Coke-bottle GP: ’63 Pontiac Grand Prix
Back in 1961, Pete Estes replaced “Bunkie” Knudsen as Pontiac’s Chief (no pun) and John DeLorean joined as chief engineer. The stage was set for the muscle car wars. Pontiac’s first entry was the 1962 Grand Prix hardtop sports coupe, which was more of a high-powered personal car. The Grand Prix had a 305-hp, 389-c.i. V-8. Bucket seats, a center console, full instruments, and dual exhausts completed the package. Optional equipment included 8-lug aluminum wheels, and engines all the way up to the 405-hp 421-c.i. V-8. Pontiac sold 30,195 this first year. The 1963 “GP” (as they were known) was restyled bumper to bumper, with smooth sheet metal, a slight “Coke-bottle” shape, and a concave rear window. Sales more than doubled to 72,959. Today’s featured Pontiac is one of those Coke-bottle shaped ’63s. We applaud the original owner for the restraint used in ordering this car. It is a beautiful silver and devoid of the popular vinyl roof. They didn’t check the super performance 3 X 2-barrels or the 421 but they did order the stylish 8-lug wheels. These wheels are somewhat hard to find today. This is an original, unrestored car with a recent quality repaint. The interior is original and all the gauges are said to work but alas the clock and radio do not function (why not get these fixed before selling? It’s easy). The best in the world will sell for $30,000 and although we like this one, it doesn’t have the rare engine options to get to that mark. Click here for the eBay listing.
Although relatively huge, gracefully beautiful. I love this car!