Vehicle Description
1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE Sedan
"When you call a car a Grand Prix, you have to live up to it. So
you'll find standard features like refined V6 power, 4 wheel
independent suspension and ABS. Whether you're touring or
commuting, the road is no place to make concessions. And no
concessions were made in engineering Grand Prix." From the 1996
sales brochure. 45,639 four door Pontiac Grand Prix SE's were built
in 1996 with another 31,811 two door models. Together, they
represented more than 10% of total Pontiac production that year and
were common commuter cars on American roads.
For consignment, a 1996 Pontiac Grand Prix SE with a title verified
24,390 actual miles, a 2 owner car that is a shining example of
90's styling, especially from Pontiac and a well preserved example
that is young enough to be driven, and old enough to be shown. This
is perfect Radwood fodder.
Exterior
Pontiac was trying bold designs with headlights and just before
this generation of passenger car, the '89-'91 Pontiac 6000 wore a
triple headlight design and inventiveness continues with the Grand
Prix which essentially has a lightbar that spans the width of the
face, flush to the body. From there, the plastic notched body
panels begin with the three lined bumper cover that is part of mid
panel trim that encircles the car while subtle cladding runs along
the bottom edge of the car, all the way around, to improve its
sporty and aerodynamic profile. Since the Ford Taurus launch in
'86, cars were progressively rounder, and that's illustrated in the
shape of this car which has curved edges in place of the right
angles of previous generations, and a rear quarter glass that sheds
light on the interior and eliminates blind spots. Pontiac also
created tail lights that were unique, with black grid trim over
smoked lenses and a reflector piece that connected the widespread
lights. 15-inch wheels are dressed in plastic Pontiac hubcaps, with
fan blade-like spokes to denote movement. There are some touched up
scuffs on the front corner and some imperfect silver trim on the
trunk lid, but otherwise this car presents nicely and is straight
bodied.
Interior
Door panels are a mix of materials and shapes including patterned
cloth upper inserts, plastic switchgear, carpeted lowers, and
hallelujah, a formed cupholder in the storage bin! Game changer!
The charcoal cloth bucket seats are of the commuter kind, not the
sporty variety, and are wide and comfortable with a center armrest
big enough for two to share. The rear bench is slightly contoured,
a step up from those straight designs of yesteryear, or at least,
the 80's, and they're tall backed to boot! A smooth charcoal
steering wheel is embossed with the Pontiac arrowhead and leads to
a very basic instrument panel with temp, tachometer, speedometer,
and fuel, along with a center area of idiot lights. In the center
is Pontiac's AM/FM/Cassette radio with gray buttons that would
occupy Pontiac cabins for years to come. The climate panel is so
simple, it's possible PlaySkool had something to do with the
design. Gray carpet on the floor is plush and in fine shape and the
foam formed headliner above is soft and intact and clean.
Drivetrain
Lift the hood on the gas shocks and we find a 3.1 liter V6, aka the
3100, rated at 160 horsepower and receiving gas through electronic
fuel injection. It's got an age patina, usage marks magnified by
the passing of time. Driving the front wheels is a 4T60E 4-speed
automatic transmission which interacts with 3.33 gearing. Power
disc brakes are found at all four corners. Welcome to the mid
90's!
Undercarriage
Same under here where time has marred the underside with surface
rust and metal oxidation. We note some oil on the subframe
crossmember in front of the oil pan. The single exhaust flows back
to the original equipment muffler and exits without fanfare under
the rear bumper. Front and back suspension is independent with
Macpherson struts at the bow, and a Transflex leaf at the
stern.
Drive-Ability
1996 doesn't feel that long ago, (for some of us), and so this
interior doesn't feel horribly outdated. It's comfortable,
efficient, and just right as your daily driver. The fuel injection
delivers the goods and off we go onto the test loop where it's no
GXP, but to get us to work and back, or school and back, it's a
fine quantity of power. With such low mileage we were not surprised
to find every function operating. This one was stored correctly!
While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were
working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these
functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Meanwhile, we note the right rear door will not open."Think I'd
crumble? You think I'd lay down and die? No, not I. I will survive.
Long as I know how to love, I know I'll stay alive". Ah yes, the
words of Gloria Gaynor ring true here, as if the GP is singing it
loud. This is not only a survivor, but a low mileage example of a
ubiquitous genre of cars that covered countless millions of miles
in America before being set out to pasture. Out of the 45,000 1996
Grand Prix's produced, we're thinking this example is in the top 50
in terms of low mileage. This one's got your name all over it!
1G2WJ52M0TF220281
1-USA
G-General Motors
2-Pontiac
WJ-Grand Prix
5-4 Door Sedan
2-Manual Belts, Front Air Bags
M-3.1 Liter V6
0-Check Digit
T-1996
F-Fairfax, KS Assy Plant
220281-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
There is no guarantee of mileage. A $299 Dealer Administrative fee
is not included in the advertised price.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
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