1973 Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac intended to debut the all-new Grand Prix in 1970, but due to a strike, its introduction was delayed. The second styling generation of the Grand Prix, introduced in 1968, continued through to 1972 when it was replaced in 1973 by a new generation of styling. General Motor's entire A-body lineup received all-new designs for 1973, growing in size and weight, with a longer length partly due to the federally mandated 5 mph crash bumpers. Its wheelbase, however, had become shorter, from 118-inches in 1972 to 112-inches for 1973. Power was rapidly decreasing throughout the industry as automakers worked aggressively to comply with new emission standards and improve fuel economy as an oil embargo and fuel crisis brought about fuel shortages. The Grand Prix was still offered with V8 engines but with noticeable performance drops.

The previous pillarless hardtop design was replaced by a pillared 'Colonnade' hardtop with frameless door glass, and the prior rear side glass exchanged for a fixed opera window. The front-end styling of the 1971 and 1972 models was refined, with a vertical-bar V-nose grille flanked by single headlamps and resting above a 5 mph front bumper and below the V-shaped hood. In the back, the revised boattail-like trim included square-taillights positioned above the bumper.

The interior featured new African crossfire mahogany accents for the instrument panel. The previous simulated woodgrain material was replaced by 'real' wood throughout the interior. The Strato bucket seats with higher seatbacks were another new addition to the interior, with integrated headrests in cloth or Morrokide trims. Recliners and adjustable lumbar support were optional, and a notchback bench seat was available as a no-cost option. In front of the wraparound cockpit was a custom cushion steering wheel.

The Pontiac Grand Prix was offered as a two-door hardtop with seating for five and wearing a factory base price of $4,580. The 'SJ' trim level was priced at $4,960. The standard engine was a four-barrel 400 cubic-inch V8 with 8.0:1 compression, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and delivering 230 horsepower. A Turbo Hydra-Matic, power steering, and power brakes were standard equipment. A four-barrel 455 CID V8 was optional, and standard on the 'SJ.' Additional standard features of the SJ included a rally gauge cluster, front and rear sway bars, a radial tuned suspension, radial-ply tires, and Pliacell shock absorbers.

The suspension system of the A-Body cars was based on the Pontiac Firebird and Chevrolet Camaro during this generation of styling, lasting from 1973 through 1977. The setup included A-arms and coil springs in the front and leaf springs in the rear.

The Pontiac Grand Prix faced competition from its corporate siblings, the Chevy Monte Carlo, Buick Century Regal, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, as they were all A-body cars with similar accouterments and styling. The Grand Prix, which shared its squared-off formal roofline and opera windows with the Cutlass Supreme and Century Regal, set a new record of over 150,000 units produced. The sales success prompted the Ford Motor Company to introduce a larger Ford Elite and Mercury Cougar for 1974 and followed in 1975 by the Dodge Charger and Chrysler Cordoba.

Pontiac produced 133,150 examples of the 'base' hardtop and an additional 20,749 units of the 'SJ.' The total production for 1973 was 153,899, a significant increase from the 91,961 units built the previous year.

Styling updates would be applied to the Grand Prix over the ensuing years, with most of the updates focused on improving the grille and headlight design in reaction to constantly changing federal safety guidelines. The final year of the styling was 1977 and the Grand Prix would enjoy an all-time high in excess of 285,000 units produced.

The Grand Prix and other A-body cars were smaller for 1978, with a wheelbase now measuring 108 inches. This was the first year the Grand Prix was not offered with a standard V8, instead, it came equipped with a Buick-built 231 CID V6 due to its fuel economy. Two versions of the Pontiac 301 CID V8 were optional. A floor-mounted three-speed manual was standard and a three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic was optional.

The styling introduced in 1977 would continue through 1987. Pontiac would continue to use the Grand Prix nameplate for many years, ending in 2008 after enjoying seven distinct generations of styling.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021