1974 · Pontiac · United States
1974 Pontiac Grand Prix: Volume Falls Under 100,000
The 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000.
United States · researched through 2026-09-23
This record's own dek states that the 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000. This record's own overview states that MuscleCarClub, crediting the Standard Catalog of Pontiac, gives 1974 Grand Prix production as 99,816, split between a base "J" hardtop at 85,976 and an "SJ" hardtop at 13,840, and that the compiled engine tables list a 400 cid V8 at 225 hp and 330 lb-ft and a 455 cid V8 at 250 hp and 375 lb-ft, both SAE net as compiled with no rpm given.1
This record's own production section carries the same three rows, with a note that the figures follow the Standard Catalog of Pontiac lineage and present the J and SJ rows as summing to the total; a second note states that in the Standard Catalog's own search text the SJ production cell is cut off after "13,84," so that book was not counted as a second reading of the 13,840 figure, and a third states plainly that no engine, transmission, paint or trim counts were found. This record's own keyFacts section gives factory prices of $4,936 for the Grand Prix J and $5,321 for the SJ, with shipping weights of 4,096 lb and 4,300 lb.1,2
This record's own engines section carries two entries matching the overview: the 400 cid V8, code T, at 225 hp and 330 lb-ft net, and the 455 cid V8, code Y, at 250 hp and 375 lb-ft net, the SJ's own engine per the brochure text. This record's own transmissions section lists a single entry, Turbo Hydra-matic, standard, alongside variable-ratio power steering and power front disc brakes that this record's own source text also calls standard equipment. This record's own options section itemizes the SJ package by its own content, a maintenance-free battery, unitized ignition, pin striping, the 455 V-8, a rally gauge cluster and steel-belted radials, with this record's own note cross-referencing the $5,321-versus-$4,936 price gap already carried in prices; reclining bucket seats with adjustable lower back supports; and a Rally gauge cluster with Custom Sport steering wheel shown as available.1
This record's own paint section names a single color, Fire Coral Bronze, with a note that it is the only color named in the brochure's Grand Prix page and that no full 1974 color list was found. This record's own interiors section carries three entries: contoured bucket seats in cloth and corduroy or all-Morrokide with a bench seat available instead; an all-Morrokide interior with cut-pile carpeting shown in saddle and also available in green, black, burgundy, blue, white and beige; and door panels and console inlaid with genuine African crossfire mahogany.
This record's own specifications section gives a 217.5-inch overall length, 77.9-inch overall width, 116.0-inch wheelbase, front/rear track of 61.9/61.1 inches, front/rear leg room of 42.4/33.5 inches, front/rear shoulder room of 58.8/57.1 inches, front/rear hip room of 56.9/52.9 inches, and a 37.7-inch front head room figure that this record's own scope note flags separately, since the source's printed rear figure of 32.2 inches was not used. It also gives shipping weights of 4,096 pounds for the J hardtop and 4,300 pounds for the SJ hardtop, matching the same two figures already carried in keyFacts.2
This record's own performance and conflicts sections are both empty for the year, leaving no period road test and no disputed figure on record for the 1974 Grand Prix. This record's own identification section gives series 2GK, body style K57, a two-door hardtop for both the six-passenger J and the five-passenger SJ, sourced to the same Standard Catalog table that carries this record's own production and price figures.2
Fact sheet · 1974 · United States
The numbers
1974 Pontiac Grand Prix — The 455 remains the SJ engine as Grand Prix volume falls to under 100,000.
Coverage: Partial — researched sections are shown; missing ones are not yet sourced. Researched through 2026-09-23.
Every figure is labeled with how sure we are. Reported means a manufacturer, registry, or reference figure we cite but have not reconciled against factory records ourselves. Disputed means credible sources disagree and both are shown. Rows are separately scoped; don't add them together unless the note says they make up a total.
Key facts
- Factory prices: $4,936 for the Grand Prix J and $5,321 for the SJ; shipping weights 4,096 lb and 4,300 lb.2
Production
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base "J" Hardtop1,2 Base "J" Hardtop · 2-door · not stated by source | 85,976 | built, model-year | Reported |
| "SJ" Hardtop1 "SJ" Hardtop · 2-door · not stated by source | 13,840 | built, model-year | Reported |
| What was counted | Count | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix total1 not stated by source | 99,816 | built, model-year | Reported |
Production rows are the Standard Catalog of Pontiac lineage (read directly from the Standard Catalog of Pontiac, 2002, and as compiled by MuscleCarClub, which credits that book); the two are one lineage. The source presents the J and SJ rows as summing to its total.
In the Standard Catalog search text the 1974 SJ production cell is cut off after "13,84", so that book was not counted as a second reading of the 13,840 SJ figure.
No engine, transmission, paint or trim counts were found.
Prices when new
| Model | Price | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Prix J hardtop coupe (K57)2 | $4,936 | factory price as listed by the Standard Catalog, 1974 model year |
| Grand Prix SJ hardtop coupe (K57)2 | $5,321 | factory price as listed by the Standard Catalog, 1974 model year |
Prices are the nominal dollars of the day, not adjusted for inflation.
Engines
| Engine | Factory rating | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|---|
| T · 400 cid V81 400 cu in · 4-barrel | 225 hp, 330 lb-ft (SAE net (per source's note that post-1972 ratings are net)) | Not yet sourced | |
| Y · 455 cid V81 455 cu in · 4-barrel | 250 hp, 375 lb-ft (SAE net (per source's note that post-1972 ratings are net)) | Not yet sourced |
Ratings are the manufacturer's advertised figures under the standard shown (SAE gross before 1972, SAE net after). They are not dyno results, and gross and net ratings can't be compared directly.
Transmissions
| Transmission | Availability | Built |
|---|---|---|
| Turbo Hydra-matic | standard | Not yet sourced |
Options and packages
| Code | Option | Price | Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SJ (maintenance-free battery, unitized ignition, pin striping, 455 V-8, rally gauge cluster, steel-belted radials) | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Reclining bucket seats with adjustable lower back supports | — | Not yet sourced |
|
Rally gauge cluster and Custom Sport steering wheel (shown as available) | — | Not yet sourced |
Paint
| Code | Color | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Fire Coral Bronze | Not yet sourced |
Color names are the factory's. We don't show color swatches, because a screen color is no guide for a restoration.
Interiors
| Code | Trim | Built |
|---|---|---|
|
Contoured bucket seats in cloth and corduroy, or all-Morrokide; bench seat available instead of buckets | Not yet sourced |
|
All-Morrokide interior with cut-pile carpeting, shown in saddle; also available in green, black, burgundy, blue, white and beige | Not yet sourced |
|
Door panels and console inlaid with genuine African crossfire mahogany | Not yet sourced |
Specifications
| Measure | Value | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping weight2 | 4,096 lb | Grand Prix J hardtop |
| Shipping weight2 | 4,300 lb | Grand Prix SJ hardtop |
| Overall length | 217.5 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Overall width | 77.9 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Wheelbase | 116 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Track, front/rear | 61.9/61.1 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Leg room, front/rear | 42.4/33.5 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Shoulder room, front/rear | 58.8/57.1 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Hip room, front/rear | 56.9/52.9 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe |
| Front head room | 37.7 in | Grand Prix hardtop coupe (rear figure printed as 32.2 not used) |
Identification
- Series and body
- Series 2GK; body style K57 two-door hardtop for both the J (six-passenger) and the SJ (five-passenger).2
Identification
Read a 1974 Pontiac VIN
The VIN decoder runs in your browser and never sends the VIN anywhere. How the factory numbered this year's cars:
Same model year
Also in 1974
- AMC AMX The final Javelin AMX: 4,980 built, with the Go Package's cowl induction dropped and a production run that stretched into November 1974.
- AMC Gremlin X and Spirit AMX The Gremlin X gained a 'hockey stick' stripe. The 304 V8 remained available, but no X or V8 counts for the year were found.
- AMC Javelin The Javelin's final year: 22,556 non-AMX cars on a production run extended into November 1974.
- Buick Riviera Colonnade pillared roof; 20,129 built, 1,698 with Stage One and 4,119 with the GS handling option.
- Buick Skylark Gran Sport, GS and GSX The last year a 455 Stage 1 could be had in a Buick intermediate Gran Sport; 3,355 were built, 478 of them Stage 1.
- Chevrolet Chevelle and Malibu SS The SS was gone; the new Laguna Type S-3 coupe carried the Chevelle's performance image, with a 235 net hp 454 still on the engine list.
- Chevrolet Chevy II and Nova Spirit of America Nova (RPO Z51) offered on the Custom hatchback per the source. Enthusiast-compiled production: 390,537 cars; Super Sport 21,419.
- Chevrolet El Camino SS Colonnade-era El Camino; Chevrolet's 1974 data pages define the RPO Z15 SS option for the El Camino Classic. Team Chevelle's production totals give 51,223 El Caminos built, 4,543 of them with SS equipment.
- Dodge Challenger The last original-era Challenger shared a catalog with the Dart; the 360 replaced the 340 as the optional engine and production ended in April 1974.
- Dodge Charger The last B-body Charger before the 1975 personal-luxury redesign, with 5-mph bumpers, carried-over powertrains and an SE that accounted for 30,957 V-8 cars.
- Dodge Dart GTS, Swinger and Demon The 360 replaced the 340 in the Dart Sport, and Flory's production table counts 3,951 Dart Sport 360s at a $3,244 base price.
- Ford Maverick Grabber Grabber production fell to 23,502 by Classic Industries count.
- Ford Ranchero GT The Ranchero GT continued on the 1972-76 Ranchero; 11,328 GTs were built, per reference-site counts in the Standard Catalog lineage.
- Ford Thunderbird Sixth-generation personal-luxury Thunderbird; the record holds the production total and the luxury-group option prices only.
- Ford Torino The 1974 Torino grew again and added the Gran Torino Elite; the Gran Torino Sport survived only as a formal-roof hardtop, with 23,142 built.
- Mercury Cougar Outside the muscle focus: 91,670 Cougars for 1974 per Wikipedia's table.
- Oldsmobile Cutlass, 4-4-2 and Hurst/Olds The Hurst/Olds paced the Indianapolis 500 again and offered a 350 for the first time: 1,800 coupes, 380 of them with the 455 W-30.
- Plymouth Barracuda and 'Cuda The final year: Barracuda and 'Cuda hardtops with a standard 318 and a new optional 360, and 11,734 built before the line ended.
- Plymouth Duster 340 and 360 The 245 net hp 360 replaced the 340 in the Duster's best sales year: 3,969 Duster 360s among 281,378 Dusters, with Twister, Gold Duster and Space Duster packages priced separately.
- Plymouth GTX, Belvedere and Satellite In 1974 a GTX nameplate came with the Road Runner's optional 440 four-barrel, TorqueFlite required; Mueller's Muscle Car Source Book counts 386 of them.
- Plymouth Road Runner The last Satellite-based Road Runner; production roughly halved from 1973.
- Pontiac Firebird and Trans Am A new nose and the last Super Duty: 10,255 Trans Ams, 943 with the SD-455.
- Pontiac GTO The last original GTO: a package on the compact Ventura with a 200 hp 350; 7,058 built.
- Pontiac Grand Am A revised nose and 17,083 built, only 342 with a four-speed.
- Pontiac Tempest and LeMans With the GTO moved to the Ventura, the LeMans GT package became the intermediate performance choice, backed by 350, 400 and 455 V8 options.