Vehicle Description
Everyone likes surprises, right? This 1963 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 gorgeous interior full of options,
and has the right look for full-sized Pontiac muscle, all at a very
reasonable price. Surprised?
Still wearing a coat of original spec special-order Bamboo Cream
paint, this gorgeous full-sized coupe has a no-nonsense 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 grown-up and
muscular. 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
1963 cars introduced styling features that would become Pontiac
trademarks for years to come, including stacked headlights and the
slick taillights hidden in the trim. Crisp body lines and a minimum
of add-on styling gimmicks certainly help, and today it shows off
excellent fit and finish that's pretty much the way the factory did
it. It has recently had much the chrome and emblems refinished,
which adds sparkle to the overall look. The grille remains in great
shape, the glass is original and good shape, and the lack of the
usual vinyl top gives it a touch of sportiness that you usually
don't find in full-sized luxury cruisers.
Pontiac was big on two- or even tri-tone interiors, but this
handsome no-nonsense Grand Prix wears basic black. The vinyl
upholstery is in excellent condition with no notable splits or
tears 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
original, 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 looks great with only minor signs of age. All the
instruments are bright and crisp, 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 factory A/C that's fully functional, a center console,
power windows, and a hidden AM/FM/Satellite/iPod radio that sounds
great, although it's worth mentioning that the original AM radio
works, too. The trunk is upholstered in correct brown mats and
carries a full-sized spare.
The original, numbers-matching 389 shows just 38,142 original miles
and purrs using a 4-barrel carburetor and dual exhaust, as
original. Again, we suspect that the engine has never been out of
the car and it runs superbly, 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 chrome Edelbrock air
cleaner. The exhaust is a 2.5-inch setup with stock-style mufflers
for a vintage performance sound that definitely commands attention.
A 3-speed automatic drives the original full-size rear end with
3.23 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.
Standard steel wheels with hubcaps that look like the legendary
8-lugs give it the right look and it sits on fresh 215/75/14
whitewall radials all around.
So are you surprised by how much you like this car? Don't be,
because it really is as awesome as it looks and the price is
certainly right. Call today!