As many of us know, just because a car is rare, does not make it valuable. Sadly, this adage of the car hobby sometimes has unintended consequences, and a truly special car still can’t escape the clutches of low valuation. The Pontiac Grand Prix ASC/McLaren Turbo is one such vehicle where its exceedingly low production numbers hasn’t led to much appreciation within the collector car marketplace, but here’s the good news: it means more of us can actually have a shot at owning a limited-production model like this project Grand Prix listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $2,000.
The seller originally listed this car for $15,000. While ambitious, I can’t say I’m surprised, especially if they weren’t overly familiar with the collector vehicle marketplace. Heck, you just look at the basic spec sheet of the ASC/McLaren Grand Prix, and it’s hard not to see it as a valuable piece of motoring history. The sixth-generation Grand Prix was a great looking car, but the engine options didn’t do much to stir the excitement Pontiac was hoping to create with its lineup. ASC certainly had the chops to take on the project, having created an instant legend i in the form of the Buick GNX.
So they relied on a familiar recipe to create the first-ever Grand Prix ASC/McLaren. A significantly wider stance was added courtesy of gorgeous fender flares; slick gold mesh wheels paired well with the red bodywork; a turbocharged and intercooled V6 engine now kicked out a healthy 205 horsepower; and the interior was loaded with technology features and four dedicated bucket seats. The touchscreen features became commonplace across GM’s higher-end models, and while it’s unlikely this one still works, it’s worth repairing to get the full experience of performance and tech that came standard on the Grand Prix ASC.
And, of course, the wild multi-function steering wheel – who can forget that! The seller notes that this car needs “TLC and a full restoration” and that it’s a one-owner example. Less than 4,000 cars were made, so while it’s not impossible to see another one, it’s also not likely. The sad thing is these were legitimately special cars with clear attempts made to give the Grand Prix the street cred it so desperately needed at the time. ASC has come to the rescue for many companies over the years, and it’s a shame this offering isn’t more appreciated. But like I said above, it could be an amazing opportunity for one of us to buy a collector car for a bargain-basement price.
Upgraded suspension, a hotter motor and button activated electronics up the wazoo-if this had been a European or Japanese offering it could’ve been revered today but there were too many brand name consumer snobs of its time to succeed in the market.
Nice looking design, this deserves at least a respray and a once over then drive the wheels off of it!
I always thought the Grand Prix of this generation was a handsome car. I wonder if GM stuck with RWD instead of going to FWD of it would have made a difference. Either way, it would be nice to see this one spruced up. The red with the gold BBS styled rims which were so popular back then look great together. I really think it would be worth the effort to paint it.
These cars are very fun to drive in stock configuration!!
$15,000 marked down to $2k? Something smells fishy. No pics of driver’s side or the engine bay. Does it even run?
I love this gen of GP’s (had a ’96 GTP with the 3.4 DOHC), but somethings not right here.
Yes, the market’s not right! A very nice driver will set you back about 5-7k. A delivery mileage cream puff maybe about 15-20k, and you can find them , because a lot of people bought them thinking they were going to be a great investment. They, of course, weren’t.
This is one of those cars that’s good for an entry level enthusiast, though i would just get a nicer one for a couple grand more and save a lot of headache.
Buttons, buttons, buttons. Someone say something about touchscreens?
I like most of the stuff that came out of the ASC factory 😎 👍
15k to 2k still no takers. not a wanted vehicle
For $2K I wonder if there’s an engine under the hood? For all we know could be sand bags holding the front down!! 😂 The seller must come clean and show pictures of engine compartment and under neath all of the interior both sides of the body. I would like to see this get fixed up because I drove one and it was fast back then. It was big bucks at the dealership and always love the the electronic gadgets inside the vehicle. So seller please come clean and we don’t want to see this going to the crusher!! 🤦♂️🇺🇸🐻
Someone locally could do worse than to buy this. Get it running. Vacuum the carpet. Decent backup car.
I think the problem may be rust, pull off all the plastic body additions and it could get scary. The car is in New Jersey.
My God! Who shot those photos?? I’ve seen photos like these taken of a large size 59 Caddy DeVille. One thing I cannot stand is some individual advertising ANYTHING! and unable to provide appropriate photos in hopes to sustain a SALE!
3.4 had several cooling gasket issues, and hot rodding them didn’t help.
had a DOHC Cutlass that was a good car for it’s time, unfortunately GM
build quality was an issue…
These did not have the 3.4. They had a turbocharged 3.1L pushrod engine unique to the ASC McLaren Grand Prix coupes and even rarer ASC McLaren STE sedans.
Any money spent on this gp will be lost , decent ones go for little so its simply not worth the aggration and headaches when a running one is available