1972 Pontiac Grand Prix - Lone Star Homecoming

The third-generation Grand Prix, a gentleman's musclecar, was one of John DeLorean's most successful creations. Characterized by its strong lines, long hood, stretched A-body (called a G-body) chassis, and prominent Pontiac grille, it reinvented the luxury/performance car genre.

For 54-year-old Richard Anlas, the blend of style and performance was mesmerizing. When he helped his brother purchase a Cardinal Red '72, the draw was so great that this GP eventually found its way back to him in Texas.

In the spring of 2002, Richard's brother, Chuck, who lives in New Jersey, called him concerning a '72 Grand Prix located in North Richland Hills, Texas, approximately 45 minutes south of Richard's home in Flower Mound. "He wanted me to take a look at the car for him and I agreed to," Richard recalls. Arrangements were made to meet at a local mall the following morning.

"As the GP pulled in, I began wishing that I was the one buying it," he continues. He conveyed all the details to Chuck by cell phone, and they made the deal with the seller. "I met with the seller again to buy the GP and drove it home for brief storage. A few weeks later, Chuck flew into Dallas and drove the Pontiac home to New Jersey.

When the L78 400-powered Model J was originally sold in 1972 at Joe Pistocco Pontiac in Wichita Falls, Texas, it was outfitted with a tilt column, Turbo 400 trans, 3.08:1-geared Safe-T-Track rear, A/C, AM radio, rear speaker, Rally II wheels, cruise control, Soft Ray glass, body side moldings, and Rally vinyl stripes. One of the most interesting options came at no cost, however-this Grand Prix featured a seldom-seen-today notchback bench seat (and column shifter).

Aesthetically, the Model J was striking, with Cardinal Red (code 75) paint, Pewter interior, and a white Cordova top. Before Chuck purchased the Pontiac, the previous owner had convert-ed the interior and white top to black. It was also resprayed in its original color and was in terrific shape.

In Fall 2003, Richard received a call from Chuck who had just purchased a second Grand Prix, a '71. "I asked him what he was going to do with the '72, to which he replied, 'Sell it, I guess.'" This was his opportunity to own the GP, and it took them about a minute to agree on a price. Chuck would drive the car down to Texas and then fly home, with Richard covering the expenses. In October 2003, the '72 Model J returned to the Lone Star state from where it was originally sold.

With the Grand Prix permanently in his stable, Richard decided to make a few changes. Inside, it was converted from a column-shift and bench seat to bucket seats and a floor shift. This required new front seats, a console, and a shifter with linkage. All of the parts were sourced from various eBay sellers and Ames Performance.