New Member 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 455

71sleepr · Member

New Member 1971 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ 455

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

The Gentleman's GTO, nothing Sleeper about this. I loved driving my Aunt's SJ when I was in my twenties, pretty much untouchable on the street.

The Silver with Vinyl top is classic.

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Welcome aboard. Beautiful car and seldom seen!

71sleepr · Member

Hey thanks guys,

Found a little more info on the 1971 GP story as quoted from a Motor Trend write up below. Seems 4884 units were produced but would be interesting to know the paint Color breakdowns for that year.

Grand Prix received some significant design changes for 1971. The most notable included single headlights that replaced the previous dual-style treatment, a new decklid with pronounced boat-tail styling, and new bumpers front and rear. Interior changes were limited, but the same overall theme was retained. It seemed as if excitement about the Grand Prix was peaking. Enthusiasm regarding what was underhood was another story, however.

General Motors imposed a compression-ratio restriction on all divisions for 1971. By limiting the ratio to a maximum of 8.5:1, engines could operate on lower-octane unleaded fuels, ultimately reducing tailpipe emissions. However, the reduction negatively affected engine output. If that weren't enough, a new method of net rating output-which more closely represented actual engine output when installed in a vehicle with all accessories connected and operating in normal underhood conditions-made it seem as if the '71 engines were mere shadows of their former selves.

The 400 four-barrel remained the standard powerplant in the Grand Prix Model J, but its new 8.2:1 compression ratio caused its gross horsepower rating to slip to 300. Its net rating was 255 hp-or what appeared to be nearly 100 less than the 1970 offering. As in previous years, the three-speed manual transmission was standard, while the four-speed manual and Turbo 400 remained extra cost options. Rated at 325 gross and 260 net horsepower, the 455 four-barrel was no longer available with a manual transmission. And the 400 two-barrel was cancelled.

For 1971, the SJ package retailed for $195 and again included such items as the 455 four-barrel engine, Rally gauges, custom lamp group, and specific SJ identification. There were, however, a few new features in the package such as vinyl accent stripes, body-colored sport mirrors, and the Delco X battery-a high-tech unit that was completely sealed and required no periodic maintenance while offering higher power reserves.

As promising as 1971 looked for the Grand Prix, the UAW launched a massive strike on September 14, 1970, that halted vehicle production at every GM assembly plant across the country-including the three that built Grand Prixs. Sixty-seven days later, the strike was officially resolved, but it took some plants several weeks after that to resume production. The Grand Prix's Lakewood, Georgia, plant, for one, sat idle until January 29, 1971, greatly affecting availability.

Once production was back in full force, a running change to standard equipment was made midyear. Sales Information Bulletin 71-16 was issued on April 23, 1971, announcing the cancellation of the manual transmission on several models including the Grand Prix. It stated the Turbo 400 would become the only transmission available on vehicles in the affected model lines shipped on or after May 1. It went on to add that base prices would be changed accordingly.

Production records indicate that just 116 manual transmissions had been installed into Grand Prixs up to that point (64 400 three-speeds and 52 400 four-speeds), so sluggish sales may be partially responsible for the midyear cancellation. But the 67-day strike and resumption delays caused total production to dip to just 58,325 units for the model year. The Model J represented 53,441 of those, while 4,884 SJs were produced. Another 2,365 455 four-barrel engines were installed in Grand Prix Js.

My Dad had a new decked out 77 SJ with power sunroof, was the first car I ever drove at 10yrs old (on a gravel backroads).
Always loved the Buick, Olds, Beaumont and Pontiac classics.., Surprised they never gained more recognition or command higher prices today (68-72), but that may change. Seems everyone has a Camaro, Mustang, etc.

Not knocking those at all, just saying that as history goes on one would think the obscurity of the rare BOP classics should gain even more interest.

An all time favourite for myself would be a 67 triple black Beaumont 4 speed 396 SD.. Kick myself in the ass as had passed up on the opportunity years ago.

Thanks and cheers!

-- Edited by 71sleepr on Tuesday 10th of May 2022 11:21:18 AM

Canadian Poncho · A Poncho Legend!

Have you listened to the Pontiac Talk Podcast? Episode 43 discusses the Grand Prix from those years.

https://cruisintigers.com/pontiac-talk-podcast/

71sleepr · Member

Thanks for the link Todd! Great info.

unruhjonny · Guru

nice car!!

I love those GP's!!

North · Guru

Nice car with the perfect color scheme for that model!

A quick technical correction, automatic climate-controlled air conditioning, Radio antenna in windshield and Heated electric rear window defog had been offered since 1969. The SJ package was tweaked in 71 as you mentioned with some features added and the auto level system dropped from the package.

Gorgeous car!