1973-1977 Pontiac Grand Prix

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix, part of a new generation, had to adopt certain design and engineering features common to General Motors' intermediate models. While this reduced its unique identity, it didn't diminish its appeal significantly.

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The 1970s are often viewed as a challenging era for American automobiles. Once confident in shaping public preferences, Detroit faced intense foreign competition and increasing domestic regulations. Adapting existing models to these new demands didn't always yield favorable results. Significant advancements in horsepower were overshadowed by stricter safety and emissions standards. In response, automakers shifted their focus to luxury features, enhancing a wide range of vehicles with upscale details. This strategy proved particularly effective for mid-sized, two-door "personal" cars, which helped the Big Three navigate these turbulent times.

The Oldsmobile Cutlass emerged as the nation's top-selling model, driven by the popularity of its Supreme coupe with a formal roof. The 1977 redesigns led to record-breaking sales for the Ford Thunderbird and Mercury Cougar XR-7. Chrysler, previously committed to full-sized vehicles, introduced the Cordoba in 1975, which quickly became a success. The 1973-1977 Pontiac Grand Prix also achieved notable success, though its journey was uncertain. Delays caused by the 1970 General Motors strike postponed its release from 1972 to 1973. While it upheld the Grand Prix's legacy of blending personal luxury with sporty appeal, it marked the start of GM's standardization of mid-size platforms. The Grand Prix's distinct identity began to fade as it shared its body with Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, and Buick, and adopted a 116-inch wheelbase, two inches shorter than its predecessor. The new G-body for "personal coupes" closely resembled the redesigned A-body for mainstream intermediates, further diluting the Grand Prix's uniqueness. Competing models like the Pontiac Grand Am added to the confusion, contributing to declining GM sales in later years. Continue to the next page for details on the 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix.

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The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix, like its counterparts, introduced a new "colonnade" roof design featuring fixed rear "opera" windows. This style merged the elegance of a hardtop with the enhanced rollover safety of a pillared coupe, complying with new government safety rules. The front end maintained the previous generation's aesthetic, with a tall vertical-slatted grille and dual headlights framed by squared bezels.

Similar to earlier models, the turn signals were integrated into the front fenders' leading edges. The slim front bumper, supported by energy-absorbing mechanisms for minor collisions, extended beyond the grille, adhering to updated safety regulations.

The most noticeable change was the Grand Prix's updated proportions. The elongated, dramatic hood of the previous generation was replaced with a more balanced "long-hood/short-deck" design, aligning with other GM G-body models. The hood retained its signature "ironing board" contour, tapering to a point at the grille. The rear design evolved, with slotted taillights no longer embedded in the bumper but integrated into the rear deck, complementing the protruding bumper. Two trims were available: the base model and the premium SJ, which featured a larger engine, Radial Tuned Suspension, and upgraded interior details like a custom steering wheel and mahogany dashboard accents. Despite losing two inches in wheelbase, the 1973 Grand Prix grew three inches in total length, largely due to federally mandated bumpers. Weight increased significantly, with the SJ model reaching up to 4,400 pounds when fully equipped.

Continue to the next page to explore the engines and specifications of the 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix.

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1973 Pontiac Grand Prix Engines and Specifications

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Prix retained its powertrain options from the previous year. The standard engine was the well-known 400-cubic-inch Pontiac V-8, featuring a Rochester Quadrajet four-barrel carburetor. It delivered 230 net horsepower at 4,400 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 3,200 rpm, with an 8.0:1 compression ratio.

The sole alternative engine was the four-barrel 455-cubic-inch V-8, standard on the SJ model. This powerful engine produced 250 horsepower at 4,000 rpm and 370 pound-feet of torque at 2,800 rpm, maintaining an 8.0:1 compression ratio. Both engines were paired exclusively with a Turbo 400 automatic transmission, as manual options were discontinued in March 1971.

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The 1974, 1975 Pontiac Grand Prix

The 1974 Pontiac Grand Prix faced a significant challenge from the start: the 1973 oil embargo by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries. This crisis severely impacted the intermediate car market, causing fuel shortages and skyrocketing gas prices as the 1974 model year began.

Consumers shifted their focus to smaller, more fuel-efficient subcompacts, both domestic and imported. As a result, 1974 Grand Prix production plummeted to 99,817 units, a 35 percent decline. Despite this sharp drop, it remained the third-best sales year for the Grand Prix up to that point.

The 1975 Grand Prix largely carried over its 1974 design, with minor tweaks to the grille and taillights. The grille featured fewer slats, while the taillights incorporated fine vertical ribs. The dashboard's genuine mahogany inserts were replaced with wood-grained plastic trim. The lineup expanded to three trims: the base J coupe, the sportier SJ, and the new luxury-focused LJ, which offered velour upholstery and two-tone paint options. Emission controls were enhanced, leading to reduced horsepower. This year marked the introduction of mandatory unleaded fuel and catalytic converters. The GM High Energy Ignition System improved combustion efficiency, and compression ratios were lowered to 7.6:1 for the 400 and 455 engines. The base 400 engine dropped to 185 horsepower, while the 455 V-8 fell to 200 horsepower. Production declined to 86,582 units, with 64,581 being base J models.

Continue to the next page to explore the 1976 Grand Prix updates, released during Pontiac's 50th-anniversary year. For more information on cars, see:

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The 1976 Pontiac Grand Prix

To boost sales in the personal luxury segment and address the gap left by the discontinued Grand Am, Pontiac repositioned the base Grand Prix as a "value leader." The Model J name was dropped, and the starting price was cut by $500, with slightly reduced standard features. This version introduced a 60/40 split bench seat with a fold-down armrest. Power came from a 160-horsepower, 350-cubic-inch V-8 with a two-barrel carburetor (four-barrel in California), paired with a Turbo 350 automatic transmission borrowed from the LeMans. This was the smallest engine ever offered in the Grand Prix. The upscale SJ and LJ trims returned with similar features to 1975. Additionally, Pontiac released a limited-edition 50th-anniversary Grand Prix LJ, finished in gold with removable roof panels, a special hood ornament, trunk lock cover, and unique pinstriping. Only 4,807 of these commemorative models were produced, making them rare and potentially collectible today.

In addition to the Pontiac 350, the 1976 Grand Prix offered the 185-horsepower 400 four-barrel engine, standard in the SJ model. The 200-horsepower, 455-cubic-inch four-barrel was optional across all trims. Notably, Pontiac produced one 1976 Grand Prix with the yet-to-be-released 301-cubic-inch V-8. This car, along with a 1976 Sunbird featuring the upcoming "Iron Duke" four-cylinder engine, was part of a Pontiac and National Car Rental campaign to demonstrate the reliability of their vehicles. These cars were driven globally to showcase their durability. The strategic reshuffling of standard and optional features paid off, resulting in a record-breaking production of 228,091 units for the 1976 Grand Prix, a 163 percent increase from the previous year.

Continue to the next page to learn about the updates Pontiac made to the 1976 Grand Prix lineup. For more information on cars, see:

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The 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix

Stricter emission standards in California and federally led to the most complex engine lineup in Grand Prix history. Depending on the destination state, the car could feature a Pontiac, Chevrolet, or Oldsmobile V-8. The base engine for 1977 was Pontiac's new 301-cubic-inch V-8, derived from a 1969 experimental 303 Trans Am race engine but less robust. It featured a shorter deck, smaller connecting rods, and shared components with Pontiac's "Iron Duke" four-cylinder. The lightweight design reduced its weight to 452 pounds, comparable to Buick's 231-cubic-inch V-6. It produced 135 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The next option was a 5.7-liter V-8, which could be a Pontiac, Oldsmobile, or Chevrolet 350, depending on availability and emissions requirements. The top engine option was the 6.6-liter V-8, standard in the SJ, either a Pontiac 400 or Oldsmobile 403. The 455 engine was discontinued after 1976.

Continue to the next page to explore the 1977 Grand Prix's sales achievements. For more information on cars, see:

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The 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix Production

The Pontiac Grand Prix and other GM vehicles faced engine shortages due to varying emission standards, leading to some customers not receiving the engines they ordered. This issue sparked a class-action lawsuit against General Motors by frustrated owners and consumer advocates.

The lawsuit gained significant media attention, resulting in negative publicity for GM. Dealers emerged as the primary beneficiaries, reclaiming the affected cars after imposing mileage fees that could cost consumers up to $2,000. They then resold these low-mileage vehicles at premium prices.

Despite the discontinuation of the 455 engine and the confusion over engine options, 1977 marked the best sales year for the Grand Prix, with 288,430 units produced. A key factor was public awareness that this was the final year for the "big Grand Prix." The 1978 model introduced a smaller design with new V-6 and small V-8 engines, promising better efficiency and fuel economy. However, many buyers sensed that the Grand Prix and other GM intermediates would never be the same.

The 1978-1987 Grand Prix models were not without merit; they were well-designed, durable, and built to a decent standard. However, their resemblance to the Monte Carlo, Regal, and Cutlass diluted their uniqueness. Sales plummeted by nearly 60,000 units in 1978, continuing to decline thereafter. The end of the 1977 model marked the loss of individuality, as the Grand Prix's distinctive mix of luxury and performance faded, not to return for another decade. Continue to the next page for details on 1973-1977 Grand Prix models, prices, and production numbers. For more information on cars, see:

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1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix Models, Prices, Production

The 1973-1977 Pontiac Grand Prix models successfully navigated stricter emissions standards while maintaining strong sales and public approval. Below, you'll find weights, prices, and production data for these years.

1973 Pontiac Grand Prix

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