The fourth-generation Pontiac Grand Prix was redesigned for the 1973 model year, along with all other GM A-Body platform cars. The Grand Prix would grow four inches in length, due mostly to the advent of federally mandated five mile-per-hour crash bumpers. Bodywork was all new with a pillared “Colonnade” roof with a fixed polygonal side window behind the frameless front side windows. The new top design brought the Grand Prix into compliance with proposed federal rollover safety guidelines that never materialized.
The 1973 Grand Prix had an emphasized V-nose grille and a single headlight per side, a semi-boattail rear deck, with square taillights positioned above the rear bumper. Inside, the driver’s side cockpit styling carried on from the previous generation, with genuine African Crossfire Mahogany woodgrain on the door panels, console and dash. The standard powerplant was a 230-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8 backed by the Turbo Hydramatic automatic transmission. A 455 cube V8 fed by a single four-barrel was part of the SJ option package, as well as radial tires, special shocks, radial tuned suspension, and a rally gauge pack.
For the final year of the fourth generation, the 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix was given some cosmetic changes in the form of dual rectangular headlights per side, and waterfall-style grille, a Grand Prix hood ornament, redesigned taillights, and revamped trim. Power was down across all drivetrain options. The standard engine was the Pontiac 301, producing a positively anemic 135 horsepower. Optional powerplants included 350, 400, and 455 cubic-inch V8s. California Grand Prix buyers had to choose from Oldsmobile 350 and 403 cube V8s, as those were the only engines available that would meet stringent California emissions.
Our feature 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ is finished in a glossy Mojave Tan with a white Landau top over a Buckskin velour interior. The five-digit odometer reads just 3,688 miles. There is nothing in the auction listing that claims this is true mileage, but its condition would suggest it is possible. The Grand Prix is well equipped with an unspecified V8, automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, power windows, a Delco AM/FM/eight track stereo, power driver’s seat, cruise control, tilt steering, remote trunk opener, and Rally II wheels.
This exceedingly clean 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ will cross the Mecum Auctions block at their Dallas, Texas event taking place September 4th through 7th.
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Comments
Beautiful. I almost bought one of these new, until I got a glimpse of the downsized 1978 versions and decided they were a better fit. Got the Monte Carlo Landau.
Not my favorite color combination or wheels but the design is still beautiful and interesting to this day. I’d prefer Nocturne Blue with honeycomb wheels.
If I’m not mistaken, this was the best year ever for GP sales. Pontiac moved 288,430 units. The following year, 1978, would see sales decline following a redesign although the new smaller Grand Prix still sold well enough with 228,444 cars sold. I don’t think Pontiac ever sold as many GPs again.
What’s interesting is that the Grand Prix was positioned as an upscale personal coupe, the top-of-the-line for Pontiac and it wasn’t intended to be a volume product for GM or Pontiac. The Cutlass Supreme (575,985 units) and Impala/Caprice (657,151 units) were GM’s better selling products for the ‘77 model year. Compared to today though where GM is happy selling 20,000 units of a new EV model, the Grand Prix sold phenomenally well.
Golden Girls.
Almost bought one of these Tan with Tan top and buckskin velour interior
Malaise era car. Not my cup of tea.
a 1973 with 3,688 miles?…is it for real? So many cars with over 20 years and very low mileage…does anyone on smell fraud here? Every week there is a 50 0r 40 years old car barely used? Really?
Back then, most odometers had only 5 digits, so when it got to 99,999.9 it restarted to 0.0, so yes, a 50 year old car could show an odo reading that low, which doesn’t mean that that is all the miles the car has been driven. Also, this car is a 1977 model
I had a 1976 Grand Prix and loved. It was silver with red interior, a silver Landau Top and rally II wheels. It was a great looking car…classy and sporty
The article is wrong. No 455 powered Pontiacs of any model would be built in 1977. The largest engines available would be the 400 Federal cars and the Olds built 403 (California).
I had a 74 SJ with the 455 when I was in high school. All I can say is I was always buying tires for the rear LOL. Car was a blast to drive and I never lost a race with it. Very under rated car if you ask me.
I had a 75 SJ I loved it! I got it with 100k on it I put another 100k it steel would drop the back bumper , Fastttttt
My 77 LJ was brown with brown T tops & buckskin velour interior. There was no dumb looking vinal top. The dealer didn’t want to order it without the vinal top, but after it came in, he sold 3 more Pontiacs & 2 Buick Regals with T-tops from that car with no vinal top.
Like Hummer maybe GMC can give us the new Grand Prix SUV Coupe. LOL
I currently have and drive a 77 LJ daily. I love it, had the Og 400 and the th400 rebuilt. 030 over with a shift kit and 2800 stall. Rides exceptional
Are you sure that isn’t a 1976 GP instead of 1977 Look at the headlights. I think 1977 Gran Prix had stacked headlights
Mark,
It’s a 1977; no doubt about that. The GP didn’t have stacked lights in this time period. In the 1960s they did but not the 1970s. This headlight design with two square lights on each side separated by the parking light was adopted for one year only on the larger “colonnade” body GPs. The new lighting arrangement would preview the front end design that was coming on the all-new, downsized 1978 Grand Prix where there were also two square headlights per side separated by a parking light.