1963 Pontiac Grand Prix: Top 10 Facts About Pontiac's Design Masterpiece

[@autobreza7131]

My dad added a vacuum gauge to our 1966 Le Mans 326 PG. He was crazy good at getting that extra 1 or 2 mpg on his commute from LA to Long Beach. Part of his aircraft background was partly responsible as well as his depression-era stinginess.

[@SummitHill79]

Thank you for your videos. I’ve been a car guy since the age of 2. I knew all about Grand Prixs. As a matter of fact, the first one shown in this video matches the color of the Matchbox Grand Prix. Although, as I recall, that model was a 1965. As I reach the end of my life, your videos help me remind me of car memories from my youth that I hadn’t thought of for a very long time. Thank you so much.

[@JacobsDad]

Pontiac was on point in those years with some truly beautiful cars. Thanks for the look back. I had a '62 vert and loved it.

[@gixxer750r3]

‘62 was most beautiful Pontiac ever, in my opinion.

[@petestaint8312]

'63 was beautiful but they nailed it for '65!. Absolutely beautiful. 😎

[@Slimjim260]

Yes the 65s are incredibly beautiful

[@scottdiamond7133]

The 60's were the best years for cars ever!

[@rumplestilskin5776]

The 8 lug wheels were so cool.

[@martin-vv9lf]

i think the bearings would last longer since the tyre is between the outer and inner bearing. those rim lugs look prone to break off.

[@kennethsouthard6042]

I remember those wheels that were made by Kelsey Hayes. Can't help but wonder if tire machines have to have special equipment for them.

[@jetsons101]

Finally, a vid on one of my favorite years for Pontiac -- "1963," the other being 1965.... Thanks.....

[@mattskustomkreations]

My neighbor down the street had a red one just like this in the 80s. The console with the vacuum gauge was so cool! The owner was happy I was a kid actually interested in his “old car”.

[@saadgt2009]

That the 1961 Continental sedan inspired this Pontiac... there's something about the Pontiac's sharp edged design that I didn't associate with the Lincoln's more padded, chrome-topped fenders. Love your work and your channel. Thank you so very much for illuminating these beautiful cars. 🖖🙏

[@Greaseland]

I'll never get tired of the Pontiac stuff.

[@HoosierDaddy_]

This is one of the best looking Pontiacs in my opinion. That 65 is a beauty too.

[@Lurch4you]

The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix shared the contoured rear window with the 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire hardtop.

[@tombrown1898]

That's correct! If I remember accurately, the Buick Wildcat had it, too.

[@chrisharris3365]

The ‘63 and ‘64 Grand Prix shared the same roof with the same year Oldsmobile Starfire, and therefore the rear window. Wildcat had a different roof and rear window.

[@fomfom9779]

The 1963 Grand Prix is one of my favorite cars of all time.

[@desertmodern7638]

For me the Grand Prix became notably attractive in 1965, and exquisitely so in 1969.

[@bruceh92]

Great photos of the red '63 Grand Prix! Every model from Pontiac were awesome. And the Canadians too of course.

[@HelpingHand-ic4wt]

as a kid, the '63 GP really caught attention even a couple of years later. The big round "fog light"-like turn signals in the grill started the interest. The stacked lights were still a little new to see on the roadways. The side front fender cut-out at the headlights was not perfectly squared downward, it had a bit of a boomerang curve which piqued the interest. The lack of chrome trim made one focus on the seductive coke bottle shape. I was a little young to understand that but it was still intriguing. Then the eye would wander on over to the concave rear glass. WOW! That was slick. And to the final razzle dazzle, the invisible tail lamps. The "GP" also added to the mystique of having two types of nomenclature.. spelled out and abbreviated. It was an eyeful.

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. Interesting list. Those seats you shared for the Parisienne Brougham in the 1980's were also used on Bonneville Brougham in 1981 and those seats returned and were used again on the 1985-1986 Parisienne Brougham. A similar seat design was used on Grand Prix and Bonneville Brougham in the 1980's as well. I liked that interior too. The 1963 interior was interesting for its use of real wood. I have never seen a 1963 Grand Prix with power windows. That is a sad story about the transmission. It really is. I will say this about the Grand Prix it changed with the times over so many generations. Thank you for showing the inside of the 8 lug wheel. That Grand Prix taillamp design theme came back in the 1980's. I know I recall it being on Bonneville SSE. Thank you for the video.

[@carmangeek8882]

My parents had a 64 Grand Prix, It was a beautiful car inside and out.

[@scottsmith1525]

You've said it, I've said it....1965 was the pinnacle year of Pontiac styling for the B bodies

[@harryburleigh8358]

My Dad had a 1963 Grand Prix in a blue so deep and dark that it looked almost black. That crisply drawn, wide-track, stacked headlight Pontiac looked so good that it clinched 12 year old kid bragging rights. Dad got tired of chasing down seemingly endless nit-picking electrical faults, so that 1963 Grand Prix had a very short tenure, being replaced by a white 1965 Buick Electra 225 in 1965. The ’63 Grand Prix still holds the top spot in memory for appearance, but that big Buick served Dad & Mom well into the 1980s.

[@stanw5279]

My first car back in 73 was a 64 Grand Prix. Beautiful car. Wish I still had it!

[@johnplovanich9564]

Great review of the 63 you can see the future for the 65 G.T.O..What a beautiful car and those 8 lug rims are extremely cool.Love channel,keep up the good work and as always cheers from Eulethra.

[@peterbondmusic]

Wow looks especially great in white.

[@billolsen4360]

Very few white ones around. My favorite was the '63 white interior and navy blue body, but none of them looked, bad regardless of color.

[@BobSakamoto]

I'd consider that the ribbed grille design proposal was a callback to earlier Pontiacs. In the 50s, they had a wide chromed ribbed strip running the length of the hood, which they called the "Silver Streak" and was featured prominently in their ads- Silver Streak Pontiacs. I think the taillight design chosen was part of that along with the front fender trim on 63 big cars. It's nice to honor a tradition, but they made the right choices for the final design.

[@MostlyBuicks]

Those pre 1966 GM buckets seats are so comfortable.

[@Slimjim260]

Definitely GM NAILED IT! BOSS interior design, what a car

[@rightlanehog3151]

Adam, It seems like Pontiac was winning the grand prize 👑every year in the mid-60s.

[@JohnnyAloha69]

The wrap around grill on the design concept car might explain the ribbed trim on the front fenders of the 63 Bonneville.

[@NateEll]

Didn’t know that the Continental was an inspiration - and I agree- the 65 had the best tail lights. There was a lot to like about the 65

[@71sebring97]

I can see a bit of that design proposal wrap around grille was carried on with the final Bonneville wide ribbed trim that ended at the middle of the door!

[@thomass3769]

Beautiful car!

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam.. Have you considered doing the 1962 Grand Prix, the one that started it all ? I really enjoy your channel !

[@Dac54]

The way the rotohydramatic transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd gear were described brings back memories of a friend's dad's 1964 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 2dr, dark green As I recall, the "R" position was the furthest to the right as opposed to being in the 2nd position. Even the driver's side mirror was in the same location as the Pontiac in the video. The vehicle also had factory air conditioning, which worked very well, and a cavernous trunk. Yes, that upshift from 1st to 2nd was harsh, but the 394 cid engine was plenty powerful enough to move the car, as we found out one Sunday afternoon when an impromptu drag race took place with a 1975 or 1976 Cadillac Coupe Deville and a 1970 Mustang. Surprisingly, the Oldsmobile more than held its own, though we agreed that the Mustang would have won out if the race were on an actual drag strip or race track.

[@volktales7005]

Makes me wish I had the room in my garage for a '60's Pontiac. Us Canadians loved those cars...

[@OldCanadianguy953]

Beautiful!!

[@clintonflynn815]

I drove a '65 Grand Prix in high school in the late 70s. I figured the vacuum gauge was just a nod to fixed-speed, variable pitch propeller aircraft where the gauge is an important tool to know what the engine is doing. A cool doodad that doesn't cost anything to run.

[@jetsons101]

Nice comment --- From a licensed A&P

[@cdjhyoung]

The alternative tail light looks like the tail light treatment of the '64 Nova. I knew about the eight lug wheels but had never seen one in enough detail to understand the design. Fortunately this is in a era when the brake drum could be resurfaced and not just replaced. Could you image the expense of a brake job if those had needed to be replaced? This is one of my favorite car designs, the early Pantera being my favorite. My folks bought a '63 Catalina with the stick shift 389 2 bbl. Great car.

[@stevejacobs8375]

I too love the early Panteras...the chrome bumpers are absolutely the frosting on the cake. Mangustas are another favorite. 👍

[@cdjhyoung]

@@stevejacobs8375 Pantera's for me, not only are they beautifully cars, they still are of a time when simplicity ruled the day. Just look in the engine bay.

[@maxwellcrazycat9204]

Reminds me of my first car. A 1964 Catalina convertible. Loved that car. 389 engine. Bought it used for $200.

[@madmike2624]

That opening shot was GREAT! Very menacing. aggressive!!!!

[@thomastoler2397]

Adam, at least in 1980, the Bonneville Brougham had the wonderful Flexsteel, loose-pillow seats.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

Man, I really want a 60s GM car

[@JeffKing310]

GM really was on quite the roll from about 1962 to 1971.

[@billolsen4360]

@@JeffKing310 Especially in 63: this GP model and the Corvette

[@MrPoppyDuck]

Very nice Pontiac! Thanks for a great video. Got my first look at old Pontiacs from watching reruns of I Dream of Jeannie of all places.

Such a pristine example. Thank you for sharing, Adam.

[@starkparker16]

They built excitement

[@gcfifthgear]

The concave rear window appeared also on the 1963 Olds Starfire hardtop amd 1964 Olds Jetstar I. All three shared them through 1966, and the GP exclusively on 1967 hardtops. A-body four-door sedans except Chevelles used a concave rear window in 1964 and '65, too. Curiously, you couldn't get air conditioning with the optional Rally Gauge Cluster, nor vice versa, on any '63 Pontiac! The walnut dashboard trim was also offered on the Bonneville series that year, too. The Roto Hydra-Matic was smaller and lighter, and--having driven a '61 F-85 with the same transmission--I can assure you it was a real PITA! Finally, the ribbed design on the front end of the first alternate proposal appeared, albeit modified, on the 1963 Bonneville and Canadian Parisienne models (where it was lowered to the middle of the front fender and faded back into the front door). Great video!

[@RareClassicCars]

Great info!

[@roberteshaw9520]

The car looks good all around, especially, the front.

[@michaelsimko7694]

1961-1964 GM B Body cars are such beauties

[@edsyphan3425]

I had both 62 and 63’s, but only Catalinas. The 62 was similar, but the 63 was such a great car. If I only had the money to have one now.

[@neil6958]

I really like this coverage of the 1963 through 65 of this grand prix series! This whole Pontiac series is my best, and I consider them the best looking cars of the mid to late 20th Century. Such an excellent series of cars Pontiac had! The Firebird, GTO, Grand Prix! Better than Corvettes in my opinion! Although the 60's Corvettes were nothing to scoff at.

[@MostlyBuicks]

I had THREE Rotohydromatics fail on me when I was a kid.

[@DSP1968]

A great list about one of Pontiac's most interesting and unique cars. I enjoyed this video very much.

[@dlyrag755]

Always learn something when I watch your videos.

[@Cadillac61]

Adam, you recently did a great video on the 59 impala, the prototype you showed at the end of the video shows the stacked headlights in the center and single units on both sides. I believe Pontiac took that theme from Chevy.

[@stevedavis8497]

Once again an excellent video about vintage American automobiles. it is a pleasure to watch your videos on KZbin.

[@thomastoler2397]

Another one to add to my favorites! Thanks, Adam.

[@DominicRivard-h1j]

I own a ‘63 Catalina with a Rotohydramatic. It’s no TH400, but it’s livable, and doesn’t really detract from the overall experience too much. Being behind a 2 barrel 389 probably helps the reliability, the car has 125k miles (?) and it seems to shift as designed still. Even with an extra set of doors, the design language from the GP still comes through, it really is a beautiful car. I think it’s aged a lot better than some of the competing designs from the era.

[@c5kev]

I sure enjoy watching all your videos...

[@gordiesings]

I was driving a 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix, in 1964. A neighbor drove one with the optional 421 Due to transmission problems in both cars and in my case, starter problems, both of us sold our cars by 1968.

[@Michael-lk4oh]

When I was a kid in the early seventies I always hated the sixties era Pontiacs that were still plentifully seen on the streets because by the time I noticed them they were all beat up and in bad shape, both cosmetically and mechanically. And by the mid eighties they were all gone of course except for a few surviving cars. But now that I’ve seen over two years worth of Adam’s videos and his Pontiacs I must admit that they are indeed beautiful cars. Thank you Adam for the insight.

[@adamtrombino106]

As a teen in the early 60s, my dad used to talk about all the street racing that was going on. Most of the time, young guys were racing big engine full sized cars, and most of the time, they were their PARENT'S cars lol. Dad used to talk about a fellow classmate who's dad bought a new 63 GP with the 421 and 4 speed. The guy would keep a set of 9in slicks in the trunk, go to wherever a street race was, swap out the street tires, and he was nearly unbeatable. Even 50s era Hemi automatic cars couldn't get him out of the hole. These weren't timed events so no one really knew how fast the cars were, just who got to the finish line 1st. Dad did mention that Ponchos and Olds with the automatic would often times leave their guts in the streets after a couple of hard races.

[@Trex1268]

My father had a 63 or 64 Grand Prix. He sold it in the late 70's for $100. Running and driving, those were the days.

[@62Madison]

I recently saw a home movie of Southern California from 1963 with all sorts of foreign and domestic cars, a black ‘63 GP entered the screen and in my eyes it was absolutely stunning.

[@joemartino6976]

At just 12 years of age, I talked my father into buying a new 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix. 2:05 I remember going to Rockville Center Pontiac on Sunrise Highway on Long Island with my mom and dad. We chose a white one on the lot and then my dad asked the salesman to give him a quote on our 1957 DeSoto Coupe. So, he came over to the car, got in, started it up and said to my dad….”18 dollars!” Despite my youth, that number caught my attention and I learned something about car buying that day. Sale price on the new GP was $3066, by the way.

[@DanEBoyd]

At 18:31, that looks a lot like that of the '65 Chevelle!

[@61rampy65]

That was my thought, too.

[@kenttalsma7906]

When I saw the cover photo for this video I thought, "oh, no, not another spotlight on the 65 GTO??". Then I read the title and watched it. Man, I was floored by the styling similarities between that and my first car, 64 Lemans. The roofline is nearly identical. The 64 LeMans had a similar treatment of the tailights, the"lightbar" from left to right was not as vertically wide as the 63 GP and didn't form part of the trunk lid. Oh, and of course the headlights on the 64 were horizontal. They would not become vertical until next year's model.

[@gormanwpjr]

The rear "grill" is also a copy of the 1961 Lincoln Continental's "squashed tube" rear grill - as is the 1965 Chrysler New yorker with the clear tail lights.

[@rafranks1410]

I’ve had a few ‘63s, including a 421 GP, so I’ll say this was your best video ever! And even a 140k miles, the Slim Jim tranny worked flawlessly! Go figure…

[@stephenmoxley3004]

Great video, Adam. This car is possibly one of the most beautiful cars ever built. All of the styling elements are right on que. I'd love to drive one of these with a 421 tri-power four speed.

[@MikeJorden-x6t]

I have the press that made the holes for the grand prix emblem for front fender for 63 gp has been converted to a hydraulic cylinder straightener press

[@richardpayton7261]

My sister had a 1962 Bonneville Convertible. I think I used it more than she did. It died at 173,000 miles, ice-strormed into a pine tree. My sister was fine. She was alone. We loved that car. Strangely, in the 70,000 miles she had it, the transmission was fine but scary. Yes, that 1-2 shift, you would think the transmission was ready to blow up. However, that 2-3 shift was yee- haw, get up and go. It felt like a tank ready to go airborne when that hood would shake, buckle, and the front end would lift 1-2 inches. This car made me fall in love with 59-66 GM. We loved that car. It was so much fun.

[@okc557]

62 is my favorite ❤

[@markengelsman1781]

I had a black with red interior 63 GP base 389 and 4 speed in high school. I didn’t realize the automatic cars had a vacuum gauge, mine the factory tach and 8 lug wheels. I jacked up the rear and front a bit with spring spacers and put on thrush mufflers with under-car exhaust turn downs!

[@Primus54]

Although Pontiac was the next step up from Chevrolet, at least during most of the ‘60s the leap in features, options, and luxury represented a great value as the price differences between Chevy and Pontiac were small.

[@kroge007]

Great video. I always wished my Dad ordered the 8 lug wheels on his 67 Bonneville Wagon. It would have looked better than the standard hubcaps.

[@929cbr_rr]

One of the coolest styled cars ever.

[@gkstanfield]

I secretly love them…also the ‘64… Of all the 1960’s GM cars I would love to be found in- The ‘63-‘64 GP was #1..!! The Grand Prix was absolutely fantastic during these formative years… (Rarer still: The ultra-special, affordable 1964 Oldsmobile JETFIRE ONE…) I think they were rarer than the more popular STARFIRE…but why..?

[@darrylholcomb9076]

IMO this " 63 bankers hot rod" is the most beautiful car of the 60's, inside & out!

[@maximilianmorse9697]

5:05 Would you say that rev counter looks... tached on?

[@gixxer750r3]

I totally agree with you about the interiors on the Pontiacs in the early to mid sixties. They were awesome. The only exception later was the Grand Am for a couple of years in, I think it was, 1972 through 1974 or so. ( I may be off a year or two…) I loved those Grand AMs.

[@davehunt6176]

I hated the half-way chrome bar on the bonneville. I hated the taillights of the ‘63 Bonnie and Catalina also. The GP solved the problems. But in ‘64, everything came together. The more sculpturesque rear quarters were gorgeous. And those taillights! Bonnie and Catalina were iconic. But the ‘64 GP back end was like waking up on Christmas Morning!

[@MarinCipollina]

1964 big Pontiacs all had a great looking ass. Especially the Grand Prix.. 1962 Bonneville tail lights looked great with the candy cane shape.. The 1966 Bonneville with those ultra wide slit tail lights were automotive styling gold.

[@randyniemi4963]

Excellent video on one of my favorite cars! And I appreciate the info on the 8 lug wheels. I always thought they were desirable, but never knew all the details that you provided. ! was disappointed to hear about the bogus transmissions

[@robertalbertson889]

Hello Adam! As usual, I loved this video on the Pontiac GP! Now I don't know if this is true or not? I heard many many years ago, that Deloren wanted real wood in the GP and some of the other models, but specifically on the GP, bcos he was looking to emulate Jaguar and Bentley who were using real wood on their models, and especially Jaguar? That always sounded plausible to me hahaha 😆 but again, I'm not at all sure of the authenticity of the story? Anyway, thanks again, Adam!! 😊❤

[@MisterMikeTexas]

Yeah, this car does remind me of the 1961 Lincoln Continental. Both are nice.

[@papaloongie]

I’m slowly restoring a 63 gran prix. I was wondering about the hole (for the outside driver mirror) that has been filled in . Leaded over, no less. Lol. The pre 64 389 had starters that bolt to the transmission.. You can’t just bolt on a newer BOP transmission. You’ll need a 64 and later block . I’ve seen adapter plates out there , don’t know if they’re still available. The ones I saw were expensive. They’d be easy enough to machine if you know what you’re doing. For now I’ve got a low mileage 400 out of a trans am with a 65 Cadillac switch-pitch 400 behind it. My favourite is the ‘66 GP, but this one is a truly beautiful car in decent condition. The previous owner bought every imaginable part for it from Ames; including a stunning reproduction interior by PUI. Love your videos. Montreal.

[@MostlyBuicks]

Buick had the most durable automatics. The Dynaflow, the Dual Path (1961-63 Special/Skylark) the ST-300 and the ST-400. After GM made the Turbo-hydromantic 400 and 350 they never were able to top those again.

[@MarinCipollina]

I like 1962, 1964, 1965, 1966 and 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix in particular.. GM had their 'A' game in the 1960s, especially PONTIAC.

[@neil6958]

You make Great videos Adam!!

[@WhittyPics]

My dad had a lot of transmission trouble in his 64 Bonneville

[@daveallen8824]

This car is so gorgeous it makes the 65 look a bit overwrought. It is just such a clean design overall.

[@Michael-lk4oh]

Thanks!

[@landiahillfarm6590]

1961-1970 Pontiacs were some of the prettiest cars to come out of GM

[@fmphotooffice5513]

Lincoln conceived it but GM perfected it. Looks really beautiful in white. It was all (rightfully) about design fashion. If it were about speed it would have lost about 50% of the sheetmetal heavy steel. The concave rear glass for me was highlighted in the old Dodge Darts. The must have been millions of those made. They were everywhere in the 70s. I see the current Dodge "muscle cars" almost pretending to be cars from that era. They might be fast but have little in common with those old rolling sculptures, though GM always made the most beautiful designs. (IMO)

[@corvettejohn4507]

Pete Estes left Pontiac to become the Chevrolet General Manager just as Bunkie before him, and De Lorean afterwards. Bunkie and Pete Estes oversaw the ascent of Chevrolet performance in the 1960s and De Lorean presided over Chevy's performance decline and slide into malaise in the early 70's. I think the primary reason De Lorean became frustrated with GM management in the early 70's was that he saw he was never going to rise to be the President of GM. That was a blow to his ego.

[@arjnsdca]

I really love your videos!

[@kenheaney4803]

That 1971 Pontiac may have been a Catalina. My father had one that was stolen a few years after my dad bought it. Bring back memories of my childhood.

[@richard169]

Your description of DeLorean's disaffection with GM reminds me of that phrase, "The GM Nod," to indicate corporate conformity. "The GM Nod" might be a good title for a car story, perhaps focusing on things that just got waved through, thoughtlessly.

[@billybcgn25]

I enjoyed working on cars, until.... It was a cold, wintry day, and I was in a farmer's field, underneath his 1964 Dynamic 88, retrieving his RotoHydramatic transmission with only 66,000-odd miles on it, to install in my 63, which had about 120,000 miles. He had blown a head gasket (which the Olds 394s were sometimes prone to do) and had pushed/towed it out into the field a few years prior, and put it up on blocks. So there I was, with that Slim-Jim on my chest--in the snow--when as I am crawling out, I am greeted by Bessie herself, ruminating on some hay, and her response to being in her field was, "Mooo." I had the local small-town dealer install it for me. Later, I ended up purchasing the cylinder heads from that car (same problem--blown gasket), having them worked over by a machine shop, and swapping them out.

[@louisrauzi3872]

My uncle bob only bought GPs every 3 yrs or so. Always biggest engine option. His 65 at 70mph would set you back on a straight ohio road. I was nine. Glorious

[@MostlyBuicks]

My dad had a 65 Calais two door, the same color as the DeVille you pictured. It was loaded, even with Climate Control. And the brocade cloth interior was gorgeous.

[@NorlandBoxcar]

Interesting to see this front end used so early on, while other Pontiacs still used the older look. As iconic as the 64 GTO is (original muscle car), it is surprising they did not use this new look. But then again, they did not know how successful it would sell in 64. BTW...The gold interior in your video is absolutely stellar. Probably the best car and colour combination interior I have ever seen. ✨Super sexy and sporty✨