1977 Pontiac Grand Safari

This has to be the first time I ever heard the 403 referred to as "legendary".

Infamous is closer to how I usually hear it described. Of course, just about everyone I hear talking about engines is only concerned with how they perform on the racetrack (or in the stoplight grandprix).

Still, it seems that most people who have an opinion would prefer the Pontiac 400.

Definitely a good looking car, though I personally am not overly fond of the color, especially with that particular shade of woodgrain. I'm also not quite prepared to accept an $8K B body wagon of that era.

 

Per Wikipedia:

The 403 had the highest horsepower rating for 1978, so why the slam? :confused:

For 1980, all GM B-bodies received revised styling and aerodynamic improvements along with reduced weight.
The standard engine for Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower (101 kW) and optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option. In later years, increasingly stringent fuel-economy standards mandated by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations would lead to the discontinuation of the larger engines with a 231 cubic-inch Buick V6 becoming the standard engine on Bonneville coupes and sedans for 1980 and 1981 with the only optional V8s offered including 265 and 301 cubic-inch Pontiac-built gasoline engines or an Oldsmobile-built 350 cid diesel powerplant.

 

Just because it was rated differently or higher does not change the mind of any of the Pontiac faithful. It isn't a Pontiac engine and therefore does not warrant any special status in a Pontiac car, regardless of what wikipedia and people selling cars try and say. And saying that GM put a certain powerplant in from the factory REALLY doesn't make the situation any better - Pontiac people have their own quirks about engines and their cars.

 

I called the guy and talked to him for quite some time about the car. He's definitely a Pontiac collector. And after talking to him, I've concluded that he has been collecting Pontiacs, and only Pontiacs, for a long time.

 

Sounds like possibly the same Milwaukee Pontiac collector who sold an equally sharp dark green '77 Grand Safari to a forum member back in May.

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36539&highlight=1977+grand+safari

 

Also, '77 Catalina Safari from brochure has also now arrived!

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/5165620341.html

 

Its all about the torque when getting a heavy car moving with the higher gear ratios of the late 70's. The Pontiac 400 was rated at 325 Ft lbs, and the Olds 403 was rated at 320 Ft lbs, so they are actually closer than I would have thought.

But the Pontiac 400 seems to move the cars from a stop much easier than the 403 Olds to me. And the Pontiac Engine in a Pontiac thing, plus there are many more after market parts available for the Pontiac, and for some reason I never liked working on Olds Engines. The intake Manifolds seem to weigh hundreds of lbs! (OK maybe about 15lbs more than a Stock Pontiac 4bbl intake.)

I do like that 77 Catalina that was just posted. But it lacks power windows that my wife seems to think are nessisary on any 4 or 5 door car.

 

I'm a wagon lover (some say fanatic), but not primarily a GM person. I've never owned a 400 Pontiac or a 403 Olds, and I don't have any opinion about them personally. I was just reporting what seemed to me to be a consensus of opinions.

It seems that just about everyone likes certain engines made by their favorite make of car and dislikes others. Olds people don't seem to be very fond of the 307, and, while they don't hate the 403, it doesn't seem to make the top of anyone's favorites list. My impression is that Poncho fans like the 400 and some 455s, aren't really fond of the 350, and nearly despise the 265 and 301. Even for Chevy lovers there are some flavors of the small block that aren't very popular; ask their opinion of the 267 sometime.

Besides division favoritism, I suspect that the 400's history of performance may have something to do with people's preferences. The 403 was not only brand new and unproven, it was a "smog" engine that was basically a bored out Olds 350 -- itself an engine that didn't seem to garner a lot of enthusiasm.

None of this, of course, has anything really to do with the car. It's still a very pretty wagon and would still be pretty if it were powered by a flathead 6. Not very fast, but still very pretty.

 

Now revealed as a CA wagon from new.

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5154942135.html

 

Although you can't see it in the picture, the seller said the "r" and "i" are missing from the "Grand Safari" script on the glove box door. It simply says "Grand Safar".

 

Here are a few additional pictures. There has been some patching in the woodgrain and looks like a slight scuff on the bumper.

 

And one more

 

When I compare the two '77 Pontiacs that are currently on here, my opinion (and this is only my opinion) is that the orange one is probably the better buy of the two cars. Yes, the yellow/gold car is priced over $3,000 cheaper than the orange one. However, when I look at it, I see that it needs a roof rack, paint, and probably some other miscellaneous mechanical items. These items can easily make up the difference in price. The orange car has some patches on the woodgrain, needs some AC work and a power antenna. However, I think it has been maintained both physically and mechanically over the years.

I do realize, that for some, the engine difference could be a deciding factor for some. I could take it either way.

If I had to choose, I'd choose the orange car. It might not be a bad buy at $7,000 (providing the seller would take it). We've seen them sell for more money. I hope both cars find good homes.

 

This beauty still out there!!!