Broken Bows: 1974 Pontiac Grandville Convertible – Sold?

February 9, 2022 Update – We just confirmed the listing for this “Classifind” expired, so with no replacement found, we’re assuming this ride is “Sold?” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

Prior to the launch of GM’s redesigned full-size convertibles in 1971, nearly every drop top’s folding mechanism followed the same path of collapsing back and over onto itself. While GM’s new scissors design convertible top provided more rear-seat room, the design is prone to binding and breaking if not properly maintained. This 1974 Pontiac Grand Ville, last listed in January 2022 on Craigslist in Tabernacle, New Jersey (Philadelphia), appears to have experienced such a fate based on the seller’s description. Repairing that and a missing rear bumper filler are straightforward fixes one can complete before top-down weather returns on this otherwise nice driver-quality example in a pretty color combination.

Last seen for sale at $15,000, comparing that price against the Hagerty Insurance Online Valuation Tool confirms the private seller has their Grand Ville priced between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $9,700 and its #2 “Excellent” appraisal of $17,700.  Similarly, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $11,875 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $17,400.

For 1971, Pontiac made the Grand Ville its top trim in the GM division’s full-size lineup, displacing the “Bonneville” brand which has served that role since 1958. Bonneville was not discontinued but shifted downward in the model lineup to replace the discontinued Pontiac Executive. The Grand Ville and Bonneville shared a number of trim and design elements that distinguished them from the Catalina, and the 1971-72 Grand Villes were built on a stretched wheelbase version of the GM “B” platform that nevertheless had identical interior dimensions to all other full-size Pontiacs.

In addition to more luxurious interior trimmings, the Grand Ville had distinctive chrome trim at the front and rear to set it apart from the rest of the Pontiac line. For 1974 only, the Grand Ville had unique parking lights wrapped around the corner of the front fender. The car was often sold with deluxe appearance options, such as sport wheels and vinyl tops. Rear fender skirts were featured on the 1973 to 1975 models.

Standard equipment on Grand Ville models included a 455 cubic-inch V8, Turbo-Hydramatic automatic transmission, power steering, and power front disc brakes. Popular options included air conditioning, power windows, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, AM/FM stereo with a tape deck, and much more. One of the rarest options available on Grand Villes and other full-sized Pontiacs during this period was the adjustable brake and accelerator pedals offered from 1974 to 1976.

The Grand Ville enjoyed moderate success from 1971 to 1973. However, the oil crisis of late 1973 sharply cut into full-sized car sales in 1974 as buyers moved towards smaller cars. For 1975, the Grand Ville became the Grand Ville Brougham and included more standard equipment than in previous years, such as power windows and a carpeted trunk. This would be the final year for the Grand Ville series, which included Pontiac’s last convertible until 1983. For 1976, the Grand Ville nameplate was dropped and the lineup was renamed Bonneville Brougham, returning that nameplate back to its former flagship status.

Grand Ville convertibles were rare, with production never exceeding 5,000 units per year during the model run. From 1973 to 1975 the Grand Ville was Pontiac’s only full-size convertible offering; 1971 and 1972 full-size Pontiac convertibles were offered in the entry-level Catalina line as well. (There were no convertible Bonnevilles after the 1970 model year.) The rarest of the Grand Ville convertibles was the 1971 model with just under 1,800 examples built. The 1975 model was the most plentiful with just over 4,500 cars built, as being the final year of production increased demand. The Grand Ville convertible had the lowest production amongst its corporate cousins, the Oldsmobile 88 Royale, Buick LeSabre/Centurion, Chevrolet Caprice Classic, and Cadillac Eldorado convertible lines.

GM’s last full-size convertible lines featured a new “scissor-style” folding top.  Unlike traditional front top arms that fold on top of the middle section, this new design folded inward as it retracted.  This eliminated the need for space behind the rear windows for the top arms to sit.  The key benefit was rear seat should room was the same as the hardtop on these cars.  Alas, the 1973 oil embargo conspired with what was thought to be upcoming Federal roll-over crash standards to see these Land Yachts disappear after the 1975 model year.

While the video quality is not that great, this 1974 Pontiac Bonneville sales training video provides a glimpse of the features shared with Grand Ville Convertibles:

We love the color combination and the overall good condition of this nicely optioned, 455 cubic inch V8 powered land yacht.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1974 Pontiac Grandville Convertible. Looks beautiful and runs well. This vehicle was used in the Miss America Pageant Parade in Atlantic City. I am the second owner of this vehicle. There is an issue is the convertible top. Since the taking of these pictures, the mechanism that opens and shuts the top has broken and does need to be fixed, along with the roof. A small amount of bodywork needs to be done at the back right passenger side. Overall, in very good condition. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions.“

Show or go: what would you do with this 1974 Pontiac Grand Ville convertible?  Comment below and let us know!