1973 Pontiac Grand Am

Coupe

400 V8

Automatic

Clear

Up for sale is a hard to find 1973 Pontiac Grand Am Sport Coupe. This was the first Grand Am, and was based on the Pontiac LeMans. At first Pontiac intended for this to be the new GTO, but they decided to go further with the concept. These were only made for 3 years, 1973 through 1975 model years. According to Pontiac literature at the time, this was marketed as a car with a European flair that was designed to have the performance of a GTO, the handling of a Trans Am, and the styling and luxury of a Grand Prix! To a large extent, GM was successful in its efforts. This car features a 400/4bbl v8 engine with Turbo-400 automatic transmission (same power train as GTO). Like a Trans Am, the Grand Am came standard with heavy duty suspension and shocks, sway bars, and radial tires. This makes it ride and handle a lot better than a standard LeMans of the time. Also, the Grand Am had its own unique front end, louvered rear windows, and a luxurious bucket seat interior with console, just like the luxury/sport Grand Prix. This was a very unique package! This car is a lot of fun to drive! This particular Grand Am is a really nice original un-restored "Survivor" car with only 50,000 actual miles! It has about 90% of its original metallic brown paint as well as original saddle interior. It is also un-restored under the hood and in the trunk. Original spare still looks like new! In the engine compartment, only the valve covers, intake, and air cleaner have been re-painted, the rest is original. Also, this Grand Am features all original body panels, floors, and trunk pans. There are no patch panels in this car, and it is not rusted out. In fact, this car is so stock, that the annoying anti-theft and seat belt buzzers are still hooked up and work! This is an unusual low-optioned car. It has 400/4bbl V8, Turbo-400 Transmission, bucket seats, console, power steering, power brakes, turbine wheel covers, and not much else. Car does NOT have power windows, power locks, power seat, cruise, or AC. I actually prefer low optioned classic cars, as in my experience, when dealing with 40 to 50 year old cars, power options and AC often times prove to just be expensive hedaches to maintain and work on. On this car, everything is straight forward and out in the open, easy to service. Car originally had an AM radio, which was replaced by the original owner with a period correct AM/FM/Cassette when the car was a couple years old. It fits the stock radio cavity and the dash and door panels were NOT cut or altered for the radio or front speakers. Replaced/rebuilt items include: tires, brakes, wheel cylinders, master cylinder, battery, valve cover gaskets, carburetor, shocks, rear springs, exhaust, tune-up, belts, hoses, etc. In short, most items that typically need attention on an older car have been done. It has been very reliable for me, and I would not be afraid to drive it anywhere. This Grand Am runs and drives AWESOME! It starts right up, comes down off fast-idle, and runs great! No smoking or anything out of the ordinary. These Pontiac 400 engines and transmissions had a reputation of being strong and "bullet-proof". It handles well, and is smooth and powerful at all speeds. Recently drove on a 120 mile trip with no issues. I have been getting 15 to 18 MPG on regular 87 octane gas. Everything is nice and tight. Doors close smoothly and don't sag or rattle (almost unheard of on these mid 1970s GM intermediates). Also, rubbers around doors, windows, and trunk are all nice. Cosmetically, car is original and nicer than most you see. It has always been garaged/kept under cover. It was always put away and NOT driven in winter snow or salt. Paint still holds a nice luster and shine. Like any used car this age, there are some minor dings, paint imperfections and bruises etc here and there, but car still makes a great original appearance. It has not been wrecked. Car is approximately 90% original paint. Body stripes are all original. The plastic nose and grille surround has been painted due to stone and bug chips over the years. Also, some paint nicks and scratches here and there have been touched up with an artists brush over the years. Original interior is AWESOME! Door panels, headliner, side panels etc all have nice colors, not faded or "washed out" looking. Interior plastics are all nice, NOT dried out or deteriorated like most you see. Original carpet is excellent. Overall, car makes a very nice appearance and presentation, both in and out. Here are the worst defects I see in the car: 1. Rear chrome bumper has 2 small dings in the top center above the license plate and between the tail lights. A good body man could probably remove these and not harm the chrome. 2. Driver's bucket seat bottom section has a small pleat seam that has seperated. An auto upholstery shop could fix this at minimal cost. Does not detract from interior appearance. 3. On the lower right of the front valence panel, a small corner piece right next to the parking light has come off. I have the piece. Again, a body man could easily put it back on at minimal cost. These 3 items are not really visible in the photos and do not really detract much at all from the car, but I wanted to be fair to all and mention them. I wanted to be picky so that a buyer is not surprised. You really don't see many nice un-restored, well preserved ORIGINAL sporty cars like this very much. Most of these have been abused and run to death. This one has always been owned by a responsible adult and has not had a teenager behind the wheel. Remember, a car is only original ONCE! If some one GAVE you a basket-case "project" car, you could not turn it into this car for what you can buy this one for! Original "Survivor" cars are the up and coming thing in the classic car hobby. Don't miss this nice example of a very unique, not often seen car! Please call with any questions at 704-661-1326 or 518-835-3710. I am in and out a lot, so please leave a message. I will call you back promptly. NO RESERVE! NO RESERVE! NO RESERVE! NO RESERVE! About Me: I have collected and fooled with old cars for the past 30 years. I like original "Survivor" cars and keep a "rotating collection" of 6 to 8 such vehicles from the late 1950s to early 1980s. I live half the year in the Carolinas, and the other half in the mountains of Upstate New York, half way between Albany and Utica. This car is at my summer home. Please call me at 518-835-3710 or 704-661-1326 with any questions. Leave message if not in. Now for the rules: 1. Your bid is a contract! If you are the successful bidder, you are expected to pay! Please have all contingencies handled and your money in place BEFORE you bid! No retractions will be allowed, so be sure BEFORE you bid! 2. A NON-REFUNDABLE $1500 partial payment is due within 48 hours of auction's conclusion. This can be by bank wire transfer or cashiers check. Pay Pal is NOT acceptable for this. 3. Balance is due within 6 days of auction's close. This can be by bank wire transfer, cashiers check or cash in person. If you are paying balance upon pickup of car, it must be cash in person. 4. Car and title will not leave here until paid in full with cleared funds. If you are paying with ANY kind of check, it must clear MY bank before car or title will be released. No exceptions! 5. Car is sold strictly as-is at my premisies with no guarantee or warranty of any kind. 6. Transportation is the buyer's responsibility. I will try to reasonably help and accommodate you any way I can, but it still YOUR responsibility. 7. If you cannot pick up car immediately, that is fine, it can be left here for a reasonable period. However, it still must be paid for within the 6 days, and you should secure insurance as I cannot be responsible for loss or damage due to circumstances beyond my control or act of God. 8. An administrative fee of $125.00 will be charged in addition to the bid price. This goes toward my advertising expenses, paperwork, temp tag, etc. It does not cover all of these expenses, but goes toward defraying some of them. 9. Car is advertised locally for sale. If I find a buyer through that venue, I reserve the right to end auction early. Many of my items end up being sold in this manner before they end. Please call me at 704-661-1326 or 518-835-3710 with any further questions about this. 10. If you have been an Ebay member for less than a year and/or have less than 10 feedbacks, and/or have less than a 95% rating, you MUST contact me BEFORE you bid. Failure to do this may result in my cancelling your bid and blocking you from bidding on my items. I understand that new members can be great customers, but I must talk to you first. Thanks a lot. I am sorry for all the rules, but it seems that 5% of difficult people spoil it for the 95% who are good. Thanks very much for looking! Again, please feel free to call 704-661-1326 or 518-835-3710 with any questions.