Vehicle Description
1965 Pontiac Grand Prix
Advertising summed it up very gracefully but very pointedly for
1965. An illustration so artists could exaggerate the wide track,
sleek lower lines (as drawn) and all in a scene where the car is
attracting nothing but attention from bystanders, Then the copy
would read "Pontiac Grand Prix , If you had two wishes what would
the second one be!?"
As the story goes our original owner who was a pilot for "The
Steel" in Bethlehem, and also grew up with Lee Iacocca as well as
went to Lehigh U with him. One night at the local watering hole,
Lee said to our owner, "Hey Ike, when you are ready to buy a new
car, I'll take care of you." And he did indeed. with his contacts
he arranged for Ike to walk the line in the New Jersey GM plant as
the car was being built, and actually drove the car off the line,
becoming the first customer to do so at the Pontiac plant. The car
has remained in the same family for the entire time. In the early
90's it underwent a respray, new vinyl top, new exhaust, and
basically was passed down to Ike's son. As our consigner describes
the car was his dad's pride and joy, and only came out for shows,
and a trip to Colorado. Our consigner, his dad Ike, and the
consigner's brother were the only people allowed to drive this car.
And as Ike would say, "DONT SLAM THE DAMN DOORS!!"
Exterior
So, with doors never slammed, we see near perfectly minded gaps,
straight steel slabs bathed in a very nice respray of Teal
Turquoise. No faults to be seen on these exterior panels, just
shiny chrome adornments, and trimmings. Badging is all correct, and
that black vinyl top is holding strong and near perfect since being
replaced. From beak and stacked headlights to stern all is very
nice, and very correct. Fender skirts, and a trim spear running
just above the rockers and through said skirts is nicely shaped and
follows the contours of this slight Coke bottle design in its early
stages. Across the rear is a horizontal ribbed panel which includes
the brake lights and a black center with the highlighting ribs.
Dual chrome tipped exhausts peek out from under the large shiny
rear bumper. 14-inch turbine style hubcaps with faux knockoff
winged centers and PMD badging encircling the winged center are
wrapped by Lemans SR raised white letter radials on all 4
corners.
Interior
All buttoned up would best sum up the interior which is in a
beautifully preserved Parchment. Tuck and roll door panels greet us
upon entering and have nice cranks and the GM armrest and square
chromed door opener lever. A very clean stripe of black carpet
covers the lower doors. Inside we see more Parchment vinyl with
tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters and looking just fab with
no marks or stains. These seats are rimmed with wide chromed
accenting, and float in a sea of near perfect black carpeting. A
60's style center console with wood applique runs through the
buckets and eventually rises to the dash which is all original. On
its way up we note the shift lever, and a Pontiac manifold vacuum
gauge and an inserted tachometer. The dash, as stated, is remaining
original with more wood applique, original radio, and temp
controls, knobs and levers. Below the dash is an aftermarket
AM/FM/Cassette radio and on the other side of the console, an
equalizer to get that sound just right baby bear. A tightey whitey
headliner is above, and in back the bench has a central fold down
armrest, and a rear speaker for the stereo.
Drivetrain
Definitely one of the nicer original engine bays you will feast
your eyes on. A 421ci V8 with a blue painted block, chromed valve
covers, and a chromed air cleaner housing. A single 4-barrel
carburetor is atop, and a 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission on
back. All hoses, wires and surfaces are showroom condition under
this hood. On the rear axle is a 10 bolt, 3.08 posi-trac setup.
Undercarriage
Some patina on the black under side paint, but no rust, all solid
construction seen under here. Independent, coil springs are the
front suspension, and 4 link with coil springs are on the back.
Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners. Noted the exhaust piping is
a bit rusted through in areas but very slightly so.
Drive-Ability
It fired right up, and ran just a bit rough until it got warmed up,
but once it hit the test track it was ready to go, and go it did!
Plenty of power for nice acceleration, good handling, and bias free
braking. All functions were working (save for the original radio)
but the aftermarket radio kicked in.
Here we have a one family owned car with a touch of Iacocca history
due to a college friendship behind it. The pride and joy of Ike,
and his sons who had an opportunity to reconnect after Ike gave up
piloting. A great looking respray, nice top, and beautiful engine
bay and interior. 1965 never looked so good, and I've decided after
driving this wonderful automobile, I don't need a second wish! And
remember "DON'T SLAM THE DAMN DOORS!"
VIN DECODE
266575E116232
2-Pontiac
66-Grand Prix
57-2 Door Hardtop
5-1965
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
116232-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
STYLE 65 26657-1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 Door Hardtop
BODY BL 2664-Linden Body #
TRIM 288 2-Parchment Buckets
PAINT L A-Teal Turquoise, Black Vinyl Top
B70-Padded Dash
C08-Vinyl Roof
C89-Rear Reading Lamps
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.