First generation .281962.E2.80.931968.29 Pontiac Grand Prix

1 first generation (1962–1968)

1.1 1962
1.2 1963
1.3 1964
1.4 1965
1.5 1966
1.6 1967
1.7 1968

first generation (1962–1968)

the grand prix first appeared in pontiac line 1962 model year, performance oriented replacement ventura, became luxury trim level of full-size catalina standard catalina coupe minimal outside chrome trim , sportier interior (bucket seats , center console). performance-minded john de lorean, head of advanced engineering @ pontiac, contributed development of both grand prix , gto. models available pontiac performance options, including factory-race super duty 421 powertrain installed in handful of 1962 , 1963 cars.

the full-size catalina-based grand prix sold through 1960s.

1962

1962 pontiac grand prix

the first grand prix catalina hardtop coupe trimmed standards similar larger top-line bonneville, distinctive grille , taillights. bucket seats upholstered in morrokide vinyl, while nylon loop-blend carpeting covered floor , lower door panels. center console-mounted transmission shifter included storage compartment , tachometer. rear bench seat included center fold-down armrest , speaker grille made functional extra-cost bi-phonic rear speaker. included padded instrument panel, deluxe steering wheel, courtesy lights, , other features.

base price us$3,490. standard engine bonneville s 303 hp (226 kw) 389 cu in (6.4 l) v8, came four-barrel carburetor , dual exhausts. tri-power carburation (with 3 two-barrels) raised output 318 hp (237 kw). 2 other high-performance 389s offered, including four-barrel version rated @ 333 hp (248 kw) , 348 hp (260 kw) tri-power. late in model year street version of race-oriented 421 pontiac offered in 1961-62 became available, in four-barrel form rated @ 320 hp (240 kw). pontiac offered 421 cu in (7 l) super duty 2 four-barrel carburetors, rated @ 405 hp (302 kw), us$2,250 option. three-speed manual transmission standard, borg-warner t-10 four-speed hurst shifter , three-speed roto hydra-matic options.

1963

for 1963, grand prix received revised sheetmetal shared other full-size pontiacs, own squared-off roofline concave rear window contrasted convertible-like roofline of 1962 grand prix , continued on 1963 1964 catalina , bonneville. new pontiac-trademark split grille vertical headlights , round parking lights , hidden taillights out back. aside grillework, taillight covering , bumpers, chrome trim limited lower rocker panels, wheel arches , roofline.

inside, gp continued luxurious interiors featuring real walnut trim on instrument panel , bucket seats upholstered in morrokide vinyl. center console built instrument panel , featured vacuum gauge go along dash mounted tachometer (manual transmission). pedals received revised custom trim plates. wide assortment of options available including power steering, brakes, windows , driver s seat; air conditioning, eight-lug aluminum wheels integrated brake drums, safe-t-track differential , other items. new options year included am/fm radio, cruise control , tilt steering wheel adjusted 7 different positions.

the 303 hp (226 kw) 389 four-barrel v8 remained standard engine. new lineup of optional engines introduced year included 330 hp (250 kw) 389 tri-power , 3 versions of larger 421 in³ v8 including standard four-barrel version rated @ 320 hp (240 kw), 350 hp (260 kw) tri-power option, , 421 ho option tri-power carburetion , 370 hp (280 kw). same selection of transmissions continued including standard three-speed manual, optional four-speed manual, or three-speed roto hydra-matic. brakes 11 in (28 cm) drums.

1964

1964 pontiac grand prix

the 1964 grand prix received minor appearance changes 1963 edition. included revised grille (based on 1964 bonneville/catalina) new gp logos , rear deck trim new taillights, still hidden, again following shape of other big 64 pontiacs.

revised upholstery trims highlighted interior, still featuring expanded morrokide vinyl bucket seats , console standard equipment.

engine offerings unchanged 1963 except standard 303 hp (226 kw) 389 four-barrel v8 gained 3 3 hp (2.2 kw), extra-cost hydra-matic transmission. standard three-speed manual , optional hydra-matic transmissions unchanged 1963, however, new gm-built muncie four-speed available in either wide-ratio m-20 or close-ratio m-21 options replaced borg-warner t-10.

1965

1965 pontiac grand prix

grand prixs , other full-sized pontiacs restyled 1965 featuring more rounded bodylines coke-bottle profiles, , 1 in (25 mm) increase in wheelbase 121 in (3,100 mm) (for grand prix, catalina, , safari station wagons — bonneville , star chief increased proportionally 123 in (3,100 mm) 124 in (3,100 mm)). while other pontiac coupes received semi-fastback rooflines shared other gm divisions, grand prixs retained exclusive squared-off roofline concave rear window bit more rounded 1963-64 version. old gm-x frame replaced new box-frame side perimeter rails.

interiors revised all-new instrument panels featuring larger dose of walnut trim extended center console standard bucket seats, along new steering wheel horn bars replacing horn ring used in previous years. standard bucket seats upholstered either in expanded morrokide vinyl or new cloth-and-morrokide trim. new 1965 no-cost bench seat option center armrest available either upholstery choice.

new options included automatic air conditioning system. system, first introduced cadillac in 1964, available in addition regular circ-l-aire conditioning. hazard flashers optional.

engine offerings revised 1965. standard four-barrel 389 in³ v8 uprated 333 hp (248 kw) manual transmission or 325 hp (242 kw) automatic. optional engines included 389 tri-power , 421 four-barrel — both rated @ 338 hp (252 kw); 421 tri-power rated @ 350 hp (260 kw) , 421 ho tri-power 376 hp (280 kw). standard three-speed , optional four-speed manual transmissions carried on 1964, however, new three-speed turbo hydra-matic transmission torque-converter similar in principle ford s cruise-o-matic , chrysler s torqueflite replaced older three-speed fluid coupling roto hydra-matic (along four-speed super hydra-matic in bonneville , star chief models). turbo hydra-matic featured now-standardized p-r-n-d-s-l shift quadrant pattern in place of p-n-d-s-l-r setup of previous hydra-matics.

a 1965 grand prix road test featured in february, 1965 issue of motor trend magazine, of devoted entire pontiac lineup receiving m/t car of year honors 1965. other pontiac road tests in issue included gto convertible, tempest custom sedan, catalina vista hardtop sedan, , bonneville hardtop coupe.

1966

the 1966 grand prix received minor appearance revisions 1965 edition including new more rounded split grille , new taillight trim. inside, revised instrument panel included squared off gauge panel , new strato bucket seats in either morrokide or cloth upholstery higher seatbacks , more contoured cushions improved lateral support. strato buckets standard equipment along console, notchback bench seat center armrest no-cost option.

engine offerings largely unchanged 1965 except 338 hp (252 kw) tri-power 389 option discontinued, leaving larger 421 available 3 two-barrel carb option, offered last time year due new general motors edict banned use of multi-carb options on gm cars exception of chevrolet corvette starting 1967 model year.

1967

1967 pontiac grand prix on display @ smithsonian institution national museum of american history

revised sheetmetal rounded more pronounced coke bottle styling highlighted 1967 grand prix , other full-sized pontiacs. convertible new, lasted 1967 model year. new gp concealed headlights horizontal mounting (all other full-size 67 pontiacs retained vertical headlights 1 more year), concealed windshield wipers , ventless front windows on hardtop coupes. out louvered taillights similar found on gto.

inside, strato bucket seats , console still standard equipment morrokide vinyl or cloth upholstery, or no-cost optional notchback bench seat either trims. other changes included revised instrument panel , door panel trim.

under hood, 389 v8 replaced new 400 cu in (6.6 l) v8 four-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts , 350 hp (260 kw). similarly, 421 v8 replaced new 428 cu in (7.0 l) v8 rated @ 360 hp (270 kw) or ho version 376 hp (280 kw) - both four-barrel carburetors. both 400 , 428 v8s bored out versions of older 389/421 block various internal improvements including bigger valves , improved breathing capabilities.

new year dual master-cylinder braking system , optional front disc brakes along rally ii wheels. new 1967 energy-absorbing collapsible steering column. plus, pontiac added 8-track stereo tape player.

1968

the 1968 grand prix received more pronounced beak-nose grille in shock-absorbent plastic, , new front bumper. concealed headlights carried over, , revised rear deck/bumper l-shaped taillights , side reflector markers meet new federal safety mandate new. convertible discontinued, leaving hardtop coupe 68.

the standard 350 hp (260 kw) 400 cu in (6.6 l) v8 revised meet new 1968 federal , california emission regulations. both optional 428 cu in (7.0 l) v8s received higher power ratings of 375 hp (280 kw) base version , 390 hp (290 kw) ho.

interior trim received minor changes 1967 aside revised door panels.

this final year b-bodied, full-sized grand prix. 1969 gp feature dramatic new body shell atop chassis based on smaller pontiac a-body intermediates.