Growing up in an extended family that drove Pontiacs practically exclusively, it’s unsurprising to find that as I neared driving age and my father realized a spare car was imperative, he sought a Pontiac.
During the fall of 1991, a ‘75 Grand Prix appeared in the classifieds section of the Omaha World Herald. We went to take a look. We found a basic Model J in Sterling Silver with black interior, bucket seats and console, and a host of convenience options. It was a one-owner car with more than 100,000 miles on its odometer, but was clean, well-cared for, and completely original. Accompanying it was a host of original paperwork and receipts. It was nice enough that my dad purchased it for a couple thousand dollars.
My '75 Grand Prix J in the fall of 1991.
When I turned 15 and obtained my Learner’s Permit in December 1991, my dad (and my mother, too) would take me driving in the Grand Prix. I vividly recall driving it to the South Omaha branch of the Nebraska DMV to take my driver’s test in December 1992. The testing instructor even made a comment about its appearance and condition.
The Grand Prix became my daily driver for the next several months. I drove it to high school and work and really became acquainted with it. The original 400 4-barrel ran well, but it was straddled with 7.6:1 compression, a catalytic converter with single exhaust, and an open differential with 2.56:1 gearing.
It was a rainy fall evening when I took my first photos of the GP.
Although my mother had driven '73 and '77 Grand Prix SJs while I was growing up, second-generation Firebirds we’re in my blood and the ’75 Grand Prix didn’t have the sound or the performance I had come to love. Plus, I so badly wanted a 4-speed manual! My dad eventually helped me purchase my ‘76 Trans Am in August 1993. The Grand Prix was listed in the classified and sold to another family with a young driver not long after.
I had often wondered what became of that Grand Prix. Sometime in the mid-to-late ‘90s during a routine trip to our local U-Pull-It salvage yard, I happened upon it. I remember standing there looking at it. It wasn’t in terrible shape but it obviously hadn’t been given the same level of care that we and the original owner had. I rummaged through the glove box and console and low and behold was the pamphlet of original paperwork. I simply couldn’t leave that behind.
The Grand Prix's original sticker remained in the glove box when I rediscovered the GP in the junkyard during the late '90s.
To this day I haven’t forgotten that Grand Prix. Looking back, it truly was the perfect first car for me. There are times I lament selling it, but back then there just wasn’t any way we could keep it and the Trans Am. Fortunately I was wise enough to take a few pictures of it. They give a glimpse how stunningly attractive Pontiac’s ‘73-77 Grand Prix was, particularly in Sterling Silver.
My '75 Grand Prix and my dad's '72 Trans Am.
Someday I’d like to own another ‘73-77 Grand Prix. Though large, they’re sporty and comfortable, and when equipped with the correct driveline combination, can run really well. That points me toward a 455-equipped SJ. I regularly search eBay and local Craigslist ads hoping to find the perfect car. I’m not opposed to a ‘76 but I’ve decided that I’d prefer a ‘73-75 version because if for nothing else, it takes me back to my very first Pontiac.
What memories can you share about your first Pontiac?