1969-72 Pontiac Grand Prix

When the Grand Prix was released in 1962, it was meant to compete against the Thunderbird. Along with the '63's, it took the "personal-luxury car" monopoly off Ford's hands. However, after a redesign in 1965, sales started to decline dramatically. So when the time came for the '69s to be designed and released, they became an instant hit, with nearly quadruple the previous year's sales.

A smaller, lighter car, the '69 GP debuted with two models, the J and SJ, taken from old Duesenburgs. The J was the base version, with the 400ci 350 hp engine used in that year's GTO. It included many luxury goodies, including the standard "Command Seat", which was an integrated console curved to meet the instrument panel. The SJ had most of the J options as standard, and even included the 428 carried over from the '68, topping out at 390 hp.

Styling was also unique, yet the Grand Prix looked good from any angle. With a long hood/short deck, it had dimentions similar to the '69 Lincoln Mark III, but at nearly half the price. And with the concurrent Thunderbird identity fiasco, the Grand Prix had the sports-luxury market nearly all to itself.