STORY OF MY 72 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX

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(Edited)

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Where should I start? Lets see, this was my mother's car that my father bought for her in 1972. It has been kept garaged up until last week and only started up a few times a year.

When my parents moved to Virginia in 1989 they took the Pontiac with them. My mom used it very little being big and powerful so has little mileage on it. (37,000 as of today).

In 1993 they offered it to me. So I flew down to Virginia and drove her back up to Long Island, NY.

It's been in my garage ever since. Only taken for short rides and cleaning. Shorty after bringing it up I took it out for a ride and managed to blow holes in the dual mufflers. This can happen when a car sits for awhile and is not warmed up enough. Condensation in the exhaust system can cause such an occurrence.

Now it was making a lot of noise so a reason not to use it. So it sat and sat. Then when I finally took it in for new mufflers the manifolds were leaking. Would have to get that fixed before exhaust system could be installed.

Well recently I found a mechanic that works on classical cars not to far from me. When I went to start it up the battery was dead. Wouldn't you know it, despite the battery being on a trickle charger and me needing to take it somewhere it was dead.

After getting a new battery I ran it a bit till it warmed up and took it down the street and back. More trouble, the heater coil was leaking anti-freeze inside on the passenger side.

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Just by sitting for years it was costing money. Now it's at the auto-shop after being towed, sitting outside waiting to be repaired.

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The things are adding up that should be repaired. Heater core, manifolds, exhaust system, might as well get a new radio, the old one stopped working also AC. Then there are the basics, belts, hoses and a tune-up. Mechanic suggests replacing carburetor with new electronic ignition.

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I was thinking of selling it, but changed my mind for now. Already the tow-truck driver and mechanic offered to buy it.

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40 comments
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Cool boat ride ;-). Reminds me of the old dodge polara I used to drive in high school. I always called it the green heap or the boat because of its length.

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It's a boat alright 😊Long hood Grand Prix's made from 69 to 72...

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Is the gas pedal touchy? I barely would tap my polara's pedal and it was a monster, big fat engine inside.

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She is very beautiful, I am happy you did not sell it. My brother owned one for a few years but couldn't afford the gas guzzling consumption as a daily go-to run around motor so he sold it. It was super lovely though! I love the colour of yours too! Stunning!

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I was really thinking about selling... But maybe now I can get some use out of it...Thanks 4 the resteem @sallybeth23

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!shop
$trdo
!BEER
for you

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Mike, I am so glad you are fixing her up. You should take her to a few of your local Cruz Nights. They must have them where you are. She is in such beautiful shape and should be showcased. Besides at our ages what else do we have to spend our money on but cats? lol

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She is a beauty and I love that she has been a family member for so many years!

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Taking up garage space for 27 years.. Time for it to the roads...

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Ok I'm not surprised they are already trying to but it off you, what a beautiful car!

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Basically all there, needs sprucing up... Which means money, money, money :))

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The thing about cars like this is the miles per gallon make them crap daily cars. However, get them on the open road and they purr.

Here in New Plymouth, New Zealand where I live we have an annual parade of American cars that ends up driving around the mountain along the coast. Personally I’m not a fan of Yank Tanks as we affectionately call the. But I do appreciate the style of many of them. Personally I feel an American car with Japanese running gear would make a beautiful car but the. That would make people on both sides of the coin hate me. 😂

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Whatever floats your boat, as they say...This car is definitely a dinosaur but practical when gas was 25 cents a gallon. 🚗👀

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Absolutely. They’re from an era when design was more important than mileage per gallon and so you had cars with beautiful lines and were basically rolling art. Now because mpg is more important you end up with most cars looking the same because there’s only so far aerodynamics will let you go.

That being said I’m a motorcyclist and so cars bore the snot out of me. 😂

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Cars come in handy in cold or inclement weather... 🚗You must have some great roads for bikes with all the hills and curves your way..:))

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Mate, some of the best. Perfect for any bike up to 750cc. Anything above and the ride becomes a chore.

I’m a Postie so I ride rain or shine. I love my job. 😊

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You need to hang on to that classic. If you do sell it after you fix those normal age related issues. Contact some of the classic car auction sites like Barret Jackson and such. Do not let a local car D̶E̶A̶L̶E̶R̶ Stealer get it cheap. The low milage and hopefully lack of rust would make a collector or classic restoration guy pay what it is worth.

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First 2 guys that saw it ..tow truck driver & mechanic wanted to buy it. Costing 3 g's to fix so far...🚗

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Keep it stock original. Do not let a HACK MECHANIC talk you into messing with ignition and such. That classics value is in the originallity of it. STOCK

I had 2..... TWO....!!!! 1968 Chargers when I was a teenager..... One of them had the big block 440 magnum engine. Had I only known what they were worth now....... True Story.

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Mechanic suggests changing carburetor to electronic & stainless steel exhaust system..Says to save original parts ..like carburetor ...

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That's a gorgeous car! She's definitely going to turn heads and draw attention once you get her back out on the streets again! What did you name her? @manorvillemike

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