Fine Lines: 1969-77 Pontiac Gran Prix...

In 1969 Pontiac moved the Gran Prix nameplate from the "big car" platform-i.e.-Catalina, Bonneville, to the mid-size "A" body-i.e. Chevelle, LeMans, Cutlass, etc platform. It was an immediate hit-112,000 units sold. In 1970 Chevrolet responded by introducing the Monte Carlo, and the "Personal Luxury / Performance" coupe craze was started. The Gran Prix is to the Monte Carlo what the Firebird is to the Camaro-the better buy of the two, for the same reason. 99% of Monte Carlos built from 1970-77 are 350 small-block powered. The 402 was discontinued after 1972 and the 454 was dropped in '75. By contrast GP's had 400 power standard all years and a good number of '70-76 "SJ" models had 455s!!  My sister had a 400 powered '72 GP, and my cousin had a 455 powered '74 model in high school. Both of these cars had power everything, and they felt like a GTO. And both of them showed their taillights to many a shocked Camaro, Chevelle and Mustang driver. They have front disc brakes and wrist-thick front and rear sway bars standard-which makes them surprisingly good handlers. Their big wheelwells will accomodate 275 / 60R15 tires on 8-inch wheels all the way around for a mean look, and any suspension or brake upgrades that fit a Chevelle / LeMans will fit these cars. 1977 California and High-Altitude models will have 403 Olds engines, but like I said in the Firebird post-there's plenty of speed equipment available for them. If you can't find or afford a big-block Chevelle, a Gran Prix is a great alternative.  Mastermind