Second generation .281969.E2.80.931972.29 Pontiac Grand Prix

1 second generation (1969–1972)

1.1 1969

1.1.1 market
1.1.2 development
1.1.3 features
1.1.4 steam powered prototype


1.2 1970
1.3 1971
1.4 1972

second generation (1969–1972)


1969

pontiac s general manager john z. delorean ordered development of all-new grand prix 1969 model year. featured dramatic bodywork , highly pronounced grill, , rode on stretched version of intermediate gm platform dubbed g-body.

market

delorean , other pontiac planners saw way reverse declining sales of full-sized grand prix creating new niche in burgeoning personal luxury car market. smaller hulking cadillac eldorado , oldsmobile toronado, positioned nimbler , more performance oriented less bulky ford thunderbird , buick riviera, new grand prix designed outshine upscale mercury cougar xr-7 pony car , b-bodied performance-oriented dodge charger intermediate.

sales reached on 112,000 units, quadruple 32,000 full-sized models built in 1968. similar less luxurious chevrolet monte carlo followed in 1970. ford , chrysler responded producing plusher versions of intermediate torino , charger, both created newer entries intermediate personal luxury car battle—the ford elite in 1974 , chrysler cordoba in 1975.

development

the new intermediate-based 1969 grand prix began take shape in april 1967, few prototype models built on full-sized pontiac platform before g-body ready. save both development costs , time in same manner ford created original 1964 mustang using basic chassis , drivetrain compact falcon, revised grand prix have unique bodyshell share a-body intermediate platform , mechanicals tempest, le mans , gto. reduced development time usual 36 months required new model less 18 , allowing pontiac concentrate upgrading styling , interior appointments.

the rear end more subtle aggressive front

shortened 3 inches previous catalina wheelbase, 118 in (3,000 mm) 1969 grand prix had own body – , pontiac s longest-ever hood. short-lived 1967 convertible, new grand prix 2-door hardtop. model names borrowed suggestive duesenberg model j nomenclature j , sj levels of trim.

the basic 1969 body shell saw major facelift in 1971 bracketed minor detail revisions in 1970 , 1972 model years.

features

the new grand prix sought deliver performance attention-getting styling, increased installation percentages manual transmissions , engine options 390 hp (290 kw) 428 ho. 2 engine sizes offered 2 power options available in each engine size; 265 hp (198 kw) or 350 hp (260 kw) 400 cu in (6.6 l), 370 hp (280 kw) or 390 hp (290 kw) 428 cu in (7.0 l) v8.

the 1969 grand prix debuted dramatic command seat wraparound cockpit-style instrument panel placed controls , gauges within easy reach of driver. enhancing interior s sporty look, strato bucket seats separated console integrated instrument panel slanted toward driver, included floor shifter, storage compartment, , ashtray. leather trim option replaced nylon loop rug cut-pile carpeting offered in addition redoubtable morrokide vinyl , cloth , morrokide upholstery offerings.

innovations in 1969 included radio antenna embedded in windshield, flush-mounted pop-open exterior door handles, side-impact beams inside doors, , optional built-in electrically heated rear window defogger.

steam powered prototype

pontiac in 1969 built steam powered se 101 concept car 150 hp (112 kw) engine designed gm engineering in conjunction besler brothers. engine, however, 450 lb (200 kg) heavier v8, , 3 times more expensive make.

1970

vertical grille inserts replaced horizontal bars of 1969, movement of grand prix nameplates lower cowls rear c-pillars , vertical chromed louvers c-pillars down lower cowls, highlighted 1970 grand prix. optional 428 cu in (7.0 l) v8 rated @ 370 , 390 hp (290 kw) in 1969 replaced new 370 hp (280 kw) 455 cu in (7.5 l) 500 lb·ft (680 n·m) of torque @ 3,100 rpm. base 350 hp 400 cu in (6.6 l) engine still standard, low-compression 400 cid engine available two-barrel carburetor. automatic transmission offered no cost option.

interior trim received minor revisions, , bench seat center armrest returned no-cost option standard strato bucket seats , console. bench seat-equipped grand prixs got steering column-mounted shifter automatic transmission along dashboard-mounted glovebox, replacing console-mounted shifter , glovebox of bucket-seat cars. power front disc brakes became standard equipment year.

due success of 1969 grand prix, other gm divisions followed suit , introduced similar cars 1970. chevrolet monte carlo used same basic g-body gp two-inch shorter wheelbase (116 vs. gp s 118) , long hood, though still shorter grand prix s, still considered upscale vehicle gm s lowest-priced division. oldsmobile, larger , more expensive front-drive toronado direct competitor thunderbird, decided further capitalize on strong sales of intermediate cutlass line introducing new cutlass supreme coupe formal roofline similar gps on standard 112 in (2,800 mm) wheelbase used two-door a-body intermediates , same lower sheetmetal used on other cutlass models. both monte carlo , cutlass supreme lower in price, due smaller 350 cu in (5.7 l) standard engines both, , many items standard on gp optional on models — however, 3 cars similar equipment closer in price base sticker prices suggest. introduction of monte carlo , cutlass supreme did, however, cut grand prix s dominance, , sales dropped 40%. 65,750 grand prixs built in 1970.

variations of 1969 gp s central v-nose grille appeared on other 1970 pontiacs including full-sized cars , intermediate tempest/le mans series. 1970 ford thunderbird styling change reportedly ordered ford motor co. president bunkie knudsen, moved gm ford in 1968 after long career @ gm included position of general manager pontiac motor division 1956 1961 , ordered addition of grand prix 1962 model lineup.

1971

a new integrated bumper/grille , larger single headlights replacing quad lights of 1969-70 models marked introduction of 1971 grand prix along new slanted boattail-style rear taillights built bumper. interior revisions amounted new trim patterns cloth , vinyl upholstery patterns both bench , bucket seats, leather interior option discontinued.

engine choices included standard 400 cu in (6.6 l) v8 four-barrel carburetor , dual exhausts, rated @ 300 hp (220 kw); , optional four-barrel 455 cu in (7.5 l) v8 rated @ 325 hp (242 kw). both engines received substantially lower compression ratios (8.4:1 1971 compared 10.25:1 in 1970) part of gm-corporate edict required engines use lower-octane regular leaded, low lead or unleaded gasoline beginning 1971 model year. transmission offerings carried on previous years, including standard three-speed manual, or optional four-speed stick or turbo hydra-matic. however, @ mid-year, turbo hydra-matic automatic became standard equipment , manual shifters dropped. variable-ratio power steering made standard equipment well.

new power ratings put effect, requiring manufacturers post net horsepower accessories installed (vs. gross rating without accessories). system gave more realistic measure of power customers saw. base 400 cu in (6.6 l) four-barrel engine produced 255 hp (190 kw) after switch net-rating system, , 455 cu in (7.5 l) in sj models dropped in power 260 hp (190 kw) (net). customers wanted higher powered 455 sj model paid $195 rally gauges, body-colored mirrors, sj badging, no-maintenance ac delco battery , other amenities. 1971 looked sales year grand prix, in mid-september 1970, corporate wide labor strike halted gm production 67 days. strike delayed production of third generation grand prix 1 year in 1973. production numbers 1971 lower 1970 58,325 units being produced. strike cut production , sales along other possible factors including lower horsepower ratings , intense competition chevy s monte carlo , oldsmobile s cutlass supreme.

1972

minor styling revisions included new cross-hatch grille front , triple cluster taillights in back. inside, burled-elm trim replaced new teakwood design , upholstery trim patterns vinyl , cloth selections revised both bucket , bench seat offerings. engine offerings remained same before major change being change in power measurements previous gross method on dynamometer new net ratings installed in vehicle accessories , emission equipment made horsepower ratings of 1972 models lower on paper 1971 counterparts though actual performance did not change between 2 years. under net horsepower measurement system, standard 400 cu in (6.6 l) v8 four-barrel carburetor rated @ 250 hp (190 kw) while optional 455 cu in (7.5 l) four-barrel carb rated @ 300 hp (220 kw).

at mid-year, pontiac released radial tire option grand prix, increased wheel diameter standard 14 in (36 cm) 15 in (38 cm). radial donuts, provided division s usual tire suppliers, included firestone 500s , b.f. goodrich lifesaver t/as. first time pontiac offered radial tire option became reality. in 1968, pontiac announced radial tire option gto discontinued due production problems.

also @ mid-year, new fasten seat belts light buzzer added per federal safety regulation. light located in speedometer pod , speedometer changed displaying high of 140 mph (230 km/h), 120 mph (190 km/h).

an all-new grand prix scheduled 1972. however, 67-day corporate-wide strike @ gm in late 1970 hobbled 1971 model introduction set 1972 model production plans , new , g-body cars planned 1972 delayed introduction 1 year 1973 model year. production numbers increased substantially after 2 years of decline, reaching 91,961 units , second place 1969 model.