1989 Pontiac Grand Prix

Coupe

3.1L Turbo

Automatic

1G5WP14V7KF333952

Clear

Gasoline

Letting go of a few of my project cars, including this running and driving 89 Grand Prix Turbo. This is sequence #610 of 738 cars built that year, for sale to the public. These cars were way ahead of their time, sporting a turbocharged and intercooled 3.1L with a high-nickel block, special rods, and a hardened crank. They were built by ASC and the engines were built by McLaren. This one has the typical peeling GM clearcoat, and the engine is showing low oil pressure. It is being sold as-is, NO RESERVE, but it is running and driving, with a new battery and front brakes. This is from Hemmings: Excitement was the name of Pontiac's game in the late 1980s, and this GM division delivered genuine period performance in the form of the specialty-built Turbo Grand Prix. It's believed that fewer than 3,500 of these pumped-up flagship models were sold in 1989 and 1990, and despite their steroidal good looks and lavish equipment, they're largely forgotten today. This makes the Turbo Grand Prix a great buy and modern classic for those in the know. Pontiac's venerable Grand Prix nameplate was attached to a completely new car in 1988, the front-wheel-drive GM10/W-body coupe that shared components with the equally new Buick Regal and Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme (and, the following year, Chevrolet's two-door Lumina). This fresh Grand Prix earned Motor Trend's 1988 Car of the Year award, although the 3.1-liter V-6-powered SE model had just 130 hp. The Grand Prix would get the "go" to match its "show" the following year, thanks to ASC and McLaren Engine, the powerhouse team of automotive specialty development and engineering firms that had created the exclusive 1987 Buick Regal GNX, as well as the Capri and Mustang-based 1984-1990 ASC/McLaren 5.0 SC coupes and convertibles. Beginning in the spring of 1989, ASC Inc. would fit unfinished Grand Prix coupes with more aggressive bodywork, suspension tuning, transmission calibration and a unique forced-induction engine. While the Turbo Grand Prix was visually differentiated by its flared fender arches, unique front and rear fascias, gold 16 x 8-inch Cross-Lace alloy wheels and functional hood louvers, it was what lay under that hood that really set the car apart. This model's 3.1-liter V-6 was built with a special crankshaft, 8.65-compression pistons, a high-capacity oil pump and oil cooler, and a water-cooled Garrett T25 turbocharger with intercooler, bringing a then-impressive 205 hp at 4,800 RPM and 220-lb.ft. of torque at 3,200 RPM. Allied to a standard four-speed automatic with high-capacity clutches and torque converter, this engine pushed the 3,500-pound car to 60 MPH in 7 seconds, and could go on to 128 MPH. The Turbo Grand Prix was officially option LG5, costing $4,888 in 1989 and $5,236 in 1990, and leading to 1990's stout $25,560 MSRP, the equivalent of today's $46,535. Granted, this loaded halo car included standard ABS, a digital Head Up Display and multi-adjustable power front and rear bucket seats; a power moonroof, leather and a choice of Bright Red or Metallic Black paint were its only options. But the car's high price and low production didn't equal instant collectability, and today, only the Pontiac faithful seem to know what it is and what makes it unique. Today's book values for this model range between roughly $2,000 and $6,000, although low-mile, concours-quality examples can bring a bit more. An online search turned up a one-owner, 6,780-mile 1990 model that was advertised for $14,000, but eventually sold for $7,800 in August 2015. A 50,500-mile '90 brought $4,300, while a sub-50,000 mile 1989 example in excellent condition was bid up to $8,100 in November, but didn't meet reserve. Value Trend 1990: $25,560 2000: $7,000 2005: $6,000 2010: $4,000 2015: $5,500 On Feb-18-17 at 12:01:27 PST, seller added the following information: Additional pictures have been added, showing the car after a good detail job this week. I have been asked about the engine oil pressure, and the car has over 50psi on the gauge when you start it cold. After about 30 minutes, and the engine is up to operating temperature, at idle the gauge shows about 10psi. Some owners say this is normal for this engine, and it does not knock or rattle, so I honestly don't know if there is anything wrong. One message said it may be a clogged oil pump pickup screen. I drove it to work twice this week, and it ran fine, the turbo spools up to 7psi and builds good power, even the heads up display works.