Pontiac | Pontiac Grand Prix Parts
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What is the history of the Pontiac Grand Prix?
The Pontiac Grand Prix was an automobile that was produced by the Pontiac division of General Motors. First introduced as part of Pontiac's full-size model offering for the 1962 model year, the Grand Prix name was also applied to cars in the personal luxury car market segment and the mid-size offering, slotting below the large Bonneville in the company's lineup.
Picking up where the Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior (bucket seats and a center console). The performance-minded John De Lorean, head of Advanced Engineering at Pontiac, contributed greatly to the development of both the Grand Prix and the GTO. Early models had full access to the Pontiac performance option list, including the factory-race Super Duty 421 powertrain installed in a handful of 1962 and 1963 cars.
The full-size Catalina-based Grand Prix did very well through the 1960s, and is often credited with the move towards minimal exterior trim seen in the 1960s. Yet its clear resemblance to the other full-size Pontiacs caused some to consider it a lesser model than the other personal luxury cars. At the same time, the Grand Prix had a much stronger performance image than its competitors.
2008 is the Grand Prix's last year. The model was replaced by the new G8. For 2008, Pontiac did not offer the GT trim, but continued to offer both a base and GXP trim. The base trim is offered with a 200-horsepower V6 engine and 16-inch wheels, while the GXP trim includes a 303-horsepower V8 engine with a firmer suspension, performance tires, heated leather seats, a heads-up display and 18-inch wheels. A few new colors were also added for the 2008 model year.
In March of 2008, GM announced a plan to recall all 1997-2003 Grand Prix models with the supercharged 3.8 liter engine (GTP and GTX models) due to a problem which causes fires in the engine compartments of these vehicles. Over 230 fires were reported. This recall will affect over 200,000 vehicles. GM sent a letter to owners of these vehicles on March 13, 2008, instructing owners of these vehicles not to park in garages or carports until the problem is resolved.
