This car was born in the Lakewood Plant, outside Atlanta, GA. back in 1971 and sold out of Snead Buick-Pontiac in Covington, VA.
Reportedly she stayed in the south until about 10 years or so ago, when she ended up in Minnesota. About a year or so ago, she was consigned to a dealer there and about 8 months ago, the current owner bought her. It needed some mechanical work, likes brakes, exhaust, steering (tie rods and power steering system), transmission seals, engine gaskets and some linkage adjustments. All these were taken care of at Innovative Restorations in CT.
The current owner had one when he was in high school and so he purchased this one with the idea of reliving some of that fun but he kept longing for the 32 Chopped Top Ford he sold a couple years ago, so he's decided to sell this GP SJ 455 and chase after another 32.
This car has 83,000 miles on the odometer and that is believed to be true. The car came from the factory in Adriatic Blue, with the dark blue vinyl interior and white vinyl top. All of which are still on her today, we do know that at least some parts of the body have been repainted and that rear quarter work has been done. Unfortunately no other information came with the car as to whether the engine has been touched or if the interior was restored. It's entirely possible the interior is original and that the engine has had some work done, as one usually doesn't go through the effort of pulling an engine just to paint it.
The big news, literally, is the 455 sitting under the hood. The 455 makes this SJ one of just 2365 out of a total of over 58,000 Grand Prix's built in 1971. It puts out 325 HP and a stump pulling 455 lb ft of torque. She starts right up and settles into a very smooth rumble that flows out through 3" pipes and Flowmaster mufflers, exiting via the stock, chrome twin portal tips. Jump on it and the tires let loose, squeal in pain and the exhaust cranks up to a raucous roar. The limited slip 12 Bolt GM rear kicks in and because of all the new power steering components, she rockets down the street in a very solid, straight line. Red Light! Hit the binders and she stops firmly and easily due to the new brakes. (Power discs up front and drums in back). If all that action gets you a little to hot under the collar, fire up the R134 converted AC and cool off, as she works correctly and blows nice and cold.
That's what this car is all about, a wolf in a tuxedo.
So she runs and drives probably better than new, her interior doesn't show her 83,000 miles but she does have a couple of foibles. There are some bumps under the vinyl top on the left C pillar/sail panel. They don't crunch.. but, we can't definitively what it is.
There are also a few stone chips on the nose and along the rockers and some chips on door edges. These have all been touched up.
This isn't concours winning car but she presents very well and can hold her own at any local cruise night or car show, really is a beautiful to look at.
The asking price on her is $35,000
Any questions, for many more photos and video, to schedule a time to see her in person, or simply to make an offer,
