PONTIAC Grand Prix (1970 455cid w/rare 4speed, of which only around 500 were made)
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- čas přidán 22. 08. 2024
- A truly overlooked Luxury Performer. One of the top car magazines back in the day tested a 390hp1969 H.O.428cid Grand Prix and reported times of 0-60 in 5.5 and a 13.8 quarter. This 1970 455v8 Grand Prix in the video was rated with 20hp less (370hp for the 1970 455) due to emissions detuning for 1970. The 1970 455 was basically a larger (stroked) 428 with some emissions detuning.
I owned one of these beast and I can honestly say, of all the cars I've owned over the years (and I've owned plenty) the grand prix straight out of the gate stock was the best performer I've ever owned.
These cars were criminally underrated as a performance car even though they could outperform just about everything from that period.
I had a 73 SJ 455 in every sense of Grand Prix performed better than any 73 smog motor had a right to.
In the GP community the argument is endless, ‘69 or ‘70. This cat had a ‘69 J back in ‘71. Hopefully, as one ages, some degree of wisdom accrues. Presently, a ‘69 Triple Black SJ 428 four-speed with leather interior resides in the garage. The model J and SJ was copied from Dusenberg and was not a John D head trip. On Saturday at Meachum, a Concourse ‘69 Triple Black SJ four-speed with leather was hammered at a cool 150K. Only about 220 four-speed ‘69 SJ’s were built and the hood tach was a dealer installed option.
Forgot to mention how good the car handles. The 118 inch wheelbase pushed the front wheels forward. The timing cover off the engine aligns just behind the center line of the front wheels. It's technically a front mid-engine car . That makes it drive like a dream. DeLorean's Masterpiece !!!
I think '62 - '69 GP's were full size cars... '70 - '87 GP's and Monte Carlos built on mid size, but longer 4 door Chevelle frames...
It was built on the 69 Chevelle Station Wagon frame. A stretched A- Body ( Chevelle, Cutlass, GS ) frame that Pontiac Boxed and made stiffer for this particular car. The 70 Monto Carlo frame is 2 inches shorter and not boxed or reinforced like the Grand Prix. Chevy went cheaper. It is the unique Grand Prix frame that is the ground work for a very special car. It is not the full size GM frame.
Adjusting a clutch in a Stick Mone (70-72) was hard, frame would flex during hard runs or uneven surfaces.
Even finding level ground to do original adjustment is key.
Maybe when they were new, with new rubbers... They should have boxed it like PMD.
I thought the 67 gto was a long car to be a muscle car at 207 . Can’t believe they considered that to be mid sized lol
I remember my '73 Gran Prix had 18" between the radiator and the cooling fan.
Boy, that is one beautiful car...Those Grand Prixs did EVERYTHING well
Nice ride!
I bought my 1972 Grand Prix in Hawaii and brought it back to Northern Illinois. Still have it. Done some incredible work to it!!!
FYI - In 1968 John Delorean found out the hood on the Lincoln was to be only a 1/4th inch longer than a 69GP. So he immediately ordered the hood a 1/2 inch longer on the 69GP, making it the longest hood in the industry for 69. Even after Delorean left Pontiac, the Grand Prix still resembled a "Delorean look" until 77 with those long hoods.
I had a 1972 SJ in 1988 when I was 20. I christened it "The Super Jalopy". Sadly it was a column shifter auto, but it had the 455 4 bbl and would run like a wild animal.
A buddy of mine bought one in 1982 for $500 from an old lady, no joke. It only had 28,000 miles on it. With 5 of us in the car, we drove it up a hill at 140 mph. Good times!
I had one of these cars back in 1978 when I was 19 years old, 4 speed, 455 HO, Air leveling suspension, courtesy lights, leather.........the list goes on and on.
My only nightmare still to this day I wish that I still had the car. (I paid $1350 w/ 62,000 miles on it) :(
Bryan Haugen Greatly belt , Air leveling suspension ( thought only caddy had it ) 😲
Love that car
And you LIVED to tell the story? WOW, LUCKY DUDE!!!!
Yeh..I always admired these cars. In 78' I had a 67' Ford F100 stepside 6' bed, with a 352 v8, 4:11 rr. At the same time I also had a 69' Ply. 383 Roadrunner. I wish I kept them both.
...bought my 1969 Grand Prix 428SJ(Super Judge) new and stll have it!!!
+Ahmed Koten post a pic or video...we don't believe you
Keep on rockin, Ahmed......id love to see as well.
1969 Was better handling with a lighter engine, more performance oriented than the 455.
SJ was a trim package,it wasn’t short for anything but Sport J.
Made me laugh though!
show us your thing!!!
Back when you could get aGrand Prix with the 428/390 HO engine and a 4-speed!
One bad machine dam
That was in 1969. The 428 was replaced by the 455 for 1970.
I had a 1969 in San Jose CA with a 4 speed, 428 HO, factory headers, 3.90 posi... It flew
SJs were fully optioned cars like this one.. SWEEEEET
rarer than a sober irishman that 69 J ho 4-speed
I got a 1972 GP my Dad bought it brand new , I stay by a highway. I can’t tell you how many people have pulled up to my house about that car !!!
@alexeddy79
.
All 1969 GP engines
400cid 4bbl 350hp/440 torque
428cid 4bbl 370hp/465 torque
428cid 4bbl 390hp/475 torque (HO)
.
All 1970 GP engines
400cid 4bbl 350hp/440 torque
455cid 4bbl 370hp/510 torque
.
Even the 400 is something else, these were always low rated in a 100 degree room (not 60 like Chevy), then lied about even more for lower insurance. Believe me even the 400 will rock your boat.
You're correct about the 400ci power, my 70 GP was a beast with the 400. Fastest car I ever owned.
My 400 tore the 455's a new one.
Love the 69-72 Grand Prixs.
Fabulous car, first car I ever drove was a 69, had a 400 and automatic, the 455 is a nice motor, I own a 73 SJ currently, no where near as fast as that 70, but I gotta say, a 69 428 is a rocket, neighbor of mine had a 69 428 Bonneville in 69, talk about a big car, what an animal, 390 hp, tire shredder, beat a lot of neighborhood cars with that, and it rode great, every option in the book
I have the same engine in my 67 firebird. Bight it from a old friend that wreaked his sj grand prix in 1972, he stored the engine since then. Only 98k miles on it, unfortunately he sold the 4 speed trans in the late 70s but i managed to save the 455 from hibernation, it a torque monster!!
One of the finest ever produced.
I was 16 in 1970 and my dad was ordering a new 70 Pontiac Catalina 2 door. Being a young Motorhead I talked him into ordering the 455 4-barrel with dual exhaust and a posi rear. However once the numbers added up he reduced cost by getting the 400 2 Barrel almost had a rare Catalina there. It did have the heavy duty police frame and police seats so it was still an interesting car he kept for 10.
I had to go all the way to Hawaii to get mine!! A 1972 Pontiac Grand prix!! Except, I put a way better engine in her!!! I love it!!!
I was 16 years old in 1979 and took a 73 Grand Prix with the 400 engine and Turbo 400 transmission and would walk the new Trans Ams of the day. Awesome cars, no doubt.
@80s4U
The top 455 in 1970 was rated 20hp less than the 390hp 428HO in 69. Part of why the FEDS allowed the auto makers to increase cubes in 1970 was to compensate for EMISSIONS DETUNING decreasing power. That's why I've always said the 1970 455 was ''a larger detuned 428".
Truly bad ass. I've always admired these cars when new. A neighbor had one, but not sure if it was the SJ. The fact that they even stuck a 4 speed in it says Detroit was not effing around when it came to satisfying every buyers needs.
My friends 71 GP 400 (bored to 412) was rated at 300hp (because of 8.4 compression for emissions, down from around 10.75 in 1970). He still did 0-60 in about 7.0. After a RA3 cam & some basic super tuning & headers like RA3 exhausts, I got'er down to 5.5, 13.8 quarter. This while still having the 1971 low 8.4 comp & highway 3.08 axle!!------------->
WOW!!....your the man......I sold mine in 1975 for $175....complete with the Earl Schive $29 paint job and re-wielded A frame
When I was a kid I had a '74 Monte Carlo with a small block 2bbl and it was slow. My friend had the '74 Grand Prix with a 400 4bbl and that sucker would smoke the tires down the block. Apparently it had a factory posi-rear installed. God I loved those cars.
I only wish they had dropped in a 428 in a late 60's Firebird. Would have been tought to beat on the street.
Didn't that one Pontiac dealer drop a few 428 h.o.s in the 69 firebird and call it the royal bobcat? Cars magazine said it was truly a competitive street car right out of the box.
Why these never got the recognition they deserved is beyond me.
I have a 2006 Grand Prix. The best I have had. GM bring it back!!
Awesome piece of machinery right there.
I had a 1969 J model. Torque to the moon and fast! I can only imagine how this SJ must perform
I had a 70 J model 400 cu , Turbo 400 car...Great car .mine was black with no vinyl top ,and I removed the rocker panel and wheel well moldings...Loved that car.
Still got mine buddy. That's an awesome car....
I had a 69 model J 400 Ram Air.I loved the car.Nothing like Pontiac power.
Love the 70 SJ model !! Had a friend with a white with baby blue painted top . He put shift kit 4.11 gears and a 700 double pumper n it was one fast fun ride !!What a fast n luxurious ride !!
Never lost a race in my 1970. Bright orange, white landeau top, Craeger cams, chrome side pipes, Holley carb, quadraphonic 8 track tape, chrome spoked wheels. Baddest ass car Western High school 1974-75 in Las Vegas haha! Rolled it looking for my girlfriend repainted it pure white pearl. Wonder where it is now.
GORGEOUS SHARP SWEET LOOKING AUTOMOBILE FARR LOOKING AND BETTER HANDLING THAN THAT MONTE QUEERLO
My Mom had a 72 GP w/400 and that’s what I drove when I got my license when I was 16, lived that car!!😊
Wow-Great car-I had the pleasure of driving one of these when I was in highschool. I don't remember if it was a 69 or 70 but it was triple black and the coolest ever! automatic car. I worked for an ad agency and one of the execs had one. I used to fetch it from the garage for him...Always loved these cars...
Very nice. I bet it's a beast on take off. Thanks for sharing it. I'll be on the lookout for an ashtray. From Ohio.
Rock On! I have a 73. 77 is very possibly my favorite body of the 73-77s. I've seen some 77s in great body condition for sale, and seriously considered getting one for a 455 engine I have.
You know they talk about how long the hood is on the 69-72s, but I swear when you put my 73 up to my friends 71 my hood is slightly longer! Doesn't look like it until you put them up side by side.
Dad had a 69 Grand Prix 390 h.p. I won lots of street races beautiful car.
Legend has it he is still searching for that ash tray to this very day...
Legend is wrong I purchaced this car 10/99 and not long after found the ash tray
@@ronaldmelvin4443 Man, why you gotta ruin this guys dream dude?
This was a tremendous car back in the day, even with a 3 speed automatic. My dad had a 1969 Ford Thunderbird with the 429 V8, which was probably this cars main competition in the personal luxury car class. Don't underestimate that T-Bird, either. From a 30mph roll, it took off like a bird! Though I think the Pontiac was probably a little lighter, and therefore, quicker. Can you imagine how many of these Pontiac could sell (if they were still in business) today they built a retro version, with modern aerodynamics, an 8 or 10 speed automatic with overdrive, electronic fuel injection, with an all aluminum 455 cubic inch V8? My guess is the closest Pontiac you could get to this would've been the Pontiac 2009 G8 GT.......
I still have this on tape!
Mario Iacolucci yah me too I used to tape Motor Trend every Saturday it was my favourite show I wonder how Jim Scoutin is he was a pretty cool guy
Darryl6636 cool dude!
@@Darryl6636 thanks for getting back to me talk soon god bless
I had a late 60s Pontiac Ventura that came from the factory with the 428 H.O. . It had Chrome air cleaner cover and valve covers from the factory, positraction rear end all white interior on a black car. Reminded me a lot of this one I always liked the Grand Prix and the bigger cars with the big engines. Also owned a 70 Buick Riviera with a 455, positraction. My cars were automatics. The 4-speed would definitely be a rarity
What a rare, awsome car. I've seen these and they are expensive. I had a 77 GP with a 400 and it was a cool car to drive. I have a 69 lemans now and i'm a bout to buy this same engine out of this grand prix (1970 455 370HP) for my lemans and rebuild it for even more performance and torque. Like 500ftlb isn't enough lol.
Yep. That 455 should have the casting 64 heads with screw in studs vs the big car engine with 15 heads. That motor should be 4 bolt mains too.
Beautiful car
My first car was the 69 GP. Bought it in 78. I still have it. I need a few more parts and I'll redo her.
Omg, who wouldn't want one of these?
Owned a lot different Manufacturers
Muscle Cars in my day. Being an owner of Three GTO's 1966,1969, and 1970 Ram Air III A/C car. I would buy a 1970 Grand Prix set up just like this today. PS: More than 13 Ram Air V Pontiacs escaped the Factory in 1970-1971, Most went to NASCAR, but not All !
@80s4U
I agree on both counts--the '428ho' and the 'auto' being quicker.
Many people (especially young people today) don't believe that 'some' engines run 'quicker' with automatics.--'Today' they might be right in most cases, but not on these cars from this era. Most people are used to higher revving engines (like many today) that don't make enough low rpm torque to benefit from an auto like a big cube Pontiac. And the TH400 auto was great anyway regardless of the engine with it.
Awesome car, but, out of character with a manual transmission. It was Pontiac's Personal Luxury (sporty). CADILLAC-Eldorado
Buick-Riviera
Oldsmobile-Toronado
CHEVY-Monte Carlo.
This was a very profitable concept for G.M. back in the day.$$$$
Don't forget the 429 Thunderbird. They ran pretty fair, too.
Great car wow! Love it
A very good friend of mine back in Joliet, IL has one. Silver/black/black with a 4 speed. It was areal hoot to go cruising in it!
Yeah 69-72 are just about everyone's favorite GP. Best looking, best performing, possibly the best built.
Even though this is a heavy car some might be VERY surprised to know that according NHRA blueprints -- this 1970 GP is only 28 pounds heavier than a 70 GTO convertible w/455 and 68 pounds heavier than a GTO hardtop.
Your going to cry when you hear this, I took the council out of my SJ back in 1978 to make more room inside, yes 4 speed council and I to this day still cry! ( the ashtray was still in the council) :(
Bryan Haugen no blame - more than losing Blackjack to me ♣️♠️♦️♥️
Nice car dam
And I’m crying right now because you don’t know how to spell council..... lol 😂 (console) 👍
I absolutely love this car
Nice car. My dad had a 69 4 spd with matching numbers. Had an arson burn our barns down a few years back unfortunately and the car got burnt too. Completely original grey paint white vinyl interior. I can still remember picking the back of the seat when I was small because it was flaking off. Dad had it in Arizona then stored it inside when moved to Washington. And the power windows got stuck all the time ha-ha the things we remember.. Good times
I just ran into a gorgeous 4 speed SSJ GP Hurst..... all original Black this weekend in Walkersville MD. I'd send pics of it if I could. Was my first time seeing one..... Pontiacs unicorn
Had a 1974 Pontaic Le Mans, was a very fast car, even lived in it.
Nice… When Cars were CARS 👏👍👍
Yeah the people in this video didnt really sound like they knew what they were talking about. It looks like a muscle car to me. Beautiful car. Hope he doesnt wreck it driving like that.
I weighed my 79 F150 and it weighed 3700 something pounds. Then I weighed my 73 Cutlass Supreme with the 350 Rocket and it was 4300 something lol
Yeah I really got to love that car it is sweet one of my favorite of all time the color and everything motor 4-speed everything is perfect on it. And I love Mopars but this car it's nice
Thank you for making this video LOVE IT! I own a 69 GP 455 stroker “Right Hand Drive” here in Western Australia 🇦🇺👍🏻
I’m curious about the front nose bumper grill at time code 1:22 with the vertical air vents?
The 66 GP is my favorite. That old 421s were gas-guzzling tire-smoking smiles.
Hear that Quadrajet open up.
So sweet ! I hope you never sell it !
I picked out my 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix brand new in April 1969;paid cash;have never had the heads off; Protect-O-Plate, factory build sheet, original title. Never raced...all numbers match, I have the original Quadrajet, alternator, fan clutch, and master cylinder...The 427.6 cubic inch engine still runs great because I drove my 1971 Stingray Convertible and 1965 Tri-power G.T.O. for 30 years instead. I am trying to decide whether to restore the Grand Prix or not.What do you guys think?
If you got the money I wouldn't even think twice about restoring it
Beautiful big block 4 speed muscle car with tons of torque.
I'd love it more with factory steel wheels and dog dish hubcaps personally.
I blew off every Pontiac, Olds, Buick, Cadillac I ever came across in my 70 LS 6 4spd Chevelle SS. Not to mention every Mopar & Ford and the ever humble AMC. After a while it got to be boring. There weren't that many LS 6's around in 1970. Way more now for some reason.
Had a 1972 GRAND PRIX AND IT BEAT A SS NOVA AND A COBRA JET TOURINO . . DRIVERS
@1967PmdGto Big car = longer tail on the four speeds than the goat muncies ,which require a longer trans mainshaft and tail housing. The later short muncies had the 32 spline which is a lot stronger. Your thinking of the yoke which would work . I really dig this SJ video I had a 70 SJ bagger back in 74
At 4200 lbs,that's why you would never hear a 383 RR guy say he got outrun by a Grand Prix.
-------> Made me pretty damn proud because in 69 a top magazine tested a 390hp GP at 5.5 to 60, 13.8 quarter, that was with a 428 (16 more cubes) & 10.75 to 1 compression. But that 69 had the milder HO cam, whereas we put a RA3 cam in my friends. Imagine if we did to a 69 what we did to my friends? Holy crap! Here is a cool vid of a 69 FROM INSIDE at a 20mph punch, he has the later 455 (1970 and later). This sounds/seems about exactly as fast as my friends. watch?v=m_ok4OOOD4Y
That's AWESOME! NEver heard of this one! I got some vintage MuscleCarTV and TNN slips man, Monte Carlo SS!
When I was working at GM Assembly Division Tarrytown NY, one of the guys I rode there with owned one of these. I didn't know they were "rare". Pontiac always got the details right: a HURST shifter for your 4-speed, buddy. We looked at it as what Chevrolet should have done with the Monte Carlo, which we saw as a pretender, soft "personal luxury" car. The GP was Pontiac's 300 letter car...
fantastic Pontiac, rare and beautiful. Host is a complete dork
Takes one to know one!
i owned one.............AWESOME POWER
Can I drive one?
Wish they made more cars like that today. With all that power and torque sure hope it came with a safe-t-track differential to manage that power to the rear wheels. All that power with the weight of today's SUV's.
Im build a 40 over 455, fully ported 69 RA 3 heads eagle H beams rods , KB pistons , luntia cam 575 lift 300/310 adv. Dur. 106LSA operation rang 4400-7600rpm,, 4500 stall, 456 gearing 81T/A fiber glass hood , roll cage 10in. Slicks 1/8 mile care !!!! Hope it runs good !!!love my pontiacs !! Any guess's on ET and MPH ?? THANKS !!
If you run that 455 to 7600 rpm, you won't make it a quarter mile!
if i wer in 1970 and i was a cop and i wanted a car i would drve a grand pre heavy powerfull and pure mean and badass
The only year the high output 455 heads came out and they bolt straight onto a regular 400 pontiac block ;)
That thing looks gothic
The "SJ" initials come from the Duesenberg Model SJ, not John Delorean's name.
People just repeat whatever they hear.
2 yrs ago I watched this video, and didn't know it,was that long ago, until I caught it again on my recommended YT list. And I still wonder , "what gear did they put in this car? 3.08s? 3.23s, or 3.55s? I'm still guessing 3.08s.
Just for perspective, the 2019 Challenger RT has a curb weight of an almost identical 4,190 lbs, with similar engine output from the 392. Hellcat weighs in at 4,448, but about twice the power.
My 1970 Ram Air III GTO weighed in at 4137 lbs. A/C car Vinyl top , console etc. It Moved with Authority.
That is a stunning car! That 455 was an amazing engine. How many of these cars are still around?
very few
badass
badass
My 70 SJ was originally an auto now it is a 4 speed.You are correct it was faster in an automatic .However it is a totally differant car now and much more fun to drive.Oh I got 2 ash trays!
Had to make an ashtray for mine used two automatic ashtrays measure cut weld !
Had 4 of them, Blew the doors off a 1970 Trans Am, The loook on that boy's face, I can still see it today Lol Yeah there were faster cars out there But not with the comfort, 69SJ had it all
Ever beat any hemi cars
Don't Forget The 2+2 ‼️🤗‼️
the hood tach was dealer installed.
LOL about this dude not knowing jack. You shoulda seen my best friend almost throw a hamburger thru the TV screen when the dude said "but that's not what a Grand Prix is supposed to do"--and they made it sound like only a few with 455s ever ran well. My friend had a 71GP with a hot running 400 at that time. All available engines in the 68-72s were hot.
And being an Olds guy you know these big cube Olds/Ponchos run as good or better with an Auto. But the idiot host acts like a 4 spd is better.
I have a 72 Pontiac GP SJ, VERY restoreable in Albuquerque NM 4 sale.
Ohh my gosh!!!.....Boys would set the wheels on a tar patched hill, and smoke those wheels as they climbed a hill from 0 to 70 in seconds. I thought the wheels were gona lite up
I know where a automatic version is, all original and runs and drives. Great day to you.
Ive seen many gto's with blown motors get them replaced by a 400 or 455 out of a grand prix! This was back in the day when they were plentiful! The grand prix engines were just as mean as what came out of a GTO!
I had a 69 gp j model dark green white ivory interior and someone stole the ashtray in front of friends house.
I like to meet that particular theif !!!
Fenton Mo.
megan mcbride my gf lived there lol. js
Don't be fooled by it's size it's more or less an a body with a little extra front nose and is perfect ride.down the road nice ride love the black owe I might have a Ash tray for you
So it's pontiac's SS monte carlo . Nice car .
Monte has a sexier look
Giving me some ideas for a '69 Cadillac.....