Got a craving? This USA Prime Pontiac is served up very rare, or Cardinal Red if you please. Featuring the original, untouched engine compartment replete with a 350-horse 400 engine and a Cordova roof, the perfectly preserved Pontiac has aged gracefully indeed over three decades. "I drive it slowly. It's something that needs to be enjoyed in that way," owner Rob Volper of Toms River, New Jersey told us. Spoken like a true connoisseur of the finer things, he's quick to remind us that though it's refined and civilized on the outside, the Grand Prix Model J is one crimson cruiser that can really get up and go. "Every now and then I dust one of those IROC things. You know, clean out the carbon."
Rob's Cardinal Craving began two years ago when he purchased this Grand Prix from the original owner's family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, shortly after purchase, the original owner passed away and it was his sons who had taken meticulous care of the J for the next thirty years. Always garaged, the Grand Prix sports only 43,878 miles, about 1,355 miles per year, most while the original owner was still alive.
All too often one may equate engine options or special editions with rarity, and rightfully so. But all other options on a Pontiac must be considered as well-including interior. Though the official production numbers tell us that 65,750 Grand Prix were born in 1970, this one's story is proof positive that numbers, like so many other things, can be deceiving.
Originally purchased at Block Pontiac in Philadelphia, the previous owner's sons told Rob that because they had a large family, the standard front bucket seats in the '70 GP model simply did not offer enough room. A Mr. Romano, the salesman, who did not want to lose the sale, astutely called PMD for information and was able to produce one special order for a notchback front bench seat in a 1970 Grand Prix.
According to the original owner's sons, that salesman (who was in the business for many years) had never heard of any such order being placed. This, despite the fact that Pontiac mentioned it in the brochure ... "So if you want a long and loungey front bench seat, you will have to order it." And his suspicions were confirmed when, according to the sons, neither had PMD. Rob has been to many shows and searched many web sites and he has never seen another front bench Grand Prix. How many have you seen?
After all the usual negotiations, the deal was finalized. A hefty list price of $5482.89 was paid and the Prix was picked up six weeks later. To any purist, the front bench option makes this Grand Prix a highly prized indulgent delight, every bit as rare as Scandinavian caviar. "The bench makes for a slightly different glovebox setup and a column shifter but the proof is in the pudding ... The power is still all there," confirms Rob.