Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen may no longer have been at the helm of Pontiac in 1962, but his dictum, “You can’t sell an old car to a young man, but you can sell a young car to an old man,” remained in place. That year, Pontiac replaced the Ventura with their new Grand Prix, a name straight from the race track. A small checkered flag logo adorned the front and rear grilles. A Grand Prix, however, was a luxury car; it was essentially a Catalina with less outside chrome trim, a distinctive grille, and unique taillights, giving it a sporty appearance. Inside, Morrokide vinyl bucket seats came standard, along with a center console with which either a Hydra-Matic or four-speed manual shifter was available. Other features included a tachometer, cruise control, and power windows.

The Grand Prix sought to fill the “personal car” market that had been so successfully uncovered by Ford’s four-passenger Thunderbirds. It became an instant success with buyers and sold well throughout the 1960s. Today, this model, along with others of its era, is considered a landmark among Pontiacs for establishing the marque’s tradition of “power with luxury.” It was a young man’s performance car with mature comforts—still not a bad combination to find today.

Offered here is a wonderful first-year example of this important modern Pontiac. Reportedly, it was stored for many years by its original owner in the hope of someday giving it to his son. As such, it remains a completely original and unrestored car that has recorded only 11,400 documented miles from new. Loaded with accessories and options in the Grand Prix tradition, it boasts eight-lug wheels, twin “Comfort Lounge” bucket seats, a Hydra-Matic transmission, dual fender-mounted mirrors, power steering, power brakes, a factory radio, and correct whitewall tires.

It is a wonderful cruising car, or it is ideal for display as a landmark in an important Pontiac collection. This is in all likelihood one of the finest original, unrestored examples remaining from the Grand Prix’s inaugural season.