in 1968 I bought my first car from a neighbor. a 1963 Grand Prix. 421 with tri-power and electric everything inside.and A/C. Ran great !!! Good memories.
One of my favorite cars growing up was the 63 Grand Prix, 63 Rivera, the XKE fastback, 63 thru 64 Galaxie XLT hardtops, 63-64 Mercury Marauder, Studebaker Avante, 61 Oldsmobile, 67 Eldorado, 61 Impala bubble top, 62 Grand Prix, and 62 thru 69 Impala SS
Did not have a 63, but my father bought a 64 in silver with a black interior, bucket seats and console. Beautiful machine and I wish I could find it again, but as they say, you can never go back. Too bad...
LOVE the '63-'66 full sized Pontiacs. The '65 is my favorite, but they're all beautiful. The Coke bottle shape, the stacked headlights, the super cool rear tail light treatment on the GP, the great horizontal dash with the pods, plus - best of all - the Chief Pontiac high beam indicator. The next generation ('67-'70) just look flabby in comparison. Thanks, Adam, for this terrific video.
After reading your post, I somehow didn't feel so alone about how I feel about cars, actually American cars to be exact. I guess there's a lot of us scattered around the country, maybe there's enough of us out there that the Big Three will bring back some of our favorites, with all the great styling from the late 50s and all through the 60s, but with modern technology. I guess we can only hope!
When I was in the 9th grade, one of my classmates (a senior) had a 1963 Pontiac Catalina. He purchased the car special order with the 421 SD and 4 spd. His dad owned a body shop, so he 'frenched' the rear taillights into the trunk lid and filled the old light bezels to look like a GP. He raced that car on weekends and frequently swapped the intakes he used. The car came with the tri-power from the factory, but he often used a 2-4 bbl set up for racing. It was a beautiful car that made a lifelong impression and love for the '63 year models. The car was a real beast and he often did burnouts by the school on lunch break!
Thank you for the trip down memory lane. The Grand Prix like many other cars of the period set a tone for Pontiac. The thing that stands out from the 60's most cars had a big style change from year to year. You could actually read the model year on the taillights.
With items like Lucite steering wheels and the Eight Lug wheels, it's easy to see how no one could hold a candle to Pontiac in the 1960s, when it came to fine details.
Interesting transmission note, In 67 when the Firebird came out the base 3 speed manual was a Ford Mustang top loader 3 speed. Jim Delorean specified it due to better durability. discovered by myself back then changing my Uncles Firebird 326 's oil,,, at the time I had a 66 Mustang GT with the 3 speed trans and was surprised to see the Ford emblem on the Firebird trans.
I have been restoring my grandfathers 63 oldsmobile starfire. It has the same curved rear windshield as this car. Only these two models in 63 and 64 used that glass. Its really hard to find if it breaks! The Pontiac is beautiful! I love that color and interior combination.
The 1963 GP is a classic! As a kid in the 1960's, I was a diehard Pontiac fan, loved all of them, especially the GTO's! The walls of my room were covered with Pontiac posters, and I built many models of them. Sad that Pontiac is no more.
These are beautiful cars. I almost bought an automatic 389. One of the first cars I ever drove was a 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire which is the same body. I admit I prefer the Starfire, but as I grow older I think the Grand Prix looks more “mature” in the sense everything isn’t chrome dipped on the Pontiac making it much cleaner.
A friend of mine, his mom had a 1962 Ventura and his dad had a 1963 Grand Prix. They both were white. I was 10 years old and thought that these cars were absolutely beautiful. I still do. Thanks for this wonderful post
This GP shown looks concours. Wow! I was 8 years old when this was new and remember those and the GTO’s. My father drove a 55 Cadillac convertible until 1965 when he traded it in for a 65 Galaxie 500 convertible. Not nearly as cool as this Pontiac. In 1977 I had a cherry 64 Galaxie 500 XL. Maroon with white vinyl buckets and black carpet. That was a stunner. But as a kid Pontiac’s from this area had the wow factor.
Adam, I feel confident that Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa Indians would approve of this Grand Prix. All in all it is clear that Pontiac was building momentum towards the ultimate achievement of their 1965 Bonneville. 🤩
When I was a kid, my Dad bought a used ‘64 Bonneville wagon. It was by far the most beautiful car we ever had, no comparison to the Ford wagon we had previously or the Dodge wagon we had later.
All of the advertising for the ‘63 GP showed a midnight blue color, and the first few thousand cars were done in that same color, made it appear that there were more of the cars on the road.
1 of my most favorite of my Dad's cars were the '63 GP and of course the other was '69 GP. I had a '69 Firebird too and a last gen GP. Miss Pontiac too.
What a beautiful car! General Motors did an excellent job with design on their early-mid 60's cars. My granddad had a 63 Chevy Impala coupe back in the day. That was one of my favorite cars from when I was a kid. The Oldsmobiles, Buicks and Cadillacs were all gorgeous during this time period. Absolutely timeless designs.
My mother had a '63 Bonneville, same red as this story, white interior. Optioned with 421cu in, 8 lug finned brakes, electric vent windows, electric antenna. Was a dealer demo. I left many black streaks on local roads. Beautiful car.
I was fortunate enough to buy a 1963 GP in 1980 with 58,000.miles. The original owner religiously brought it in for service at the Pontiac dealership where I started my career in 1972. White with the deep red interior, 8 lugs, AC, power windows, the 303hp 389 and the infamous Rotohydramatic. Adam, everything you said about this transmission is true. I was lucky the original owner changed the fluid and filter every 2 years so I never had a problem with it, but that 1-2 shift was annoying. I only drove the car in fair weather about 600 miles a year. Replaced every suspension bushing front and rear along with springs, shocks, and the entire brake system. It rode and drove like a new 1963. Unfortunately the lady I was married to back then insisted I sell it in the late 80's because I spent too much time and money on it keeping it in like new condition. Wish I still had it today.
Something about women who make you get rid of all your fun stuff...they seem to have insecurity to the max. My dad got rid of his motorcycles and fun cars, and my mother was still a hapless wreck. Not for me...guns bikes, fast cars. Date 'em but keep them out of your business. Thank you God.
I loved these when they were new. I was a little kid and already a hopeless car nut. Then someone in my hometown bought a white ‘63 brand new. I was hooked.
Seeing this gorgeous GP, with its classy lines and elegant walnut-trimmed interior, and knowing what a derivative, plasticky mess it turned into in its last years is almost enough to bring one to tears. But that’s probably the fault of those meddling bean counters, right, Adam? 😁
Pontiacs were great during that time period. A neighbor had a 421 "Bonny" with a 421 that was legendary. It did the longest burnouts and allegedly "buried the speedometer". Shenanigans aside, it was a really nice car.
My all-time favorite Pontiac! And perhaps my favorite car of the 1960s. But your '65 and '66 Pontiacs have given me a greater appreciation for the succeeding generation. They were all beautiful cars.
Great video. When I was a kid my neighbor had a navy blue '63 GP. I thought it was beautiful. Still is one of my favorite cars. Thanks for a reminder of what a special car it was.
I had a '63 Grand Prix when I was in my 20's, this would have been around 1974. Mine had a replacement later model 428 4bbl HO mill with the original Borg-Warner 4 speed, silver, with power windows. Loved those "hidden" tailights, beautiful white bucket seats and those 8 bolt wheels! Also a large stock vacuum gauge was located down by the shifter, intended to conserve fuel, lol! Needless to say, it hauled ass. You just never see these at car shows, wish I still had mine!
P.S. Agree about the Rotohydramatic, what rubbish! Had one in a '64 Olds 98 with the 394. 1st to 2nd was brutal, a real slushbox! The badly needed GM turbohydramatic came out the following year.
Every time I see one of these 63 Grand Prix, I fall very deeply in love with them. Same goes for the 65. Pontiac outdid themselves regularly in the 60s, both inside and out. I've never been able to decide if I prefer the 63 or 65...
I still remember how beautiful I thought the 1963 Grand Prix was, when I first saw it. I was in my early teens, and there was a Pontiac dealer not far from our house. I used to ride my bike over to see one. It was on the front of the lot, in dark blue. Thanks again for triggering memories about the cars I loved.
@@eth39232 it would be a nice option vs. cookie cutter SUVs but probably not financially viable. OTOH my 2008 G8 is right at home on the road even today.
@@eth39232 yes I would. What I think should have been done is that individual models were kept and sold at all GM dealers. They could have made a retro GTO, Oldsmobile could have developed the Cutlass . I realize the last GTO was a flop and GM could have done better. I sure miss the old days. Maybe it wouldn’t, idk.
JUST ABOUT ALL CAR DESIGNS HAVE TAKEN A DIVE IN THE PAST WE WANTED TO CHECK OUT THE NEW CARS PEOPLE WERE BUYING NOT THESE DAYS IF YOU HAVE SEEN ONE YOU HAVE SEEN JUST ABOUT ALL OF THEM!....////
Thanks for the tour. Pontiac designed and built beautiful cars, I owned a 1964 Pontiac Strato-Chief , it was my first car, it was a literal barn find that I bought in 1975.
I don’t know, Adam - I think you might be short-changing the ‘62 just a bit in the exterior looks department - that was also one GORGEOUS automobile! Although I will grant you that the interior on the ‘62 is where the styling advantage of the ‘63 really shines by comparison…….👍 What a stunning restoration on the subject car…….😮
It's a very handsome car and a year or two ahead of its competition (not just Ford and Mopar, but the internal divisions as well). Always thought it was strange that the 62 received all the press - 'dechromed!' - yeah, well, it still had curved windshield posts and the side sculpting. This was the year GP made a statement. Unfortunately for it, it was also the year of the Riviera, and as good as the GP was, the Riv justifiably got more attention. Always thought they should have gone just a little more upmarket on the interior - maybe give it standard leather. Slight image boost and likely no sales penalty. I remember the GP continued giving you real wood for a good while - the 73 had it still. That rear window is almost unique - shared with the Starfire.
My dad had a 63 Grand Prix. Beautiful clean lines similar to GMs thoughts when the 67 Eldorado came out. Simple design is often the best. The 65 DeVille and 61 Continental also appreciated for almost slab sides.
My Dad had one, bought new from S&H Pontiac in Harrrisburg PA. 4-speed (with Hurst shifter), leather interior (black), wood steering wheel, 8-lugs, seat belts ($22 option), 3.42 rear axle ratio, reverb rear radio speaker. Great car. I couldn't talk him into Tri-Power or the 421 option, until he bought a '64 Bonneville convert with even more options...
I really like the early Grand Prix!! I fondly remember my aunt's 65 Grand Prix with the 8 lug wheels, translucent steering wheel & tri power!!! She drove with a lead foot too!!! Thanks Adam for showcasing the Grand Prix!!! 👍👍🙂
Nice presentation. I own a 63 Lemans and it had some trim similar for that year. It should be noted 63 was the only year for the 336 engine and only in the Lemans.
Starting in high school, during the summer I always had a Chevrolet performance car for fun, a 60s Buick Riviera or Pontiac Grand Prix as a driver, and in the winter I drove a 66 Impala wagon as my winter beater. The styling on the Riviera and the Gran Prix was in my opinion the nicest-looking cars of the era.
Of all the cars I owned through my life, only 2 had an interior design that impressed me: My 84 Fiero and my 63 Parisienne with red interior, bucket seats, console and the 3 round chrome gauges angled towards the driver. Every time I sat into that car, I could not help but notice the art. Thank you for reminding me of that dashboard.
Great video Adam. I love the ‘63-‘64 GPs, the ‘65s looked too big in my opinion. The GP roof line was shared with another GM car the Oldsmobile Starfire hardtop.
The '63 Grand Prix was and remains a beautiful automobile. My parents bought a '63 Star Chief, four-door, 389 which I was soon driving. A great sedan. We traded my '62 Tempest for a '65 Tempest Custom Convertible and the '63 Star Chief was traded for a '66 Star Chief. The '65 Tempest went for a '67 Firebird. Our neighbor bought the '63 Bonneville convertible which was also a beauty. Two of my friends added their '67 GTOs to the mix. I have always felt that the 1960s Pontiacs were beautiful (a little biased I suppose). Thanks for another great video.
Loved the 60's Pontiacs - the Grand Prix's were great and my fav was the '66 GTO with the coolest tail lights ever.(drove my Dad's 61 Catalina back in the day, it had plenty of power and looked great in Bristol Blue)
I'm biased toward the 62. My neighbor had a Catalina from new with the roto-hydramatic 389 2bbl. My older brother bought it in 74 or so and we spent many hours working on it. We converted it to the four speed dual coupling like the Bonniville's and Cadillac's had and then later a TH400.
Memory lane: Almost bought one of these, as a teen driver, in the mid 80's. I kept shopping for older 60's cars, but my parents wouldn't sign off on something that old. This one, and 50's Studebaker were my heart's desire. Ended up driving crappy, beater, 70's cars which were hand-me-downs from other relatives.
Adam, I could listen to you all day long. Your knowledge base and presentations are stupendous. So glad there is a 'you' in the world today with so much info and understated enthusiasm for car history. I think Pontiac of the 60s and 70s was the epitome of car design; I would add engineering as well, but as you know it was not always necessarily the case, a sad and contrary disappointment for such a beautiful car.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge, I knew nothing about the early Grand Prix. Very well put together video. Compliments to whoever detailed thar engine bay and their attention to detail.
Adam, you made a vid on my favorite year for Pontiac, 1963. The headlight bezels really made the front of the car stand out, they were toned down for 64 I guess to save money? My dream car would be a 63 Pontiac Catalina super duty. Adam, a big thanks for this one.
Great review and beautiful car. A few comments on engines. This car has the wrong air cleaner, those are aftermarket. The factory air cleaner was a large black unit that covered all three carbs. Also in 1963 the 4 bbl version of the 421 (353 horse) was also called an HO, there were only HO and SD 421’s in 63. Also the optional 389 tripoter was 313 not 318 horse. Lastly that particular at sits too high. Even Catalina’s and bonnevilles sat lower than that and the GP used unique springs that lowered the car an additional half inch..
In 1972/‘73, I was a high school student. I had a great friend who had a ‘64 Grand Prix with a GTO 389 four barrel, automatic trans, and pretty short gears in the rear. That car was quick! We spent many nights cruising and every so often we would surprise a mustang or Camaro. The car had a dark aqua paint job with matching interior. Bucket seats and console shift completed this terrific and beautiful ride. Great memories from a long time ago. Thanks for the well done video!
Thank you for the information and photos. It is interesting learning about this era of Pontiac and the power and combinations. It is nice to know where the Pontiac circle gauge theme started. This was Pontiac driving excitement indeed. Driving Pontiac. This 1963 captures what Grand Prix was supposed to be. The 1969, 1976-1977, 1981-1987 and 1988, 2004 did that too. It stayed true to the themes most of the run. Thank again Adam.
@@DanEBoyd I am not a fan of the single headlight front end design on cars. It is awkward looking among other reasons. It looks cheap and it is what you expect on an economy car. There are a lot of cars over the years that had them that it turned me off. The 1975 is not different from 1976-1977 other than interior styling and front end design. My late uncle had a 1971-1972 and a 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix. My other uncle had a 1978 Grand Prix. The 1970 had the dual headlights. I left it out by mistake.
Thank you Adam; great job! My dad owned this same car with 370 hp 421 and four speed. His also had the solid state ignition. It had very loud exhaust for a stock system. The other thing that stood out to me was the unique silver shifter boot. As a kid I was mesmerized by that car!
Great overview. I own a ‘63 Pontiac. It’s a great car. I had the roto hydramatic and I finally pulled it out due to trans leaks and poor shifting. I installed a 4r200 OD trans and it was the best decision ever with the car. Mine still has the original 389 Tri-Power.
Beautiful car, love the tri-power and 4-spd combo. My Rotohydramatic blues story involves a 63 Olds 98 Sport Coupe in beautiful light blue, with the Ultra High Compression 394ci engine. The car was only a couple of years old when my dad acquired it, and it was the first car I rode in at over 100mph. Sadly, dad let it go after just over a year, as the tranny failed twice while pulling our 17’ StarCraft outboard. Sigh. The Grand Prix's were the only other cars on the road that I considered to be as good looking, or possibly as fast to my 10 year old brain. Great videos, hope you get to do one on the 63 Olds Sport Coupe someday 😊
My grandparents purchased one of these new in 63. I remember riding in it as a kid. My grandma would always mention how much "get up and go" that Pontiac had, and my grandpa said that those eight lug wheels were a PITA to keep balanced. He sold the car in 1973 after the "slim jim" transmission let loose.
See above. My grandparents had one too. Funny, we had groovin’ seniors for grandparents! What color was theirs? Oh, and they swapped it with a 1970 GP in the same color. Maroon/maroon. All the push button options!
@@markmeachen6927 Light blue/green with matching pleather interior, 389 4bbl, slim jim automatic, eight lug Dayton aluminum wheels. I believe it was a late 63/64 model because it had the GP logo in the grill not on the Pontiac arrow in the center. It also had painted surrounds around the headlights.
@@markmeachen6927 Unfortunately traded up to a 71 Cadillac Coupe in 73, Still a good car by todays standards but not on the same level as that GP. They owned Cadillacs up until their 70's. Grandpa will be 96 years old this April. Grandma passed 4 years ago.
I love these detailed spec vids. My uncle had a 62 Bonneville with the 4 on the floor. I tried looking up specs, and it appears it had a 389 with two 4-barrel carbs. Hard to know reliable specs without the engine code. It was either maroon or dark red with black interior. I was just a kid but was obsessed with that car back in the early 60's
@@UberLummox , per the 1963 Pontiac prestige brochure, a 4-speed was available on all full size models in the lineup, including Bonnevilles and Star Chiefs.
Great video Bud. This was one of my favorite Pontiac's. My neighbor bought a brand new one when I was a teenager. Then when he sold it I was short $300.00 short of buying it in the early 70's. Exact same car except a beautiful white paint job and white interior. Gorgeous.. This video brings back some great memories. Thanks.
Hi Adam: SO appreciate your review of early to mid 1960’s Pontiac vehicles. From a styling perspective these cars were beautiful! I would greatly appreciate you doing a review/discussion of the 1965 Pontiac 2+2. My parents almost purchased a 1965 Pontiac 2+2, but instead purchased the Grand Prix. If I recall correctly the 2+2 was an enhanced Catalina model. Finally, I would value you discussing the 1961 Impala SS. I think this model year Impala was absolutely beautiful and the steering wheel in my opinion was a work of art. I have a 61 Impala white with red steering wheel in a box frame and hanging on the wall as a work of art. Thanks for your postings, you have GREAT channel!
I believe the dimensional commonality between the 326 and 389 was what truly gave the GTO the jump on the other GM makes. Chevy, Olds and Buick all had separate smaller motors as well as the big fellas. Their production lines would be much more involved to get the big blocks into the A body.
