Cars in Yards: 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix

 

Hold on tight! Hueytown, Alabama's Phillip Rutledge found this 1962 Grand Prix parked in a yard in his hometown. He snatched up the rare Poncho knowing a great opportunity when he saw one. There are not many rust-free 1962 Grand Prix awaiting rescue in yards these days. The fact that Rutledge found a 58-year-old Pontiac in decent condition and the car was visible to anyone who drove by should renew hope for those hunting their own first-year Grand Prix. Just don’t try to shortcut the system and make an offer on this one. It is doubtful that Rutledge will part with his find any time soon. After all he still owns the 1966 Pontiac GTO that he bought with his grass-cutting money in 1980, when he was 14 years old!

Red interior of 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix loaded with options.

Previous Grand Prix key holders

At one time this Grand Prix's owners relocated to Alabama from Illinois for a job transfer. We are not sure how many times the Grand Prix changed hands in Alabama but the two previous owners here failed in their plans to restore the Grand Prix to its former glory. One owner kept the car out of the elements, letting it sit untouched in a garage for 10 years until he hoisted a for sale sign in the window. Then, the most recent former owner parked the burgundy beauty outside for five years before deciding it was time to sell the project Pontiac to Rutledge. 

The 1962 Grand Prix was loaded up by newest owner Phillip Rutledge.

Best available versus best condition

The sliding scale of time and a vehicle's value can see huge changes based on the care and condition at the time of sale. When cruising the back roads for your rusty relics you can often find the best deal on cars in the worst condition. But buyers should be wary. The expense to restore a (visible from the road) carport calamity may not be worth the end result. Be careful when choosing your labor of love. When you spot a chrome bumper peeking from an open garage, that may be opportunity and fate pleading for you to act.

 

1962 Pontiac tail lights are an uncommon sight on the road.

History lesson

When Pontiac introduced the Grand Prix in 1962 it was an instant hit with 30,195 sold. Those production numbers may seem small in comparison to modern standards but this forerunner of the GTO had the recipe for success. With the Grand Prix buyers got a mid-sized body, bucket seats, V8, Safe-T-Track differential and manual transmission. The classy, low slung rumbler turned heads and got people talking about Pontiac. The tiger was about to be unleashed!

A 389-V8 engine with a 4-barrel carburetor resides under the hood.

Engine options

Pontiac gave buyers a multitude of engine choices in the Grand Prix. They could choose from one-of-three 389-cubic inch V8s. The thrift-minded 2-barrel produced 230-hp. The standard 4-barrel pumped out 303-hp and the hot tri-power setup offered 318-hp. A beefed-up block with four-bolt main caps was available in Pontiac's 425-A Trophy Series engines. Not much is known about these other than the 4-barrel was rated at 333-hp and the tri-power touted 348-hp. Many say the 425-A figures are underrated.

Those in the upper level performance loop, 16 to be exact, knew that a 405-hp Super Duty 421-V8 engine with two 4-barrel carbs was the hottest ticket in town. A "street version" of the 421-V8 (320-hp) was equipped for 67 buyers who grabbed the wheel of a new 1962 Grand Prix.

8-lug Pontiac wheels with built-in drum brakes were an oddity but still functional.

Next step

Rutledge, 54, is no stranger to making heads turn on and off the track. With nearly four decades of racing and a right foot planted on the gas pedal of a blue 1966 GTO, he knows how to make a Pontiac run. Current plan for the Grand Prix is to leave paint and interior original and make it a driver and cruise-in regular. Besides some deep cleaning inside and underneath that should be no problem for Rutledge.

Jody Potter
— Junkyard Life

1962 Pontiac Grand Prix has tons of options including air conditioning.

Dome light has map light integrated into the fancy design on the 1962 Grand Prix.

Hard to believe this Grand Prix has been sitting 15 years awaiting restoration.

Understated Grand Prix emblem hides in the recessed 1962 grill.

Check the giant snorkel visible on the air cleaner of the 1962 Grand Prix.

Quad headlamps, with a simplified, streamlined widebody design on the Grand Prix.

8-lug Grand Prix loaded on steel flatbed trailer.

Headliner hangs low but its 58+ years old.

Door jambs look good on this original, survivor Grand Prix.

Power windows, power lock switches on door panel of 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix.

Back seat is clean and neat. Well, except for the scary pile of leaves lurking.

Steering wheel is art on the 1962 Grand Prix.

Factory tachometer mounted on console of 1962 Grand Prix.

Extreme duty wheels? These factory 8-lug wheel look mean.

"GRAN PRX" license plate from Illinois is proof this 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix is not originally from Alabama.

Not so rusty gold. Keep looking, maybe you will find your own dream car like this 1962 Grand Prix out there!

Know a junkyard that we need to visit? Got a car story?  
Send emails to Jody Potter at junkyardbull@gmail.com or Ron Kidd at Kidd403@bellsouth.net.