1963 Pontiac Grand Prix Hardtop.
For consignment, the first generation second year of the Grand Prix that could be considered a sleeper car. Big and bold, lots of long panels of steel, European style driving lights in the grille, and a slightly finned rear with taillights and trim that runs the gamut from rear quarter to quarter. Deep wide sporty bucket seats, all in near perfect shape for this car, and oh! ...some muscle under the long hood. The beneficiary of a frame on restoration, this highly optioned, (count them 18 added options), car has been upgraded to Tri-Power, wears correct 8-lug wheels, is PHS documented, has Wonder Touch power steering and brakes, Soft Ray glass, a power driver's seat, Magic cruise control, and a Safe-T-Track differential. Big luxury in a big muscle package before the general public even knew about the term "muscle car".
Exterior
With the trim tag carrying the SPEC designator for the paint, we have stumbled into a special order paint car and the body is bathed in a respray of an Ember Red hue for this car. We see a deep end of the pool finish with laser straight steel slabs sporting no rust and mirror polished trim and bumpers. From the dual stacked headlights up front which flank a dual grille, we can start to see the beginnings of the iconic Pontiac beak just in the formation stage. The front bumper emulates this design below and is in excellent condition. On the long slab sides a rocker trim spear cuts through the center of the car and maintains good alignment on the panels as it meets up with the pencil thin stainless wheel arch moldings. A long hood and trunk are on each end, and in back tail lights float above a corresponding bumper with optional reverse lights that wraps upward to meet the small rakish fins at the tail end of the rear quarters and make the edges look almost like pure chrome, save for the red taillights embedded within. This ribbed trim spear runs horizontally across the trunk and sports GP badging. A long expansive roof covers the passengers and works with the polished stainless glass surrounds and B-pillar trim to create the aura of motion while standing still. Restored and like new 8-lug wheels in 14-inch format wheels with their chromed and polished trim rings and and center vanes emulate a hurricane icon to add to the static motion design. Thin whitewall in 205/75R14 format from the 22nd week of 2021 wrap these wheels and add the perfect touch of class to the wheels.
Interior
Opening the doors and we are met by a red vinyl trimmed passenger compartment. The door panels are in showroom new shape as are the handles and cranks set within a field of vertically ribbed vinyl that interplays with smooth red vinyl and red carpeting on the lowers. The wide red Morrokide vinyl buckets in front, also like new, are clean and tear free and have some nice surrounding chrome edging and yet another option makes an appearance...a power driver's seat. A metal trimmed center console is seen in the center and houses the Seattle space needle gearshift, a lockable storage compartment and a Pontiac manifold vacuum gauge. The dash is pure original GM design with an inverted V covered with lots of shiny trim, wood appliqu©, and red paint. Laden with chrome, including the factory left side Pontiac tachometer, things are factory fresh and very clean overall. Dash central holds a slew of chrome knobs along with the optional AM/FM push button radio with its optional rear speaker and manual antenna. A hidden gem and true rarity is the optional cruise control knob residing just to the right of the red painted steering column. Floating all this greatness is a beautiful red carpet with factory arrowhead rubber mats and a whitey tighty headliner is above and shows nicely. The rear bench is like new and has a fold down center armrest that is wide enough to be shared by both rear passengers, or put up to accommodate a third passenger.
Drivetrain
The factory 16K coded 389ci V8 decked out in sky blue sits in a clean engine bay. In stock form this mill pumped out 303hp but now with the addition of a 1964 Tri-Power set up the pony count is boosted to 313hp. Capping off the block are casting number 543797 cylinder heads and a trio of chrome air cleaners are on for a little extra dress up. Bolted to the back of this mill is a correct PG tag coded Roto Hydramatic-375 3-speed automatic transmission and a 3.23 gear Safe-T-Track rear axle handling turning both of the rear tires.
Undercarriage
A light surface rust is seen throughout with a dusting of black covering the majority of the undercarriage. Even with the light surface rust, everything remains solid with no invasive rust creating any structural problems. Independent coil springs are on front, and a 4 link with coil springs are on the rear. Power drum brakes are all around. Factory style dual exhaust is noted for the throaty exhale.
Drive-Ability
A turn of the key and we were in the warmup phase where idling was very smooth from the start. Throwing it into gear we were off and were entertained by a smooth ride, nice acceleration, and good handling. It was an overall pleasurable experience with all functions operating as they should. As a matter of fact, the only fault to be noted is from the consignor and he states that the front and rear glass should be resealed as there is water intrusion during heavy rains.
A true highlight in the inventory of our ever changing Hallowed Halls. If you are even a lukewarm fan of the Grand Prix this example is a must see when visiting with a handful of factory options, upgraded to Tri-Power, a better than new interior, and one of the nicest paint jobs in our halls. A well buttoned up restoration worth its weight in muscle car gold...although it's Ember Red!
