Pontiac’s 1973-1975 Grand Am maintains a dedicated following within today’s hobby despite its short three-year model run. When it debuted, the intermediated-sized Grand Am—available in two-door and four-door body styling—was positioned between Grand Prix and Trans Am in Pontiac’s model lineup. Its target was the sophisticated buyer who sought bold styling, sound performance, and excellent ride and handling qualities in a vehicle that could comfortably seat four.
The boldly-styled Grand Am was introduced in 1973 as Pontiac’s complete American road car. Featuring European overtones, magazine writers often compared to the Mercedes and BMW intermediates found in the American marketplace at the time. This one-of-one example was equipped with the SD-455.
The 1973 Grand Am was generally well received by magazine writers and consumers alike. More than 43,000 were produced that introductory year—the majority of which equipped with the standard L65 400 2-barrel engine. Performance-minded buyers could opt for the L78 400 4-barrel or L75 455 4-barrel at extra cost. Pontiac even planned to offer the LS2 Super Duty 455, which was ultimately cancelled, but not before one car was produced. I documented that lone example in a previous blog post.
Grand Am production was limited to Pontiac’s home assembly plant. There was much excitement within the division about its introduction in 1973. GM photographers documented assembly of the first Grand Am to roll off the line. (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
Grand Am’s popularity with consumers was stifled by tumultuous social times as well as the fuel crisis that pushed the industry toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. As sales volume declined in the years that followed its introduction, Pontiac dropped the Grand Am from its lineup after the 1975 model year ended. It was, however, relaunched in 1978 as a smaller model and seemed well received yet again.
The Grand Am and Grand Prix shared an instrument panel and center console. The bucket seats were similar, but Grand Am’s included rake adjustment. Completely unique, however, was Grand Am’s door panel.The M40 Turbo-400 was Grand Am’s standard transmission and the M20 4-speed manual was optional. Note the manual transmission shifter peering up from the console in this Pontiac press photo. (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
I have always appreciated Pontiac’s 1973-1975 Grand Am. In fact, I followed with great interest two different 1973 Grand Ams that appeared on Bring A Trailer earlier this year. The pair was similarly equipped—two-door body styling, Cameo White exterior, Burgundy interior, GR70-15 white wall tires, and the L78 400 4-barrel engine. One Grand Am had the (standard) M40 Turbo-400 automatic transmission while the other Grand Am was equipped with the optional M20 4-speed manual.
Pontiac offered the Grand Am in two-door and four-door body styling. Production totals reveal that the two-door was far more popular with consumers.
The 4-speed transmission was only available with the L78 400 4-barrel in Grand Am for 1973 and 1974—and in both two-door and four-door body styling. As higher insurance premiums pushed performance car buyers away from manual transmissions in general, Pontiac dropped the M20 4-speed option for 1975 making the M40 automatic Grand Am’s only transmission that year.
The 400 2-barrel was Grand Am’s standard engine with the 400 4-barrel and 455 4-barrel as extra-cost options. The badging on the driver’s door of this particular car indicates that it was used as an emissions certification mule. (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
It’s unsurprising to find that 4-speed Grand Ams are quite rare. Just how rare, you might ask? Pontiac’s 1973 and 1974 Factory-Installed Options and Accessories Reports contain only the total number of A-cars produced with M20 4-speed manual transmissions in each respective model year (which is 2,424 for 1973 and 833 for 1974). There isn’t, however, any breakdown by model type and that led to much speculation over the years. I’m happy to say that with the help of retired Pontiac employee and fellow hobbyist Fred Simmonds, the hobby needn’t speculate any longer!
Although Grand Am remined largely uncharged for 1974, its front and rear treatments were revised slightly for the new model year. it was then carried over into 1975. (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
In his free-time Fred scoured Pontiac’s archived sales data and vehicle invoices and hand-collated most of the driveline breakdowns for some of Pontiac’s most iconic models known within the hobby today. Intrigued by the 4-speed Grand Am that recently appeared on BaT, I recently asked Fred if he was aware of any transmission specifics for the 1973 and 1974 Grand Am. He reviewed his materials and responded with information taken from handwritten notes by Pontiac’s Car Distribution department from the early 1980s, which were likely responses to consumer inquiries for the same data.
To generate interest in and spur sales of the Grand Am, John Schinella and his team in Pontiac 2 Studio at GM Design Staff created this black-and-gold-themed Grand Am prototype decorated and contented similarly to the black-and-gold Trans Am show car. The stunning effort was presented to Pontiac management in October 1974. The proposal was rejected because the decision to cancel the Grand Am after the 1975 model year had already been made. What a beautiful car! (Photo courtesy of General Motors)
For the first time in 50 years, the Pontiac hobby knows just how many 1973 and 1974 Grand Ams were produced with manual transmissions, and furthermore, how many were in two-door and four-door body styling. While we had always knew these cars were rare, it’s now quantified and I’m excited to be sharing these production numbers with you for the very first time!
Recently uncovered 1973 Grand Am production breakdown reveals that just 1,058 were equipped with the M20 4-speed manual that model year. When considering that the M40 Turbo-400 automatic was the standard transmission, it’s unsurprising to find that more than 98% of the Grand Am’s were equipped with it.
Total Grand Am sales for 1974 were less than half that of the 1973 model year with just over 17,000 produced. Only 342 (or 2%) were equipped with the M20 4-speed manual. I should note that the Muncie-built 4-speed was used for approximately the half the 1974 model year. GM sourced the new Warner Gear-built 4-speed (second-design Super T10) for the second half of the model year when GM ceased production of the traditional 4-speed at the Chevrolet-Muncie.
Grand Am sales continued to decline for 1975 ultimately leading Pontiac to drop the model entirely. No manual transmission was offered for the 1975 model year, which left the M40 Turbo-400 automatic as Grand Am’s only choice.
Now that you know how rare they are, do you (or did you) own a 4-speed Grand Am? Have you ever even seen one? Post your comments below!