Pontiac Grand Am

The Pontiac Grand Am is a car model that the Pontiac division of General Motors produced in various years between 1973 and 2005. The first and second generations were RWD mid-size cars built on the LeMans GM A platform. The Grand Am name was reused for a FWD compact car for the third- and fourth-generations. The fifth-generation versions was enlarged to a mid-size car.

The platform began development intended to be the next generation GTO, but the muscle car era was drawing to a close. Pontiac decided to make this model America's answer to European luxury sports sedans. The Grand Am name was derived from two other Pontiacs; "Grand" signifying Grand Prix luxury, and "Am" for Trans Am performance.

The first generation Grand Am featured innovations that included a deformable urethane nose (an evolution of the "Endura" bumper pioneered on the 1968 GTO) and was one of only three GM cars (Olds Cutlass Salon, Chevy Monte Carlo S) to debut radial-ply tires (RTS - Radial Tuned Suspension) as standard equipment. The intermediate sized Grand Am was canceled in 1980 when it was replaced by the Pontiac 6000.

A compact-sized Grand Am, based on the GM N-platform, was released in 1985, replacing the Pontiac Phoenix. It became Pontiac's best selling car and was later replaced by the Pontiac G6, so named as it was intended to be the 6th generation of the Grand Am.

All 1973 through 1975 Grand Ams were built in Pontiac, Michigan at Pontiac's main assembly plant. The 1978-1980 Grand Ams were built in Pontiac, Michigan at Pontiac's main assembly plant and in Atlanta, Georgia at GMAD Lakewood. All Grand Ams between 1985 and 2005 were built in Lansing, Michigan at the Lansing Car Assembly.

First generation (1973–1975)

The history of Grand Am begins with Pontiac executives noting incursion into the US market by Mercedes, BMW, Toyota and Nissan. Notably, the American sports car was usually without luxury features, and the luxury car without sport features. Foreign makes mixed these features, that introducing to the market luxury performance coupes and sedans that had balanced handling along with powerful engines. Pontiac hybridized the Grand Prix with the Trans Am to create the Grand Am, a naming tactic shared with the luxury Pontiac Grand Ville. Built on the A-body platform shared with the Pontiac LeMans, the intended GTO body was re-badged and fitted with the top-level Grand Prix interior, and using the larger engine from the Grand Prix, Bonneville and Grand Ville. A total of 43,136 Grand Ams were built during the first year of production.

The Grand Am could be had with a standard 2-bbl V8 engine with single exhaust producing , an optional 4-bbl version of this engine with single exhaust producing that was only available with a 4-speed manual transmission, an optional 4-bbl version of this engine with dual exhaust producing , or an optional 4-bbl with dual exhaust . The engine displacement, expressed in liters, was displayed on the bootlid in an effort to accentuate the car's supposedly European character.

All engines were available with a Turbo-hydramatic 400 automatic transmission as standard equipment. A 4-speed manual transmission was available with the 400/4-bbl engine in 1973 and 1974, but this was not popular.

The 1973 Pontiac Grand Am style had a unique flexible urethane front fascia center nose (known as the 'Endura' nose) that was squeezable and could return to its original shape following a minor collision along with the new energy-absorbing bumpers, a total of six grille openings with vertical bars, round front turn signals with a cross-hair design, horizontal rear taillights, and chrome rear bumper. Additionally, Grand Ams featured a Radial Tuned Suspension (RTS) as standard equipment that included radial-ply tires, Pliacell shock absorbers, and front and rear sway bars. The springs were advertised as being computer selected. Grand Ams also were among the first U.S.-built cars with a turn-signal mounted headlight dimmer switch that had been common on imported cars for decades. Other standard equipment included concealed windshield wipers, a front stabilizer bar, and an in-the-windshield radio antenna.

Engine choices were a 2-barrel with single exhaust producing , a dual exhaust version of the same making , a 4-barrel 400-ci V8 with dual exhaust rated at , and a 455 cubic inch 4-barrel with dual exhaust producing . All four options were available with automatic transmission, while only the 400 4-barrel was also available with manual transmission.

Sales were down more than 50 percent due to the 1973 oil crisis, and while the recession continued, prices increased for all 1974 model cars. Only 17,083 Grand Ams were built in 1974.

1974 Pontiac Grand Am Coupe.jpg|1974 Grand Am two-door hardtop

1974 Pontiac Grand Am two-door Hardtop in red, rear right.jpg|1974 Grand Am two-door hardtop, rear

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1975

The 1975 Grand Am looked the same as the 1974 model, but had vertical front grille bars, a body-colored rear bumper, and a catalytic converter single-exhaust, which mandated the use of unleaded fuel, along with GM's High Energy Ignition and other items promoted as part of Pontiac's maximum mileage system. In addition to the standard roofline with louvered rear side windows, Grand Am coupes with the optional vinyl roof could be ordered with a full triangular rear side window or a vertical opera window similar to that found on the Grand Prix.

Inside, the Strato bucket seats received revised vertical trim patterns, the adjustable lumbar support controls were dropped, and only the passenger seat had a recliner, a "safety practice" which would continue at GM for a decade. New this year as a no-cost option was a 60/40 bench seat with a center armrest.

Engines were also detuned to meet the 1975 emission regulations with the compression ratio dropping to a new low of 7.6 to 1 on some engines. Standard was the V8 with two-barrel carburetor, optional were a 400, or a - both with four-barrel carburetors. Turbo Hydra-matic was standard equipment and the only transmission offered this year. Performance from 0-60 was 7.7 seconds.

! !! Engine: !! L65 400 2-bbl !! L78 400 4-bbl !! L78 400 4-bbl !! L75 455 4-bbl !! LS2 SD-455 !!

! Year !! Transmission*: !! M40 !! M20 !! M40 !! M40 !! M40 !! Total

|rowspan=3 | 1973 || 2-door Coupe || 19,538 || 971 || 10,455 || 3,481 || 1 || 34,446

| 4-door Sedan || 5,727 || 87 || 2,151 || 726 || 0 || 8,691

| Total || 25,265 || 1,058 || 12,606 ||4,207 || 1 || 43,137

|rowspan=3 | 1974 || 2-door Coupe || 8,031 || 310 || 4,187 || 1,433 || 0 || 13,961

| 4-door Sedan || 1,992 || 32 || 813 || 285 || 0 || 3,122

| Total || 10,023 || 342 || 5,000 ||1,718 || 0 || 17,083

|rowspan=3 | 1975 || 2-door Coupe || 5,276 || 0 || 2,613 || 897 || 0 || 8,786

| 4-door Sedan || 1,259 || 0 || 490 || 144 || 0 || 1,893

| Total || 6,535 || 0 || 3,103 || 1,041 || 0 || 10,679

Transmissions

M40 = TH400 3spd automatic
M20 4-speed manual not available in California
Model year 1973–1974.5, M20 = Muncie 4spd
2nd half of 1974, M20 = BW Super T10 4spd

Engines

1973–1975 L65 V8 with 2-barrel carburetor (standard engine, others were optional)
1973–1975 L78 V8 with 4-barrel carburetor
1973–1975 L75 V8 with 4-barrel carburetor

Notes:

A SD-455 equipped engineering prototype Grand Am was built and tested, but was later dismantled and destroyed.
1973 engines may have point or unitized ignition.
1974 engines may have point or unitized ignition or starting around May 1, 1974, HEI ignition.
1975 engines have HEI ignition.
1975 was the first year for the catalytic converter.

Second generation (1978–1980)

1978

For 1978 the Grand Am nameplate returned on a downsized model using the Grand Prix's G platform. It was offered in both two- and four-door models featuring a vertical bar grille and other trimmings to differentiate it from the LeMans, upon which it was based. Like the 1973–1975 models, this generation of Grand Ams also featured standard radial tires plus an upgraded Radial Tuned Suspension with front and rear sway bars. Interiors were similar to the Grand LeMans with either a standard notchback bench seat, optional 60/40 bench or Strato bucket seats with console and recliner on passenger side, an optional tachometer, and a choice of either cloth or "Morrokide" vinyl upholstery. with a two-barrel carburetor or with four-barrel, and Turbo Hydra-matic transmission were now optional. In terms of appearance, the only difference was that the park/signal and marker lenses were changed to amber ones.

New for 1979 was a four-speed manual available with the 150-horsepower 301 four-barrel in 49 states. In California, only an automatic transmission was available and engine offerings included the standard Buick V6 engine with two-barrel carburetor and or optional Chevrolet 305 V8 rated at with four-barrel carb.

The wood-grained instrument panel was replaced by brushed aluminum trim, while the gauge faces changed from silver with black letters and numbers to black with white letters and numbers. The same seating choices in either cloth or Morrokide trims were offered including the standard notchback bench seat, or optional 60/40 bench or Strato bucket seats with console. An AM/FM CB radio combo was available and a heated rear window was optional.

In 1979, the Grand Am was featured in the NASCAR Grand National circuit.

1980

thumb|1980 Grand Am rear view

1980 was the final year for the second-generation Grand Am. The four-door sedan was dropped, leaving only the two-door coupe, which received minor appearance changes including the grille. Strato bucket seats in cloth or Morrokide upholstery were standard equipment along with a center console with floor shifter for the Turbo Hydra-matic transmission. (1989–1991)

| wheelbase =

| width = (1989–1991) (1985–1988)

| assembly = United States: Lansing, Michigan

| height =

| engine =

| transmission = 5-speed Isuzu manual 5-speed Getrag manual 3-speed THM125 automatic

| related = Buick Skylark Buick Somerset Oldsmobile Cutlass Calais

For the 1985 model year, Pontiac reused the Grand Am name for a new compact car to replace the aging and unpopular Phoenix (based on GM's X Body) using the new-for-1985 N Body. The Grand Am shared the same front-wheel drive platform as the Buick Somerset (renamed Skylark in 1987) and the Oldsmobile Calais (renamed Cutlass Calais in 1988). Initially, the Grand Am was available in base or LE trim in coupes only. The 2.5 L Tech IV was standard, while a 3.0 L Buick V6 was optional. A 5-speed manual was standard, and a 3-speed automatic was optional, the latter required if the V6 engine was ordered. In 1986, a sedan and sportier SE trim were added. The SE trim had the V6 engine standard, lower body cladding, composite headlamps, a slightly revised interior with the different cloth used on all seats and door panel inserts, analog instrumentation (base and LE models had digital), and included 14-inch aluminum wheels.

thumb|left|1985 Pontiac Grand Am coupe

thumb|left|1988 Pontiac Grand Am sedan

thumb|left|1991 Pontiac Grand Am sedan

1987 models brought more power to the base engine, and a new Turbocharged four-cylinder engine taken from the Sunbird GT. The 2.0 L turbo engine became the base engine for the SE model for 1987. Cars with the turbo engine received a turbo boost gauge in the place of the voltmeter. A test by Popular Mechanics for quarter-mile acceleration with the Turbo engine resulted with the 5-speed manual taking 15.73 seconds and 16.02 seconds with the automatic transmission. They noted large amounts of torque steer from a dead stop. This was also the last year that the Buick sourced 3.0 L engine would be available in the Grand Am, as it was discontinued in mid-1987. New for styling were composite front headlights, but only on the LE models.

For 1988, front seat belts were moved from the b-pillars to the doors, to meet the passive restraint mandate for 1989. The LD2 engine became available for Grand Am's in 1988, replacing the previous model year's 3.0 L V6 on the options list. It is worth noting that 'Sport buckets' borrowed from the Trans Am GTA, were added to the options list this year for SE's. Other options included a Driver Information Center, an electric trunk release, and a moon roof. The base model was dropped after this model year.

thumb|left|The standard 1988 Pontiac Grand Am dash

A totally new front and rear fascia along with an interior redesign for 1989. The 2.5 L gained balance shafts and an increase of power. The 2.3 L 'LD2' Quad 4 replaced the 2.0 L Turbo engine as standard equipment in the SE midway through the year. This was the final year that the 'Sport Bucket' seats were available to SEs.

The 2.3 L LG0 Quad 4 was announced as being available late in the model year on Grand Am SE's with only 200 were built. All 1989 LG0 Quad 4 Grand Am's were red on grey coupes, with standard appointments including (but not limited to) 16-inch machined-face wheels. The 16-inch wheels were only optional to SE's. This would be the first year that the Grand A-inch could be ordered with either 16-inch wheels or a factory-installed CD player.

NHSTA safety ratings for frontal crashes are as follows: Driver: 3-stars; Passenger: 4-stars.

Changes were minor for 1990 and 1991;

For 1990, a new High-Output version of the Quad 4 (mated to only a 5-speed manual) became the standard engine for the SE. Opting for the automatic transmission changed the engine to the less powerful LD2 Quad 4. The 16-inch wheels moved from the option list to standard equipment for the SE's this year. The LE gained a 'Sport Performance Package' (RPO: W32) late in the 1990 model year run. The W32 option included SE ground effects (minus wheel well flares), the same standard (as well as optional) "SE" drive train, 14-inch aluminum wheels, a larger front larger sway bar, and a rear swaybar that were only otherwise available on the SE model. 1991 was the final model year of this body style and it was essentially a carry-over year. The only changes were the addition of an Anti-lock Brakes System (ABS) as standard equipment for all Grand Am SE's (not available to LE's), and all 1991 model year cars fitted with a 5-speed transmission received a redesigned "short throw" shifter.

For 1992 the Grand Am entered its fourth generation.

Available engines:

1985–1991: 2.5 L Tech IV TBI I4 engine: 90 hp 1985–86, MPG EPA City/Hwy/Overall 21/29/23(w/3-speed auto) 1987–88, MPG EPA City/Hwy/Overall 21/28/23 1989–91.
1985–mid-1987: 3.0 L Buick LN7 V6 engine with MPFI: ,

| width = (1996–98) (1993–95) (1992)

| height = (1993–98) (1992)

| assembly = United States: Lansing, Michigan

| engine =

| transmission = 5-speed Getrag manual 5-speed Isuzu manual 3-speed 3T40 automatic 4-speed 4T60-E automatic

| related = Buick Skylark Oldsmobile Achieva Chevrolet Beretta Chevrolet Corsica

For 1992 the Grand Am's N-body platform was widened to match the Corsica's; the suspension and braking systems are about eighty percent in common. On the SE, an anti-lock braking system (ABS VI) was available. It also received new bodywork and a revised interior. A V6 option returned in the form of the 3.3 L 3300 V6, mated to a three-speed transmission.

| wheelbase =

| width =

| assembly = United States: Lansing, Michigan

| height = and all Grand Ams until 2003 included standard ABS and Traction Control (made optional on SE from 2003). The GTs also had a Ram Air induction system, providing an extra five horsepower and 5 lb/ft of torque over the 3.4 L V6 when installed in any of the SE-level trims.

The 2000 models added a Getrag 5-speed manual transmission as standard equipment with the four-cylinder. On GT models, the badge on the front fenders now read "RamAir V6", instead of "V6H.O." on 1999 GT's. ASC Creative Services designed the Grand Am SC/T for the SEMA show circuit, which was the concept design for the Ram Air hood and body package. The SC/T later became an appearance package, beginning in 2003. A road test by Car and Driver showed a 0-60 mph time of 7.7 seconds in a GT sedan with an automatic.

Available transmissions:

1999–2005: 4-speed automatic with overdrive (4T40-E for four-cylinder engines, 4T45-E for V6 engines)
2000–2005: Getrag 5-speed manual with overdrive (four-cylinder engines only)

Safety

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the 1999-2005 Grand Am a "Poor" rating in its frontal crash test for marginal structural integrity, a possible head injury, a potential right leg injury, and poor dummy control.

2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (coupe):

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Crash Test Ratings (sedan):

Frontal Driver:
Frontal Passenger:
Side Driver:
Side Rear Passenger:
Rollover:

Sales

{| class="wikitable"

!Calendar year

!Sales

|1992

|279,230

|1993

|242,856

|1994

|262,310

|1995

|234,226

|1996

|222,477

|1997

|204,078

|1998

|180,428

|1999

|234,936

|2000

|214,923

|2001

|182,046

|2002

|150,818

|2003

|156,466

|2004

|133,707

|2005

|31,613

|2006

|828

References

External links

73-77 GM A-bodies including Grand Am
Grand Am Owners Club