This Pontiac has no sunroof-Hurst lists the electric sunroof as standard equipment. According to the PHS, Glenn's GP was ordered with a Cordova top-Hurst didn't order them this way since it installed a Landau top as part of the conversion. Trunklid SSJ identification on Glenn's GP is a black rectangular decal with white lettering, while the Hurst SSJs we've seen have die-cast chromed and painted SSJ and Hurst emblems.
This SSJ frame is restored...
This SSJ frame is restored and ready to reattach to the body. Notice that the front and rear suspension components are reinstalled. The owner attached the frame assembly to a home-fabricated roller system so he could easily move the frame around in his garage.
Glenn prepares to bolt the...
Glenn prepares to bolt the replacement 455 and the Turbo 400 into the rolling chassis.
The rolling chassis was sent...
The rolling chassis was sent to Yadro Auto Parts in West Frankfort, Illinois, to bend and install the exhaust.
Bucking the dealer-built trend, however, is the fact that the emblems and decals say "Hurst" on them. Don said that one way to identify a dealer-built car is by the absence of Hurst emblems. Also, the feature Pontiac has one-piece "SSJ Hurst" emblems for the front fenders (not on the car yet in the photos). Glenn stated that every SSJ he's seen from this era has two-piece "SSJ Hurst" fender emblems. They may be decklid '70 SSJ emblems, according to noted SSJ collector Keith Vraberc.
Regarding the gold paint on the upper panels of the GP, it appears to be darker and more orange than the Fire Frost Gold, but that's how Glenn remembers it. Is it possible this is a dealer-built car and the dealer didn't even use Fire Frost Gold to paint it? We don't know-the dealer appears to no longer exist.
These differing physical features lead to many questions: Did a dealer take the time and money to recreate the fender emblems, but did it incorrectly? Or was it able to source '70 decklid emblems, but not the rest? Why spend the money on the fender emblems and then use decals everywhere else? How could the dealer legally use the Hurst name if the GP was neither converted by Hurst, nor the dealer licensed by Hurst to do it? Conversely, how is this a Hurst-built SSJ if no record shows it going to Hurst for the conversion, it's SJ-based, has no sunroof, was built with a Cordova top, and has decals where emblems are normally affixed?
What conclusion can be drawn? That's up to you. You have the facts that Glenn and HPP have uncovered.
Regardless, the Kovach family's '72 GP SSJ is a very interesting and desirable Pontiac given its history, its options, and the memories they've made with it. That's what's important to Glenn.-Thomas A. DeMauro