Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac Grand Prix

The Pontiac Grand Prix was one of the most popular sports cars of the 1980's. However, the car actually debuted in 1962 as a sportier version of the Pontiac Catalina. Throughout the sixties, the Pontiac Grand Prix was seen as a luxury model car, and set the trend for exterior trim.

Pontiac Grand Prix

In the 1970s, the car was made larger, as many cars of that decade due to federal regulations.In 1978, General Motors tried to find the way to change the design of the Grand Prix without affecting much on the sales record.

Pontiac Grand Prix

Then a new model with a body platform with a 108 inch wheelbase shorter in height and a foot shorter in length with 600 pounds weigh was born.

Pontiac Grand Prix

Despite the smaller dimension, it still had the trademarks of a Grand Prix. Long hood, sweeping fenders, and short deck.

Pontiac Grand Prix

The new model was all 2 coupes and available in three forms. They were base, LJ, and SJ. Following the new CAFE standards, a 231 cubic inch V-6 standard was used to replac the old V-8. The luxury type LJ got 301 two-barrel while the sporty SJ got 301 four-barrel. When a 1978 Grand Prix was ordered with a V-8 engine however, it would come with a 3 speed turbo Hydra-Matic as standard.