Stunningly Rare 1979 Pontiac Grand Prix 301V8, 4 speed with 858 miles!

[@michigantler5046]

Built at PMD Pontiac MI, I worked on the frame line in plant 8

[@maxr4448]

Cool!

[@waylonmccrae3546]

Love older Pontiacs... If I May ask, what did you do on the frame line specifically ??

[@mikes-wv3em]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE

[@bertram46]

When i was 17, my father bought me a new 78 Grand Prix LJ two-tone blue. Same engine as this. It was a fast car. Had a 77 monte carlo before that. Very slow. In retrospect, I was a very lucky kid.

[@A-FrameWedge]

Yeah you were lucky. Back in 1980 my Dad who was in the car business, a wholesaler who bought cars from auctions mostly. He dropped a 1970 Chevy Vega off at the curb of the house my mom and I lived at. The paint was virtually nonexistent, had a blown head gasket and the interior looked like it was attacked by a bear, and had four bald tires. I was 16 years old, my mom and I were pretty poor, so had no money to fix it, and if I did have the money the car wasn’t worth putting any money in it. Thanks Dad.

[@RCH45ACP]

You thought that was a FAST car? 🤣

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@RCH45ACPit definitely wasn't

[@bertram46]

@@RCH45ACP compared to a 77 monte carlo with a 305 2bbl

[@Tom-cp6yj]

150hp in a 3400lb car isn't fast!

[@Cadillac61]

This along with the 78 Monte Carlo and Malibu, cutlass and regal are some of the nicest looking cars of the late seventies and early eighties. The Grand Prix is truly a beautiful car! Thanks again Adam!

[@dave1956]

I am old enough to remember the 73-77 versions of these vehicles. They were 10 times the vehicles that these 78-88 versions were.

[@LongIslandMopars]

​@@dave1956me too. Long live the pig Montes!

[@sloprun]

My dad asked my opinion for choosing the size engine in a 1978 Cutlas Supreme that he was going to buy. I was 16 at the time. I tried to sound as objective as I could and told him it was best to buy the V8 4 barrel (from my memory I thought it was a 305 rather than 301.) Once I got my driver's license, I was thrilled to get to feel the secondary venturis open up. They had a bit of a kick.

[@0471jrs]

Dont forget the 2 Door Caprice classics.

[@tomcherry7029]

@@sloprun there was no 305 or 301 engine option for the 1978 Olds g body cars

[@rogerrossman5124]

I have a 79 Pontiac Grand Am. Same power-train and interior, just a little shorter on the front end. I had planned on getting a 80 but ordered the 79 when I found out that it was the last year that the 4 speed manual would be available (special order). It was a good combination of sporty and room for a young family. I am told that there were a little over 300 made with the 4 speed manual trans. If you look from the underside you can see that the floor is torch cut where the shifter comes thru the floor.

[@rickybobby5950]

I had an 87 with a 4.3 v6 as my first car. It was 2 tone silver and grey with grey interior with buckets and a full console. It was a great car and had lots of great memories in it!

[@wilco3588]

I watch this auction on bring a trailer as well. The story behind it was an old man wanted to order one last new car and he wanted it like his 63 Pontiac black with blue interior and four-speed. He ordered it with 301 4 Barrel four-speed positraction rear axle bucket seats rally gauge and am radio Deluxe wheel covers and I think that's about it. It is a interesting car thanks for posting it and it's background history.

[@buff6637]

What did it sell for?

[@ericbitzer5247]

I have the same question, how much did it bring in cash?

[@michaelbrown5601]

I like it whenever you spotlight manual American cars. Usually you’d find these in export models, not home market examples. Excellent content as usual.

[@TS1964]

I was a Pontiac guy from the day I realized what cars were ... Gone are my 2 favorite brands Oldsmobile and Pontiac

[@gregbell3559]

Mee too. pontiac were just a level so much higher than chev

[@LiberalsArePoop]

I have a 2015 Camaro and really wish it was a Trans Am. Nine years old, and it hasn't reached 35k miles yet.

[@ericbitzer5247]

I was brought home from the hospital when I was born in a 1965 Pontiac Tempest with the 326. I too miss Pontiac especially and Oldsmobile too. Some of the coolest cars in the neighborhood back in the 80s and 90s when I was in my late teens and early 20s were late 60s and 70s Oldsmobiles.

My much older brother had a series of '70s Grand Pixs over the years, Even as smogged out as they were, cruising on the open highways of Northern Ontario, with my long-departed Big Bro, was a dream! Thank you for this trip down memory lane, Adam.

[@RossEphgrave]

I had a 78 Buick Regal, plain Jane, 305 2bbl, hub caps, bench seat and 1/2 vinyl roof. That was back in 87. I drove it for almost 3 years.

[@TheGravygun]

Sounds exciting

[@dannyg6592]

My pal's dad gave him a fully loaded new 1978 GP when we were in college. It was a very nice car, far nicer than anything else in the college parking lot! Thanks for the memories.

[@shadmiller7282]

Always had a soft spot for this gen. My step dad had a double maroon 79 that he dropped a built small block 400 in and it was pretty quick but also a comfy cruiser.

[@CaymanIslandsCatWalks]

Just what I need nice. Such calming videos.

[@devonmask5192]

My father had a 'brass hat' former GM executive car he bought slightly used with 4k on it in late '79. It was loaded with velour bench, moonroof, split diff and a 301 2 throat painted in an Oh-So-70's two tone green (it may have even been the dealership poster car). He was a salesman at the time and he put almost 400k on it (mostly highway) only replacing the exhaust system, battery and normal wear and tear items. We saw it around town for another couple years after he sold it. It was not quick by any stretch of the imagination but it rode terrific and was a absolute tank in the snow. I wasn't a fan of it when he first got it but my appreciation for it definitely grew with time. Thanks for jogging the nostalgia with this definite oddball vehicle I had no clue ever existed (not that I'd actually want a strippo still not fast trailer-queen version of the old man's faithful steed).

[@mwilliamshs]

"Split diff"? What's that?

[@devonmask5192]

@@mwilliamshs positraction rear axle

[@giggiddy]

I'm not going to insult you regarding your 400k statement as anything is possible I guess. But although those late 70s cars were cool looking, they were straight junk. Right off the showroom floor, the valve covers leaked. The diff cover leaked. And typically the power steering pump and radiator leaked as well. And the squeeks and rattles in the interior came free of charge on the new vehicles. Im guessing that very few ever saw anything near 200k miles. 400k was a miracle😅😅😅😅. Thanks for sharing.

[@devonmask5192]

@@giggiddy it never even had the heads off. Was the brass hat ex-exec car a factor? Who knows.

[@giggiddy]

@@devonmask5192 very cool story. Thanks for the cool story!!

[@Uncle_Jake]

I had a 78. Loved that car

[@OLDS98]

Thank you Adam. I liked seeing the design sketches and proposal for the late 1970's Pontiac Grand Prix proposals. They looked great. Thank you for including those. I think they were trying to keep some of the 1977 look moving forward. I like the headlight design as it ended up on the 1980-1981 Bonneville/Parisienne as well. I liked the 1981-1987 Pontiac Grand Prix. My uncle had a loaded 1978 Pontiac Grand Prix. That Grand Prix instrumentation look came back in the early 2000's on the last Grand Prix. The manual came back in 1988. Good video.

[@joerieke300]

My grandparents had one. It was the 1st car I ever drove. Good car.👍

[@oliverrojas3185]

Thanks very much for including and discussing the beautiful sketches of pre-production propsition models of the Grand Prix.

[@stewstephenson6236]

My older brother passed down his ‘78 Gran Prix. I felt lucky-That was a pretty cool car for a 16 y.o.

[@dosgos]

Very comfortable interior, smooth ride, and nice style. This family were best sellers in the 80s.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

So true, they were!

[@matthewlibanio8227]

At the beginning when you said 4 speed automatic I was completely shocked... Then find out it's a 4 speed manual and shocked again, nicely done!!!

[@jeffsmith846]

I was in the Air Force, stationed at Bitburg W Germany in 1978-81. A coworker ordered a new 79 Grand Prix through the base exchange (BX) vehicle program. There was one in stock at the BX receiving lot in Frankfurt. He took the train and picked up his new car. Very nice car with only one fault: The air pollution in the Frankfurt area had contaminated the hood roof and trunk... all the horizontal surfaces. It must have been sitting outside for six months or so. GM paid the local Opel dealer to repaint the car. It was a good sized car to drive in Germany. At the time I had a 78 Trans Am which was more fun to drive but did not have the room of the GP.

[@jaycarlson927]

As always great research and back story behind your featured car

[@DSP1968]

What a rare car! Glad you were able to find it and feature it here.

[@AlexanderWaylon]

I saw this car on a FB group and shared that post, myself. I think it’s awesome you were given first refusal on the car, but I understand even car collecting is a business itself. Thanks for the back story on the 78 Grand Prix design… I love Bill Mitchell’s last generation of cars he oversaw and this car is no exception, possibly the best 78 Intermediate design aside from perhaps the 78 Malibu coupe. What did you offer for this particular car, if I may ask - being as it is now in the past?

[@TheCarCrazyGuy]

Low miles, no miles?

[@AlexanderWaylon]

@@TheCarCrazyGuy Pontiac Motor Division I believe is the name.

[@MrJames1549]

I worked for an Olds Dealership in 1979 in Woodlawn, OH. I recall seeing a strip down, manual trans GP on the showroom floor. The only one I ever saw. The salesman informed me that it was their "price leader" to meet an advertised price in the paper. Never saw the car again.

[@cjdesign5700]

Had a 78 and a 79 Regal...great well designed/comfortable cars

[@daviddennis8642]

I had a 1978 GP relatively rare SJ model with the 301. Best definition I ever heard was that SJ moniker stood for “sport job”. Loaded loaded, even cornering lights, dark maroon in and out. Great car and looked good very fine for its time.

[@DanEBoyd]

And LJ stood for Lawn Job...😁

[@daviddennis8642]

@@DanEBoyd Haven’t heard that one but did hear “Luxury Job”.

[@toddhowe427]

Wow! What a unicorn! The blue interior is a bit unfortunate, but that four speed makes up for the color choice…

[@glennspreeman1634]

I had a '79 Bonneville Brogham. Same drive ttain, thickest carpet ever, crushed Velour interior, midnight mist black. (gold metal flake). Luxury!!

[@thenexthobby]

re: “drivetrain” A ‘79 Bonnie Brougham 4-sp would be even rarer. Unless by “drivetrain” you didn’t mean to include the transmission, for some reason.

[@MarinCipollina]

Bonneville Brougham for 1979 was more car than a Delta 88 or a Buick LeSabre.. The Bonneville was a B body, but since Pontiac didn't have a C body of their own, it fell to the Bonneville Brougham to do battle with the Buick and Olds C body Electra 225 Limiteds and Ninety Eights, along with the Mercury Marquis and Chrysler New Yorkers.

[@12yearssober]

I had a 79 SJ model. I loved that car.

[@ronskopitz2360]

My mother bought a ‘78 in black with the 301 - that was a 2bbl and TH200 transmission. I drove it in high school from ‘85 - ‘88. I had a shift kit in it and it was fairly quick at low speeds. My best friend had a ‘75 Mustang 302 and I would take him off the line, but he’d pass me after about 50 MPH. I ran that engine out of water and it stalled on me one night. Kept restating it and driving it until it shut off. This went on for several miles until I could get to some water. Seems the 301 and TH200 were durable sometimes. :) I got hit from the side and totaled in ‘88. Crushed the rear seat in so far that it bent the driveshaft. I straightened things out best I could with a scissor jack and drove it from Virginia to Atlanta like that. My brother had killed the 231 V6 in his ‘80 Cutlass. I pulled the 301 out of the Grand Prix and dropped it into the Cutlass and drove it that way until I traded it for a new Trans Am in ‘93. Loved those cars!!

[@haweater1555]

In the Oct. 1978 Popular Mechanics an author told about his adventure optioning out a new 78 Pontiac Lemans, which had an identical dash. He specified 4.3L V6 and 4-on-the-floor. He wanted the rally guage cluster with tachometer but it was only available with automatic transmission !! So he had to buy the car from a dealer who would install these guages as ordered spare parts, at hefty cost. For that year and model, the large clock, taking place of the tach, was optional. If neither clock nor tach was ordered, the car got a big black circle to fill the empty pod in the right of the dash.

[@dimitriberozny3729]

4 speed manual!! Must have been special order!!

[@darrellsaunders4267]

Bought a new Formula in 1979 with the 301..engine was so smooth it was hard to tell it was even running...

[@peterjohnson5391]

I had a 1980 Grand Prix LJ, with the 301 V8. It spent most of its early life in the garage. When my grandmother gave up driving she gave it to me. Brown on brown. Was well-equipped for those days, AM/FM radio, power windows, power locks, intermittent wipers, rear defroster, remote trunk release (in the glovebox) and more.

[@edmontontangobar4991]

I had a 1978 Malibu with 305 and 4-speed, also had F41 sport suspension. A fun car, good handling, but very slow only 140HP and a 2.72 diff ratio.

[@rickpowers4356]

I have owned a 79 Malibu coupe since it was a new car. In fact, I ordered it. It has the 267 V8 and the manual four-speed along with the F 41 suspension, bucket, seats, power, sunroof, and rally wheels. You are right they are fun cars to drive. Not real fast, but the four-speed makes it feel faster and the handling is great. I have always wondered if my car was one of one with the combination of options I have. It still runs good and I have never done anything major to the engine. I did break the four-speed once, but fixed it myself. Also, I still enjoy driving it.

[@robertlyman9789]

Wow! Low optioned salesman’s car

[@pipedreamin]

My first car was grandmas hand-down 79 Grand Prix, good car and felt powerful but it was a bit of a slug with the 3-speed auto. The dash screws are easy to identify vs. the fake screw heads after a few years in the AZ heat, the real ones had cracks in the bezel around them. 😊

[@MRaadesign]

Great video! Rare indeed. I had never heard of this combo before. I owned a 1980 Grand Prix V6 when I was in highschool back in 1985. Really loved that car. So this video hits me in the feels.

[@Cartier_specialist]

That must've been quite the unicorn with a 4 speed manual transmission. I didn't even know that was possible on a Grand Prix.

[@drippinglass]

@@Cartier_specialist The Grand Am as well that year.

[@kc9scott]

Oldsmobile had a 5-speed manual that they paired with their 260 V8 in this generation of Cutlass. It’s unfortunate that (1) it was a weak transmission, so they wouldn’t put it on anything more powerful than the 260, and (2) the US makers didn’t have wider availability of 5-speeds across their product lines, since the import brands had been providing them for a while by then.

[@pcno2832]

The base V6 '78 Monte Carlo had a 3 speed manual as standard equipment, and because the new A bodies were not designed for 3-on-the-tree linkages, the shifter was on the floor. I think this odd arrangement was also available on the GP, but it only lasted a couple of years on any the A/G bodies.

[@WayneCampbell-l3b]

4 spd MANUAL?! There was never a factory option on any Pontiac Grand Prix! I had an 81 w/the 231 V6 motor, White Paint, White Leather Landau top with rectangular opera window, and Maroon Crushed Velour interior. It had every available option for 1981, except the Leather Seats & Door panels. I put 2700 dollars into fixing it up being tired after having its first owner weighing in at upward of 400 lbs, (which destroyed the drivers seat! But, I found a perfect replacement in the junkyard on a totalled GP!), I bought and had brand new Coil Springs for a 350 ci motor,installed, because Id never speced the car out, along with Moog Gas Shocks, Eagle ST White Lettered Tires, on Stock black rims, and the Pontiac 64 Spoke Chrome Hub Caps, with the Pontiac symbol on their center caps.I had a friend who worked at Dodge Boys use their 1500 rpm buffer and some awesome one step paint rehab to buff out the white paint until it glowed! Not a carwash scratch to be seen. Everywhere I went with that car, - they all ❤d it!

[@thomaslord7995]

I vividly remember seeing a '79 Grand Prix with 4-speed someone was selling in the classifieds of a Hot Rod Magazine in about 1980. I know I didn't dream it because I was going through my old mags in 2003 and found that actual ad!

[@skivvywaver]

I had the Turbo 301 in a Formula Firebird. It was a very quick car.

[@marksalani2600]

Another great vid Adam :). I had a 78 LJ, triple black, buckets and the beautiful stainless steel gauges. Man I loved that car. 305, fully loaded. The only mod I did was the 79 4 bbl, and added delay wipers. As I’m sure u know, 78 was 2 bbl only. Purred like a kitten, even with the 200 trans. Keep up the good work:)

[@Mike-108_v_]

A work mate had a 1980 grand prix LJ with the 2 tone paint (gold on the sides, black on top -hood,roof,trunk) with the honeycomb gold wheels, and I think a T top.... valor seats ... it was sharp. Same body style as this...

[@Hobotraveler82]

Sweet ride. ❤ Pontiacs. The closest I have been to this generation of car would have been my Uncle's 79 Olds Cutlass Calais and my cousins 82 Monte Carlo. Boy sure brings back memories. ❤😊

[@AGPreston12]

I had a 79 GP with the 301, boy did it drink gas, especially with the AC on. But it was a really comfortable ride.

[@edwardpate6128]

I've always felt that whatever small weight savings were made going to the 301 never made up for the weak crankshaft design.

[@ralphl7643]

It was more about fuel and emissions savings than weight.

[@BobEllis79]

Wow same dash as my first car, a 1984 Bonneville (the four door Pontiac G-Body by that time). It was a hand me down from my stepdad. He ordered it new with the Chevrolet LG4 305 4bbl and 3 spd auto. Eventually I swapped out the black dial cluster for one with a turned silver look from a junkyard 78-81 Le Mans, it was a direct replacement fit. It was a good car.

[@gregbell3559]

The regal and grand prix were beautiful. I loved the 77 impala with that neat rear window...

[@jroeger]

The hi-beam was an arrowhead which kept with the Indian motif. I think it appeared on the 1959 Ponchos.

[@JeffreyWilliams-dr7qe]

This was a Beautifiul class of GM automoble. Especially this example and the Cutlass.

[@charlesdalton985]

Odd, but the key case is exactly like the ones my dad used back then. Brought back some fond memories of my dad. And that engine - that's as close to 1978 as I've seen since! Thanks as always for your work - it's excellent ~ Chuck

[@rudiknaus4139]

The 1978 / 1979 US Cars, especially from GM, we’re a big success here in Germany, too! The Grand Prix, Monte Carlo and Malibu costs about 18000 DM, a very good offer! 👍🏼🏁

[@rudiknaus4139]

Btw, this cars were sold here in Germany only fully equipped! And I forgot the Buick Regal.. 👍🏼🇺🇸

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Wow, now that is a beautiful 79 Grand Prix ....... I always liked those cars!

[@WhumaFPV]

Wow! Flashbacks! My parents had a 78 Grand Prix with an automatic, a V8, white vinyl interior with light green exterior, t- tops, and trans am wheels. Don't remember if it was a 3 or 4 speed cause I was like 10 when they sold it. Thanks for the video!

[@sombra6153]

All I can say about the 301 cars is that one, seemingly all stock, pulled away from me hard one night on the street. I was driving a moldy re-tuned Volvo 164e with open exhaust, advanced timing, and opened up air cleaner box. It wasn’t a powerhouse by today’s standards but would hold its own against the 305 Chevys and the infamous Volvo Turbo back in the early 80s.

[@esSKay25]

That was me.

[@deansapp4635]

Nah, it was a 455

[@UNCFIPP]

Ive seen this car on Facebook a lot this week.. Good seeing some history on such a rare combo

[@michaelsullivan2361]

4speed! Wow! I’ve never seen one of these cars with one! I’m really intrigued by that Ford FE in the background!

[@lilibethdoherty295]

This was one of my Drivers Ed. Cars from High School, the strong smell of Vinyl when getting into the car let you know GM was into Vinyl Oxide.

[@thenexthobby]

Your H.S. driver’s Ed had rare 4-sp cars ??

[@lilibethdoherty295]

@@thenexthobby A Jeep Renegade was used as a Manual Drivers Ed. Car, The Grand Prix was a Automatic and a 1974 Fury III with a 440 was also used as it was equipped with Dual Controls but sadly was put in a ditch across from the School by a student driver, I still can't believe the teacher let this person drive. she was well known as the "missing link."

[@ericbitzer5247]

I had a 1978 Grand Prix for about twelve hours. It was sitting for a couple months, not that long, and I was on I95 going to work and the hot light came on. I almost got creamed by an 18 wheeler trying to get to the shoulder and by the time I got there, the head gaskets and freeze plugs were blown out. Turned out the thermostat was stuck closed and maybe opened up just enough to not get hot until I was on the highway, I don't know, but that was the shortest time I ever owned a car. I really liked the car too, I bought it from my boss at the time. It was a dark red/brown color.

[@andylowe2725]

Excellent car! I had a 79 Grand Prix and wish I still did.

[@sidefx996]

Wow. Wild this car sold for $35k a couple years ago on BAT. I guess I'm getting old though, and it should honestly be worth more. Fantastic car. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@SirOsisofLiver]

My aunt had an '85 GP. By then a lot of issues with the earlier models had been sorted, and the 150hp, 305 Chev was the only V8 available. Hers had the 4 speed automatic (IIRC) and the turbine alloy wheels, which looked cool, but were a PITA to clean. I was kind of disappointed because the baroque styling looked so dated compared to the Ford Aerobirds at the time. It was a good working, reliable car for her though, so she liked it quite well.

[@KennyNash-sb9sh]

These were absolutely beautiful automobiles!🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@jeffogden2982]

Years ago I took the clutch pedals from the same era Buick that had a 3 speed on the floor behind a V6

[@drippinglass]

I remember as a kid when these were new. Consumer Reports actually tested one for their 1979 new car review book that I purchased. At the time I didn’t realize how weak the 301 was built compared to the earlier Pontiac V8’s. If only they had built a few more 400’s in 1978 to install in the 1979 A body cars as they did with the F bodies. The 400 L72 with the Borg Warner Super T-10 would have been awesome. But the rear axle probably wasn’t up to the power.

[@Sheisthedevilyouknowwho-ft9we]

😊 yeah, similar to, if only, so many forged Super Duty rods hadn't kept "disappearing" cough-cough, in 73 & 74, they could have built more super duty 455s. I know I read that before.

[@googleusergp]

You meant "L78" as that was the RPO code for the 400 Pontiac V8.

[@drippinglass]

@@googleusergp Yup! 😁

[@boogiehound]

Could always put an 8.5" rear out of a grand nation in one of the A/G body cars. It's strong enough for most street motors and the tires would break loose before the axle did. But as long as that 301 is in the engine bay the stock rear end is plenty strong enough 😅

[@stevecook1675]

I owned a 79 with the 301, was one of my top 10 favorite cars I owned. Had it till 1986 when I traded it in for a new firebird which wasn't half the car the G.P. was. Would have another one in a heartbeat.

[@MarinCipollina]

Thanks for this one, Adam. I remember when these were new and available on the new car lot where I worked as a salesman. In addition to the Packard you mentioned, which I was not aware of, the octagonal wheel center hubs on the Grand Prix also harked back to the Duesenberg, a car that Grand Prix had continually referenced over the years with their J and SJ models. I especially like that line drawing at 1:35, it appears to be a true hardtop coupe with frameless door glass and functional rear windows. I was disappointed with the lack of rear window functionality that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and mourn the passing of the hardtop body style in 2 and 4 door iterations. The split bumper at 3:30 was an interesting design, as is the model that preceded it at 2:25, which I'm sorely tempted to label as a possible Grand Am variant. This particular example is oddly spec'd indeed; the 301 was a dog of an engine, but so it goes.. Have you noticed Adam how many ultra low mileage vehicles out there are stripper versions? Seems to be more common than not for some reason. You rarely encounter a loaded ultra low mileage car for some reason, at least I don't. I'm old enough to remember the storied Grand Prix of the early 1960s, tri-power 389 and 421 V8s that were absolute beasts. Those early 1960s Pontiacs were so badass.. ..

[@frankartale1026]

I had a 79 t/a 301 4spd. Car drove great and actually moved pretty good with the manual.

[@Flies2FLL]

I was 12 when these came out in 1978. In 1979 I basically turned into an adult (they call this puberty) and suddenly I discovered cars! I had a magazine about the new 1979 cars, and these GM A cars were on my mind. I liked to draw and I was good at it, and I drew all of them in profile; I liked the Eldorado the best, and that along with the '69 Toronado are the old American cars that I would actually buy, since I'm a Porsche guy at heart. But the other one was the Riviera; They really got that design correct! The '78 Grand Prix was nice, but the plastic grill that stuck out? While it looked good, I've never understood why they did that. Great video!

[@mdmarion5213]

You accidentally said '4-speed auto', my friend

[@bradmichael1373]

When he said that at the beginning of the video, I thought “I didn’t know they had a four speed auto back then!” I had a new 79 Monte Carlo with a 267 V8. It was pretty anemic. This car is really an oddball. Bucket seats but no air or power windows, locks, seats. Not even deluxe color-keyed seat belts which are my pet peeve!

[@mdmarion5213]

@@bradmichael1373 Me as well - I was brainstorming for a few seconds until I realized he misspoke!

[@23727bgk]

The only feature that would be extremely rare would be a 4 speed MANUAL TRANSMISSION. It's a shame it was ordered with hubcaps rather than rally type wheels and the gauge package deserves a tachometer instead of a big clock.

[@thomaslord7995]

​@@23727bgk My sentiments exactly. I would have opted for the Pontiac Rally IV wheels, which this was the first year they were produced.

[@markhellman-pn3hn]

that was a common option (3 speeds & overdrive) .... AND bucket seats

[@ericwhitehead6451]

Very handsome cars, probably my favorite Pontiac.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Amazing beautiful vehicle!

[@madmike2624]

That had to be a hefty sum of cash for such a rare unicorn Adam, sure hope you don't regret passing, I couldn't!!!!~

[@markt4605]

My father had a loaded ‘79 GP in Burgundy with white interior and a white vinyl roof. Loved the car as a teenager!

[@GbodyMedia]

Absolutely Love your Videos man great work

[@TheTussman]

I had the '78 auto but loaded. The 301 had no guts, but I needed a highway car. It drove much bigger than it was on long trips. Best car ever except for the water pump. Went through 5 in 4 years lol!

[@jonblyth9317]

A friend's dad bought a new 79 GP, white with black vinyl interior, 4 speed V6, no a/c and white painted wheels and dog dish hubcaps.

[@SeaTravelr123]

As much as I loved the bigger models 73-77 A bodies, I really loved the downsized cars GM made. I didn't like the thin B pillar on the GP and MC. I loved the thicker pillar with the vinyl roof on GP. Cutlass and Regal looked okay with slightly thicker trim. GP and Cutlass had the better dashes. The Monte and the Regal looked odd to me with the big space above the radio. It did make the cabin feel bigger, but I preferred the longer dash on GP and Cutlass. I had a 78 Cutlass after my 71 Catalina. I had a choice between a GP and the Cutlass, but the GP didn't have the vinyl top and I didn't want the thin B pillar, but im feeling like I may still own a 78-80 GP. Great video.. 858 miles!!! Amazing!!!

[@ronpillar9963]

I had a 1981 GP with the 231 V6. It was painfully slow. Flooring it made a fair amount of noise but little forward momentum. Typically it was quicker to just jump out and run if you needed to get someplace in a hurry.

[@gerardgalletta6943]

I had a 78 GP in two tone gold/beige. I still miss that car!

[@spooley]

Owned a 1982 GP Brougham in navy, this brings back memories. Matching navy button tuft velour interior and it rode like a cloud. Now the bad, 267 under the hood, it couldn't get out of it's own way. Had to plan to pass someone 2 miles in advance.

[@googleusergp]

If it had a 267 V8 under the hood, it must have been a Canadian version as there were no V8 offerings in 1982 Grand Prix US destined models. Only 1981 and then again in 1983.

[@spooley]

​@@googleusergpyep, Pontiac Buick GMC dealer, we had that combo and Chev Olds on the GM side. Traded a Silverado on it which is probably now worth a fortune.

[@googleusergp]

@@spooley Yes, you could not get a V8 in an 1982 US destined Pontiac, except for the Firebird.

[@rjbiker66]

The modular dash instrument theme (exposed hex bolts) in this pontiac was also seen in Holden large cars fitted with the sports instruments from mid 70s.

[@armandodimarzio1136]

Great video I had a 1977 Cutlass supreme with a 4-speed manual and a 260 V8 My friend used to make fun at me calling it the welfare car

[@kens97sto171]

I had a 79 Cutlass, 3.8V6 with a 3 speed manual trans, no AC, no Power Steering, but power brakes.. was a weird one. I put a cam in it, headers, and was going to do a manifold and bigger carb. But never got around to it.. It was decently fast, ran 14's in the 1/4. 1st and 2nd were quick.. 3rd was a bit too far spaced. A weird and fun car... with the cam and headers it had a very unusual loping idle.

[@DanEBoyd]

I rode in one with a three speed manual on the floor, back in the early '80s, but it was a V6. I'd be so tempted to swap some Rally IIs, or the alloy Pontiac wheels which also came on these, on there...

[@deborahchesser7375]

Damn that’s the first GP of that era I’ve ever seen with a 4 speed. With a little massaging that little 301 would be a blast with that Borg Warner backing it up

[@johneckert1365]

Wouldn't it probably be a Saginaw 4 speed?

[@deborahchesser7375]

@@johneckert1365 honestly IDK, I never seen one I figured they used a newer design than the Saginaw or Muncie.

[@johneckert1365]

@deborahchesser7375 Pickups were still using Saginaw 3 speeds in late 70's, and Monzas were using Saginaw 4 speeds, but I can't say I've seen any in these Metric Cars

[@mybachhertzbaud3074]

If you haven't already done so, I would love to see one done on a red 76' Buick Regal. Dam,I miss that comfy car.😁

[@plap.]

Through me off for a second at the beginning. Heard four speed, rare and thought a stick. Cool. Then you said four speed auto(out of habit, I'm sure) and thought, ok more normal. Then showed the interior and it was a stick. That would be a hoot to drive around.

[@DukeMitchell.223]

This was my first car, got my first ticket in it, mine was maroon with maroon interior and mag wheels, 301 and automatic on floor.

[@Napier363]

Our dentist neighbor bought a new ‘78 Grand Prix. 2-tone beige/ gold with t-tops, real wire wheels (an option) & leather bucket seats. Really cool car at the time.

[@patrickburke7929]

My Dad in 1985 Specialty Ordered a 1986 Monte Carlo SC. Last Year for the Sport Coupe which was the Base Trim. Dad did though & it took some Doing He wanted the Super Sport Drive Train & SS interior Minus the SS Badging. It was Charcoal Gray with Burgundy Landau 1/4 Top Matching the Burgundy interior. Buckets with Center Shifter which is the SS Design. Came with Center Caps & Moon rings. In 1990 wen I was 20 years old my Dad Passed away & Mom said Dad wanted me to have the car . Dad had only put 7.000 miles on odometer. In 2024 I Still own & it has Now 73.000 miles. I've made some Improvements over the years. I changed the Burgundy Landau to Very Dark Gray, a few shades Darker than the Factory Paint. I installed True Dual exhaust minus the Cats. I had installed 1970 Chevelle Springs all around to give a Slight increase in Height allowing for a Larger Tires. Lastly bout 10 years ago I was having Transmission Trouble. Instead Replacing with The Original I had installed a turbo 350 with OD & Shift kit. I Rarely Drove the Monte But every 2 weeks I pull out of Garage & Weather permitting I will Drive down my Court just to get all the Juices Flowing. Tho in Summers I'll try to Put 50-100 miles on Monte to keep her legs Stretched.

[@joemiller8371]

first car I ordered, 78 culass supreme with the 305 4 bbl carb with 60 40 seats and landau roof black, wish I still had it

[@caseyrandall5985]

If i could find a 79 in two tone green, loaded, with bucket seats, automatic. In good shape i would buy it in a heartbeat. A 78 or 80 as well! Had a 79 just like it in the early 80's, passed it on to a brother-in-law and he drove it for many years untill it died of old age. He still drives a GP to this day.

[@12345682900]

Another great video, thanks!

[@geraldcoe1123]

My first new car was a 1978 Grand Prix. Baby blue with a medium blue Landau roof. I was 20 years old. It had the PMD 2 rally wheels. ❤❤❤

[@mainebigfoothunter7088]

I had a 1980 Buick Regal that had the Pontiac 265 c.i. engine. No powerhouse but it was trouble-free

[@ronaldsnyder7217]

Back in 1985 on my Father's used car lot a gas station converted into a used car lot we had a 78 79 Oldsmobile cutlass with a 260 v8 and a standard transmission I never seen one before or after.

[@drippinglass]

@@ronaldsnyder7217 They offered a 5 speed with them. I’m assuming 5th gear was OD.

[@ronaldsnyder7217]

​@@drippinglassyes I don't remember if it was 3,4 or 5 speed but I really like the way it drove being that small but pepy 260 v8 and rear wheel drive it was nice I wanted to keep it

[@sdjrinc.6921]

This is the exact car and color my mother had but it had a black vinyl top and the brake lights had the GP octagon symbol on them, and them exact hub caps shown here, I remember going to the car wash and scrubbing them hub caps with sos pads to clean them memories I tell you

[@dosgos]

The cockpit is driver's focused in reality. Very comfortable place. Gauge package with no tach lol.

[@radggs6961]

Originally thought GM missed the mark with the '78 downsized 'G bodys. '81 refresh had me looking across all 'Gs. Loved the one off, far from the 'Glory Days', LeMans, test drove the Cutlass & Monte SS, while my 79 Malibu kept me from getting tickets, looking like the authority. My neighbors had GPs & Montes, and I didn't want what others had. But I should have looked closer at the GP. Eventually ordered a 87 T Type Turbo.🏁👍🏽

[@srercrcr]

I still have my original 78 GP LJ, very plush with all the sofa velour! I had two toddlers at the time, one grew up and went to college with it! BTW they offered genuine wire wheels as an option in 79. Nice. Anyway...it's best attribute was it was a "right size" car for a young family, so easy to drive. Thx

[@thenexthobby]

Genuine wire wheels? Not steel with wire wheel hubcaps? That would be even more rare than a 4-sp, given that wire wheels were phased out many decades before.

[@srercrcr]

@@thenexthobby YES, real. I have a pic from the '79 Pontiac line but I'm challenged to get it on here. Give me your email, that should be easier. I also have four NOS wire wheels.....those are my "retirement plan" 😂 Steve R