GP's front-end styling is based on clean, simple lines, and maintains strong identification with previous years as well as with other models in this year's lineup. |
Headlights protrude vertically as before, and strong blinkers stand inside grille. |
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Track test of GP revealed no handling vices. Car proved a moderate-to-heavy understeerer. Rear wheels stuck very well. |
Supple suspension worked extremely well in bumpy or off-the-road terrain. Road clearance was adequate for most surfaces. |
FIERY GRAND PRIX
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Luxury is the keynote for the car's interior. The interior layout caters to the personal (as opposed to the utility or family) motif. Seating arrangement is fairly well compartmented into space for four, with standard bucket seats. Bench seats are optional, but we doubt if many GPs will be ordered thus. The seats, doors, and so forth are upholstered with Pontiac's plastic material called Morrokide. This looks and feels enough like leather to be leather. The seats are pleated and grooved for good ventilation, and were very comfortable on long trips.
Walnut applique is used extensively on the instrument panel and optional floor console to add richness. There's brightwork around the seat backs, windshield, and instrument bezels for warmth. All of the GP's beauty isn't on the outside. They've put some of it where the person who's going to be making the payments can see it.
Although the car's low, there's plenty of head room both front and rear for a 6+-footer. There's lots of travel in the front seat adjustment, but rear seat passengers will find themselves cramped if you use all of it. If the driver's anything but a pro basketball center, this won't be a big problem.
Our test car was equipped with a superb heating and air-conditioning system. It didn't have the optional GM one-button control, but it wasn't hard to regulate. You dial your temperature on. either heating or air conditioning with a color-coded indicator—red for warmer and blue for cooler. It'll deliver the desired temperature and quantity of air on short notice. The fresh-air system worked well, too, being noiseless, except when interior vents were closed—then it whistled. Of course, it's not supposed to be operated this way. We mention the whistle in case you notice it, too. We had a hard time locating the source at first.
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