Pontiac · 1973–2005

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.

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Predecessor: Pontiac Phoenix|Pontiac LeMans · Successor: Pontiac G6

All Pontiac Grand Am data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

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. The original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform (A-body) along with other cars such as the Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, and the Buick Century Gran Sport. The GM A-body platform had major design revisions in 1973, including the elimination of pillarless hardtops due to proposed Federal rollover standards, but with frameless windows similar to that of a hardtop. No convertibles were produced due to the proposed standards, which were not enacted. In addition to Federal emissions regulations, new safety standards required a 5 mph (8.0 km/h) impact-resistant front bumper and a 2.5 mph (4.0 km/h) impact-resistant rear bumper, which increased to 5 mph (8.0 km/h) for 1974. The 1973 oil crisis caused a dichotomy for buyers: total luxury or total economy. Since Grand Am was an "in-between", its sales declined and the model was discontinued in 1975. 1973. The Grand Am, a name coined by Pontiac by combining the names of two other cars in its lineup –

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. Standard equipment included power steering, power front disc brakes, Turbo Hydra-matic transmission, full instrumentation and Pontiac's 301 cu in (4.9 L) V8 engine with two-barrel carburetor producing 140 hp (104 kW; 142 PS). Optional was a 4-bbl 155 hp (116 kW; 157 PS) version, along with numerous extra cost items such as snowflake wheels, whitewall or white-lettered tires, power windows and seats, tilt steering wheel, sunroof, and cruise control. In California, where more stringent emission regulations made Pontiac V8 engines unavailable since 1977, Chevrolet V8 engines were substituted including a standard 135 hp (101 kW; 137 PS) 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 with two-barrel carburetor or optional four-barrel version with 145 hp (108 kW; 147 PS). 1979. Very few changes were made for 1979 other than the normal trim revisions and the demotion of the standard powertrain to a Buick 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 and floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission as standard equipment. The 301 V8, rated at 135 hp (101 kW; 137 PS) with a two-barrel carburetor or 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS) with four-barrel, an

Third generation (1985–1991)

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. 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 bec

Fourth generation (1992–1998)

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 160 hp (120 kW) 3.3 L 3300 V6, mated to a three-speed transmission. The 2.3 L I4 came as either a SOHC or DOHC. A high output version of the DOHC was offered as well. A new GT trim was offered that featured new wheels, smoother, yet larger cladding, and more standard equipment. 1993 brought further refinement to the Quad 4. This resulted in a loss of 5 horsepower (3.7 kW) to all engines. In 1994, the V6 and standard 3-speed powertrain were effectively replaced by GM's new 3.1 L 3100 series V6 engine and new 4-speed automatic transmission. A driver's side airbag also became standard for 1994, but the door-mounted automatic seatbelts remained. In 1995, the Quad 4 engines received balance shafts and direct driven power steering off the intake camshaft. The 4-speed automatic that was mated to the 3.1 L in 1994 became optional as a step-up from the 3-speed for 1995 on the new Quad 4 engine. In Japan, this generation was officially imported by Yanase and Suzuki with left-hand drive. The main imports were the SE and V6 models. The V6 model, however, was only offered for the 1996 model year there. All models had a three-speed (later 4-speed) automatic transmission. 1996–1998. For 1996, the Grand Am received a mid-generation facelift. Outside, an updated front fascia, rear fascia, and side skirts gave the Grand Am a smoother, more rounded look. The interior was redesigned and featured dual airbags, easier to use audio system and HVAC controls, and softer plastics. The Quad 4 was

Fifth generation (1999–2005)

Available in late spring 1998, the basic design of the fifth-generation Grand Am was shared with the Oldsmobile Alero (also new for 1999) and Chevrolet Malibu (introduced in 1996). The length was shortened slightly, but the wheelbase grew by more than three inches (76 mm). The suspension was now fully independent, with a revised MacPherson-Strut design upfront. The rear suspension is a more refined Multi-link design. The new Grand Am was offered in five trim levels: SE, SE1, SE2, GT, and GT1. The 2.4 L Twin Cam engine was carried over, with 150 hp (112 kW; 152 PS) and 155 lb⋅ft (210 N⋅m) of torque. GM's 3400 V6, previously exclusive to their minivans, became available as an option on the SE and SE1 and was standard on all other trim levels. For 1999, all the Grand Ams featured a 4-speed automatic transmission. The GT and GT1 also included 4-wheel disc brakes, 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. For 2001, the SE2 trim level was dropped, a new family of Delco stereos and new wheel designs was introduced. The radio size in 2001 also chang

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Specifications

name: Pontiac Grand Am
Manufacturer: Pontiac (General Motors)
Production: 1973–1975, 1977–1980, 1984–2005
Body style: 2-door fastback coupe, 2-door notchback coupe, 4-door fastback sedan, 4-door notchback sedan
Predecessor: Pontiac LeMans (for 1973), Pontiac Phoenix (for 1985), Pontiac Tempest (for 1992 - Canada)
Successor: Pontiac G6 (2005)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.