Attractive Aquamarine: 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 68K – SOLD!

by | Nov 2023 | Craigslist ClassiFINDS, Free For All Friday

(To stop the slideshow and expand the pictures, click on the current photograph below)

November 30, 2023, Update – We confirmed the seller of this “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “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.

Launched in 1962 as a bucket seat equipped uplevel Catalina, sales of the Grand Prix increased by nearly 150 percent (from 30,195 to 72,959 units) in 1963 when the car received revised “Coke Bottle” styling combined with its squared-off roofline and distinctive concave rear window. While not as exclusive as Buick’s 1963 Riviera (40,000 units produced), the Grand Prix outsold the final year of Ford’s third-generation “Bullet Bird” (63,313 units produced.  Despite outselling Thunderbird that year, coming across a 1963 Grand Prix for sale is much rarer than Ford’s personal luxury offering.

This aquamarine 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix for sale, last spotted in November 2023 on Craigslist in San Antonio, Texas, is a 67,553 original mile survivor quality example equipped with the standard 303 horsepower 389 cubic inch, four-barrel-topped, V8.  A desirable option this Grand Prix for sale features is factory air conditioning.  The seller notes they have the original rims and hubcaps that will be included in the sale.

Last offered for $19,800, Classic.com, the analytics and search engine for the collector car market, confirms the ask is well below the one-year rolling average price of other 1963 Pontiac Grand Prixs.  By clicking on the green dots in the graph below, you can get a sense of what comparable examples sold for recently:

As a second data point, the  Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask falls between this guide’s #3 “Good” estimate of $15,300 and its #2 “Very Good” appraisal of $23,000 before making a ten percent adjustment for factory air conditioning.

The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix is a classic embodiment of American automotive excellence, a sleek and powerful representation of Pontiac’s commitment to luxury and performance during the peak of the muscle car era. Introduced as a specialty model within the Pontiac lineup, the Grand Prix combined sportiness, elegance, and raw power, making it an iconic presence on the roads of the early 1960s.

From a design perspective, the 1963 Grand Prix exuded a sense of sophistication that set it apart from its contemporaries. The car featured a distinctive “Coke bottle” shape with sculpted sides and curved rear fenders. The long hood and short decklid contributed to the car’s dynamic profile, creating a visually striking and aerodynamic appearance. The Grand Prix’s designers balanced sporty aggression and refined elegance, making it a favorite among those who sought both performance and style.

At the front of the 1963 Grand Prix, a split grille design with horizontal chrome bars dominated the fascia, giving the car a bold and assertive presence on the road. Quad headlights, a signature feature of Pontiacs of that era, added to the car’s aggressive yet sophisticated front-end styling. The clean lines and uncluttered body surfaces further emphasized the Grand Prix’s commitment to a timeless aesthetic.

Under the hood, the 1963 Grand Prix offered a range of potent engine options, catering to enthusiasts who craved exhilarating performance. One notable powerplant was the 389 cubic-inch V8 engine, available in various configurations. With horsepower ranging from 230 to 303, the Grand Prix delivered a thrilling driving experience that perfectly complemented its sporty exterior. The engine’s distinctive purr and the rumble of its exhaust system became synonymous with the thrill of American muscle cars of the era.

The interior of the 1963 Grand Prix continued the theme of luxury and performance. The cabin featured a driver-centric dashboard with a sweeping instrument panel that housed a set of clear and easy-to-read gauges. Bucket seats, a center console, and a sporty three-spoke steering wheel added to the car’s overall performance-oriented ambiance. High-quality materials and attention to detail in the interior design reflected Pontiac’s commitment to providing a premium driving experience.

In terms of innovation, the 1963 Grand Prix showcased Pontiac’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of automotive technology. This model year, they introduced the optional “eight-lug” aluminum wheels, a cutting-edge feature that enhanced the car’s aesthetic appeal and improved braking performance. The eight-lug wheels, combined with wider tires, contributed to better handling and increased traction, elevating the Grand Prix’s status as a personal luxury car.

On the road, the 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix offered a thrilling driving experience, with a suspension system tuned for both comfort and performance. The combination of a rigid chassis and advanced suspension technology allowed the Grand Prix to handle the open road with grace and agility, solidifying its reputation as a true American muscle car.

The 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix remains a symbol of an era when American automakers pushed the boundaries of design and performance. Its timeless aesthetic, powerful engine options, and commitment to luxury set it apart as a classic in the automotive world. The Grand Prix of 1963 is not just a car; it is a statement, a representation of an era when style, power, and innovation converged on four wheels, leaving an indelible mark on the history of American automobiles.

The Osbron Tramain YouTube Channel provides this somewhat suggestive 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix advertisement:

With only 67,000 original miles, this 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix for sale presents well in its attractive aquamarine color combination. While this survival quality example presents well, it’s clear the dashboard cover in the pictures is busy hiding several dashboard cracks.  Our first winter project on this ride would be to send the dashboard out for refurbishment.  Additionally, while the aftermarket five-spoke wheels look good on the car, we would try to source a set of eight-lug rims to set this Grand Prix off correctly.  As much as we like Ford Thunderbirds from this period, a Grand Prix is a much rarer alternative to own.  The factory air conditioning makes this classic personal luxury car a comfortable summer experience.

If you are serious about buying this Grand Prix, you can start the conversation by using the contact information provided by the seller in their Craigslist ad.  When you connect, please mention that you saw their air-conditioned Pontiac featured here on GuysWithRides.com. Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1963 Pontiac Grand Prix 2dr sport coupe original 389 4-barrel carburetor 303 horsepower matching TurboHydramatic transmission with floor shift, center console, and chrome vacuum gauge. Factory air conditioning. Mileage shows 67,000, which is believed to be original. The interior is in fantastic shape with after-market wheels. I have the original wheels and hub caps. Top off with aquamarine factory color.”

 

Show or go: What would you do with this survivor-quality 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix for sale? Please comment below and let us know!

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