A 1963 Grand Prix not-so-quietly slipped into the bay across from me this morning as I was satiating the Commodore’s thirst for 93 Octane on my way to a supplier meeting in Chicago.
Its exhaust was obviously in a similar state to the body – full of holes. Despite the careworn appearance, she still carries a sense of elegance, don’t you think? This body style would carry over for 1964 with a few minor changes, followed by a complete restyle for 1965. I wish I had had time to chat with the driver, as I’m sure there’s quite a story behind the car.
I can see with a bit of money/paint that this will be a great looking car again. Still, I have to admit I prefer a 62 or maybe even a 65 over a 63/64.
Looks almost like a temporary daily driver situation.
Big resemblance to the 61 Continental from the rear view, funny since Ford cribbed everything else from these for the Galaxie, even the curved rear window for 66.
As an Illinois car the body is probably worse than it looks, the in tact (surprisingly) bright trim is drawing the eye away from the ugly effectively, but it’s cool to see it on the road. Only thing better than driving a cool old 60s car in 2018 is driving one you’re not afraid to scuff. I agree, there’s an elegance despite condition, only a handful of luxury cars ever made can pull that off.
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And are those Buick wheels? They look very fitting, and even with the RWL tires it pulls it off, in fact it could pass for a GTO to a layman. I think that’s the mark of well executed European influenced design, appropriate looking dressed for sport and appropriate dressed for an elegant dinner party, while many American designs would clearly favor one over the other
Yes they are (wheels), and I agree – they work well on the car.
While it’s not my car, I don’t like when folks mix and match wheels from the different divisions. OTOH, I guess I should be glad it wasn’t “donked” or those wheels that look like food processor blades. Those would be a greater sin than the Buick steelies…
I share the same sentiment most of the time, but the Buick road wheel is so close in design to the ubiquitous Magnum 500 that there is a bit of a chameleon effect.
Styling for the GM divisions was really hitting on all eight cylinders back in the day, wasn’t it? While the ‘it’ cars for 1963 were the new Riviera and split-window Corvette, the Grand Prix (in its second year) was no slouch. You have to wonder how much better the fresh, restyled Grand Prix would have sold if not for the attention the Riv and Vette were getting.
Didn’t 1963 GP’s all come with the wheels with bolts around the edges and cast aluminum centers? (How did those work anyway?). I think that those and the Buick wheels were the first no-wheel covers or hubcap wheels on production American cars.
They had integrated brake drums. https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn/2006/05/Eight-is-Enough/1281932.html
Did the Grand Prix have optional disc brakes around this model year? Those 8 lug wheels look great but not sure if they work with discs if the car was retrofitted/modified.
I’m fairly certain they were optional, even on the GP, as they were on much of the rest of the full size line. Many restorations retrofit them so they seem like they were standard now a days, course it could also be possible they were chucked on this one in favor of cheaper more common standard brakes.
The drums are the centers, they are basically like pre 68 beetles but with a prettier looking drum and no cap to cover it
Yes, the finned aluminum drums were optional on these cars. For whatever reason, I think folks back in the day didn’t trust or thought that disc brakes were too expensive for the benefit they brought.
Steel wheels were standard, you could get theoptional eight lugs, the center section was actually an aluminium brake drum, no disk brake available on anything GM produced till 67, with the exception of the corvette as I recall.
The slab sides of the ’63 Grand Prix are reminiscent of the classic ’61 Lincoln Continental. In fact, I wonder if the ’63 Grand Prix was then the inspiration for the 1965 2-door Continental.
The rather revolutionary 1961 Lincoln definitely influenced Cadillac and Pontiac GP design a couple years later. Today I find the flat windows on the 1963GP, five years after the curved window 1957 Imperial, detract from the otherwise very nicely styled nonflat car. Of course Ford also made a stupid corporate decision and went back to flat windows on the previously curved window Lincoln and Thunderbird in 1964.
I owned a flat window 1969 Renault 16. In that case, when every other car had curved glass they worked, given the overall design parameters of that idiosyncratic car.
I sorry to say that we’ve never had a proper CC on this car, despite its historical significance. I guess none of us have yet to have the proper encounter.
I was already pulling out when he pulled in – I actually circled the pumps to get these photos and gave the owner a thumbs up as I went around the front (for whatever reason, I munged that photo). Funny thing is that there was a late ’90s Isuzu Amigo at the same pump right before the GP that I didn’t even bother to shoot (owner was pouring a *lot* of oil in the engine, didn’t think it would be prudent to ask to take pics).
When the GP pulled in, it reminded me of a similar-condition ’67 Tempest I didn’t shoot one afternoon (also at a gas station) – been kicking myself on that one ever since. Figured I’d better get this one, if only for an outtake.
Good catch, Ed!
Is it true that this vintage of Grand Prix were equipped with the Roto Hydramatic instead of the more proven 4-speed Hydramatic That were in the Bonnevilles? Seems counterintuitive, since the Grand Prix would also be a premium car.
Not sure about the Grand Prix, but the Catalina came with the Roto Hydramatic – aka “Slim Jim”. (A long time ago I had a ’64 Catalina 4-door hardtop with that trans.)
I believe the Star Chief and Bonneville had the 4-speed Hydramatic.
Yes. The Grand Prix was a Catalina under its elegant skin and accoutrements.
I liked these cars a lot. Still do. It is a chaste, timeless design.
I love seeing any classic still in service on the road.
Pontiac really nailed the styling on those, didn’t they? What a pretty car, and I actually prefer the ’64s for the Gen 1 GPs and I never cared much for the 65-68s. If anyone decides to tackle a resto on that one, and it doesn’t look like its too far gone yet, theres plenty of aftermarket parts available for those cars now.
I have a feeling the owner knows what he has.
As for styling, I never really got off on the 1964 GP – the nose is too flat, particularly around the headlights. I do like the ’63, though. My favorite year for the Grand Prix is 1966, with the big-GTO nose and louvered taillights.
Where are all of the old Grand Prix’s on the T.V. auctions? They never have any. Here’s yet another GTO — Firebird— Trans Am, but don’t stay up to see a Grand Prix cause you’ll be up all night cuz we ain’t got none.
They may have them but probably during commercial break in between the $1,000,000 LS6 Chevelle and the $1,100,000 Porsche Steve McQueen brushed up against once.
Stay tuned for a future Scottsdale auction article with a Grand Prix.
+1 what a great find on the road
What a nice-looking car! And not in bad shape for 55 years of seemingly everyday-type use, either.
It not only has an air of elegance, but also looks sporty to me as well.
One of the all time greats!
The ‘63s were nice, but the ‘64 Grand Prix was the bomb. When I was a 11 year old in Anaheim, Ca., there was a Delco plant/warehouse on the west side of town that a friend of my father managed. He used to get us in to a small car show they had every fall, where each GM mark had 3 or 4 new models on display. I remember the ‘64 white GP with beige interior they had and what a great looking car it was. Not long after, a neighbor around the corner bought one just like it and I used to drool over it every time I’d see it while riding my Stingray bike with the banana seat, lol. I bought a ‘64 GTO for my first car 6 years later.
Very nice looking car. I love many US designs from this period.
Nice smile from a 1964, I’ve spotted one other, black. Love the stacked lamps.
The black 1964.
One of my favorite cars of all time. Growing up in Indiana, one family in our small town bought a new 63 Grand Prix in midnight blue. The car was an absolute sensation. The concave rear glass, elegantly shaped sides free of chrome, and fabulous interior were trend-setting. Pontiacs were everywhere in those days, with so much more greatness to come throughout the 60’s. Even in this state, the car is gorgeous. Wish it had original wheels, though…
How about a German version? The Opel Diplomat Coupe, a seven-eighths scale Grand Prix with a ’63 Chevy nose grafted on. It also had the Chevy’s 327 V8.
Great find Ed!
The link below has an article on the HR Holden coupe inspired by both the Grand Prix and Diplomat, that never left the drawing board.
https://www.shannons.com.au/library/news/MA4V92L15M79CABA/index.html?page=1
Beautiful car! Neighbor’s wife drove a Dark Blue ’63. It was a knockout.
That Diplomat Coupe is a real rarity. I think I’ve only seen one in the flesh.
Beautiful car, even in that condition.
And I can just hear the exhaust in my mind 🙂
Nice ride…and it’s the same age as I am! The ’63 Pontiacs have always been favourites of mine, and a GP of that vintage would have a place in my dream garage. Make mine black.
I remember as a kid being confused about these. They were different from the Catalinas I saw everywhere, but not so different as a Tbird or Riviera was from the “regular” cars.
I agree that this car has an elegance that time and use cannot take away from it.
The Grand Prix was Pontiac’s (obviously), but Buick and Oldsmobile both had a similar car, the Wildcat (Buick) and the Starfire. Oldsmobile brought back the Starfire convertible for the 1961 model year and for 1962 added a coupe. Buick got the XP-715 project (the Riviera), which had been designed to be a Cadillac, and was GM’s Thunderbird. Cadillac did not want it, and I think both Chevrolet and Pontiac declined interest in it too. However, both Buick and Oldsmobile wanted it.
My thinking is that Oldsmobile brought back the Starfire with a special bucket seat interior as their Riviera. Then both Buick and Pontiac wanted a similar coupe. Buick’s Wildcat name replaced the Invictia sedan, coupe and convertible line (but not the wagon). The Starfire line ended after the Toronado was a success.
I don’t think any of these are luxury personal cars as the Thunderbird defined the class (the Riviera was, but then the Toronado and Eldorado sort of muddy things, especially the Eldorado).
What a beautiful machine, right near the top of my list of Lottery Cars. Now, if it just had the 8-lug wheels . . . . .
Well worth going back for photos!
I love that it is being driven. I’m afraid its restoration prospects might be few because of rust. The few holes cropping out probably indicate a lot going on out of view:(
The 64 Grand Prix is one of my favourite America Pontiacs. We didn’t get them in Canada until 1969 (Another great looking GP).
In fact I think 1964 was a great year for full-size Pontiac styling whether they were Canadian or America models.