1977
The '77 model year proved to be even more monumental for the Grand Prix. Although styling changed little, the grille, headlights, and taillights were new. But the interior went unchanged for the most part. The Grand Prix LJ became its own model like the SJ did the previous year, allowing buyers to create a cheaper Model LJ as opposed to ordering the LJ package on the higher-priced Grand Prix SJ. And the entire model line saw several new engine offerings.
Pontiac engineers redesigned the traditional Pontiac V-8 in a direct attempt at improving fuel economy by reducing overall engine weight. The new mill was based on a less-rigid, short-deck block, with lighter internal components to remove weight from the reciprocating mass. With a smaller bore and shorter stroke to decrease displacement, the result was a 301ci engine that cranked out 135 hp and was roughly 450 pounds-or about 125 pounds lighter than a similar 350 or 400ci engine. When combined with the two-barrel carburetor, its economy rating was 16 mpg in the city and 23 on the highway.
The 301 two-barrel was the standard 49-state engine in Models J and LJ. Since the 455 four-barrel, and 350 and 400 two-barrel engines were dropped by Pontiac after the '76 model year, the 350 and 400 four-barrel engines were the only traditional Pontiac V-8s left in production. Both were optional on the J and LJ models, but the 400 four-barrel was standard in the SJ. The Turbo 400 was used behind every Pontiac engine-including the 301.
Since Pontiac engines were not certified for California or high-altitude registration in 1977, only Olds-built engines were installed in Grand Prixs bound for those areas. The standard engine in Models J and LJ was the 350 four-barrel. The 403 four-barrel was available as an extra cost option in those two models, but was standard in the Grand Prix SJ. The Turbo 350 was the only transmission available with the Olds engines.
A new extra-cost option on several Pontiac models for 1977-including the Grand Prix-was the 15-inch cast-aluminum Snowflake wheel. They proved so popular that Car Distribution Bulletin 77-All-5 was issued on October 20, 1976, stating that demand had exceeded supplier production, and that Rally wheels were substituted on orders accepted after October 18. Nearly four months passed before CDB 77-All-12 was issued on February 11 stating that Snowflakes would again be available on the Grand Prix, but on a limited basis. Production records show that only 9,087 Grand Prixs received the cast-aluminum wheel option.
Grand Prix production was record setting for 1977-and no single model year has yet to be as successful. A total of 288,430 units were produced and can be broken down into 168,247 Grand Prix Model Js, 53,442 Model SJs, and 66,741 Model LJs. The 301 two-barrel engine was installed into 134,355 J and LJ models. And the 350 and 400ci Pontiac engines were installed into 45,989 and 92,905 units, respectively. Olds engine usage totaled 7,018 350 four-barrels and 8,163 403 four-barrels.
Conclusion
The '78 model year marked an end of the elegantly styled Grand Prix, as a new boxy-styled body with several pronounced right angles throughout was introduced. Many Grand Prix loyalists who had grown accustomed to the '69-'77 styling were gravely disappointed. But sales of Pontiac's flagship remained just as strong. Today the Grand Prix is still one of the company's top sellers.
This industry may never see another Grand Prix like that introduced in 1969. And we may never see an ageless body style that can run for several years with as much class from any manufacturer again. But we do know that with over 1 million Grand Prixs produced from 1969 to 1977, well-preserved or beautifully restored examples like those we featured do exist.
In the end, the sporty attitude and large-cube engines of the Grand Prix make it an affordable alternative to the high-dollar Firebirds and GTOs that seem to rule the market. So it may be worth the consideration of a closer look at the next Grand Prix you see. You might find one that is well within your budget-and to many that is just as appealing as styling!
Special thanks to Jim Mattison, Fred Simmonds, and Don Morton for their contributions to this series.
How Many Grand Prixs Had Honeycomb Wheels? - A question often asked about any model is how many were equipped with a specific option. One regular-production option found on many vehicles today is the Polycast Honeycomb wheel. If we were to guess production numbers based on the amount of Pontiac models equipped with Honeycombs we see, it would appear nearly half the cars produced from 1971 to 1976 had them during those years. But since wheels can be swapped so easily, many owners have replaced their vehicle's original wheels with them.
So just how many Grand Prixs were ordered with Honeycombs wheels? Keeping in mind that Pontiac production records indicate that 70-80 percent of the Grand Prixs produced in any given year had Rally wheels, we see that Grand Prixs originally equipped with Honeycomb wheels are fairly rare.