Photo: eBay User: Classic Cars of SC
At what point is a rusted-out shell of an automobile beyond saving? At what critical juncture does the rust, the filth, and the decay reach a level so critical that it's best to part it out and let the rest rust into the Earth? Whatever your line in the sand might be, do you think this 1964 Pontiac Grand Prix has crossed that threshold? If so, it's nothing short of an automotive tragedy.
The first-generation Grand Prix was a prelude of sorts to the low-slung sports coupe that'd soon after form the foundation of the first great muscle car renaissance. From almost all angles, it's easy to see how the very earliest Grand Prix would help shape the styling of icons like the Tempest, LeMans, and the GTO. Especially in its later models from 1963 and 64, the Grand Prix's quad headlight stacked in pairs of two looks awfully similar to the timeless front fascia of the original GTO.
With a 389-cubic-inch (6.4 L) small-journal Pontiac V8 under the hood, this same engine would soon after make its way to into early GTOs until a larger 400-cubic-inch (6.6 L) unit with an increased cylinder bore replaced it in 1967. In fully specked later configurations, the Tri-Power carbureted 389 V8 jetted 370 hp when fitted with a four-speed manual transmission. But this particular example sported the more common Hydramatic automatic transmission and a modest power output of 305 horsepower.
A touch under 64,000 of these little Pontiacs were built in 1964. Of all of those, this one, which has called a muddy field in Gray Court, South Carolina, home for decades, isn't going to win any concourse competitions. Years of neglect and moisture in the soil made for deep rust pitts across the hood and roof and infiltrated into the interior as well. No telling when this rusting hulk of a rolling chassis last ran. The whole drivetrain was unceremoniously ripped out of it years ago, likely as a donor engine for some shinier, far nicer-looking classic Pontiac restoration project.
It's safe to say that most people would say this crusty Pontiac's already passed that proverbial point of no return. That point where no one with good sense, a regular nine-to-five job, and without access to a trust fund could realistically justify investing in restoration. But then you take a look at the particulars of this little Pontiac, its funky, plush "Morrokide" vinyl seats and polished steel hubcaps. If not for the rusty hood that appears to be on the verge of caving in on itself, there are at least a few body shops out there that might be able to bring this Pontiac back from the brink. Besides, it's not like a $3,500 price tag is much of a calculated risk if all goes wrong.
With a 389-cubic-inch (6.4 L) small-journal Pontiac V8 under the hood, this same engine would soon after make its way to into early GTOs until a larger 400-cubic-inch (6.6 L) unit with an increased cylinder bore replaced it in 1967. In fully specked later configurations, the Tri-Power carbureted 389 V8 jetted 370 hp when fitted with a four-speed manual transmission. But this particular example sported the more common Hydramatic automatic transmission and a modest power output of 305 horsepower.
A touch under 64,000 of these little Pontiacs were built in 1964. Of all of those, this one, which has called a muddy field in Gray Court, South Carolina, home for decades, isn't going to win any concourse competitions. Years of neglect and moisture in the soil made for deep rust pitts across the hood and roof and infiltrated into the interior as well. No telling when this rusting hulk of a rolling chassis last ran. The whole drivetrain was unceremoniously ripped out of it years ago, likely as a donor engine for some shinier, far nicer-looking classic Pontiac restoration project.
It's safe to say that most people would say this crusty Pontiac's already passed that proverbial point of no return. That point where no one with good sense, a regular nine-to-five job, and without access to a trust fund could realistically justify investing in restoration. But then you take a look at the particulars of this little Pontiac, its funky, plush "Morrokide" vinyl seats and polished steel hubcaps. If not for the rusty hood that appears to be on the verge of caving in on itself, there are at least a few body shops out there that might be able to bring this Pontiac back from the brink. Besides, it's not like a $3,500 price tag is much of a calculated risk if all goes wrong.
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