421ci V8 TH400/3-Speed Auto/Excellent Respray/Clean Interior/Original Wood Dash

1965 Pontiac Grand Prix

Advertising summed it up very gracefully but very pointedly for 1965. An illustration so artists could exaggerate the wide track, sleek lower lines (as drawn) and all in a scene where the car is attracting nothing but attention from bystanders, Then the copy would read “Pontiac Grand Prix , If you had two wishes what would the second one be!?”

As the story goes our original owner who was a pilot for “The Steel” in Bethlehem, and also grew up with Lee Iacocca as well as went to Lehigh U with him. One night at the local watering hole, Lee said to our owner, “Hey Ike, when you are ready to buy a new car, I'll take care of you.” And he did indeed. with his contacts he arranged for Ike to walk the line in the New Jersey GM plant as the car was being built, and actually drove the car off the line, becoming the first customer to do so at the Pontiac plant. The car has remained in the same family for the entire time. In the early 90's it underwent a respray, new vinyl top, new exhaust, and basically was passed down to Ike's son. As our consigner describes the car was his dad's pride and joy, and only came out for shows, and a trip to Colorado. Our consigner, his dad Ike, and the consigner's brother were the only people allowed to drive this car. And as Ike would say, “DONT SLAM THE DAMN DOORS!!”

Exterior
So, with doors never slammed, we see near perfectly minded gaps, straight steel slabs bathed in a very nice respray of Teal Turquoise. No faults to be seen on these exterior panels, just shiny chrome adornments, and trimmings. Badging is all correct, and that black vinyl top is holding strong and near perfect since being replaced. From beak and stacked headlights to stern all is very nice, and very correct. Fender skirts, and a trim spear running just above the rockers and through said skirts is nicely shaped and follows the contours of this slight Coke bottle design in its early stages. Across the rear is a horizontal ribbed panel which includes the brake lights and a black center with the highlighting ribs. Dual chrome tipped exhausts peek out from under the large shiny rear bumper. 14-inch turbine style hubcaps with faux knockoff winged centers and PMD badging encircling the winged center are wrapped by Lemans SR raised white letter radials on all 4 corners.

Interior
All buttoned up would best sum up the interior which is in a beautifully preserved Parchment. Tuck and roll door panels greet us upon entering and have nice cranks and the GM armrest and square chromed door opener lever. A very clean stripe of black carpet covers the lower doors. Inside we see more Parchment vinyl with tuck and roll inserts and smooth bolsters and looking just fab with no marks or stains. These seats are rimmed with wide chromed accenting, and float in a sea of near perfect black carpeting. A 60's style center console with wood appliqué runs through the buckets and eventually rises to the dash which is all original. On its way up we note the shift lever, and a Pontiac manifold vacuum gauge and an inserted tachometer. The dash, as stated, is remaining original with more wood appliqué, original radio, and temp controls, knobs and levers. Below the dash is an aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette radio and on the other side of the console, an equalizer to get that sound just right baby bear. A tightey whitey headliner is above, and in back the bench has a central fold down armrest, and a rear speaker for the stereo.

Drivetrain
Definitely one of the nicer original engine bays you will feast your eyes on. A 421ci V8 with a blue painted block, chromed valve covers, and a chromed air cleaner housing. A single 4-barrel carburetor is atop, and a 3-speed TH400 automatic transmission on back. All hoses, wires and surfaces are showroom condition under this hood. On the rear axle is a 10 bolt, 3.08 posi-trac setup.

Undercarriage
Some patina on the black under side paint, but no rust, all solid construction seen under here. Independent, coil springs are the front suspension, and 4 link with coil springs are on the back. Power drum brakes are on all 4 corners. Noted the exhaust piping is a bit rusted through in areas but very slightly so.

Drive-Ability
It fired right up, and ran just a bit rough until it got warmed up, but once it hit the test track it was ready to go, and go it did! Plenty of power for nice acceleration, good handling, and bias free braking. All functions were working (save for the original radio) but the aftermarket radio kicked in.

Here we have a one family owned car with a touch of Iacocca history due to a college friendship behind it. The pride and joy of Ike, and his sons who had an opportunity to reconnect after Ike gave up piloting. A great looking respray, nice top, and beautiful engine bay and interior. 1965 never looked so good, and I've decided after driving this wonderful automobile, I don't need a second wish! And remember “DON'T SLAM THE DAMN DOORS!”

VIN DECODE
266575E116232
2-Pontiac
66-Grand Prix
57-2 Door Hardtop
5-1965
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
116232-Sequential Unit Number

TRIM TAG
STYLE 65 26657-1965 Pontiac Grand Prix 2 Door Hardtop
BODY BL 2664-Linden Body #
TRIM 288 2-Parchment Buckets
PAINT L A-Teal Turquoise, Black Vinyl Top
B70-Padded Dash
C08-Vinyl Roof
C89-Rear Reading Lamps