00:00 Introduction
00:23 Walk Around
07:31 Test Drive
After taking a test drive in this 1976 Grand Prix SJ, all I could muster was "WOW!" The experience of being behind the wheel of this low-mileage time capsule is beyond description. As I approached the car, the first thing that caught my eye was the original Athena Blue Poly paint, which still looked fantastic and exuded a classy vibe when paired with the pristine white bucket seat interior.
The car's body is incredibly solid and displays straight lines all around. Walking around and admiring the immaculate paint and body quality, I couldn't contain my excitement when I opened the trunk. To my delight, the factory light in the trunk lid still worked, a testament to the car's exceptional care over its 47-year lifespan. I also found the spare tire and jack securely in their factory spots. Lifting the factory trunk mat revealed the original trunk spackle, still in impeccable condition as the day it left the dealership.
Upon entering the interior, I noticed that all the interior dome lights functioned, and the interior appeared as clean as the day the car rolled off the assembly line. Sitting behind the wheel, I was thrilled to see the factory clock ticking away, further confirming the quality of this Grand Prix SJ. Despite the 34-degree weather, the 400ci engine roared to life after just two pumps of the gas and idled perfectly. I couldn't resist trying the factory moonroof, which, to my surprise, worked flawlessly. I also tested the heater, and all the switches operated as they should, quickly warming the car and defrosting the windshield. At this point, I was head over heels for this Pontiac.
The last step was to evaluate how well this 66,000-original-mile car drove. I turned on the AM/FM 8-track radio, inserted an "The Best of Elvis" tape, turned up the music, and shifted into drive. Merely a block down the road, I was smitten. The car drove like a dream, with power steering making maneuvering effortless, power brakes providing quick and straight stops, and the windows sealing tightly without any wind noise. All the gauges on the dashboard operated flawlessly, and the 400ci engine delivered good power, while the 400 automatic transmission shifted seamlessly. This Grand Prix SJ left me astounded, and I didn't want to stop driving it. What was intended as a brief test drive turned into an extended journey. Listening to three different 8-track tapes, from Elvis to 1950s country music, this car transformed into a time machine, transporting me back to a simpler era, leaving me with a warm, nostalgic feeling and a broad smile on my face.
Some say that time travel is impossible, but those individuals have never had the pleasure of driving this 1976 Grand Prix Time Machine.
VIN decodes as follows:
VIN- 2K57N6P252688
2: Pontiac Motor Division
K: Grand Prix
57: 2-door Hardtop Coupe
N: 400 C.I. V8
6: 1976 model year
P: Pontiac, Michigan GM Assembly Plant, U.S.A.
252688: Serial number
