Revisiting Uncle Johnny's 400 4-Speed 1973 Pontiac Grand Am, Soon To Be Sold at Auction.

Quick review and test drive of a 1973 Pontiac Grand Am 400 4-Speed.
Review by Bill of Curious Cars
Vehicle owned by Uncle Johnny and soon to be put on Bring a Trailer

[@jamesmurmurzancone4532]

Bill the kind of guy to ignore Doug DeMuro at a car show.

[@JZ_Cars]

Lololol

[@VVT4ME]

I would too.

[@klasseact6663]

AS HE SHOULD ❗️

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Doug would make a point of telling you, he's Doug DeMuro and that he owns a Carrera GT as well as a Ford GT.

[@klasseact6663]

@@paulie-Gualtieri. ...and a goofy lookin' G-wagon

[@timbullough3513]

From a blissful time before 'I like to sit up high' and 'I need a 3rd row' was listened to.

[@fboness368]

You Sir, are on the right side of history!

[@olikat8]

"I want a 3-way sunroof, heated/cooled seats, infotainment, leather massage chairs, want to feel enpowered sitting up high..."

[@Clearanceman2]

People now days are like Yertle the Turtle. The higher they sit the more in control they feel. Even cars have seats that sit higher than they used to sit.

[@ronniedale6040]

Like it or not vehicles are returning to the much more practical pre war layout.

[@garthhancock3373]

@@ronniedale6040 But they suck.

[@BoothsEurotrash]

I dont click on any notifiction faster than a Bill video!

[@grand73am]

Always enjoy seeing the 73 Grand Am, and enjoy your narrative. One small correction. In 73, the 5 mph front bumper was required. But the rear bumpers only had to sustain a 2 1/2 mph bump, so the rears didn't have bumper shocks like the front bumpers got. It wasn't until 74 that the rears also had to be 5 mph, so the rear bumpers got redesigned and got bumper shocks added too.

[@co9753]

The man, the myth, the legend is back!

[@cashkenterprises5584]

Uncle Bill is back at it! Watch out for the birds my friend. And we still need the Q&A video!

[@bestattitude]

French guy here. It's so good to have you back Bill, and to be able to enjoy your content from the South of France. Keep your videos coming, we really appreciate you!

[@stoneylonesome4062]

I’ve offered him my Citroën SM to review. He hasn’t taken it yet.

[@bestattitude]

@@stoneylonesome4062 The Citroën SM is a very quirky and interesting car, and I'm sure that Bill would do a great job reviewing it. There's an entire story to tell about this model. Kudos to you for owning one! They must be really rare in the US. Even in France, we don't get to see one every day. But your nice reply on my comment makes me think : we haven't seen Bill in a while. It's been a month since he posted his last video. I hope he's okay.

[@stoneylonesome4062]

@@bestattitude Yes they are very rare here. I used to work at a shop called “SM World” in Los Angeles that specialized in Classic Citroën, namely the SM. My boss, Jerry Hathaway, was the foremost expert on the SM in the world, and was close friends with Jay Leno (we’d work on his Citroën’s and see his collection). My boss died so the business shut down, and now there are only 4 or 5 mechanics in the country who know how to work on the SM. And unless you count myself (I don’t have my own garage), none of them are under the age of 60.

[@bestattitude]

​@@stoneylonesome4062 It's cool to see that there are still people around the world, trying to preserve those old iconic French cars. The SM and the DS are fairly complicated indeed, because not only the suspension is hydropneumatic, but also the steering and the braking system. And people who really know how to deal with this stuff are getting older, and thus, they're getting rare, unfortunately. Here in France (and more widely in Europe), we've had hydropneumatic Citroëns up until the early 2010s (the two generations of the C5, and the big C6), so even though it's getting slightly more difficult over time, we can still find mechanics who can work on those cars. And sourcing the parts is no problem at all. And interestingly enough, there are quite a few younger people over here, who take over Citroën-sepcialized garages, because they're passionate about it. That helps preserve cars that would otherwise be scrapped.

[@smileychavez8093]

She’s a beauty!!! Growing up guy in the neighborhood had one he was selling. Unfortunately I was 10yrs old! I day dreamed about driving it quite often. I was heartbroken 💔 when he sold it. I got butterflies in my stomach when I first seen your video!!! Thank you for the video.

[@johncornell3665]

This is when a car, was a car. Great review and someone will get a nice one. Thanks Bill!

[@jamiemorgan4146]

No… this is when cars began to be crap

[@daveleephoto]

That’s by far the coolest Grand Am ever. I had a blast in 1992 driving the rented Grand Am V6 coupe all over Washington state. Nice car. I really miss Pontiac.

[@outdoorsluvr]

This is still my favorite of all the cars you’ve reviewed. When these came out, I was 16 and would’ve given my left arm to own one.

[@frankballendux8425]

I saw this exact same car when I was a young Marine stationed at Quantico, VA in 1972-73. I fell in love with it then and I still think its one of the most beautiful cars Pontiac ever made! Wish I could afford it now.

[@michaeltucker8305]

Bill, anytime you showcase one of Uncle Johnny’s cars, it always makes for a great episode!

[@ronmccullock1407]

Good evening Bill from Ron in a very cold Manchester England, glad to see you are living the dream

[@Future-Classic-Comics]

Manny must be colder than London I feel for you northerners literally! London was 1.5 degrees Saturday night 😂

[@stevenbeall9637]

My brother had one of these. Can't say the performance ever impressed me, but a heavy 400 V8 2-barrel putting out only 170 HP being slow shouldn't surprise anyone. Anyway, short story shorter, he drove it into the neighbor's kitchen.

[@79tazman]

The one I had was a 455 4 bbl it was 250hp. I think the 400 2bbl was the base engine that came in them cars and the best was the 455 Super Duty

[@sidefx996]

@@79tazmanthese were never made from the factory with the SD455 (or a manual 455) unfortunately.

[@maxr4448]

OMG!

[@Hapkido82AUS]

Richard Holdener tested a Pontiac 400, a mild engine, starting with a 2G 2 barrel, then a factory 4 barrel intake and Quadrajet. The difference was massive...

[@spotty67]

He didn't have a garage or a shed? Must of been a nice neighbour, let you park in the kitchen.

[@andrewpreston4127]

Those honeycomb wheels are lovely. Understated and classy. Bills' comments about the post-muscle car period absolutely spot on. In the early 80's here in the UK, I owned a 1974 Plymouth Satellite. 318ci ( 5.3 litres ). Enormous bumpers. And the engine strangled down to what was reputed to be only about 150bhp, though Chrysler never released any figures that I could find. It looked good, and made all the right noises. Just not much grunt.

[@rickmarin1265]

I still own my 73 4 door with the 455 , I bought it in 74 I was 17 , traded a 73 vw bus even for it LMFAO , don't get me wrong I prolly should have kept the bus lol ... I built the 455 to around 450 Hp . black on black with all power ... I love that car as much as I did when I first bought it ... still so much fun to drive ... 18 k on the car ... I would never sell it , it's a time piece :) I have tons of cars from the late 60's and 70's .. all stored in climate ... love the show ..keep it up Bill :) :) :) ...here from MA

[@sidefx996]

Very cool! Certainly don’t see one of those every day. Bet it’s a great driving car.

[@rickmarin1265]

@@sidefx996 I was the talk of the towns in those days lol , I put Craigers on it , deep dish , still on it lol such a fun car ... Has buckets in the front , I think it was one of the first american 4 doors to do that ( don't quat me on it , if there was another I don't know of it lol

[@bobjohnson205]

You must be rich! lol

[@sidefx996]

@@bobjohnson205 HAHAHAHAHA

[@chrisnizer5702]

Those cars were supposed to have the 455 Super Duty as an option. Unfortunately management cancelled it at the last minute. Imagine what a 1973 Grand Am Super Duty 455 would be worth today??

[@beeenn649]

I had a 73 Pontiac Catalina with a 400 in it, let me tell you, it had serious balls, that car would motivate like you wouldn't believe..

[@robertchristie9434]

Good review, Bill. I found a loaded candy apple red '73 Le Mans for my in-laws in early '74. It belonged to a Kmart executive who bought a new car once a year & it had only 9K miles. He was a died in the wool Pontiac man. What a gorgeous car. Mom passed away a few years ago & said that Le Mans was her favorite. Thanks for some great memories.

[@paulie-Gualtieri.]

Good day Bill hope you are well

[@user-vt5oj1ee2m]

I miss all the cars from the past. It's nice to see this car very unique. It restarted or preserved.

[@Yankee_Redneck6698]

Fantastic ride Bill. I love seeing the cars of my youth.

[@tomtumulec2504]

Love the wheels one of the best looking alloy ever made

[@928gto]

...I had 15" Honeycombs on my GTO. They are a relatively heavy, polycast (stout rubber) material on steel wheel. Yes, very good looking

[@hiitsstillme]

Not alloy (infused polycast rubber on steel), but very nice.

[@grand73am]

Unfortunately, the original Honeycombs weren't/aren't an alloy wheel. I read somewhere that at the time, they decided it was too expensive to make real alloy wheels. But they liked the look, so they made it look like an alloy wheel, and even painted it to resemble aluminum. But as the other fellow said, it's really a steel wheel with a urethane polycast face bonded to it. It is pretty heavy. I have a set on my 73 Grand Am too.

[@jhbb68]

A pleasant surprise when I clicked on my KZbin app today! Thanks Bill!

[@deanbarnette1602]

I remember when these cars when they were brand new. I was only 7 years old at the rime. God, how I loved the cars back then & still do at the age of 58 years old today!! 🤍

[@eddstarr2185]

Hey Bill, when the Grand Am was introduced all the car magazines and several major newspapers carried that famous GM press photo of a Cameo White 1973 Grand Am with the Super Duty 455 (S.D.455) decal proudly displayed below the front side marker light. Personally, that Grand Am photo made me forget all about the 1973 Grand Prix, but that magic faded when word spread that the Super Duty 455 was not available for retail orders. Still, that first Pontiac Grand Am was the star of the 1973 Mid-Atlantic Auto Show. Thank you, Bill - great video!

[@LulaRoberts]

I enjoyed the memories. Did not see to many of these Cam Am on the road back in the early 70' s.

[@grand73am]

I think you made a typo 🙂. This is a 73 Grand Am. The 77 Can Am was different, made only in 77 and only about 1377 made.

[@jimmycline4778]

I only seen a few of these Pan Ams back in the day!

[@sunspiral79]

What a great car...Classic Pontiac styling

[@greytogray6070]

Thank you, Bill, for the awesome revisit! I bought my current 73 GA back in 1999, and i hope to never let it go. I've owned and driven a range of muscle cars and trucks over the years, and my GA is THE standout among all of them. Even in completely stock form, these cars are a pure delight to drive and are a giant leap forward from 1960s muscle cars. Overall handling, ergonomics, and "feel" are superior to most modern cars, in my biased opinion. Excellent job on the review, and thanks again for all of your excellent reviews!

[@Leo-DaGreek]

Good to see ya again sporting one of Uncle Johnnys Rides💥Bill I was 6 yrs old when my Father and I picked up my Mothers you car 🚗,1972 Grand Prix SJ Canary Yellow & Tan,so Beautiful and the Smell 👃 I can still smell it!!Fast ass car 4- barrel dual exhaust mags ,

[@cpomeroy4685]

I had a '73 GTO 400, 4-speed with non-power disc brakes, 3.42 rear axle. It was a fun car to drive, but slow by today's standards. Thanks for the video.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

HUGE improvement! Love the visuals while driving!

[@kendavid891]

Remember these I was 9,my dad had a 68 Cutlass supreme with iridescent gold paint in the city,at nite it looked green, with black vinyl top

[@michaelhoskins832]

I think if I lived in Naples,FL.. it would be pretty cool to be your neighbor, Bill.

[@jefferyepstein9210]

I live in Naples. Although im not his neighbor it is awesome living here. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Even with the weather he complains about!!!😂😂😂😂

[@charley95sheridan44]

Caution, he could go after your wife! 😆

[@jefferyepstein9210]

@@charley95sheridan44 He would get you a great deal on a car if that happened 🤣🤣

[@Future-Classic-Comics]

​@@jefferyepstein9210Don't worry you're safe in prison or island or whatever 😂

[@JobyJoby-iw2wr]

I recall seeing a '73 Chevelle Laguna 4 door sedan with bucket seats, console and 4 speed at a dealer. These 'Colonnade' Cars are gorgeous.

[@peterhogan9537]

of the three years of the Grand Am 73 74 75 the 73 was the best looking.

[@edwardallan197]

I was late to appreciating these Pontiacs. They have grown on me. The pinched tail is epic.

[@AnthonyPsomas]

Great video on the Grand Am!! Another car I’ve always loved!! Getting fancy now Bill with the GoPro cameras mounted outside! I’m impressed!!

[@johnplovanich9564]

Beautiful car.I miss Pontiac. My 1st car was a 67 G.T.O. convertible, Montero red ,black top and interior.400,Hurst dual gate shifter.Loved that car.You might be surprised, but there are quite a few collector cars in the Bahamas.I love your videos Bill.From 1 curmudgeon to another. As always cheers from Eulethra.

[@pathfinderdiscovery9395]

Hello Bill , man nice Pontiac gran am / GTO should have been , sounds great an love the red seats

[@henry12397]

Impossibly great looking great car w the best interior!!!!

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

Personally, I dont mind revisiting any of your videos, as you do an amazing job, not to mention, all the history and comical add in’s. Thanks!

[@gsjarvis6669]

Mine was a 1974. Forest green exterior, tan interior. 4 speed manual

[@kykeith4591]

man Mr Bill, I love that car!!! LOVE it. thx for letting us see it again, take care brother.

[@JZ_Cars]

Unc William! Glad to see you are doing well! Great way to start off a week seeing one of your vidjyas. Cool car for sure, thanks for sharing sir and have an awesome week!!!

[@egold2071]

Oh for the love of God... 3 weeks without a fresh piece, and all we get is a 25 minute 'quick take'?! Ah well, at least it's an Uncle Johnny special. Thanks Bill! PS- May I put in a request? Any chance Dave the Wholesaler has something exotic laying around? Maybe a Lotus Evora? Acura NSX? Would be fresh meat for your channel, and we'd love your take on 'em.

[@markwoodley712]

Great looking car IMO, the rear side window louvres remind me of a similar era 450SLC-C107.

[@ZeroSix6Romeo-um6jb]

Bill, I have been an avid viewer for six years. You have hit the sweet spot in which the equipment shown is eloquently described to a mental compartment that ONLY a hardcore owner can slather upon. The description that details melding American grunt with a cross-pollination of European refinement, aesthetics , and other enhancements, are now hailed as standard fare . Bill, you caught the essence of a true enthusiast in this installment. In other features, you ruminate of sudden - salivatory reaction to pop-up headlights…whoaaoooh! We are the people who,……well….:.this morning, we get it….it’s hot and shitty for everyone, but your show reminds us of how cool we are and how others are simply horrible people. Keep this kick-ass archive for those of us who love the smell of, the texture, and feel, of what’s in the garage. Thanks,JoJo.

[@michaelmancini5773]

You could put a Holly four barrel , hooker headers and Edlebrock manifold on that 400ci and bump HP up around 350-375 , that was the great thing about those early 70s muscle cars, and the 4 speed is awesome, just a really nice machine

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Bill.. Again.. But you can't have too much Pontiac content IMO... This is a car I remember from my youth.. We had one of these, and the nose of the car was so pliant, you could squeeze the nose and it would decmompress under finger pressure, popping back to orignial shape when you let go... Ours had the 7.5 liter, Silver over maroon interior, loaded to the gills. I still miss that car, but had no idea that replacement noses weren't available, or that they wore out so quickly.. We never kept cars over a couple of years.

[@simonvancoevorden295]

Can’t understand why Bill hasn’t got way more subscribers!

[@craigster1234]

I love how you're driving more at the end.

[@WW2Hugh]

Bravo Bill for the seamless editing! I'm impressed that you did all that with the GoFros - AND that none of them flew off into oncoming traffic.

[@fhatuwaniglentonnetshivhul9202]

Hello Uncle Bill

[@midnightspecial2990]

I've never even seen a stick shift car like this, and I've been spotting and chasing after these cars my whole life. It's lot like the 77 Can Am.

[@soho71]

Love love love this car…. RIP Pontiac😢

[@TonyandSusie-MillersontheMove]

Man I dig this car!👀My brother had one back in the day black on black and a 4 speed! 🙌Sadly gave it away for pennies back then what an era right?

[@pcno2832]

When opera windows and louvers are mentioned, most people think of nothing but '70s and '80s kitsch, but on this car, they are combined to build a work of art. I also love the angled interior door pulls, something I'd like to see on today's cars. The only thing I'd be tempted to change is the chrome rear bumper; it looks almost as if it came from a different car. These cars must have been a response to be bad reception received by the flippy-floppy 1971 B and C bodies; the A's are tanks. But, I suspect that the Canadians would be grumbling about the 112" wheelbase; even the 4 door versions had back seats that were only tolerable.

[@douglasthompson9482]

A beautiful classic….thank you Bill.

[@mrho4speed]

Thanks for sharing this video and this wonderful car!!! This has to be a very rare 73 with the 4 speed trans!!!!

[@rodeleon2875]

my buddy owned a black one of those for a few days and center punched a telephone pole. what a cool car they were.

[@jimmysuperduty1484]

These were so cool looking

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

Good to see you back!

[@craigcraigster4999]

Man does this Poncho take me back to my Southern California mid-teens when my high school buddy's parents, who lived 3 doors down in our cul-de-sac, had one of these with the same 400 c.i. 4 bbl, but it was an automatic, and the seats were covered in super comfortable velour (I believe the driver's seat swiveled too, which might have been an option) -- it also had the standard hood (never knew those ducts were an option until this video). The car was no slouch despite it's auto trans and curb weight, very nice ride quality as well, almost as enjoyable as my '69 Cougar back then. I also remember the unique TV commercials for those Enduro "nose cones," some dude armed with a baseball bat would attempt his best impression of a Willie Mays grand slam swing against it, yet that bumper didn't even flinch. 😂 What a time to grow up back then, no wonder I'm a gearhead to this day as my Medicare eligibility kicks-in some 90 days from now. The cherry on top was getting to drive my neighbor's '72 convertible Vette back then too, he'd have me and his younger brother cruise it around Thousand Oaks with a For Sale sign and park it at strategic foot-traffic locations -- heady stuff for my 16 y.o. car nut brain (and 91 octane Shell Premium for cruising that Stingray was 59.9 cents/gallon). Thanks Bill for the memories that came flooding back with this Grand Am, really appreciate it. 😎

[@grand73am]

That Grand Am should not have had swivel seats. Pontiacs didn't offer swivels. Swivels were only on some Chevys, like Monte Carlo and Chevelle, and also available on Olds Cutlass. The distinctive thing about the Grand Am bucket seats was that they had reclining seat backs, which was a rare thing on any American car of the time. And they had a lumber support adjuster too. Maybe those things are what you noticed different about the Grand Am seat. Grand Ams were often well equipped with options, so it could have had a driver side 6 way power seat too.

[@LargeMachEAuto]

RIP Uncle Johnny

[@michaelmancini5773]

Had a 69 GTO 400ci, Hurst 4 speed, so I can so relate to this 73 Grand Am ( WITH A MANUAL),, and I gotta say the styling and interior, just holds up.

[@philspear73]

The Oldsmobile cutlass Supreme is still my favorite of the colonnade cars but this is unique for sure. Enjoyed seeing it again.

[@hugieflhr03]

A rare care with that 4 speed and a nice driver!

[@Jim0i0]

That shot looking over the hood is badass.

[@oonwing]

Just glad your back, sir, was worried.

[@genesimons8368]

I remember buying "glass belted" radials around that time..

[@BeauQuillen]

HEYYYY BILL I LIVED IN NAPLES, AND WISH I COULD BE WITH YOU.🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@joshaicklen6785]

Bill I love the videos. Keep up the excellent work!

[@joegarcia54]

I didn’t think much of these cars at the time but revisiting them now, I will admit that was a nice nifty design.

[@deepcow]

The manual transmission is a rare find. Great video.

[@vinnybruce2874]

Thats a great masterpiece origimal Grand AM muscle car. It looks like a Pontiac version of the Monte Carlo..

[@brucepietro6046]

Friend in High School owned a early Pontiac Can Am

[@jefferyepstein9210]

Such cool cars!!!

[@robertf4540]

You never saw one of those cars with a 4 speed back in the day! Very rare!

[@RivhardDavenport]

I ALWATS WANTED A GRAND AM SINCE I WAS A KID BACK IN 1973!!!! I WISH I HAD ONE!!!!

[@francisgoldstien6153]

So much badassness😮 Unbelievably cool ride😎 This and. The old hurst olds😮

[@snartzzb983]

Love this car, nice job Always fun Bill.🚀🚀

[@tripyramidpictures9224]

Love the interior and steering wheel!

[@pennywise8182]

The whole 1973 GM colonnade lineup was futuristic when compared to the fuddy duddy 1972 GM lineup......It was like comparing the long,low and wide 1959 GM lineup to the super chunky 1958 GM lineup.

[@davidcornish9235]

Beautiful car! Absolutely perfect! 😀😍

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! 🍩☕️👀😎👍. The Colonnades B. O. P. , have gotten throw under the bus . These vehicles had high point of many design & styles of the 40’s , 50’s, 60’s a little of those decades. I have two Olds Cutlass , & 1976 GMC Sprint one of 5000 built . These vehicles are great on the road , mpg if well care for it’s not bad . With that said super muscle no, but if you have imagination the right engine , 👀😎👍 . Great looking car !

[@markdc1145]

There weren't many memorably good cars from this era but this is probably one of them. Hard to believe it's a 51 year old car now!

[@adriennefoley2906]

Love the honey comb wheels ☺️

[@Future-Classic-Comics]

Same they're very unusual.

[@DavidH-D]

My next door neighbor had a fantastic red 73 Buick Century GS in the 70’s. Classic colonnade style. No guts, all begging for a transplant motor and exhaust to realize their potential.

[@MysticalJ]

Thank you bill

[@HomerJ1964]

Got a 74 Grand Am sitting in my garage right now. Just waiting to be restored.

[@Itz_Al-Gud]

Hope Uncle Johnny gets a good price for it, this was one of my favorite car reviews

[@kcclem1442]

I had one of these back in the early '80s just after I got out of high school. I loved it, it was fun to drive, handled really well, and was a very comfortable car. I loved the four speed. Mine was a 400 four barrel.

[@MamesJatthew29]

Awesome to see an update with this perfectly optioned grand am. There’s no way I could part with it and I’m sure uncle Johnny’s none too happy about having to, either. Gotta do what you gotta do, I suppose.

[@martinogold]

I love this car, those wheels are particularly nice.

[@bobbylibertini]

In the rust states, the rest of these cars deteriorated even faster than the urethane noses did. I remember back in NY when these cars weren't even ten years old, on the rare occasion ya'd still see the odd one running around, it'd always be falling apart, all over- totally ragged out. I can't appreciate these Grand-Ams because even when I see one like this, it gives me flashbacks of all the ragged-out ones I used to see (Never actually saw a decent one in the wild).

[@robertvance1873]

Beautiful Poncho.

[@KP-zi6jx]

Awwww, looks like Dalton cleaned the back glass...would at times look like he used a raw piece of chicken, bless his heart. Hope Dalton is doing well!

[@scottsnothome5649]

Great car, those rims are legendary.

[@MrReese]

Pontiacs were just cool, I really miss that manufacturer. Also, Grand Prix + Trans Am = Grand Am, that is quite a smart.