Pontiac Grand Prix SJ
Back in the ’60s, Pontiac was considered GM’s performance brand. It was no coincidence that this company conceived the GTO. The allure of powerful engines and aggressive design was Pontiac’s trademark. Management wanted to widen its appeal and go beyond regular muscle cars like the GTO and the Firebird. To enter the world of luxury muscle cars, Pontiac had a perfect candidate in the form of the Grand Prix. This model’s competition was the Ford Thunderbird and Oldsmobile 98 as a so-called “gentleman’s express” (via Hemmings).
However, with the restyling of the Grand Prix for 1969, there was a chance to introduce trim packages that would transform this comfy cruiser into a real muscle car. Pontiac jumped at the opportunity. First, there was a new design with a long hood, a short rear end, and an exciting new dashboard. The 1969 Grand Prix looked apart from the competitors and sales immediately jumped. Second, there was a fantastic trim option called the SJ. It featured a high-output 428 V8 engine that delivered 390 hp and a host of other performance options. The moniker “SJ” was borrowed from the legendary Duesenberg brand.