1965 Pontiac Grand Prix

Pontiac introduced the Grand Prix Two-Door Sport Coupe as an all-new top-of-the-line model in 1962, equipped with all the amenities and features found in the Bonneville including bucket seats with center console and tachometer. The Grand Prix was Pontiac's personal luxury car intended to compete with the Ford Thunderbird.

1965 was a banner year for Pontiac, producing its 10 millionth vehicle on April 1eth of 1965, John DeLorean becoming General Manager of the division, and Motor Trend honored the entire Pontiac lineup with its Car of the Year Award. Pontiac advertised its 1965 model as The Quick Wide Tracks and the Grand Prix was the most distinctive of all the 1965 full-size Pontiacs, outfitted with unique styling features that set it apart from the rest of the Pontiacs. It wore rear fender skirts which emphasized the new 'coke bottle' styling, and all Pontiacs were given new frames, front and rear suspensions, as well as new steering gear and linkage. The GM division offered no less than 22 engine and transmission options among the full-size models.

The Grand Prix was introduced in1 962 and was built through 2002 for coupes and from 1989 through 2008 for sedans. During its long production lifespan, its size, luxury, performance, and purpose varied considerably, spending time in both the full-size and mid-size segments. The first generation of styling continued through 1968, gaining similarly styled sheet metal of other full-size Pontiacs for 1963, but with a unique squared-ff roofline and a concave rear window. In the front was a Pontiac-trademark split grille with vertically stacked headlights and round parking lights. in the back were 'hidden' taillights. Minor appearance updates followed for 1964, including revisions to the grille with new 'GP' logos, new taillights, and new rear deck trim.

1965 Pontiac Grand Prix
The 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix and other full-sized Pontiacs received more rounded bodylines with 'Coke bottle' profiles, but the Grand Prix retained the exclusive squared-off roofline with concave rear windows, albeit slightly more rounded the previous year. The wheelbase increased by an inch, to 121 inches for the Grand Prix, Catalina, and all Safari station wagons, while the wheelbase of the Bonneville and Star Chief increased from 123- to 124-inches.

The interiors were updated with all-new instrument panels with more extensive use of walnut trim, and a new steering wheel with horn bars replacing the prior horn ring. The standard bucket seat could be replaced by a no-cost bench seat option with a center armrest. Upholstery options on the standard bucket seats or the bench expanded Morrokide vinyl or new cloth-and-Morrokide trim. Additional new options included an automatic air conditioning system that had been introduced a year earlier by Cadillac, joining the regular Circ-L-Aire Conditioning. Hazard flashers were also optional. Standard equipment included a glovebox lamp, padded assist grip, courtesy lamps, and front and rear armrests.

The Grand Prix two-door hardtop coupe had a base price of $3,430 and 57,881 examples were sold, a slight decrease from the 63,810 examples sold the previous year, and a decrease of more than 15,000 over the 72,959 produced for 1963.

The standard engine powering the Bonneville and Grand Prix was a 389 cubic-inch, overhead-valve V8 with a cast-iron block, hydraulic valve lifters, a four-barrel Carter carburetor, five main bearings, and delivering between 325 to 333 horsepower depending on the transmission and compression ratio. A three-speed manual transmission was standard and a new three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic with torque-converter was optional. Optional engines included a 389 Tri-Power and 421 four-barrel, both with nearly 340 horsepower. The 421 Tri-Power delivered 350 hp and the 421 HO Tri-Power produced nearly 380 horsepower.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021