1970 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
Pontiac ad men of the day loved to stretch the images unnaturally wider, longer and lower than they were in real life. That's what is called "artistic license" and if anyone took advantage of this trick, it was the automotive ad men who put the images down for newspaper and magazine pages.
Pontiac's upscale, sporty car that offers full-size comfort along with sporty looks, spirited performance and all the whistles and bells, and the purveyor of the "wide track". We have on consignment, a 1970 version of this large piece of Detroit iron which is presenting in very good condition. A great 1970's pre 5mph crash bumper, and double headlight front have this in my bio as one of the best looking models of the Grand Prix offering. In SJ trim (or Sports J offering) it has the big 455 engine with the Quadra-jet carb feeding it.
Exterior
Large straight rust-free steel panels cover this massive car, and they are maintaining their good gaps and straightness. All are draped in 47B Verdoro Green and as consigner stated, is the original paint. So is the black vinyl top with its smooth sloping rear glass with nary a mark on it. Up front is the iconic "beak" style dual V shaped grille which juts out from the panel that houses the dual headlights. This "beak" is covered in nice chrome and melts into the horizontal bumper which runs from front quarter to front quarter. The hood follows suit with the V grille and makes its long way rearward to a chrome trimmed big windshield, again all original to this car. Straight doors, parallel to the rockers which have a nice trim piece covering them to highlight the sides of this car. On back a slightly flared rear quarter, has trim around the wheel wells just like the front, and forms a cove in the corner for the chromed inset bumper, which also houses the taillights. A trio of small vertical strips is just above the beginnings of the rear bumper and are just a touch of modern for this car. Red line tires cover 15-inch Pontiac Rally 2 wheels wrapping up this beautiful all original car for the exterior.
Interior
Looking into the passenger compartment, we find beautifully preserved black vinyl buckets up front and a nice comfy rear bench stretching from rear panel to panel, also covered in black vinyl. A super clean center console wraps around the driver's seat and thins down as it goes rearward. In the wider front section, we see the shift lever topped with a wood knob, a covered ashtray, and some SJ badging. On the thinner rear is a spacious glovebox nestled between the buckets. Moving to the dash, it too is all original and very clean. It houses the radio and temp controls and also the deep-set trio of gauge cluster in front of the original steering wheel. Black carpet floods the floors, and a beautiful clean and tight headliner is above all this originality.
Drivetrain
Possibly the money shot if you will, optioned for the SJ, a 455ci big V8 which is numbers matching and looking shiny as the day it left the showroom. Steel blue block with no faults as to leaks or drips, shiny and supple hoses and a dual scooped air cleaner cover with 455-4 badging. No corrosion seen here, and obviously meticulously cared for throughout its life. This engine has #87 heads and shows a casting date of Nov. 13th, 1970. A Rochester Q-Jet carb in 4-barrel form is atop this 455, and a 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission is on back. Very nice presentation for this SJ power plant.
Undercarriage
It might as well have just pulled out of the showroom, as there is literally not a spec of dirt or rust seen on this undercarriage. No rust, just solid steel unibody construction, with clean rockers, and floorboards. Even the exhaust shows no rust or then engine no drips...amazing! Independent coil springs upfront for the suspension, and 4 link with coil springs for the rear give this big car a nice stiff but smooth ride. Power disc brakes are upfront, and power drums on the rear. Just an overall beautiful presentation and clean as a whistle.
Drive-Ability
One of this writers' favorite pieces of the "Big Iron" coming out of Detroit for the new decade of the 70's. This one started up quickly, and handled all aspects of the test track as expected...flawlessly. And it was comfortable with all controls and knobs and buttons working perfectly, just as this survivor looks.
Survivor sounds like something that may have been through hell and is still around. OH Contrare' for this car as it has been pampered all its life, and even at 94K miles is looking very new. Like your 1970's refrigerator in Verdoro Green, and the iconic shiny Pontiac beak, this one is a really great example for the next owner to fully enjoy, and not have to worry about keeping it parked...show it baby, and wear it proud as you troll Main street for your next unsuspecting victim!
VIN DECODE
276570Z121597
2-Pontiac
76-Grand Prix
57-2 Door Hardtop
0-1970
Z-Fremont, CA Assy Plant
121597-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
ST 70 7657-1970 Grand Prix 2 Door Hardtop
BDY BF05225-Fremont Body #
TR 288-Black Vinyl
PNT 47B-Verdoro Green, Black Vinyl Top
12B-2nd Week December Build
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.