Way Out Interior! 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix
The Grand Prix was a fixture in Pontiac’s entourage from 1962 until 2008. The biggest change in design may have come in 1978 when General Motors downsized all its mid-sized automobiles, which included the Grand Prix. They were smaller and lighter, without giving up space for passengers and their stuff. This 1979 example looks like a beauty with a claimed 53,000 miles, but because the seller is a dealer, practically no information is offered to sweeten the pot. Located in Bellville, New Jersey, this potential survivor is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $10,950.
How different were the proportions of the Grand Prix from 1977 to 1978? The new-and-improved GP (for better fuel economy) was a foot shorter and shed 600 lbs. And the 1978 Grand Prix would be the first-ever to have something other than a V8 under the hood as standard equipment. The less-bulky Pontiac came with a 231 cubic inch V6 supplied from the GM engine pool (in this case, Buick). But you could upgrade to a 301 V8 and both came with an automatic transmission (in most cases). We’re not sure what’s under all the plumbing in the seller’s vehicle.
Buyers were generally happy with the smaller Grand Prix as 1978 sales equaled those of 1977 (228,000 units) and 1979 followed up with 210,000 copies. The seller’s Pontiac looks quite solid in terms of the body, paint, and interior. But the seller doesn’t talk about original vs. restored or whether the claimed mileage is right on.
The interior is somewhat typical 1970s fare with way-out pillowed velour cloth upholstery that is equally as nice as the two-tone paint and vinyl top. The wheels don’t look to be stock and may or may not be your cup of tea. Based on photos vs. details presented, is this a Pontiac you’d go after? BTW, thanks to Barn Finder Dennis House for this interestinf tip!
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Comments
Bought 1 new & speedo 20 MPH slow, red interior w/black passenger door card. Bad sensor kept advance full at all times, 2 weeks to get new sensor. Oil light on and dealer found bearings gone at 7K and rebuilt engine.. Got it back on Friday & traded for new Subaru on Saturday. Soured me on Pontiac to this day.
Malaise era junk ain’t gonna get you far despite the fancy bordello interior.
I believe the wheels are the extremely rare, optional, genuine wire wheels! Note the Pontiac emblems in the wheel centers.
Your correct those are the rare genuine wire wheels.
GM did a great job with these cars. Downsizing created a tight and crisp body shape while the interior remained mostly the same. Pontiac may have the best styling inside with the more conventional dash and classic armrests and window switch location. Today this is considered way out because people are scared to have a distinctive vehicle. The silver Landau roof is unique.
“Scared to have a distinctive vehicle”. Ain’t that the truth! Buy what you like and drive the wheels off it, to hell with what anyone else thinks, they can go drive the Subarus.
The sales of the 1978 G.Prix DID NOT equal those of the larger 1977 G.Prix! Production of the 77 G.Prix was 288,430 units versus the 78 G.Prix @ 228,444 almost 60,000 units difference!
No doubt shared with the new T-bird and Cougar that were in their second year of being resized and re-priced.
A friend down the street from where I grew up got one new when they turned 16. Theirs was triple blue, exact same seats as these but in blue, with t-tops. The landau roof was a very light blue while the paint was a 2 tone metallic blue.
Got to try out a downsided GP as a day loaner while the dealer serviced my 1974 Grand Prix J. Newer model was easier to drive and park due to lack of bulk and the 301 V8 was responsive in city driving. However, I later had a 301 in a used Bonneville and the engine felt fuel starved and extremely slow in city and highway driving. Assuming now the dealer GP was a 4bbl and the Bonneville a 2bbl carb. The smaller GP was ok for its time but the right options make all the difference.
My first demo after graduating and being hired at the enemy – GMAC. Two tone green SJ with almost every option save t-tops or sunroof. Made me a fan of slicktops to this day. That steering wheel is the equal of a 365 GTB for feel and the high back buckets were decent. I am undoubtedly seeing the car through the prism of being young and bulletproof, but there you go. That gauge package to the right of the speedo was mechanical and worked perfectly. I think it had the early gas shocks and a rear stabilizer bar.
I’d be scrambling for my checkbook if this had T-Tops! Beautiful example otherwise and a lot cheaper than the next generation G-Bodies.
Pretty well loaded GP SJ, lacking only power roof or T-top. 301, the give away is the normal fan shroud. The V6 was mounted in the same position as a V8 but the shorter length required an extended fan shroud that was almost comical in its depth. Factory real wire wheels as well, very rare on the GP at its price point but popular on the Town Car and Cad Brougham of the era where the price was more digestible. Cool interior, I miss those days of heavily patterned cloth or the pillowed leather. Car looks to be in great shape. A nice driver at the ask.
I really like this year & most years G.P. but this Ad was on C.L. N.Y./N.J. for at least 2 years. so now is on FB. It’s funny how people will list a car I’ve seen 5 years & will not let go for $10.00 less than advertise. sometimes it price goes up instead!
It’s a 301 Pontiac and those wheels were available thru Pontiac, my 79 2 tone blue had double basket spokes and Vogues, my buddy had 2 tone green with these wheels and Vogues, both cars were loaded, both had 301 Pontiacs in them, motor ran ok, mine got totaled and I replaced it with a black 80 SJ w tops and spokes n Vogues, but had the horrible 231 Buick V/6, it pinged and knocked, beautiful POS
nice car. shame its missing the tach and has that lame slug of a 301 motor..