Lot 462: 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix ‘Low Rider’ Coupé

Capitalising on the arrival of its new V8 engine in 1955, General Motors' Pontiac division re-invented itself for 1960s, adopting a sporting, youthful image promoted by a series of evocatively named high-performance models: Bonneville, GTO, Grand Prix, Firebird and Trans Am. Such was the success of this policy that Pontiac occupied third place in the US auto sales chart for most of the decade. First introduced in mid-1962 as a hardtop coupé, the Grand Prix was restyled for 1966, losing its straight wings and gaining the newly fashionable ‘Coke bottle’ waistline. Engine options consisted of 389 or 421cu in V8s, with up to 376bhp available in the highest state of tune.
Fitted with the 389cu in (6.4-litre) engine, this Pontiac Grand Prix has been customised in ‘Low Rider’ fashion with adjustable suspension incorporating full up and down motion at front and rear. The engine benefits from a complete rebuild costing around £7,000 by Thunder Road Racing, with new Holley 4-barrel carburettor, ‘mild’ competition camshaft and straight-through, stainless-steel header pipes. Undertaken by Paint Works in London, the black multi-flake livery cost around £5,000, while the state-of-the art sound system cost another £3,000. As featured in Custom Car magazine, this stunning automobile boasts lashings of chrome, ‘gold plated’ Player wire wheels and is offered with Swansea V5 and MoT to September 2006.