[srercrcr]

You learn something new every day!

Ever heard of the '82 Grand Prix Americana?
Neither had I.
Apparently it was a "conversion car" (like the vans), put together by a group of New York area Pontiac dealers.
There's a sales brochure, with picture, on ebay now....auction #2454262629.
If you have any knowledge, how about sharing?

Steve

[srercrcr]

You learn something new every day!

Ever heard of the '82 Grand Prix Americana?
Neither had I.
Apparently it was a "conversion car" (like the vans), put together by a group of New York area Pontiac dealers.
There's a sales brochure, with picture, on ebay now....auction #2454262629.
If you have any knowledge, how about sharing?

Steve

[uforacing]

You mean one of these?

[srercrcr]

This is getting interesting now......
That means it was offered in 81 and 82.
Your article says it was offered by Evans Automotive.....I believe that's the firm Jim Wangers was involved in after his famous days with the GTO etc. I read about it in Wangers' well-known book, the title escapes my mind right now, it had a picture of a converted 79 or 80 GP with the Targa band. Of course the 78-80 GP sheet metal was diff from the 81-87.
I made a copy of the pic in the book before I sold it. If I find it I'll post it.
Personally, I think the 78-80 with the landau vinyl roof had the best look, with the special rear quarter window molding.

Thanks for the reply.

Steve R

[srercrcr]

Here's the photo of the SSJ, precursor to the 81 Americana, both "conversion" models built by Evans Automotive, which Jim Wangers was active with.
Note the Targa roof band, quarter window, and rear window treatment.
This comes from GLORY DAYS by Jim Wangers.

[motman]

i own and drive one every day. parts are hard to find. my g.p. have a 400 pontiac [of course] 350 turbo and runs like the wind. mine is black as the picture 1981....

[UPC-WU2]

I have an original color brochure for the '79 SSJ Grand prix. Here's a couple of hi-res scans. I think I have the brochure for the Americana Edition too.

[srercrcr]

Yea I've known of the SSJ G-Body for a while. Thought it was sort of strange they depicted it with the wire wheel hubcaps instead of the genuine wire wheel option.
And vinyl seats instead of the pillow-cushion velour seats......they're so comfy!
Notice the rear quarter window drapes? Thanks for submitting it.

[Pontiacdaver]

I ran across one of these in Indianapolis 6-8 years ago, it was a Blue 79. I had no idea what is was, but it had the modified quarter and rear windows, targa band, and the SSJ emblems on it. I passed on it, wonder where it is today? Anyone ever see an '80 Grand Prix Sterling Edition? There is a picture of it in the book 75 Years of Pontiac by John Gunnell. Daver

[srercrcr]

I have a press photo of the 80 GP i believe your referring to.
It had a cut-off roof to just a targa, was presented as a concept car at the New York Auto Show.
Not sure if I can get the photo on here from Photobucket.

[Pontiacdaver]

Actually, it looks to me like a production GP in the book's picture. The car is Silver with what looks like Charcoal Gray on the lower 6-8" of the body. I wish I could scan the picture. Next time you are in Border's or someplace simular, see if they have the book. Daver

[srercrcr]

I missed your reference to the book somehow...
I have that book, got it on ebay some time back.
I see their reference to "Sterling", but I agree it looks like a production GO...nothing on it is unusual for an '80.
The dark lower band was a stick on "decal", started in 79. In fact the front cover of the 79 Pontiac brochure has a green GP with the decals.

[Royal GTO]

A blast from my past ! I was the Art Director that developed that brochure and I actually did the illustration on the front and back covers of the brochure. Worked with Jim Wangers and Evans Automotive as the Art Director @ Market Response Group in Bloomfield Hills MI from 1977 to early 1980. Somewhere I have the orginal art and photos from the brochure. I did all of the local Detroit Pontiac dealer advertising called the "Hot Ones" (Tri-County Pontiac Dealers Association). I also developed the orginal North American International Auto Show logo in 1977 and a modified verision is still in use today. Have 2 GTO's, a 1994 25th Anniversary Trans Am WS-6, and a Buick GN

[srercrcr]

Well, those are credible cars (ha), but your illustration work is most impressive.
Welcome to the discussion.
Now, why would they depict it with wire wheel hubcaps when they offered genuine wire wheels?

Steve
78 LJ Original Owner

[SIPLOWGUY]

I worked at Alpine Pontiac in Brooklyn, NY from 1980-1987. I remember the Americana well. It had a fiberglass cap put on by Evans Automotive. It used a Buick Riviera rear glass. The car came in with the original Grand Prix glass in the trunk. The problem with those was the cap used to rattle. We had lots of headaches fixing them. We sold alot of 81's but few 82's. After that we didn't see them.

[srercrcr]

Thanks for the update. That confirms it was a New York dealers program.
That's kind of strange, providing the normal glass as well....must have gone right to the parts dept!
Do you recall seeing any Grand Prixs or GrandAms come in with the genuine wire wheels (offered 78-80)?

[SIPLOWGUY]

We had a few come through but not many. Those windows came in handy with the heyday of the 80's window smashings in Brooklyn!