There’s a niche of Pontiac fans who dig a particular model because it has a set of strengths that few cars can match, but the rest of the enthusiast world tends to ignore it because they’re busy scoping out Goats and Firebirds. It’s a car that was a resounding sales success, outselling its predecessor several times over, yet the general collector market has chosen to ignore this vehicle’s status and keep its stature somewhat low. The car? The 1969 Grand Prix.
Built on a stretched A-body platform, the 1969 Grand Prix was the car Pontiac needed after the model started to get porky and un-sporty. In one fell swoop, the Grand Prix became an American GT complete with cockpit that wrapped around the driver. No, there was no mistaking this for one of those furrin’ jobs – this was pure American verve with muscle car DNA baked in.
Two new trim levels were created for the new image: Model J and SJ, two names that harkened back to Duesenberg. Was DeLorean thinking straight with that? (Argue among yourselves with that one.) The J was the standard Grand Prix, powered by a 350-horsepower 400 and three-speed on the floor. Optional was a 370-horse 428 or the 390-horse 428 HO, plus a step-down 400 two-barrel for those who are a little special. The SJ came as a package and included the 428/370, performance axle ratio, special instrumentation, automatic leveling suspension, and whitewalls.
Muscle Car Campy gives us a road test in a nicely restored Grand Prix SJ that was originally ordered with the standard 428 backed by a 4-speed, which makes it one of 308 built. Additionally, the original owner had the dealer add a hood tach. Why the four-speed? It is said he was a polio survivor and felt exercising his leg would be a good idea. When he was done spec’ing the GP, he was out a cool six grand, which was a lot of money for a Pontiac, if not a car that base priced at $3,700.
The Grand Prix hit the streets for 1962 as Pontiac’s attainable personal luxury coupe, putting Detroit on notice sporty style wasn’t just for the well-heeled. The 1969 came around and did the same thing all over again. It’s a car whose sum is much greater than its value in the collector car world.
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