4-Speeds/4 Doors! 1973 Pontiac Grand Am
Wow, here’s an unusual one for review, a first year, 1973 Pontiac Grand Am with four doors and a four-speed manual transmission – hardly a regular find on anything produced by what was then the BIG Three and a Half. The seller claims that this is one of only twelve produced, so that’s reason enough to check this sedan out in detail. Located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this formidable four-door sedan is available, here on craigslist for $37,500. Thanks go to T.J. for this tip!
Pontiac’s Grand Am was an attempt to combine performance with refined road manners and then mix in a bit of European flair. Built on the same A-body platform as the LeMans/GTO, the Grand Am was offered as both a four-door sedan and a two-door hardtop – both utilizing the same basic GM “Colonnade” styling as the aforementioned A-body cars. First-year sales were brisk with about 43K copies finding new owners. The initial Grand Am lasted three years before being briefly discontinued and returning as a G-body platformed car in ’78. In later years, starting in ’85, the Grand Am was reduced to a mostly forgettable, N-body compact – a distant memory to its auspicious start.
I can’t verify the seller’s claim regarding this Grand Am’s rarity but whatever the number, be it twelve or something greater, I’m sure it’s a rare bird. The four-speed gearbox is attached to a 230 gross net HP, 400 CI, V8 engine which was a pretty fair set-up for the time. The seller claims that it’s fast, and then adds, “Stops, starts, and runs great“.
Commonly found in Cameo White, this Grand Am, and its understated red and blue accent stripe still presents very nicely – though it is a repaint in the original color. There’s no claim to the 53K mile recording but it’s believable taking the entirety of this car into consideration. One of the Grand Am’s most prominent features is its Pontiac “beak” which is constructed from a soft pliable material that helps retain its shape when minor mayhem occurs.
Inside we are treated to a red vinyl bucket-seat environment that still shows like new. The upholstery, dash pad, door panels, and headliner are not showing any signs of wear or deterioration from use, much less from the ravages of time, in this case now closing in on a half-century. The curved dash/instrument panel and fantastically padded Pontiac bucket seats, with lumbar support – unusual for the day, all make for great driving ergonomics.
The seller admonishes potential buyers not to doubt the four and four combination here and really, there is no reason to do so. Pontiac’s promotional material from the era makes mention of the four-speed manual transmission availability with either the 400 or 455 CI engine and does not limit that option by body style (interestingly, the two-door hardtop outsold the four-door sedan by an almost 4:1 margin!). It’s just not the kind of combination that most would have wanted in a domestic sedan in those days. I’m down with this Grand Am…except for the price. What do you think, priced right, or not quite?
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Comments
I like the combination, one of my main drivers is an 05 Caddy CTS-V that’s 4 doors, 6speed, 400 HP and bucket seats. Hence the name I use. Doubt in 73 I would have driven this, but some family guy that a Firebird wouldn’t be practical for and wanted some of the fun, yes I could see this one being built. Salesman probably enjoyed the experience too!
I never knew they made these with a 4 speed.This is the
kind of car that I was looking for in the early ’80’s,when our kids
were little.
I bought a new cameo white one Seattle in 1973 and the option to order a 4 speed manual was there so I did that and I special ordered a few other things such as dual exhausts, the ‘fuel economy’ E3:23 axle, 4-barrel carb instead of the standard 2 barel, rear deck speakers, that’s about it. I declined air and a fancier sound system. I was young so go figure? Cutting costs? Maybe?
230 *net* horsepower. Not gross.
You are correct!
Fixed.
JO
All it could net was 230 horses? That sounds pretty gross. ;)
I believe 1974 was the final year to.order a stick. Certainly this is rare. I saw a 2 door 73 at the Pontiac Nationsls about 2005. I loved it then. Still do today. Based on production of supposedly 12 like this, his asking price is not too optimistic.
Maybe, but try selling this in 5 years for anywhere near this!
Actually 1975 was the last year for 1st grand am 74 and 75 looked the same 73 had different taillights and decklid
Cool car, love the 4 spd. I just can’t see the price, rare does not always equal valuable.
I agree. This is a neat car, but it’s sorta like a 4-speed station wagon with bucket seats. Rare, but not very valuable.
Whoa! If this was a 400/4 speed wagon with buckets, console and the Grand Am dash, my check for 35k would have already been cashed and I’d be driving it! How cool would a Grand Am wagon be?
Rather buy a Taurus Sho , still quick, 4 door, stick and much cheaper
Ever work on a SHO Mark ???
I Had a SHO. Fun car but it spent more time at the Dealership getting repaired than in my Garage. First Toqure Converter at 83,000 and Transmission at 85,000. Never Beat on. Crazy and it’s gone! Thank God for my extended Warranty.
Of Course I’d rather drive my 69 GP 428 Leather Car….
There is an all original 1974 4 Door 4 Speed Grand Am in a collection in Nashville.
1 of 6 built in 1974.
455 or 400 engine?
Right transmission, but too many doors and too much many.
Nice car, though.
Sounds like a flipper looking to make a quick buck. The ad makes vague references to ownership, but not specifically the ownership of the poster.
The chance of selling this car for the price of a very nice used Maserati is rediculous.
A used recen/Maserati is garbage, in either Quattroporte or Ghibli models.
I don’t believe a 4 speed 455 was ever offered for the Grand Am. If Pontiac had actually produced a Grand Am with the SD 455, it could have been optioned with a 4 speed if I remember correctly.
You’re right, the attached sales brochure referenced it, but that was assuming use with the SD-455 engine. Planned for the Grand Am, that motor never made it to G.A. production.
JO
My dad bought a 4 door Grand Am in 1973. Ordered from the local Pontiac dealer where he was told that the 4 speed wasn’t available with the 455. He ordered with the 455, 4 bbl, dual exhaust and limited slip diff. He took me out of school to travel to the Pontiac factory to take delivery. Dad still has the car..
Been painted. The “6.5” and “Grand Am” logos were on opposite sides of the decklid. I’m always amazed people don’t remember where they go back on the car. The brochure online shows this.
I would drive this…for half the price!
Nice car and unique. I like odd (hence my former attraction to my now ex-wife lol) and this fits the bill.
If I won the lottery, I would actually consider paying the asking price.
In this case, the pointed nose is appropriate, because this is definitely a unicorn.
Rare as hen’s 🐔 teeth 😬
Cool Poncho. Seems a bargain, and would be well bought.
Back when you could actually order a car the way you wanted!
It’s interesting that you could order a 4 door Pontiac Grand Am in ’74 with a 4-speed, but it was not available on an Olds 4-4-2…Another one of the General’s quirky mandates.
I have owned a 73 Cutlass Supreme 2 Door with a 455, 4 speed, swivel buckets & console. It was factory stock as built. I sold it back in the fall of 1987. I would be astonished to find that one could not get a 4 speed in a 442? The only difference between them was the slant back versus the formal roof line.
Found the old Cutlass brochures on-line. In ’73 the Cutlass was available with standard 3 speed on the column, optional 4 speed on the floor (455 engine only) or the THM. In ’74 forward, THM only until the 260/5-speed combo was offered for fuel economy purposes in ’77 and ’78.
wjtinfwb – what engines were available in the Cutlass in the years that show no stick??
There are too many choices of better cars for 37k
One of my all-time favorite greenhouses. Way better looking than the coupe.
I can only wonder if the Grand Am would’ve sold better in ’73-4 if it had been available with at least a 350 if not the Chevy six as well.
I agree this one’s unique but too pricey.
It’s still a turd of a malaize GM with a 4 speed.
Asking way too much….
I’ve got a 99 Bonneville. Can I get 37k too? Lol
Maybe in 2047, if it came equipped with a factory 4 speed manual.
Like my 07 GXP with the 5.3 with the paddle shift! Fun to drive!
4 door 4 speed whats not to love? The price but at least the door hinges held up better than the 2 doors
Neat car but there are many others that are far neater that can be bought at that price. I had the Buick version of that body style (non manual ofcourse), those cars drove very nice. They made great circle dirt racers that many gave their lives doing. I doubt he will find a buyer at that price but you never know. Late 70s Malibus, Firebird and others had sticks and don’t bring huge cash. Even custom/low production convertibles of this Era don’t bring large sums. It’s just neat, simular to a 64 Buick Electra 4 door I had with the 425 with twin 4 bbl carb package. Few if any cared.
Buick had a 425?? I thought they had 430??
The 425 was first, mid 60s, then the 430. Not sure what year exactly but 69 225s had a 430 and if I had to guess 70 did too. By 71 it was 455. 70 HS had a 455 too so 69 May have been the last year for the 425. There was also a 401 in the mid 60s.
A cool piece of Pontiac history. GM really sold its soul when it shuttered the “Excitement” brand. Price is steep but where are you going to find another one? I could see this as a garage mate daily driver to an SD-455 T/A, just yank that 400, drop in a warmed up 455 HO and give it a good detailing. I don’t have the space or cash for it but if I did….
Only 6 made tells the story. Being ridiculous and rare doesn’t mean it’s worth big bucks. $37,500 in my opinion is wishful thinking. I mean, think about what’s out there for that amount of money. Thanks BF for a good laugh before the new year.
I think this is one of those things where a 2 door version would although not be as rare but it comes down what would you rather have. I would bet if you took 2 door manual and a 4 door manual to one of the “big box” auctions the 2 door would bring bigger numbers.
Only six 4 speed 4 door sedans built? Where is the legit factory documentation from Pontiac to back up this claim????
Cool, but pricey for a crew cab.
If its that rare as the seller stated many times send it to a classic car auction don’t try to sell it on Craig’s list
It’s funny how 2 more doors completely ruin the looks of that car.
First domestic car to relocate the floor dimmer switch to turn signal stalk. New owners had to remind themselves not to step on the floor anymore.
I’ve seen very few 4 doors and no 4 speeds 2 or 4 door. It is rare no doubt. I have a really nice 50 Dodge Coronet 4 door. I’d put up pics if I could. Nice inside and out and you could get in it and drive it anywhere. Gets compliments and thumbs up every time I drive it. I’m sure it’s rarer than the same year Ford or Chevy. Ford and Chevy in the same condition would bring 25% more and sell quicker. Why? Desire drives price way more than rarity. It only takes 2 people with strong desire to drive up the price of an object. We want what we wanted as kids/teenagers and couldn’t afford or just had other priorities. Most of us didn’t want 4 doors but the second driving desire is Dad, Granddad, aunt Betsy etc. had one and it reminds us of times we thought were simpler. This car won’t bring the asking price in my humble opinion.
Too bad the owner installed the gauge and toggle switch in the console. Does the automatic shifter mount in the same location (opening) with a different bezel as the 4 speed?
The 4 doors really detract from the body style.
I agree the asking price is WAY too high even though it’s a clean car.
The Grand Am returned in 78 on the A body, The G body name was changed from A body because the A body went FWD
If you want to split hairs, yes but the A-body RWD cars became G-bodies while the A-body designation was reserved for GM’s wretched FWD models like the Pontiac 6000.
JO
Let’s look at the fact this is a Factory 4 speed 4 DOOR Sleeper, WOW that’s a rare car in my book think of the absolute fun you can have taking the kids for DONUTS!!!!! Just saying!!!!Not to mention taking the Mrs to Olive Garden in it!!!!!
A few years out of college I began selling real estate and figured my L78/M22 Camaro SS/RS need to be replace by a more “Grown-Up” car. I ordered a dark blue/black interior 4Dr Grand Am w/ Honeycomb wheels and opted for the 400/auto as the dealer said I’d never sell a 4spd/4dr. Loved the looks, handling, comfort. A poor boys XJ6. However the torque converter failed at 13K & master cylinder @ 18K (if memory serves me). This was in the day of 12K warranties. Requested help from GM for the transmission failure at 13K but the GM Rep basically told me tough luck. Haven’t bought another GM car since & never will. Currently have a GT4, 944, XJS, Viggen, and a very reliable VW Atlas.
Yeah I dunno Bruce, because of a bad tranny 50 years ago you’ll “never buy another GM car”? German cars et al are great for the most part, but things have changed lol. Not only that, even back in the 60s and 70s domestic engines and transmissions were pretty robust and reliable. Of the no doubt 200 domestic cars of every make, I don’t think I’ve EVER gotten a “lemon” and I could count on three fingers those that were “troublesome” although nowhere near a legit lemon (which is really a legal term meaning 3 unsuccessful & consecutive repair attempts within a given time frame)
I think it’s more about a point. GM cars today are boring, they might be adequate but NO for me also.
Years ago my brother had a Honda accord and just after the warranty expired the transmission went. The service manager asked my brother, “would this influence you decision on buying another Honda?” My brother said yes he would consider other brands. They came back with, “we will order a brand new transmission and install it 100% FREE”. They became loyal Honda buyers.
Yeah, I have seen a LOT of Beetles and Jetts sitting with bad transmissions too.
I don’t blame Bruce for being angry, but it has been almost 50 years now lol.
Yes, 50 years is a long time to hold a grudge, but us of Irish dissent are known for that. Fran’s comment about his brothers Honda shows the difference in corporate philosophies, and a reason that Honda has done so well. Contrary to my experience with the Grand Am, my wife’s mother gave her a 73 Olds Cutlas
coupe, (burgundy with a white interior) that we drove for several years with no issues. And despite my rant about never buying another new General Motors car, my eyes are open for another L78/M 22 Camaro as that car was a real monster.
Now you’re talking! 😉
The same flipper is trying to sell a Ford Fairmont for a ridiculously priced $17k…. Case closed..
It must be one of the very rare, unknown Shelby Fairmonts! Lol
When I saw the nose, my mind rushed to how much cash can I come up with, thought it was gonna be a 73 2 door, w a 455, power windows doors, tilt cruise AC, and factory sunroof, with automatic, and even if it was the money is way off on this car
I initially featured it in profile, specifically to show the rear doors, a move that I thought made sense. I guess I got overruled.
JO
I’ve known about these for years, I actually went & looked at a maroon one somewhere around 2002? It too was a 4 speed (the only reason I was really interested). I have seen others since. I don’t think his production numbers are accurate though, I believe there were more.
Someone also made the comment about a 442 not being available with a stick… considering Chevy, Pontiac & Buick all were, I highly doubt it. I know for a fact you could get a stick in the 76 & 77 442’s – why would Oldsmobile drop the stick shift & then bring it back??
Who says you couldn’t a 4 speed 442?
No manual 4 speed those years. The ONLY manual trans available was the weak Borg Warner 5 speed with the world class 4.3 liter Olds 260 CID V-8.
The 76/77 Cutlass with stick were 5 speed and limited to only being available with the 260 V8.
There was a 3 on the tree then too. Almost bought one…
I had a 77 T Top 5 Speed. The biggest Dog I’ve ever driven, right along with my 83 Mark VI
More than likely because the 5 speed was weak. The only other “true” Oldsmobile motor in 76 & 77 would’ve been the 403 (optional) yet never with a stick in anything. 75 would’ve been the end of both the 455 & 350 Olds motors & I don’t believe the 307 was around yet. Maybe with a 305 Chevy motor it was available with the 4 speed?? I have info somewhere packed away, but I’m not going to go digging for it.
The 260 was a joke. The 4 speeds (across all of GM) were known for shift linkage issues – easily rectified now.
That 260 was pathetic, whether bolted to the 5 speed or the THM 3 speed. Even in the downsized ‘78 the 260 was awful. And the 5 speed was a marginal box, swiped from the Monza and would self destruct if anything stouter than that 260 was bolted to it.
DVSCAPRI
Regarding the engines in the ‘73-74 Cutlass line up; in ‘73 the 250 6 cylinder with 3 speed manual was standard, 350’s with 2 or 4 barrel carbs were available as was a 455 4 barrel. In ‘74 it appears the 350 2 barrel with THM was standard, the 350 4 barrel optional and a 455 with THM or 4-speed was available.
“Enduro flex” & “radial” tires, a new beginning. Did they have the additive back then to keep the paint flexible? Loved the coupe!
I guess I’d part with 25k max for this. It’s VERY unusual as I’m sure anybody reading this knows – especially the fact of the 4dr. The thing is it’s NOT so unusual today given the “V” Caddy variants. I’m sure anyone wanting this car is a GM fan of one make or another. It’s just a matter of finding the one guy who wants it. For that guy it’s worth the 35… Personally I love it, but not 35k worth.
It’s a oddity that is certainly generating a lot of comments.
It should be listed for $50,000. Same chance at selling at this price than what they are asking!
Was the NACA scooped hood avail on 4 door grand ams? If so & if this car had that AND the ultra rare dealer only ram air kit, i could see it worth the asking price.
Otherwise, i would rather see a swap of the 4 speed, pedals, & manual only console into an automatic ’73 TWO door grand am or even GTO.
If the manual shifter here is the same as the one 1 in the ’76 t/a 455, the automatic would be faster, since a R/T road test said the ’76 manual shifter was balky & they could not get consistent qtr mile times.
I believe these 400s were underrated, horsepowerwise, even with 8:1 compression – & they put out a decent 325 ft lbs of torque at 3200 rpm.
This may be the nicest ‘colonnade’ bodied gm I’ve ever seen. A 4dr. Love the 4-door body. And knowing there is a 4spd! behind whatever v-8 is under the hood gets me going. Those v-8’s, again whatever it is, can be seriously upgraded these days.
Not a muscle car or a real hot rod by any means but a cool car none the less that can haul the family. And set up well can haul a——.
But really, way too pricey.
37k??? No way. Not unless it had 37k for original miles and was almost perfect. 4spd in anything from 1955 to 1975 is better than an automatic. Unless you really do a bunch of engine work the cars aren’t any faster than a 2002 Nissan Maximum. So you might as well have more fun with a manual. Or actually they suck sell them for 50% cheaper.
The total A body manual transmission production for 1973 was 187. Period. That included GTO’s, LeMans with six cylinders and three speed column shift, everything. This is directly from Pontiac Historical Services & Pontiac Motor Division itself. In 1973, they didn’t track manual transmission production by model series (A vs. AH) or by body style (2 door/4 door/wagon).
I used to own a beautiful and EXTREMELY rare ‘73 2 door Grand Am that was LOADED with options, air conditioning, but the automatic temperature control version, Power windows, power door locks, Power trunk lid release, Full gages with in dash tach, grid type rear window defroster (not the lesser blower fan type). Dual exhaust with the factory chrome tail pipes, A 3:23 10 bolt corporate safe-t-track (posi) rear. It was featured in the April, 1989 issue of High Performance Pontiac magazine.
There is a lot of talk about the factory installed 4 speed shifter in these cars. The OEM shifter was made by Inland and was ok until the bushings (on the shift levers) wore at 50-60K. You could install a Hurst Competition/Plus onto the Muncie transmission but you would have to modify both the reverse lever and the backdrive link are to the steering column to keep the steering column ignition lock and reverse lamps functional. Otherwise, if you disconnect it and rotate the column collar to get the key out, the reverse light stay on whenever the key is in the “run” position & makes it look like a real “race car” just like every other “day two” modified muscle car…
I knew a kid when in High School whose family in the 5 Towns on long Island had a Black with red interior 1973 Grand Am 4 door with a 4 speed. Until this one, I had never seen another. I envied him for that car.
L❤️VE the car! Reminds me of my 1973 Buick century four-door that had a 350 V8 and a three speed manual transmission on the column. The only other options were a heavy duty front and rear sway bar, and some big shock absorber thing with the front suspension in the front.
Radio delete car, rubber format instead of carpeting, manual, steering, manual, brakes, crank windows and manual locks with no rear window defroster either.
Minnesota, winter and salt heated up and it is no longer around. If I could find one, I probably couldn’t afford it just like I can’t afford this Pontiac.