Ran the 69 GP Model J @ Barona Drags
 

As many know, this past Saturday was Pontiac Heaven at the Barona 1/8 Mile Drags. I recently bought this 1969 Grand Prix Model J on Craigslist in San Diego. Since my GTOs aren't running, I decided it would be fun to race the GP instead of just spectating. :D
I just did the test and tune but had a good time and met some fellow Pontiac enthusisats there, Wheelspin, Lust4speed, and others i'm forgetting from the Inland Empire club. Nice to meet you guys!
So, the old GP went a 9.90 @ 73 mph, with some shifter issues. I know this thing is a sled but it was still waaay fun!!! I think I can get into the mid 9s after the shifter is sorted out (hard to shift from low to 2nd, probably melted or kinked cable). By the way, it is sporting a stock rebuilt 400 with the original 62 heads and a th400 trans. Haven't run the numbers so guessing on rear gear but feels like about 3.08.
The car is also pretty rusty so it was a great conversation piece in the pits and staging lanes!

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...46-4995784.jpg

This is me sitting in the burnout box waiting for track cleanup after an oil down.
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...-37-00_607.jpg

Cool car! Dammit I can't believe I missed this event :mad:

I had no idea it was moved to San Diego.

Congrats on getting the car and racing it.

:)

Why not leave the shifter in drive?

No problems with missed shifts then.

:)

Sounds like you enjoyed your Poncho and your fellow PontiManiacs !!
Agree with John about leaving it in drive..you won't lose any ET/MPH.

Have fun

Jim

Rust ??!!! in California..:D:D Just kidding..
That car is like the GP my bud (RIP) bought just out of high school...a longgggggg time ago..
His was a SJ and would run...had many a good time in it. It's what prompted me to buy Alex's 69 GP race car..the one in sig..
Have fun...it's what it's all about..

I bought the car from the original owner. He bought it in St Louis MO at the age of 24. He bragged to me that the trans had been rebuilt by Aamco and had a lifetime service policy to him. So he had them change the trans fluid yearly, wether it needed it or not since it was free. So that leads to the shifter. I am not an auto trans expert but i'm guessing they changed some parts that affected the shifting. The kick down switch works normally. When I put it in drive, it upshifts to 2nd early, even at WOT. That is why I was trying to manual shift it. Stillfun even with the shifter issues! :)

With a few "modifications" this GP could be a perfect money making sleeper, lol! Have fun with it!

[QUOTE=s2k1;4953426]As many know, this past Saturday was Pontiac Heaven at the Barona 1/8 Mile Drags. I recently bought this 1969 Grand Prix Model J on Craigslist in San Diego. Since my GTOs aren't running, I decided it would be fun to race the GP instead of just spectating. :D
I just did the test and tune but had a good time and met some fellow Pontiac enthusiasts there, wheelspin, Lust4speed, and others I'm forgetting from the Inland Empire club. Nice to meet you guys!....The car is also pretty rusty so it was a great conversation piece in the pits and staging lanes!

Hey Chris, good meeting you for the first time and introducing you to some of the SoCal gang. Great first outing for the Model J "lightweight" :D. Your GP provides a whole new definition of patina and the tin worm disease :cool:.

If it's shifting too early at WOT you may need a new tranny modulator.

Jim

9.90's is not bad for a heavy GP with a stock 400. Lets see more pics of the GP.