Picked up a 73 Grand Am
 

Hello all. I have purchased a 73 grand am. Its numbering matching, triple black, 400 and a 4 speed. It runs and drives. If anyone has anything to share as far as pros or cons to these later a bodies, i would like to hear it. I dont see much action in this part of the forum, so i am tending to think bot many people have these cars. I have a couple pics and a phs i can post if there is interest. Will have more once i take delivery of it.

This one?
http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=861760

Would love to see pics - sounds like a pretty unique car.

The actual for sale thread for the car is here: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=861772

Yep thats the one. I found the car here on py. The seller has been great to deal with. I can post a few pics

I have located a repop fiberglass 73 grand am nose, and grills, and i have a naca hood. The plan is to fix the small things i find and have a new top put on. Also recover the front seats, update the suspension, brakes, tires, and exhaust.
Must be a sign of my age. I used to think 73+ a bodies were ugly. Till last summer i saw a 73 chevelle 454 4 speed and a 74 buick century gs 4 speed, and i became hooked. I have an attraction to oddball things i suppose.

Very cool car. I recall a guy I knew back around 1976-1977 who had a triple black Grand Am with a sunroof and honeycomb wheels (although his was an automatic); it was a striking car.

Yep i am looking forward to this car. I am a diehard when it comes to pontiacs. I know some may say i will go to hell, but i do have a full set of year one honeys to throw on. I also have a umi suspension package for that car. Cant wait to get into it. I admit, i have an addiction.

The ‘73 Grand Am is quite a stunning looking car.

I remember when I was about 13 years old there was a display of all the new ‘73 models at our local mall. The all new Grand Am really stood out styling-wise amongst all the new ‘73 offerings.

I remember squishing that flexible nose piece inward a few times, my friends and I thought that was really cool. :cool2:

Looks like a really solid project, good luck and have fun with it. :thumbup:

Will do thanks B man

They are very nice driving cars, the 4-speed is a big plus IMO, the manual trans cars usually have at least a 3.23 rear gear.
Great pick up, I think you will enjoy the car. the 73-75 cars are a bit on the heavy side, but putting 100 or so more HP in them really wake them up.

Looks like a great project!
I am a big fan of the colonnade A-body coupes.

You never see them anymore...very cool

New Purchase
 

Congratulations on your new project car! No doubt, someone really planned out this order. Colors, fully loaded, 4 speed and a power sunroof. Couldn't get any cooler back in the day.

Please keep us posted on your restoration progress!!!

Here is a couple more

That car will be really nice when you get it done. I think there isn't much action on here concerning them because of rarity and low survival rate. The body looks to be as good as any I have seen un-restored. They rusted so badly in the Midwest, many were off the road due to rust in 5-7 years. A friend of mine had one that was rusted all the way through in the roof, quarter window area, leaking water inside the car and it was 4 years old. That car with a healthy 400 and a manual transmission and triple black will be a stunner. Best of luck with it. Cool and unique.

Word is, this car came from Florida. It was a dealer promo car in 1973. The dealer i guess felt the 73 gto would receive backlash with the new body design. Wanting to keep some sales, this dealer took a new to the brand model, decked it out, and thats that.. I hope the car turns out as nice as i think it will. Yes it will be some effort, but i am not a type if guy that demands a perfect car. I like drivers. Patina, rust, original paint, ect. Just mainly i seek proper function and reliability. Thanks!

Congratulations on your purchase and nice find on a well optioned Grand Am. Imo the general pros of these collanade era cars are the improved handling from the previous a-bodies and the rarety of them on the road. The general cons for these vehicles are parts availability and power to weight ratio. Dashes, center consoles, and rear sail window panels are hard to find and the cost for them are very high compared to previous a-bodies. From the pics you have uploaded, it looks like most of the high ticket & hard to find interior parts are in good condition. Along with having what looks to be a complete car, these should keeep your restoration cost down, unless you decide to get extravagant on the rebuild!

They did have great interiors. The dashboard and gauge cluster is one of the best ever in a Pontiac, in my opinion.

congrats on the purchase.

I was going to ask if that was a GTO front end - but it looks like I am correct.

There was a 73(?) 455/auto car locally years ago… i would have loved to buy it.

these ARE unique cars - combined with a great 400/4bbl and the four speed, I’m guessing it will be a fun car.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen one of these WITHOUT a console!?

Now, i have not taken delivery of the car yet to check. I will have it home this weekend. But my question is the 4 speed trans code is m20 on the phs. Does that code mean it has a muncie in it? I thought after 72, a ton of car came with either saginaw or t-10 gear boxes. Just a thought. I do know the shifter is needing a rebuild. Just thinking ahead.

iirc the four speed supplier change had nothing to do with model, but everything to do with model year;
I am pretty confident that a 1973 Grand Am with a four speed would have a muncie.
If it was a late 1974 car, then it would likely have a BW ST-10.
If it was a 350-2bbl, it would probably be a saginaw.

It’s a Pontiac, so it should have a (factory) hurst shifter.
That’s probably an i credibly rare shifter arm - as it would be 1973-75(?) Pontiac specific;
Likely shared between Grand Am’s, (1973) GTO’s, and Lemans’.

It would makes sense i suppose as the trans code on the phs is m20. I am unsure if that is a hurst shifter. Will know this weekend when i pick the car up. I bet it is an rare one. Every 4 speed grand am i have ever seen has a center console and probably a different stick. Now if i cam find a factory ram air hood pan and air cleaner. ��

except M20 is actually an RPO code.

That RPO code has in essence been used to describe a version of the Muncie four speed.

I used to know the “SM—-“ code that GM used to designate the Muncie four speed, except I can’t recall it now.

Yep. I am picking up what you are laying down. Thank you for your input. Btw, how is that formula been treating you? Still have the red one? You had a 73 silver formula 350 as well no? Still have it? Those are great cars as well. I still have my 4 speed 70 formy as well. Its sees only 5-600 miles a year. It still has its share of loose ends to tidy. I continue to button a few things up every year.

The 73 was a car I found for my brother, and owned it for a spell - but he expressed i terest in getting it back, so it’s his again.

My 70 was always rusty;
It’s undergoing an excruciatingly slow repair.

Slow and steady. Hopefully you can still drive it from time to time, to help you keep motivated. These cars, or any hobby car is a labor of love for sure. Thanks

Got it home today. Was just as i expected. Untouched, all original, and drives quite decently. Clutch is tired. Shifter needs a rebuild, and drivers power seat is all the way forward and i am 6'5" tall. Oh well. The ac still works and the frame and body is cleaner than 90% of the original 50 year old cars i have seen. The 400 is quieter than any other i have ever heard. You almost cant hear it idling. . Seller was a great guy to deal with. Let the fun begin.

that’s going to be a little tough.

lol.

I have two little kids now, but on the upside, they are getting at the age where I can start spending more time in the garage!!

Wow. Your on a rotisserie. When you get that level of work, the mental and financial focus must be on point. Good luck, bur you've had that car for a long time. You'll pull through. Just takes time. Enjoy the kids while tou can, they are worth more than the car.

:)

The car will come;
I have been going dow rabbit trails of finding as correct parts ect as possible.

Thanks for your kind words :)

Good to hear - looking forward to the progress reports!