1969 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 428 H.O.

Pontiac's Grand Prix was first introduced as part of their 1962 full sized offerings, its name was also given to cars in the personal luxury car niche market and mid sized offerings , placing just below the larger Bonneville in their model lineup.

Pontiac General Manager John Z. DeLorean, yep, the same guy you're thinking of, ordered the development of an all new Grand Prix based on a slightly stretched version of the intermediate GM A-platform in 1969 , dubbed the G-body. This smaller, lighter car had its own body, and brought a new level style and luxury into the intermediate class. The redesigned radiator, "Coke bottle" body shape and other Duesenberg styling cues, in addition to the longest hood yet on a Pontiac, gave the Grand Prix the feel of high luxury without the high cost. The new Grand Prix would only be offered as a hardtop.  Even the model names took elements of old Duesenbergs (J and SJ trim).

Development of the new intermediate 1969 Grand Prix began in April 1967. The newest GP had a unique bodyshell of its own, but the car used the basic chassis and drivetrain from the A-body intermediates, like the Tempest, Le Mans and GTO. Going this route greatly reduced costs and allowed Pontiac to concentrate on more effort to upgrade the styling and sheetmetal, along with interior appointments.

The 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix  also focused on performance, with increased installation for manual transmissions and engine options. Two engine sizes were offered with two power options in each V8 engine size; a 265 hp, 400 cu in, 350 hp, 400 CID, a 370 hp 428 cu in , or the 390 hp, "high output" 428 CID.

Interior-wise, the 1969 Grand Prix was both sporty and luxurious with a wraparound cockpit-style instrument panel that placed all controls and gauges within easy reach of the driver, as he sat in what was named the "Command Seat". The "Strato" bucket seats were separated by a console slanted toward the driver which included the floor shifter, and its storage compartment and ashtray  integrated into the instrument panel. Upholstery choices included standard expanded Morrokide vinyl or cloth and Morrokide, or an extra-cost leather trim. The leather interior option also included a more luxurious cut-pile carpeting replacing the regular nylon loop rug that came with standard interior trims.

The 1969 Grand Prix sported innovations like a concealed radio antenna, which basically was two wires in the windshield, an optional built-in electrically heated rear window defogger, and side-impact beams inside the doors. Also new were flush-mounted "pop-open" exterior door handles instead of the normal door handles featuring a grab handle and push button.

The 1969 Grand Prix had sales at over 112,000 units, well above the 32,000 full-sized Grand Prixs built in 1968.  The GP and the others were considered smaller and lower-priced alternatives to the more expensive personal-luxury cars of the day. The basic 1969 bodyshell continued until the 1972 model year with a major facelift in 1971, but only minor detail changes in 1970 and 1972.

One little interesting "nugget" of info: In 1969, Pontiac also built a concept Grand Prix using a "steam powered engine" designated the "SE 101". The SE 101 had its standard gasoline engine replaced with a 150 hp steam engine designed by GM engineering. The downside:  the weight of the engine, 450 lbs. Heavier than a V8, and cost being three times more expensive to make.  However, you COULD make the arguement that the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix gave birth to the first alternative fuel vehicle in decades.

You don't see as many of the 1969 Pontiac Grand Prix's on the road today. As a matter of fact, in the last year...I could count sightings less than the amount of fingers on one hand. Which strikes me as odd...considering that this still remains (to me), one of Pontiac's most beautiful cars of all time. And with a H.O. 428 V8...you've got the best of both worlds. Where ARE they?? Anybody? Bueller? Anyone?