Mario's brother John's 1973 Pontiac Grand Am

Mario on Apr 2, 2021 said:

Very unique and distinct First year 1973 Pontiac Grand Am 400 V8 with Hurst 4 sp. All original out of factory. Been in the family since new only 180 made of this configuration. Belongs to my brother John.

57timemachine on Apr 2, 2021 said:

Pontiac was the only company in that era that was still making classy cars with a performance image. Most car companies had given up by 1973. Between smog, safety and gas crunch, the performance image thing was a very bad word. Pontiac with this car and the Trans Am still had some excitement going on. Cheers.

Mario on Apr 6, 2021 said:

I always had a special love for Pontiacs. My first car a 1959 Catalina convertible 389ci was a dream. I later had a 1984 Pontiac Grand Prix which was luxury and sport at the same time. I always loved and had a desire for a GTO, what a car that was. A very sad day when GM shut down Pontiac. That's why I love going to the car shows it's a piece of Heaven to me.

azmusclecar on Apr 5, 2021 said:

Well I'll be a blue nosed gopher...DANG.....WHAT A FIND!!

and a four speed to boot!!!!!

When I saw this I thought it was the CAN-AM Pontiac.

I just watched a video on you tube about the 1977 Can-Ams and how when the mold for the rear spoiler broke, they decided the Can Am was done. And a lot of cars that were destined for Can Am modifications were sent to dealers as just regular white LeMans.

Look at that dash! That is all business with gauges and air vents. I had a 1978 Grand Am and the dash really set it off. It was trimmed in aluminum.

Pontiac sure tried to keep the performance car market going with their 400 CI engines.

Its too bad to see the sad ending of Pontiac as I watched the last Pontiac roll off the assembly line. I sent the video to my uncle who was a Pontiac mechanic tried and true.

Just as i see MOPAR or FCA killing off their SRT Group now.....sending their engineers to the other companies under the family umbrella now.

All I can do is sit here and reach up and keep pulling my eyes down from rolling up in my head when I hear of IMPROVEMENTS that sure resembles sabotage to me.

If you like what you own, you'd better drive it and enjoy it. Those electric cars are coming.......

Remember CASH FOR CLUNKERS??????????

WILL we see CASH FOR CLASSICS? Very little cash that is.

Mario on Apr 6, 2021 said:

Rob any way you can post that video of the last Pontiac rolling off the line? Does your Uncle have any pictures you can share on Pontiacs. Sounds like a very good post you can make on American Torque dedicated to the memory of Pontiacs. Future generations can see this as part of automotive history.

I agree that we should drive what we own and enjoy them now. Great seeing these cars at the shows driving in and out. Hope we have some car shows this summer.

Do you have any pix of your 1978 Grand Am you can share with us, you know how much we love pictures! I believe you had a 2nd generation Gran Am. Best Regards, Mario

azmusclecar on Apr 6, 2021 said:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUtmHaVDCbU

The last Pontiac dedication

Mario on Apr 7, 2021 said:

Awesome video Rob. I copied it on my computer. Sad to see how great the Pontiacs really were and got the ax due to GM's wasting away money leading to bankruptcy.

azmusclecar on Apr 6, 2021 said:

Sorry Mario,

NO PIX of the 1978 Grand Am....wife won it in the divorce settlement and she kept all the family album photos. It was the Chocolate Brown with Gold Trim and Saddle interior and Landau top.

It was a real looker.....Ralley Wheels, White Letters, the cat's pajamas and don't ask me what THAT means.

I have no photos of ANY of my early cars They are like what Barbra Streisand sings:

Memories........like the chorus of my mind.....

Oh well at least I still have my memory....she couldn't take that away.

Mario on Apr 7, 2021 said:

Thank God for our memories! Your Grand Am sounds really nice. You pictured it very well and I can see it in my mind.

What your ex did in keeping all those pics was wrong. You are the better person I can tell.

But think of all the cars, pictures and new memories you've attained since then! You're the "cats pajamas" and I'm not sure what that means either, but I'm sure it's a good thing!

azmusclecar on Apr 6, 2021 said:

Mario, My Uncle is as old as Methuselah....I had to send the video to his son so he can show it to him.

I was told my uncle and aunt wanted to adopt me since my Mom didn't really want me. I think I could have learned so much from my uncle working on everything that needed a skill level.

Sadly my Mom said no so I was left to figure life out on my own. I didn't do bad with what I was given so no sour grapes here. It just took a lot longer and it was harder to get to where I am today with cars.

I have been blessed with many things and people in my life so I look at them for happiness, not the ones who said they cared but their actions didn't match their words.

IT'S ALL GOOD................NO TEARS HERE!!

Mario on Apr 7, 2021 said:

Rob you've done fantastically well on your own. Sometimes family are not your best friends, and sometimes friends are like family. I've learned that too.

You have a great sense of humor and that separates us from all other living creatures.

Ever see a dog or a cat laugh? Or a fish or a horse tell a joke? I haven't.

Your posts on this website are colorful, knowledgeable and entertaining, keep it up! Best Regards, Mario

57timemachine on Apr 8, 2021 said:

I find that there are a lot of really wonderful people in our great vintage car hobby. Folks like Rob and Mario are very abundant amongst old car hobbyists. I can honestly say that ALL my buddy's are old car guys. For the last 40 years or more, all my friends I have met through the hobby. There is something about old cars that brings out the best in people. Cheers.

Mario on Apr 9, 2021 said:

I agree George and you are also one of those "old car guys" that is a good friend. Our love of classic cars keeps us going and together we have so much shareable knowledge to offer. Cheers!

ghpcnm on Apr 10, 2021 said:

N I C E !!!