[Civilian]

I’m looking for some advice. I have inherited a 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix from my father a few years back. He had owned it since about 1972 and I grew up with him racing it and taking it to car shows. It was a part of the Detroit drag racing scene and has 45k original miles. As it turns out, it’s a ‘28J’ coded engine, which was a 425A tri-power engine; one of 32 produced.

I’ve gone through this car entirely over the last 8 years. New (original) interior, hot running 455 (462), and all kinds of goodies. As it turns out, my father had kept the original engine and transmission for the car, although the tri power setup is missing. I now have them wrapped in plastic and set aside.

Now, what do I do with the car? It’s a great running car that get’s attention wherever it goes. The car isn’t cut at all, besides a big hole in the hood from his drag racing days and could be brought back to original with enough money. The reality is, however, I already have quite a bit into the car and dumping in more money to make the car less drivable/powerful would be a tough sell to mama. Rare Pontiacs tend not to fetch the big $ of other rare brands, so I don’t really blame her.

What would the Pontiac guys do? And what’s the value of such a thing? Thanks in advance and happy to answer any questions.

[gtokid1968]

Drive it like you stole it!!!!
Enjoy it!!!!!

[b-man]

Personally I’d put it back to factory original.

The original 45k-mile engine shouldn’t really need much other than resealing and putting together a correct Tri-Power won’t be difficult, in fact I have a beautiful correct air cleaner for it advertised in the classifieds.

Sell the 462 to offset your costs.

Sorry but that engine with the polished RPM intake and scoop sticking out of the hood doesn’t do the car justice, it’s a rare car and it should have its original factory performance engine installed.

The value always goes up with the original rare performance engine installed. A modified 455 lowers the value and the pool of potential buyers ends up much smaller.

At the very least put a 1965 Tri-Power unit (will accept the correct 1962 air cleaner) on the 462 and paint the engine the correct Pontiac Light Blue to somewhat disguise it to look more like the original 425A.

Asking for permission is harder than asking for forgiveness, just do what you want and mama will get over it.

[Civilian]

Originally Posted by b-man

Personally I’d put it back to factory original.

The original 45k-mile engine shouldn’t really need much other than resealing and putting together a correct Tri-Power won’t be difficult, in fact I have a beautiful correct air cleaner for it advertised in the classifieds.

Sell the 462 to offset your costs.

Sorry but that engine with the polished RPM intake and scoop sticking out of the hood doesn’t do the car justice, it’s a rare car and it should have its original factory performance engine installed.

The value always goes up with the original rare performance engine installed. A modified 455 lowers the value and the pool of potential buyers ends up much smaller.

At the very least put a 1965 Tri-Power unit (will accept the correct 1962 air cleaner) on the 462 and paint the engine the correct Pontiac Light Blue to somewhat disguise it to look more like the original 425A.

Asking for permission is harder than asking for forgiveness, just do what you want and mama will get over it.

Thank you for the advice!

[Cammer-6]

I would love the look of that car with some 8 lugs

[BILL BOWMAN1]

If not original, at least dump the scoop!!
Tripower would be great but a Qjet on a cast iron intake is nice too.
Painted valve covers.
Fix or replace hood. 8 lugs or dog dish caps.

[Civilian]

Originally Posted by BILL BOWMAN1

If not original, at least dump the scoop!!
Tripower would be great but a Qjet on a cast iron intake is nice too.
Painted valve covers.
Fix or replace hood. 8 lugs or dog dish caps.

Thanks! I actually still have the original 8 lugs. I put disc brakes on it and had plans to machine the 8 lug drums to look stock and accommodate the calipers. Roush had some, but stopped making them. I've since put that idea on hold until i figure out which direction to go.

[71GP76TA]

Why did you redo the interior on a 45,000 mile car?

[Civilian]

Originally Posted by 71GP76TA

Why did you redo the interior on a 45,000 mile car?

When my parents moved from Detroit to Tampa in 1997, the car sat parked under a tree with a blown engine until late 2015, when it was shipped to me. The mildew was bad, animals were nesting in it, and the original wiring was all chewed out. What a shame, but at least it was all still there.

[triathlonx13]

Get a stock hood
Get a Torker 2 intake with square 4150 flange
Get a Holley 850 carb or 750 depending on cam and head performance/flow work)

Done

[694.1]

If you need to ask....

[salem1912]

Not a GP but a 62 for reference. not mine.
https://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/...736107936.html

[Drag Star Le Mans]

Do what you want as it's your car. This is all about your choice not the peoples choice, This is a great looking car by the way. I'd smoke the tires off and do it again and again....

[Heybuck]

What would I do?? I’d be careful.
First time poster. Is he looking for someone to put their money on the line.
Might be legit. Might not be.
JMHO

[Civilian]

Originally Posted by Heybuck

What would I do?? I’d be careful.
First time poster. Is he looking for someone to put their money on the line.
Might be legit. Might not be.
JMHO

"Put their money on the line?" Is that a thing? Do people come up with wild stories looking for suckers on Pontiac threads? Crazy world.

[Civilian]

Originally Posted by Drag Star Le Mans

Do what you want as it's your car. This is all about your choice not the peoples choice, This is a great looking car by the way. I'd smoke the tires off and do it again and again....

Ha! Thank you!

[sdbob]

I'd drive it. Enjoy cruising. Fix or replace hood as stock. Keep original engine in garage. Drive the 462. Looks nice.

[sdbob]

I'd drive it. Enjoy cruising. Fix or replace hood as stock. Keep original engine in garage. Drive the 462 with todays gas. Looks nice.

[carcrazy]

That is a good looking car. I'd drive it as is through the summer and then try and put it back to as close to original as possible.

[Rachelsdad]

What b-man said. Stock-stock. A rare car which should be enjoyed for her uniqueness.