[KiwiSJ]

Man you guys have some sweet rides! I'm thinking about removing the big black rub strip from the sides of my 77 and replacing it with a thinner, either white or red strip that only goes between the wheel arches.

[carsmymistress]

Beautiful 77 KiwiSJ. I laughed at your comment. I have been scouring the web and swap meets for the wider body side molding in red for my car as I think the thin looks a bit weak on the large sides of this car.
Enjoy the car!

[muscle_collector]

Originally Posted by 76GrandPrixLJ

Thanks for the welcome!

It's an interesting story...
I learned to drive in 76 and my folks bought a new GP that year, dark blue with white vinyl top. I loved that car but it was driven through 9 Minnesota winters which took their toll as rust consumed it. I always wanted another one when time and finances would permit.
So.............
I'd been looking off and on over the years when three years ago I found an ad on CL from Chicago. The guy had bought it new after graduating from high school and basically rarely drove it (obviously). Per him, it's never been wet after he got it. He would dust it off but no rain ever touched it. He never wore shoes in it, only slippers when he drove it . He never removed the window sticker or EPA sticker off it either. A true unmolested survivor, even the original tires. He was selling it because he ran out of garage space for his growing Mopar muscle car collection and he decided it was time for it to go. He was a great guy with all the service docs for the car from Day 1. I paid more than I probably should have but geez, where ya gonna find another one?

It came with Rallye II's but I have them safely stored with the original tires in my basement. I love the look of Honeycombs and they are correct for the year. They are wearing NOS caps and trim rings. I put repop Goodyear Polysteels on it too.

I rebuilt the carb, changed all fluids, put in new plugs (kept originals) and changed the hoses and belts (kept those too) because I don't trust almost 40 year old rubber. Fortunately, he changed the oil every 2 years and the trans/coolant every 8-10 years. The stuff came out perfect but I wanted to establish a baseline going forward.

It's pretty loaded except it doesn't have the 455 (L78 400), Rallye Suspension or tach (oh well). Once I get it out of storage in a couple of weeks I'll get more pics posted. I just love the 73-77 Pontiacs and Olds and I feel 16 again whenever I get behind the wheel. This ones a keeper!

that is one beautiful car. the honeycombs look fantastic. were the original tires white walls or white letter??

[76GrandPrixLJ]

Muscle Collector - thanks for the compliment!

The original tires were whitewall, still look new but are hard as a rock.

[76GrandPrixLJ]

PHS invoice for my car. Interesting to note that the LJ was an optional upgrade to the SJ.

[Pontiacdaver]

Originally Posted by KiwiSJ

Man you guys have some sweet rides! I'm thinking about removing the big black rub strip from the sides of my 77 and replacing it with a thinner, either white or red strip that only goes between the wheel arches.

Beautiful car KiWiSJ!! The 77s are the only year that came with the wide side mouldings and it does nicely differentiate the otherwise similar profile of the 74-77s, although I am surprised it has black ones instead of white ones, since it has the white top and interior. It looks fine nevertheless.
Thanks for posting!

[Pontiacdaver]

Originally Posted by GNvsTA

This is the only pic I have right now of my 77 SJ. Pic was taken at Summit Racing BOP show in Tallmadge, OH. It used to be my dads car, which he gave to me a couple years before he passed away. Brentwood Brown metallic with a 400. True dual exhaust with Trans Am splitter tips and a Formula steering wheel. It is the second mid 70s GP I have had. First was a 76, which was painted the anniversary gold color (originally that crème color). The 76 was actually a daily driver for awhile, before I traded it in for a 93 Lincoln Mark 8 (that was stupid!). I have other pics of both cars which I will try and find at get posted up.

Yes, WHAT were you thinking? The 77 looks nice, I am a fan of the Greens of the late 60s and the Browns that replaced them in the 70s. Love to the 76, as well as more of the 77.
Thanks for posting!

[Pontiacdaver]

Originally Posted by Pontiacdaver

Love to the 76, as well as more of the 77.
Thanks for posting!

Just realized that was supposed to read "love to SEE MORE PICS OF the 76, as well as more of the 77". Guess I was tired.

[fiream773]

I've tried several times to post pics, but also keep getting the notice that the admins have to review. Maybe the image resolution is too high...? I promise I'm not trying to post porn - well, some here might consider it GP porn!

[fiream773]

Seventh time's a charm... Lower resolution.

Genuine '74 SJ from Stillwater, OK. Bought last spring through eBay. Fairly basic car from the factory with few options: SJ, A/C, 8-track (long gone), balck/white appointment mix, white vinyl top (long gone), rallys, bumper guards and cruise. All soft parts are totally sun-cooked but the framerails are smooth as a baby's hiney. Previous owner was trying to make a NASCAR out of it - LOTS of stuff missing, broke, hacked up or just plain busted. I've wanted a '74 since my family sold the one we had in 1980 (I was 9 years old and devastated. My grandmother has since told me if she'd known I loved that car so much she would have saved it for me - D'OH!). The good news is I've been collecting parts and options for 25 years so I have inventory to replace the missing/broken stuff and option it out to the max in the process. Before I'm all done, she'll have: Full power accessories: Astroroof, windows, locks, seats, trunk; honeycombs, digital AM/FM/8-track/CB (thank you, '79 Coupe de Ville), Pulse wipers, landau top (white), lamp group, dual vanity mirrors, RH remote mirror, tach, rear defrost (still looking for good glass), Safe-T-Track and a 4-speed manual!

[ScootinGP]

Just had a 75 one owner fall in my lap this week. Could not pass the deal up. The wife gets this one. 53570 original miles and a very solid car. Gonna get it fired up this weekend after sitting for the past 6 years.

[carsmymistress]

Great find with awesome docs. Enjoy the new ride!

[KiwiSJ]

Nice find!! Cornering lamps and full vinyl top too. Man, these things must've rivaled a Cadillac if fully loaded.

[ScootinGP]

Thanks guys. Been thrashin on it for a few days now. Car runs, drives and stops great! Still deciding on replacement tires, shocks and exhaust. The wife wants a little rumble, so if I do duels looks like the crossmember will need to be changed and she needs to decide on staying whitewall or raised white letter. It's her ride...lol

BTW, anyone make a decent 1 into 2 muffler/ replacement system if I just wanna run one pipe and split it into 2 to go out the back? Was this how they did it back in the 70's with converters? Everything from the cat back is off the car so I don't know...

[carsmymistress]

Originally Posted by ScootinGP

BTW, anyone make a decent 1 into 2 muffler/ replacement system if I just wanna run one pipe and split it into 2 to go out the back? Was this how they did it back in the 70's with converters? Everything from the cat back is off the car so I don't know...

I believe you are thinking of the Firebird exhaust. The muffler set behind the rear end between the pumpkin and the gas tank. I do not see how you could fit that type of muffler on a 73-7 GP. The tailpipe routing side to side would be very difficult and likely costly to run from a muffler in front of the axle.
Some guys will have the exhaust shop flatten the top of the pipe slightly where it runs under the single hump cross member. It will show a bit more under the car but would save the cost of a new cross member.

Good luck with the project. Your wife should love that car as it drives beautiful. My vote. RWL tires.

[ScootinGP]

Thanks. Yeah 1 exhaust guy I know suggested just going under the crossmember... he's done it before but he did not mention flattening the pipe but that's not a bad idea. And as far as tires I showed her Both on a 75 and she immediately went for raised white letters!

[Pontiacdaver]

Originally Posted by ScootinGP

Thanks. Yeah 1 exhaust guy I know suggested just going under the crossmember... he's done it before but he did not mention flattening the pipe but that's not a bad idea. And as far as tires I showed her Both on a 75 and she immediately went for raised white letters!

Great score!! I am very jealous, lol, I followed your finding and buying it on FB. Amazing cars in terms of ride, handling, and to a lot of us, style. And what they lack in performance can easily be remedied if so desired.

As for the exhaust, get a crossmember from a 73-74 GP (I believe most A & G bodies of those years will work as well), then you can have a correct style full dual exhaust system installed.

Keep us posted, Dave

[77sjgp]

Lots of nice looking GP's here. Couple pics of my 77 SJ, actually sellers pics from when I bought it about 2 years ago. The interior no longer has the goofy cup holders, steering wheel has been replaced by a tan factory sport wheel I scored on Ebay. Replaced the non working clock with a factory tach. Has about 62K miles, I'm the third owner, came with the window sticker and other paperwork.
Jim

[GNvsTA]

Got to play with a new camera, so I thought I would try and post up a couple new photos.

[RamAir]