Car: Pontiac Grand Prix Convertible
Year: 1967
What makes it special: In 1962, Pontiac’s first Grand Prix was general manager John De Lorean’s answer to the 1963 Buick Riviera. Design Vice President Bill Mitchell had created the Euro-elegant Riviera coupe without a brand, then offered it to GM’s car divisions. De Lorean wanted it, but Buick got it. So he had a Catalina coupe sported up with bucket seats, console, special grille and tail lamps, lowered suspension, available high-performance engines and distinctive finned wheels. He badged it Grand Prix and launched it a year ahead of the Riviera.
What made it famous: The Grand Prix Series had GP letters on the left-hand grille, Grand Prix rear fender lettering, and hide-away headlights. They had front parking lamps hidden behind slits in the fender and horizontal twin-slot taillamps. Inside, there were Strato Bucket seats and a console. The Pontiac Grand Prix, for 1967, was powered by a 400 cu in, overhead valve V8 engine offering 350 horsepower. Most of the Grand Prix models were given Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. Bodystyles included a two-door hardtop coupe and a convertible.
Why I would want one: It just has a “GTO” coolness factor to it. It’s a big car, but it’s a sporty, big car.
Fun fact: This was the only year that a convertible Grand Prix was ever offered. 37,125 examples of the hardtop coupe were produced, plus an additional 5,856 Convertibles. Pricing began at $3,550 for the hardtop and $3,800 for the convertible.
