70K Miles and Runs: 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix
Growing up, I knew a lot of people that drove the full-size Pontiac, but most of them were Catalinas, Star Chiefs, Executives, and Bonnevilles. I only knew one person that drove a Grand Prix. The Grand Prix wore unique styling compared to the other models. In 1965 that included a vertically divided grille that housed the parking lights, chrome trim on the rear that extended across the taillights, unique roofline, and fender skirts (also standard on Bonneville). Here is a 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 door hardtop for sale here on Craigslist in San Juan Island, Washington. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Miguel for finding this car and bringing it to our attention.
The seller is the third owner and has owned the car for 15 years. It is described as an “all original survivor barn find”. But this car won’t need any coaxing to get it going, because it runs. The Grand Prix comes with original window sticker, manual, and protect-o plate. The car is finished in the original Forest Green paint which is showing quite a bit of wear. The seller says it is a perfect car for a full restoration. This Grand Prix comes with the original 8-lug aluminum wheels that have been powder coated and restored. It will need some rust repair on the driver’s side and the power trunk needs an actuator. It’s also sitting on 25-year-old tires.
The interior is finished in pearl white Morrokide (vinyl) with bucket seats up front. The seats look pretty clean without any rips. A big center armrest is found in the rear seat. Included is a console that houses the automatic transmission shifter. The headliner is drooping and will need replacing.
Features found in the car include power windows, power driver’s seat, power steering, power brakes, tachometer, and original radio with an aftermarket radio installed under the dash. There is a small crack in the dash top, the ignition switch will need replacing, and the driver’s power window is not working.
The engine is a 389 cubic inch V-8 mated with Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission. The car has chrome valve covers, original carburetor, and alternator. This Grand Prix fires right up. The car has 70,344 miles. The seller has no time or room for the car and thinks it is time to pass it on to a new owner. The asking price is $6,800. Not a bad price considering the condition of this car. I know it will need several things to make it a great car, but the new owner has the option of driving it like it is, with new tires of course, while the work is done or do a full restoration. Have you been looking for a big sixties Grand Prix?
Comments
Looks like a good car for the asking price.
I’d say it’s a GRAND car for the PRIX.
I think this is the most gorgeous car to have come out of the ’60s.
With a new paint job it will stop traffic.
The engine does look pretty barer to me though. Where are all the accessories it is supposed to have?
Looks like someone will get a good deal on this one for $6800.
How is it in any way a Barn Find? Apparently the owner has had it for 15 years and done nothing. I guess that makes it a Survivor too. At this point it’s just an old car that needs a lot of work before it slides into being a wreck.
Sorry, but thats not the original engine, wrong valve covers for a 389. The covers being shown are for a newer engine starting in 1967. The engine could be a 350, 400, 428 or 455. I have rebuilt and still own a lot of them.
What would the original valve covers look like?
This is one sweet car and a sweet deal for $6800.Gorgeous styling when cars were cars.
If it was the original engine then 68 is a decent price. Without the original motor it’s only worth 45 to me
I see a lot of ’66 GTO styling cues taken from that ’65 Grand Prix front end.
Actually, to be totally accurate, that’s a vacuum gauge and not a tachometer. Vacuum gauge on automatics, tach on manual transmission cars. Impressive list of options just the same. Not so impressive of a list of all that needs to be done. Happy to see a GP in the spotlight usually reserved for GTO’s…
Yep looks like a good one for the money…..