Vehicle Description
In the 1970s, if you wanted a little performance with your luxury
(or was it luxury with your performance?) then Pontiac was where
you shopped. This 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix is a nice survivor that
neatly combines a strong-running V8 with the luxury features of a
Buick, and wrapped it all in some of the best styling of the
decade.
Unlike many of its corporate cousins, the Pontiac Grand Prix didn't
seem to get clumsy-looking as the decade wore on. Instead, the
handsome long nose/short deck profile continued to be a big seller,
and with dramatic elements like the V-shaped grille and steeply
sloping rear window, it looked fast but not like a kid's car. The
handsome Cordovan Maroon paint makes this subtle but hard to miss,
and it highlights why these cars were popular then and will likely
become desirable collectors' items in the near future. Note the
sweeping front fender line that continues to just about where the
driver sits, then kicks up again to finish out the quarter panel.
That's a line that's been alive since the early days of sports cars
and put to great use by GM in so many products. It looks awesome
and gives lithe proportions to even a big car like the Grand Prix.
Decent original paint certainly helps, with a shine that certainly
seems in line with the mileage and a set of pinstripes to highlight
the car's best features. Chrome was a big feature in the '70s, and
the bumpers, trim, and lenses are this Poncho all look quite good,
and you just can't have a luxury coupe in 1976 without a padded
roof.
Sure, the tan vinyl interior is pure disco-era flash, but they
didn't skimp on the sport or luxury at Pontiac. Bench seats mean
there's plenty of room for everyone, and the upholstery is in
excellent condition, as you'd expect on a car with so few miles.
The gauges are exceptionally cool round units in a wrap-around
instrument panel, flanked by round A/C vents that complete the racy
look. There's nothing here that's been modified or even really
used, and the years have been kind because the door panels, dash
pad, carpets, and steering wheel all look quite good. Even the
original AM/FM radio is still in the middle of the dash. This car's
originality is also quite evident in the trunk where it shows
factory paint, an original mat, and what just might be the original
spare tire and jack assembly.
A 350 cubic inch V8 was standard on the Grand Prix, and this one
still runs like it should. The 2-barrel carb isn't going to win any
horsepower contests, but it's incomparably smooth, proving once
again that good original cars just feel better. The engine bay is
highly original and while it shows some age, there's really nothing
it needs to make it ready for survivor-class competition beyond a
good clean-up. The engine runs smoothly with impressive torque at
almost any speed, and it's a great car for cruising the
interstates, where it just loafs along unobtrusively. It includes a
heavy-duty TH400 3-speed automatic transmission and a 10-bolt rear
end, and it appears that much of the exhaust system is still
original equipment save for the muffler and tailpipe. Standard
Rally II wheels look great and wear 215/75/15 whitewall
radials.
Incredibly clean and quite authentic, this car will be a great
feature in preservation classes and reminds us how good cars were
back in the day. Call today!