1969 Pontiac Grand Prix Original-Owner Rapid Rarity

The sporty Grand Prix was an instant hit with performance enthusiasts when it debuted in 1962. The newly redesigned model was just as popular with that same market segment when introduced in 1969. A brainchild of John Z. DeLorean, the '69 Grand Prix took the competition by surprise, boasting of its redefined personal luxury attitude and classy long-hood and short-deck body shape-cues taken from vintage Duesenbergs. Today, many consider both year Grand Prixs to be true American classics.

The Grand Prix Experience
Omaha, Nebraska, resident Butch Colanino was drawn by the Grand Prix aura in 1962. "I saw a new '62 Catalina and fell in love with its styling. As soon as I saw the sportier Grand Prix, I knew that's what I wanted," recalls the 65-year-old telephone manufacturing company retiree. He ventured into Stan Olsen Pontiac in Omaha and ordered a Mandalay Red Grand Prix, with a 389ci Tri-Power engine and a four-speed manual transmission.

"I loved that car," says Butch, who kept it for roughly a year. "I ordered a 409ci-powered '63 Impala as its replacement, and while waiting for the 409 to arrive, I saw a '63 Grand Prix and immediately changed my mind. I cancelled the Impala order and placed an order with McKenzie Pontiac in Omaha for a new Grand Prix. It was Grenadier Red, and had a 389 Tri-Power engine and a four-speed." Butch drove it for about a year, selling it when he decided to relocate to California.

It wasn't long after that he returned to Omaha, but Butch wasn't in the market for a new vehicle until late 1968. "The '69 model-year cars were just coming out, and I looked at every performance model imaginable, including the Corvette, Camaro, and Barracuda, but none excited me as much as the '69 Pontiacs. I was torn between a Firebird, GTO, and the new Grand Prix. I ultimately chose the Grand Prix because I had owned two in the past, and I really liked its new styling. It also had the largest engine with the most available horsepower," he says.

Castilian Bronze wasn't a regular production color, but it was available as an extra-cost option-UPC SPR Special Solid Color, for $12.64. Though the 428 H.O. was available with gearing as deep as 3.90 with either transmission, the 3.23 was the standard axle ratio when combining the Turbo 400 with air conditioning-and that's what Butch's car has. An economy axle ratio of 2.93 was available as an extra-cost option.

Deluxe wheel covers were standard equipment on all Grand Prix models, and G78x14 white-lined tires were included with the SJ package. Since he planned on adding aftermarket wheels and tires after taking delivery, Butch didn't opt for any available equipment. Though he did install aftermarket components within the first few years, he purchased a set of Rally IIs from a wrecked '69 Grand Prix, mounted them on the original tires, and installed them onto his GP. A 1-inch diameter front sway bar was standard equipment, but no rear bar was available.

The Grand Prix was completely redesigned for 1969 and was an immediate success. A total of 112,486 units were built that model year, with Model SJs accounting for 11,083 of that number. Just 1,105 Grand Prixs received the optional L75 428 H.O. engine, and Butch Colanino's Castilian Bronze Model SJ is one of them. The odometer shows just over 12,000 miles, and its exterior finish is completely original.

The Order Process
Returning to McKenzie Pontiac in December 1968, Butch began the order process for a new '69 Grand Prix. "I wanted the performance-oriented SJ package because it contained the 428 engine, and I opted for the 428 H.O. over the base offering. I initially planned to order a four-speed manual transmission, but the salesman talked me out of it, saying that the manual stick would hurt resale value, and that air conditioning wasn't available with it."

Butch sparsely equipped his Grand Prix with options to not only maintain the model's performance attitude, but also to keep costs down. "Along with the A/C, I added an AM radio, reverb speaker, Custom Sport steering wheel, tilt column, and a Safe-T-Track differential. Though I initially ordered a hood-mounted tachometer, I then decided against it. I thought it looked great on a Firebird or GTO with Ram Air scoops, but I didn't think it'd look good on the Grand Prix's long hood."

Special Order Color
The two previous Grand Prixs that Butch owned were both red, and he strongly considered ordering his '69 in a similar hue. "I didn't care for the shade of red that was available that year, and while deciding upon another color, a bronze GMC Sprint displayed in the showroom caught my eye. I really liked that color, and asked if it was available on the Grand Prix, but the salesmen said it wasn't," he recollects.

Undeterred, Butch asked the salesmen to inquire about the possibility of having his GP in that color. "The salesmen left to phone Detroit and returned stating that the color, Castilian Bronze, was indeed available on the Grand Prix, but only on an extra-cost, special-order basis, and that it would take about three months to build. I wasn't concerned about the production delay-I wanted that color! It also meant that my car would likely arrive after winter, which was fine with me."