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Two-Owner 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 455

I’m sure many of our readers with as much age as I have remember the NBC show The Golden Girls, starring among others the beloved Betty White as widow Rose Nylund in the series.  But another Golden Girl is this 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, or at least that’s what the prior 78-year-old original owner named her G-Body and lovingly called it at car shows.  This one’s a beauty, and while it’s not quite survivor-status there’s still plenty of originality remaining, making the $30,000 price tag not sound unreasonable.  Prospective buyers can find the car here on Craigslist, and make their way over to Vancouver, Washington to check it out up close and personal.

T.J., thanks for finding this one for us!  The drivetrain good news is two-fold, as not only is everything numbers-matching but the original buyer chose the optional 455 cubic-inch V8 engine, the best you could get in a ’70 GP churning out an impressive 370 horsepower.  The seller acquired the auto in 2021 from the first owner and says the motor had already undergone a rebuild to stock specifications, but during his tenure, it’s also gotten fresh fluids, new plugs and wires plus a carburetor overhaul.  Everything looks to be in good order under the hood, and while the A/C compressor is present and spinning freely there’s no cold air being blown at the moment.

The exterior has undergone a new paint job in its original gold color, with the photos backing up the seller’s claim that the respray was a quality job.  The vinyl top has also been replaced, but the chrome is stated as original, and it’s pretty cool too that this Pontiac is equipped with cornering lights on the front fenders.  In this application, the aftermarket rims with gold centers are a tasteful custom addition, but if the next driver prefers a Pontiac product a set of Rally II wheels will be included if the car fetches near its asking price.

Inside, the components are stated as all original, with everything seeming to still be holding up nicely despite the 50-plus years that have passed since the car was new.  Optional equipment is abundant, with the leather seats in overall very good shape and just a small blunder on the driver’s side bucket.  There are also power windows, door locks, and driver’s seat, along with a tilt steering column and even a remote trunk release, so this one would be considered loaded by early seventies standards.  I’m not finding a lot to fault on this 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, how about you?

Comments

  1. alphasud Member

    Maybe it’s me but if you want to flip a car and get top dollar you might want to fix the glaringly obvious like the drivers seat and the A/C. I’m sure I could pick out other things if I were there in person. I like this car but gold might be too much for some. Black would be sublime.

    Like 32
    • Mark E. Switzer

      A beautiful Luxury Car by Pontiac ,. This has power everything ! Looking under the hood : Wow ! That’s a ( biggggg engine !! ) Those 455 s unfortunately consume A LOT of GAS but back when these cars were new , nobody worried about fuel economy . Hopefully , it will get a new owner but for now , I will stick with 4 cylinder cars . Happy Motoring !

      Like 2
    • Drdach

      Flip a car?…it was bought 2 years ago…there are different categories of value for a reason…also originality plays into value…for some fixing the ORIGINAL worn seat is a crime…top dollar(concourse) is close to $80,000 so at $30,000 one would expect impurities

      Like 6
    • Drdach

      Fixing an original seat material to some is a crime. Not to mention matching to the rest of the material which might make the repair stick out worse than the wear and tear

      Like 5
  2. 19sixty5 Member

    A change of wheels to Rally ll’s would help the appearance of this car tremendously. I had a 70 Bonneville convert in a slightly softer gold, white top and a I believe Sandlewood interior. It was a nice looking car, and for it’s size, it had some guts with the 455.

    Like 13
    • Mike76

      Indeed. Swapping over to the Rallye II’s would enhance the presentation tremendously. Not a huge deal if they do come with the car, but first impressions matter when offering a car for sale. If this GP were mine, I’d wrap the rallye II’s on a set of Firestone Super Sport pinstripe whitewalls. These cars just ooze pure class when left more lux than muscle.

      Like 8
  3. RICK W

    Wasn’t 69 GP brain child of John DeLorean? This new generation was a total change from previous larger GP. Styling is great. But would prefer more luxurious interior and two tone 🤔 if available. Next generation two tone gray and silver was tre magnifique. But for the asking price, I could buy 🤔 two of my beloved 80s Land YACHTS. 😊

    Like 3
    • Randy

      Wow what a beauty love that body style

      Like 0
  4. PaulG

    It’s the 500 ft pounds of torque that motivates this GP
    Friend had the super rare 4 speed version, caught a lot of Mustangs and Camaros off guard

    Like 17
    • Mark Switzer

      A nice original survivor , w/ all of the power options , but looking under the hood : Wow ! That’s a .( Bigggg Engine !!) 455 cu inch 8 ! The Grand Prix was one of Pontiacs luxury cars but I would assume it would use too much gas . I will stick with economy cars . Happy Motoring !

      Like 1
      • 19sixty5 Member

        It looks big, but if it was a 350 it would look the same!

        Like 13
      • bw

        Mark, you already told us once that you prefer boring cars.

        Like 10
      • Drdach

        Individuals who are worried about gas mileage shouldn’t look at classic cars

        Like 12
  5. Snotty

    What’s not to like with this one. EXCEPT for the asking price. Call me old (63). My right hand might be getting twitchy around 15k. Got my hands full, wallet empty with two projects now. A 428-68 galaxie sportsroof and a 425 powered 66-442.

    Like 8
    • Travis Jon Powell

      Too many knuckleheads watch WAY too much discordery channel. It is a nice looking car.. It’ll probably sit for a long time @ $30k.

      You got yourself two really sweet projects there 👍 Both gentlemen’s cars. I’d love to roll the boulevard either one.

      Like 0
  6. Derric

    This is nice. I believe the owner should fix the AC if he’s firm on the price and I think it would look more like a $30k classic car with its Rallye II wheels and pencil white walls. I hope it finds a great home.

    Like 12
  7. Jim Weatherhead

    The ’69 and ’70 are essentially the same two headlight version and the 71 and 72 are the single headlight version of John DeLorean’s Grand Prix designs. All had of these years had big blocks (400’s or 455’s) I owned a’69 and also a ’71 – fantastic cars – I’ve read the long hood was inspired by the Duesenberg.

    Like 3
    • Poncho

      The 69 428 was VERY FAST

      Like 2
  8. TimS

    I think we’ve seen this one before but I don’t think it’s any less cool.

    Like 5
    • Thomas Westrup

      I was thinking the same thing. Hard to forget bogus wheels like those!

      Like 3
    • 19sixty5 Member

      It was featured in July 2023 for $35k

      Like 1
  9. Johns57

    The 1970 Grand Prix is a delicious delicacy and so nice. I owned a1968 Catalina with the 389 loaded with everything; power windows, AC, power brakes and power steering, AM/FM cassette and also power washer for windows. I still remember my mother yelling at me on the way to Sunday mass because the AC was so cold; this was in the summer °104 hot Pontiac is missed so much!!!!! 👁️👁️👀😎👍🆒✅😎

    Like 4
    • 19sixty5 Member

      The 389 went away in 1966, and the 68’s used an under-dash 8 track player. Cassette players (factory) were much later. but I do like this 70!

      Like 1
  10. Oldschoolmuscle

    My friend back in the day had this Brown on brown buckets and console with 400 motor . It was a sweet car. I like this style a lot… Classic

    Like 1
  11. Ayem Beui

    Seeing the Grand Prix go from this to the next generations through the 80s, then ultimately to their demise was watching evolution in reverse. I had a ‘77 Grand Prix back in the day…loved that car but it didn’t have that open coupe styling and the 500 ft lbs of torque. I puked in ‘88 when the fwd GPs came out.

    Like 4
    • Jon Calderon

      I also had a white 77 with T tops, blue interior, buckets, floor shifter I put in myself, with a 350 bored .30 over and flat top pistons with a quarter race cam. Was my childhood dream car. Was working it up and it looked oh so sweet, until my late wife totalled it on me. I saw it happen in the rear view mirror of her crappy Fairmont. I ended up buying an 80 El Camino SS, and put the drivetrain in it. Headers and cutouts, that thing really screamed. Naples Florida here.

      Like 2
  12. Fubard

    A/C compressor spun so freely it slung the belt off? Lol Ask top dollar but can’t spend any on the A/C. Will never understand that, immediate disqualification for me.

    Like 7
  13. bob boyd

    wow, this is a rough crowd. the 1970 gp sj was a coveted automobile in its time. it was fast for its size, elegant and sofisticated for its time. things wrong hell yes. the car is 54 years old. for a pontiac buff its the car of the times.

    Like 10
    • Drdach

      Finally a real comment!!!

      Like 4
    • Neil R Norris

      It’s coveted NOW. What a gem this beast is. A 455 SJ? Yes please.

      Like 1
  14. Oakster

    As an irresponsible 20 year old , I wrecked my 79 z28 . My brother in law loaned me his 70 sj 455 gran prix . I proceeded to promptly rear end a woman stopped to make a left turn, going 50 mph . Just crushed that lady’s car . The front bumper must weigh about 250 lbs . This one is a clone of the one my brother in law had . He told me you wrecked it . You bought it . Yes I grew up after joining the navy !

    Like 3
  15. Classics Fan

    No such thing as a Pontiac big block. All Pontiac engines from the 326 to the 455 were the same block.

    Like 10
  16. Jasper

    As much as I love a set of Rally IIs wrapped in wide ovals, I really like what’s on it. They’re period correct and have the perfect amount of neo-classic glitz for this one.

    Like 2
  17. Danny Hofmann

    I had a Thunderbird of the same year. Had the same big beak as this car does.

    Like 0
    • Ed

      The bird was the word back then.

      Like 0
    • Gene Hart

      No surprise, both were “Bunky’ Knudsen designs as he worked for both GM and Ford.

      Like 0
  18. Erik Hartmann

    Was the proud owner of a ’69 Model J the same color with a black vinyl top and interior. My Dad bought me this car for my 17th B day for $1200 at a little used car lot named Klem’s Used Cars on Federal Hwy in Ft. Lauderdale back in March,1975 . Loved this car . Ran on Sunoco 93 octane for 53.9 cents gallon. A little old lady in an Olds Delta 88 ran a stop sign and I t boned her going at about 60 mph around Christmas 1975 . Just finished detailing her an hour earlier. She looked GREAT up to when she was totalled. Would LOVE to own this one ! Heard that these are hard to find now partly due to the large engine compartments that were popular for use at the drag strip and many were wrecked over the years.

    Like 0
  19. Justin

    Always loved these big personal performance luxury yachts. At 30 k should have working ac . May be a semi flip if it was for sale prior as mentioned. Wonder what it cost in 2021 ?

    Like 0
  20. Bobby buys cars

    My dad bought a model J with 426 new. I was 16, I’m sure you can imagine the fun I had cruising in that bad boy.

    Like 0
  21. Mart

    👍 Thanks Classics Fan,
    Now I don’t have to tell
    someone that for the
    200th time. 🥴

    Like 1
    • 19sixty5 Member

      I don’t even bother anymore… it’s rarely worth the discussion!

      Like 0
    • Mart

      Same people that think my
      Buick is a GTO…🥴

      Like 0
  22. Dave Farina

    Beautiful car, In the day I had 4 of them all. What’s a big block four fifty five. You should have no problems on it. Again beautiful. David f from milwaukee wisconsin.

    Like 0

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