1973 GTO - what could have been

[RAIIIT/A]

There's a '73 Grand Am 4 door at the local pick-n-pull. Its a burg on burg 400 automatic with buckets console floor shift gauges etc... It was kind of intresting that the horsecollar bucket seats didn't tilt forward. As of a week and a half ago.... the car was still there.

[69hurstSC]

Great pics of the clay Javelin from Iconografix! That line of books really digs deep into a particular make and gives you something new and fresh!

[StealthBird]

Very cool 73 Grand Am. The Grand Am nose was supposed to be on the new 1973 GTO, but Pontiac marketing decided to create an entirely new model called the Grand Am instead. They hoped the Grand Am would appeal more to a European-style buyer.

That NASA-duct Ram Air setup is ridiculously rare. None were installed at the factory, about a dozen ended up in the Pontiac Parts bins.

The original intent of the SD-455 engine was to make them available on the 1973 Lemans, GTO, and Grand Am. And the Ram Air setup was supposed to be exclusive to the SD-455 option. With delays in engine production, orders for SD-455 cars began to pile up. Halfway through the year, still no SD-455 cars were built. Then without warning, Pontiac announced that the NASA-duct Ram Air setup would not available on the 1973 A-bodies at all, and the SD-455 would only be available on the Firebird Formula and Trans Am.

The people that ordered SD-455 Grand Am's and GTO's must have been pretty ticked off. Not only did they not build the SD-455 GTO or SD-455 Grand Am they ordered, but Pontiac took the Ram Air system AND the SD-455 away from the A-bodies, all in one memo.

[olredalert]

The people that ordered SD-455 Grand Am's and GTO's must have been pretty ticked off.

-----I was!!!.....Bill S

[StealthBird]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The people that ordered SD-455 Grand Am's and GTO's must have been pretty ticked off.

-----I was!!!.....Bill S </div></div>

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img]

Bill, I have the original Pontiac memo if you're interested.

[olredalert]

----Mike,,,Thanks for the thought but I am now a died in the wool Grand Prix slappy (SJ style).....Bill S

[StealthBird]

I've noticed that for the past 2 years, the 69-70 Grand Prix's have been steadily increasing in value, now getting around $25K at Mecum. A few years earlier, they were trading in the $10k-$15K range. These cars have finally been noticed by collectors for their uniqueness, and for being the first of the short deck/long hood personal luxury cars, a design that influenced the 70's designs of the Thunderbird, Monte Carlo, Toronado, Riviera, etc.

DeLorean hit another home run with the 1969 Grand Prix.

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

[olredalert]

----I agree on all counts! I wanted a 69 GP SJ in 69 in the worst way and just couldnt swing it.
----That blue J-model at Mecum was a very nicely restored car. I liked it. However, it wasnt an SJ, and that and other things help value-wise with GPs alot. An original leather interior adds tremendously. After all it is a luxury car. 4-speed SJs seem to bring roughly $20,000 more than comparable T-400s. HOs are very desireable. Put the two together and you have a very valuable Pontiac.
----I wish I would have kept the triple black 69 SJ-HO with leather and AC that I had back in my Classic Motors days, but something else caught my eye. It wasnt a 4-speed but had just about all the other good attributes.
----I really like the one I have now. It isnt an HO but has just about every other option on the option list and its an excellent color combo. I went thru the motor and pumped it up just a bit so its probably a bit stronger than an HO anyway. It just suits me.....Bill S

[RAIIIT/A]

It is nice to see that the early G-body GP's are finally getting some well deserved recognition...... On the subject of '69 Grand Prixs.... About a month ago this black plate 1 family owned original paint '69 428 SJ fell into my lap.... The elderly owners saw my '71 GP parked in front of my business and asked if I would be intrested in buying a '69.

[RPOLS3]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: olredalert</div><div class="ubbcode-body">----I wish I would have kept the triple black 69 SJ-HO with leather and AC that I had back in my Classic Motors days, </div></div>

Hey Bill - was that the one that you borrowed to us while waiting for the 81 to arrive? That was one sweet ride!

Jake