Pontiac gtp

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From the July issue of Car and Driver. Evolve or go extinct. That's the harsh choice Mother Nature gives her animal kingdom. Fortunately for General Motors, things are a little more relaxed in the automotive world. Since that time, governments have risen and fallen, Australia has drifted about 28 inches closer to China, and the Prix's many mid-size competitors have received new engines, revamped suspensions, and revised styling. Now, the Grand Prix romps into showrooms with basically the same cast-iron V-6, basically the same strut suspension, and basically the same Pollyanna mission to serve as GM's bargain BMW. But hey, even Mother Nature lets a few off the evolutionary hook.

Pontiac gtp

The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from until as coupes and from through model years as four-door sedans. First introduced as a full-size performance coupe for the model year, the model varied repeatedly in size, luxury, and performance during its production. The Grand Prix was the most expensive coupe Pontiac offered until the s, when the Bonneville Brougham and the Firebird Trans Am became more exclusive. All Grand Prixs from through were pillarless hardtops except for the convertible ,. The Grand Prix was an all-new model for Pontiac in the model year as a performance-oriented grand tourer [2] [3] [8] coupe with bucket seats upholstered in " Morrokide " vinyl, while nylon loop-blend carpeting covered the floor and lower door panels. It was also installed with a center console with a transmission shifter, tachometer, 4-barrel carburetor, dual exhausts, and "acceleration" rear axle ratio 3. It was given a distinctive grille and taillights unique to the Grand Prix, and replaced the Pontiac Ventura while the Catalina was still available with the "Ventura" trim package for Included were a padded instrument panel, deluxe steering wheel, courtesy lights, and other features. The standard engine was the Bonneville's hp kW cu in 6. Tri-Power carburation with three two-barrels raised output to hp kW. Two other high-performance s were offered, including a four-barrel version rated at hp kW and a hp kW Tri-Power. Late in the model year a "street" version of the race-orientated Pontiac offered in and became available, but only in a four-barrel form rated at hp kW. For the model year, the Grand Prix received revised sheet metal shared with other full-size Pontiacs, but with a squared-off roofline featuring a concave rear window that contrasted with the convertible-like roof styling of the previous year.

This is the car's biggest fit-and-finish gaffe. Even with some discounting and at GM there is always a discount the Grand Prix can be larded up to play in a pretty tough sandbox, pontiac gtp.

GM had an odd way of classifying both performance and size classes in its days. The Bonneville wasn't much bigger than the Grand Prix, but it was far too upscale even for likes of the Intrepid and Crown Vic. That particular car's SSEi version was packed with the same exact powertrain as the Grand Prix GTP as shown here, but because it was heavier and trained with a longer wheelbase, it got ditched and replaced by a Northstar V8 GXP version. Bonneville got discontinued and replaced by Australian-built G8. Grand Prix sorta continued on.

When we're young, naive, and innocent, we have a certain view of the world. A more positive, optimistic outlook. We see things for what they can be rather than what they are, and we give lots of things a chance. But then time passes, we grow older, and we realized that the world is a lot different than what we believed as kids. It's not as glamorous or dreamy as we'd imagined, rather the opposite, filled with taxes and disappointment. On its release, people fell head over heels for what it represented: the future. Back in the early s, it was agile, it was sporty, it was sleek, it was everything people hoped sports cars would be. But time passed. And looking back now, the GTP isn't as impressive as we remember it. Upon its release, the Pontiac Grand Prix GTP embodied what was to come, and people absolutely adored it, figuring it was the way of the future.

Pontiac gtp

Pontiac's PR machine kicked into passing gear when this car began rolling into showrooms in late April. The corporate spin merchants say it's a "game changer" and, further, that it "breaks new ground. It's easy to make allowances for a little hyperbole. After all, how many winners has GM fielded over the past few seasons? Let's not go there. But let's not avoid a reality check, either.

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The LJ included pinstriping and a velour interior trim. Trunk floor mat. Otherwise, the Grand Prix's interior is clean of undue trinkets. General Appreciation. Compact spare tire. Seat Trim. At least the car's electronic safety net is an excellent one. Front stabilizer bar. The wikipedia says the Buick V6 are quite reliable: "Production of the V6 engine officially ended on Friday, August 22, when plant 36 was closed. One passenger noted that the driver-canted center console makes it harder for right-seat riders to read the clock and trip computer. GM sent a letter to the owners of these vehicles on March 13, , instructing them not to park in garages or carports until the problem was resolved. Fusion Orange Metallic. Front Wipers. Also standard was a heads-up display that projected the speed onto the windshield.

From the July issue of Car and Driver.

Shifts are nearly transparent, the torque holes between gears slurred even smoother by the engine's new electronic throttle. The Brougham models came standard with all power options, a plush cloth interior similar to the full-sized Bonneville Brougham, and a half roof vinyl top with coach lamps. Trunk release, front driver and passenger door lock buttons, push and hold 3 seconds. New for was a more economical hp kW cu in 6. A total of 65, Grand Prixs were made in The similar but less luxurious Chevrolet Monte Carlo followed in Panic Alarm. It was also leaking fluids, which caused a fire. The SE got revised frontal styling in the form of the GT and GTP front bumper cover in place of the older SE-specific front fascia, standard rear spoiler , and in-trunk emergency release; manual dual-zone climate-control replaced the optional electronic automatic unit previously offered. Personal luxury car — Mid-size car — Anti-lock brakes ABS is optional on all models for , the 2. The pace-car replicas had special Medium Gulf Blue Metallic paint, unique "Sparkle Silver" inch torque star aluminum wheels, custom decaling, a plaque notating the specific model number and custom door panels. Variable assist rack and pinion steering wheel. Pontiac vehicles. Variable intermittent wipers.