[KGTO]

A friend turned me on to this Grand Prix about 15 miles from town. He thought the owner was wanting to sell, but as usual it is one that "I want to restore" meanwhile it wastes away. It needs a complete, but its mostly there, though the engine has been swapped. Its white with blue interior, still has the console and even the origial shifter ball! Manual brakes and steering and has the flags in the right spot on the fenders. It also has eight lug wheels! It needs everything gone through. I am going to run the vin numbers on it through PHS. Any ideas on the value of the car? I think cash may talk with this guy even though he says he doesn't want to sell.

[KGTO]

A friend turned me on to this Grand Prix about 15 miles from town. He thought the owner was wanting to sell, but as usual it is one that "I want to restore" meanwhile it wastes away. It needs a complete, but its mostly there, though the engine has been swapped. Its white with blue interior, still has the console and even the origial shifter ball! Manual brakes and steering and has the flags in the right spot on the fenders. It also has eight lug wheels! It needs everything gone through. I am going to run the vin numbers on it through PHS. Any ideas on the value of the car? I think cash may talk with this guy even though he says he doesn't want to sell.

[tom s]

they are one of the most expensive darksider to restore.How is the die cast across the rear?Almost impossible to find in good shape.The correct engine is hard and expensive to find.I did one a few years ago,had about $5000 more into it than it was worth when I sold it.The rear window leaked as a rule and usually rotted out the trunk.Steering wheel is $900 plus to restore.FYI,Tom

[KGTO]

Keep in mind, cars up here stay pretty dry. They don't rot away like in other parts of the country.

[KGTO]

Jeff, Nothing as of yet. I wanted to see what the car was worth and if its worth pursuing. I would think that its a pretty rare car.

Interesting note though. Only three Super Duty Grand Prix cars were built in 1963. Two with aluminum front ends (which I don't think were found) and one white one with eight lugs that was sold to Larry Swiatek. Only the hood was recovered. Well this car is white with eight lugs, but has a blue hood. The owner said it was a Super Duty when I first looked at it. Of course I told him nothing. I personally don't think it was a Super Duty, although its an interesting coincidence. But a 4-spd 421, especially if its originally a tri-power 421, has to be worth the time and money to restore; I would think.

[64fullsize]

Can you post a few pics of it when you get to it?

[Stuart]

From Pete McCarthy's book, the super duty GPs had serial numbers 19219, 35067 and 88796...if it's one of those three, better jump on it.

[61-63]

A well done '61 Catalina or Catalina Ventura tri-power 4 speed is worth $20 to $30k. One that is well done and came as a tri-power 4 speed is worth over $30k. I would think a real '63 Super Duty Grand Prix would be worth
at least $40k if well done, probably more. It would take you several years to find the parts (if ever - and you may never find them all) and there is the $800 steering wheel, etc., etc., etc.

[61man]

If that were really one of three SD gran prix it would easily bring over $100K restored properly.

[KGTO]

Well I wish I could say it was, But I don't think so. The car was built in South Gate, ( "S" on the vin ) and all the SD cars were built in Pontiac as far as I know. It would certainly be an incredible find if it was a SD Grand Prix.

[tom s]

Ken,all SD cars had sedan chassis under them,that is one thing to look for.Check the vin in Petes book as I think they are all there.Also I think the X member has a notch for the SD exhaust to clear.Stranger things have happened.A dentest in Nebraska bought a 62 GP with a 389 and it turned out to be a real SD car.Tom

[61 389-348]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by tom s:
they are one of the most expensive darksider to restore. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I've got $81,997 worth of receipts to back that up.

[61 389-348]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>How is the die cast across the rear?Almost impossible to find in good shape. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And I did find a NOS rear diecast panel from ebay, but its been the only one in 4 years of looking. That was still cheaper than my four unsuccessful attempts at having one restored. It was one expensive bitch to restore, especially given how much of the work I did myself

[61-63]

You are right about Super Dutys being built in Pontiac. If the serial number indicates Southgate it isn't a Super Duty.

[Tripowergoat66]

KGTO, There is a junkyard near me that has a 63 GP 4-speed with the original drivetrain still intact and untouched. The body is absolutely rotted out, but it's something to think about if you pick up that car..