Classic Grand Prix, 389 V8, Auto, White, Strong Vintage Cruiser

1964 Pontiac Grand Prix -- Description

Everyone likes surprises, right? This 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix hardtop is definitely a surprise. With the GTOs and Bonnevilles getting all the attention, it's only a matter of time before everyone catches on that the Grand Prix is really the one to own. This one packs a rumbling 389, a nicely designed factory interior, and has the right look for full-sized Pontiac muscle, all at a bargain price. Surprised? Still wearing correct Cameo Ivory paint, this gorgeous... full-sized coupe has a brutal yet sophisticated look to it, doesn't it? Maybe it's the legendary Super Duty DNA running through its fuel lines or something, but this car looks potent. Pontiac designers nailed the proportions, giving the big car a sporty attitude despite being notably bigger than its GTO sibling, which is no minor achievement. The all-new look of the early '60s cars introduced styling features that would become Pontiac trademarks for years to come, including stacked headlights and the slick taillights and design accents of the rear end. Solid body lines and a minimum of add-on styling gimmicks certainly help, and today it shows off good fit and finish that's pretty much the way the factory did it, and although the paint has seen some better days, it still shows relatively well, especially when this imposing body bombing down the road. Some of the chrome and trim is newer, which adds sparkle to the overall look, although the rear bumper could use a good polish to bring it back up to par with the remaining brightwork. The formidable split grille remains in nice shape, the glass is clear and crisp, and the handsome Weld wheels give it a touch of formality. Perfect it is not, but at this price point, this is a very solid Pontiac. As far as we can tell, the code 275 Parchment interior appears to be original (although the burgundy piping on the seats might be a custom add-on) and even after all these years it looks presentable and honest. Pontiac was big on two- or even tri-tone interiors, but this handsome no-nonsense Grand Prix wears basic white on the seats, off-set by burgundy on the dash, carpet, and bottoms of the door panels. The vinyl could use a deep detail, but with no notable splits or tears it's certainly manageable and the look should be familiar to anyone who drove a GM car in the 60s. Matching door panels are almost too nice to be that old, and the dash has not been baked in the hot sun despite this car hailing from the warm, sunny south. Even the clear Lucite steering wheel is still together, although with signs of age after years of happy miles traveled. All the instruments appear original to the car, including the console-mounted economy gauge, and if you look closely you'll discover that the high-beam indicator is a Chief Pontiac head in profile. This car also carries a factory heater/defroster, a center console, wood applique on the dash, and an AM radio that unbelievably still works. The trunk is upholstered in gray carpet and carries a full-sized spare and jack kit. The date-correct 389 shows a good maintenance work and a few choice upgrades, and purrs using an upgraded Edelbrock 600CFM 4-barrel carburetor with an electric choke. There aren't many signs of a grand overhaul, and we suspect that the engine has never been out of the car and it runs great, strongly suggesting that this car hasn't been raced or abused. With big block torque, it cruises effortlessly at just about any speed and a few upgrades make it reliable, including a modern alternator and HEI ignition. The exhaust is a true-dual setup with Super Turbo mufflers for a vintage performance sound that definitely commands attention. A 3-speed Roto-Hydromatic automatic drives the original full-size rear end with touring-friendly gears inside, so it's still the superlative highway cruiser it has always been. It's quite solid, too, so you should have no fears about dipping into the torque reserves any time you'd like. And with aluminum Weld wheels wrapped in 245/60/15 white-letter Uniroyal radials, it has an absolutely perfect stance. So are you surprised by how much you like this hard-to-find Grand Prix? Don't be, because it really is awesome and the price is certainly right. Call today!