1972 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 455 Cubic Inch

Summary:

It is an outstanding driver and turns heads!

Faults:

The Grand Prix SJ has been in storage for 22 years, and was just removed and driven in the past six weeks.

The gas tank has a lot of scale and the fuel sending sock becomes clogged with scale when the fuel drops below the 1/2 full mark on the gauge, causing the car to hesitate and nearly stall. The tank and sending unit will need to be boiled and relined or completely replaced.

General Comments:

Is anyone reading this survey aware of any new old stock (NOS) tanks? I would really like to maintain the originality of this car, since it is completely stock and I will be showing it as a survivor car at shows.

Secondly, is anyone aware of where I might find an original style (spatter paint look) trunk mat? If not, does anyone know the exact of material used? If purchased by the sheet, I can cut a pattern and apply it to the sheet.

You may contact me at pilrlr@comcast.net with any relevant information.

Thank you.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th September, 2004

24th Feb 2005, 15:31

I am not sure you still need any help, since your entry was so long ago, but I recently restored a black / black 72 SJ G.P. and found 90% of everything I needed inc. trunk spatter paint at YEAR ONE... they have an online site and will send you a catalog. They are terrific people. Expensive, but REAL stuff... you will be glad you did biz with them!! Steve Tuttle.

1972 Pontiac Grand Prix Model SJ 455

Summary:

Undiscovered classic with power and looks

Faults:

The only thing that has gone wrong was the alternator quit while I was participating in an all Pontiac day at the drag strip. I even made it to the semi-finals when my ET dropped off. I still drove it home which was a 45 minute trip. Old age and high RPMs took out the brittle insulators holding the rotor leads.

General Comments:

I love it! This is the 2nd best GP I have had the privilege to own. I have owned numerous '71 or '72 Grand Prixs since 1982. I have had two beaters and four really sweet rides. Three of these I had repainted with the Hurst SSJ black and gold paint scheme.

The one I have now, I have done the G-machine upgrade on it. Poly-graphite bushing, KYB shocks, 1-1/4" front and 1" rear sway bars, lowered front suspension, fat BFG radial TAs all around. The ride is bit too firm unless the gas tank is over half full, but man does it handle!

My next step is to install the 12 speaker, 5 amplifier Yamaha/Carver stereo system I rescued from my '71 GP.

I have a spare .060" over-bored 455 on an engine stand, but the original stock 455 runs strong enough to still give me ETs in the 14.7s.

I really enjoy turning heads whenever I drive it. It has body lines which really stand out as compared to all the expensive "jelly beans" they have produced over the last 15 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th August, 2001