1977 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, 21,000 miles, Sold!

1977 was the farewell year for the large GM intermediates. It was known at the time that 1978 would bring a dowsized car and the buyers responded, by driving away with over 280,000 1977 Grands Prix. In spite of the troubled times of that decade, Pontiac's bold, confident image car was a perennial best seller.

The third generation Grand Prix got off to a rough start. A 1971 UAW strike postponed the launch date of the new car and GM was forced to carry the 1971 model into the 72 model year. During this time, the federal government had enacted regulations to the effect that 1973 cars had to withstand a 5mph crash to the front and a 2 1/2 mph crash to the rear with no damage to the safety systems. The Grand Prix, along with the other 73 intermediates had to wear a big bumper up front. the public didn't seem to care. They admired the long, flowing lines, pointed prow-like front, the advanced body side sculpturing and the new roof, which incorporated a v-shaped backlight and opera windows. The styling exercise was strongly based on the 1967 Eldorado, but with sportier overtones more in keeipng with GM's excitement division. The Grand Prix shone on the inside, as well. A new interior, with a more luxurious take on the driver-centric cockpit theme emerged. Optional lateral support bucket seats and floor-mounted console added to the sporty feeling of this car. Engine options were limited to the 400ci 4-bbl combo, or the 455ci 4bbl, which was standard on the performance oriented SJ model. Incidentally, SJ was a designation taken from Duesenberg.

Fast forward to 1977. The 400ci engine was the top SJ powerplant. Still producing a healthy 200hp and 365 lb-ft of torque. The 350 was the intermediate engine, and the brand new 301 was the "economy" engine. The 301 was designed to be lighter, the weight savings making up for the decreased output. The engineers misjudged the weight savings, as the 135hp unit barely moved the 4,000lb car. The 350 was provided by Pontiac at first, but then Oldsmobile and Chevrolet stepped in when orders exceeded engine production.

Outside, there were some changes. 1974 gave the GP new, bulkier bumpers front and rear. Headlights were rectangular, with parking lights between them. The famous twin grilles were re-designed to incorporate a waterfall theme, a continuaton of the 1976 styling direction. T-Tops were all the rage. They appeared on 1976 Pontiac anniversary models, but in 77 they were made an option across the whole GP line. The Hatch panels were manufactured by the Hurst Corporation.

This is the second Grand Prix I bought to replace a 301 "powered" triple black model J that was my first car. I bought it rom the brother of the original owner, a tire shop owner in Rochester, NY. The car had 21,000 original miles. The body had a very high quality respray in its original Sterling Silver, in addition to a new elk grain Landau top. the Hurst Hatches were fairly waterproof and the 400-4bbl was perfect for effortless highway cruising.

In 2002, I wanted to move on to other classics and sold the Grand Prix. It was shipped to Dubai to be with its new owner. I see it as a fitting place for such a car that embodies the best in American design and engineering to be.

This is a good interior shot, showing the original lateral support vinyl bucket seats. I you got an SJ, they were standard. These are the most comfortable bucket seats ever produced. If you get one of these cars, be sure to look for these seats.

Another interior shot, showing the view through the t-top. The 73-77 has a wrap-around instrument cluster. You know you're looking at a 77 because it has the Luxury Cushion steering wheel. The 76 GP steering wheel was dubbed the "Custom Deluxe," if you were curious.

What a great dashboard layout! It rivals the Cadillac for interior quality. Furthermore, I love the fact that the passengers are walled off from the radio and climate control. This car was truly driver-oriented. All the passenger got was a handle. My SJ had the Rally Gauge package, but no A/C. The ventillation system that replaced it was fairly good, except in traffic. My car had a period aftermarket Motorola AM/FM 8-Track. From the day I got this car, I would be an 8-Track collector. I currently have over 300 8-Tracks.

Fun Fact: Motorola made the first car radio in 1923. Notice the name is portmanteau of Motor and Victrola. And you thought they were only a cell phone maker.

Nice rear. The 77 had a subtle boat tail going for it, as well as a v-shaped backlight. Rear window defogger was an option, but one you had to have in NY starting in 76. My first 77 didn't have one, because it was a CT car. I love the big bumper, with its overriders and rub strips. A car this beautiful needs a good defense system for the  all of the fuzzy-headed Camry drivers out there.