First Posted: 3/25/2015
BLUFFTON — “This is a Pontiac? This is a Pontiac Grand Prix. With a look all its own, an air of being able to cope with anything it might encounter, the new Grand Prix is grand touring in the best North American manner,” reads the sales brochure for the 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix. The Pontiac Grand Prix is a luxury performance automobile produced from 1962 to 2008. John DeLorean, head of advanced engineering at Pontiac at the time, contributed to the development of both the Grand Prix and the GTO. The Grand Prix experienced a few changes in its second year. The styling was all new, with more flowing fender contours and a “Coke bottle” shape. The sides of the car were clean except for “Grand Prix” lettering, plus moldings for the rocker panels and wheel openings. The roof was unique for this year, and featured gracefully sculpted C-pillars which housed an interesting concave rear window. The concave rear window would become a Grand Prix trademark through 1968. Overall, buyers loved the new Grand Prix and sales more than doubled from the year before.
Larry Reichenbach, of Bluffton, brought his 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix to The Lima News’ Real Wheels Cruise-In. He has owned it for nine years. He purchased it and worked on it replacing almost everything. He just finished last spring. His favorite memory is driving it the first time. He raced one just like it back in 1964.
