1967 Pontiac Grand Prix

The performance-oriented Grand Prix was introduced in 1962 and initially, could be ordered with the factory-race Super 421 powertrain. It replaced the Ventura which became a luxury trim level option on the full-size Catalina. The performance had been growing in popularity and priority through the 1950s and into the early 1960s. Many manufacturers offered performance components in order to homologate them for racing, and for Pontiac, much of its pursuit of performance was spearheaded by John DeLorean, head of Advanced Engineer, who contributed to the development of both the GTO and the Grand Prix.

The Pontiac Grand Prix rested on a 120-inch wheelbase and had an overall length of 211.6-inches. It was a well-equipped hardtop coupe with similar standard amenities as the top-line Bonneville. The interior featured bucket seats upholstered in Morrokie vinyl, a center console-mounted transmission shifter with an integrated storage compartment and a tachometer, padded instrument panel, courtesy lights, and deluxe steering wheel. Lurking beneath the bonnet was the same engine powering the Bonneville, a 389 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carburetion, 300 horsepower, and dual exhausts. When equipped with Tri-Power carburetion, which included three two-barrel carburetors, power rose to 318 bhp. A four-barrel version delivered 333 horsepower and a Trip-Power version had nearly 350 hp. The performance reached new heights late in the model year when a 'street' version of the 421 V8 was offered, delivering 405 hp.

In 1963, the Grand Prix gained the Pontiac-trademark split grille with vertical headlights, squared-off roofline, a concave rear window, 'hidden' taillights, and round parking lights. Minor changes to the grille arrived in 1964, with new 'GP' logos and rear deck trim, and new taillights.

All-new styling arrived in 1965, and like other full-sized Pontiacs, the Grand Prix models had rounded bodylines, embracing the 'Coke bottle' profiles of the era. Instead of adopting the semi-fastback rooflines like other Pontiac and GM division coupes, the Grand Prix continued to champion the squared-off roofline with a concave rear window. The interiors gained a new steering wheel, all-new instrument panels, and a plethora of walnut trim. The bucket seats could be upholstered in either expanded Morrokie vinyl or new cloth-and-Morrokide trim. The bench seat was a no-cost option.

The 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix was given new taillight trim and a more rounded split grille. New Strato bucket seats in either Morrokide or cloth upholstery with higher seatbacks and more contoured cushions were part of the interior updates, along with a square-off gauge panel and a revised instrument panel. The Trip-Power 389 option was discontinued, and this was the final year for the 421 CID V8 with three two-barrel carburetors. Due to a new General Motors edict, all multi-carbureted options were banned starting with the 1967 model year, except for the Chevy Corvette.

The 'Coke bottle' styling became even rounder in 1967 and continued to use the vertical headlights, ventless front windows on hardtop coupes, louvered taillights, and concealed windshield wipers. Standard power was from a 400 cubic-inch (replacing the previous 389 V8), overhead valve V8 engine offering 350 horsepower. It had a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts. Most of the Grand Prix models were given Turbo-Hydramatic transmission. The previous 421 V8 was replaced by a new 428 CID V8 with 360 horsepower, or an H.O. version with four-barrel carburetors and 376 horsepower.

Bodystyles included a two-door hardtop coupe and a convertible, and this was the only year that a convertible Grand Prix was ever offered, with a total of 5,856 examples built. 37,125 examples of the hardtop coupe were produced with prices that began at $3,550 for the hardtop and $3,800 for the convertible.

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 with Morrokide vinyl or cloth upholstery and a console. The notchback bench seat with either trims was a no-cost option.

The Grand Prix rested on a 215.6-inch wheelbase and rode on 8.55 x 14-inch wheels. The dual master-cylinder braking system was a new feature this year, along with the optional disc brakes and Rally II wheels. The energy-absorbing collapsible steering column was a new safety feature for 1967, and the 8-track Stereo tape play was new to the options list.

Total sales for all Pontiacs for 1967 reached 857,171 units. 42,981 of those were Grand Prixs (including 37,125 hardtop coupes and 5,856 convertibles), slightly better than the 36,757 examples built the previous year, but lower than the 57,881 units built in 1965.

1968 was the final year for styling first introduced in 1962. In its final year, it was given a new front bumper, a more pronounced 'beak-nosed grille in shock absorbent plastic, and revised rear-end treatment with updates to the deck and bumper to comply with new federal safety mandates. The all-new 1969 Grand Prix was given a new chassis based on the smaller Pontiac A-body intermediates, with a 118-inch wheelbase and an overall length of 210.2 inches, the longest-ever Pontiac hood, and a pronounced grille. This generation of styling would continue through 1972. Pontiac would continue to use the 'Grand Prix' nameplate through 2008.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2012