1963 Pontiac Grand Prix

The high-style, 'personal luxury,' performance-oriented Pontiac Grand Prix arrived in 1962 as a replacement for the Ventura, which became a luxury trim level of the full-size Catalina. It was similar to the Catalina, but with a sportier interior with bucket seats and a center console, and less exterior chrome trim and brightwork. The list of standard features was similar to those of the larger top-line Bonneville. Nylon loop-blend carpeting covered the floor and lower door panels, and the bucket seats were upholstered in Morrokide vinyl. The rear bench seat had a center fold-down armrest and a speaker grille that, with the extra-cost Bi-Phonic rear speaker, could be made functional. In the front was a console-mounted transmission shifter with a tachometer and storage compartment. Additional interior amenities included courtesy lights, a padded instrument panel, and a deluxe steering wheel.

The standard engine was the 389 CID V8 with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts developing 303 horsepower. Two other 389s, including a four-barrel version, was rated at 333 horsepower, and the Tri-Power version delivered 348 hp. A 'street' version of the race-oriented 421 Pontiac became available late in the model year, but only in four-barrel configuration delivering 320 horsepower. The 421 Super Duty with two four-barrel carburetors increased horsepower to over 400 hp.

Transmission options included a three-speed manual or optional Borg-Warner T-10 four-speed with Hurst shifter and three-speed Roto Hydra-Matic.

Standard equipment included rear foam cushions, courtesy lamps, electric clock, dual speed wipers, custom wood-grained steering wheel, and special solid color Morrokide upholstery. They also had bucket type front seats and a center console with a vacuum gauge. Performance options included eight-lug aluminum wheels with integrated brake drums, power steering, power brakes, and Safe-T-Track differential.

The 389 CID V8 with a Carter four-barrel carburetor was standard on the Bonneville and Grand Prix, delivering 235 horsepower with the synchromesh transmission and 303 hp with the Hydra-Matic and higher compression ratio. No fewer than 23 specific 389 cubic-inch V8 engine variants were listed by the factory, depending upon the specific application, market, and supporting powertrain equipment specified, allowing buyers to custom-order a new Grand Prix to their specific needs and tastes, running the gamut from a high-torque boulevardier to all-out stormer. New engine options this year included the 389 Tri-Power with 330 horsepower and three versions of the 421 CID including a standard four-barrel version with 320 horsepower, a 350 hp Tri-Power option, and the 370 hp version with Tri-Power carburetion.

The basic styling introduced in 1962 would continue through 1968, with a complete restyling occurring for 1965 with 'Coke-bottle' profile and rounded bodylines. The Grand Prix name would be part of the Pontiac lineup through 2008.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014