine picture doesn’t help.
It’s an awesome car the way it sits. You also have the ability to change the way it looks to your liking. Newer cars, not as easy. I love these Grand Prix series a lot , but seriously , if you think about, “ adjusted for insanity “, this car to me is a $16k car , tops. Nice article on this car!
Nice car. My comments, FWIW:
This originally was probably a dark green color like “Wilderness Green”.
I prefer the original split bumpers on the ’69 and ’70 models but I assume this was changed to meet 5 MPH rules.
Rally wheels would look awesome on this GP.
sorry 370 I like it,,,,so why is your color a better pick than anyone elses
I had the same car in the same color. I liked it!
Reminds me of a Hot Wheel!
Last I knew, everyone is entitled to an opinion. Nobody’s is better then anybody else’s. I agree with 370, this color would not be my first choice. A friend’s father had a SJ, dark blue, black vinyl top and black interior. Now THAT was a beautiful car.
Huge power, compression, octane, and predictably smooth running losses came in 71 because that was the first year of serious emissions standards. It took several years to find improving ways to engineer it. Huge bumpers came in 73 with the impact standards, and some took a lot longer than others to find improvement there. One could argue the malaise era occurred because all the R&D investment went into various safety and emissions improvements. I marveled at the 60s to 72 “personal luxury” yachts as a kid, but had to get my Riviera and Grand Prix kicks from the 90s… also great rides.