1979 Pontiac Grand Prix: The Last Year of the SJ

This record's own dek states that 1979 was the last year of the SJ, with a 301 four-barrel as the top engine. This record's own overview states that MuscleCarClub, crediting the Standard Catalog of Pontiac, gives 1979 Grand Prix production as 210,050, split between a base "J" hardtop at 124,815, an "LJ" hardtop at 61,175, and an "SJ" hardtop at 24,060, and that the compiled engine tables list a 231 cid V6 at 105 hp and 185 lb-ft and two 301 cid V8s at 140 hp/235 lb-ft and 150 hp/240 lb-ft, all SAE net as compiled with no rpm given.¹

This record's own keyFacts section states that Pontiac's 1979 buyer's guide lists four engines for the Grand Prix, the Buick 231 V-6 code LD5, the Pontiac 301 two-barrel code L27 and four-barrel code L37, and a Chevrolet 305 four-barrel code LG4 for altitude and California cars, with a four-speed manual offered behind the 301 four-barrel; it also gives factory prices of $5,113 for the V-6 Grand Prix or $5,308 for the V-8, $6,192 for the LJ, and $6,438 for the SJ. This record's own prices section carries these same four factory prices, and this record's own engines section carries all four engines by the same codes with the same ratings, adding that the LG4 is Chevrolet-built for altitude (with UPC NA6) and California certification across all three models.²

This record's own production section carries four rows, the 124,815-unit J, the 61,175-unit LJ, the 24,060-unit SJ, and the 210,050 total, with a note that the source presents the base, LJ and SJ rows as summing to the total, and a second note stating that no production figure was found for the 1979 SSJ conversion by Creative Automotive Inc., and that no engine, transmission, paint or trim counts were found. This record's own transmissions section lists a three-speed manual with the LD5 V-6, a four-speed manual with the L37 301 four-barrel, and an automatic available with every engine and standard with L27, the SJ's own base powertrain pairing L37 with the automatic.¹

This record's own options section itemizes the NA6 altitude emissions package, a V82 trailer-towing package, a medium trailer group, and a long list of individually named options: custom or automatic-climate-control air conditioning, cruise control, a rear window defroster, a hatch roof, a glass sunroof, a power metal sunroof, rally gauges and trip odometer, a Rally RTS suspension with 205/70R14 white-letter tires, a 60/40 or notchback seat with reclining passenger seat, power windows, door locks and a six-way driver's seat, AM/FM stereo with 8-track, cassette or CB, and automatic level control; it also carries the SJ's and LJ's own equipment content by name, and a separate SSJ entry describing a brushed-silver or anodized-gold roof Targa-band, French-seamed Elk Grain vinyl landau roof with private back window and opera windows, SSJ decals and cast emblems, accent striping, and wire wheels and a T-top offered.

This record's own interiors section carries three entries: the standard Grand Prix notchback seat with center armrest in cloth or all-vinyl, nylon-blend cut-pile carpeting, simulated Regal walnut instrument panel trim, and a deluxe cushion steering wheel; the LJ's own custom loose-pillow-look velour seats with Viscount leather buckets available; and the SJ's own specific vinyl front bucket seats with console, also offering Viscount leather buckets.

This record's own specifications section gives shipping weights of 3,126 pounds V-6 and 3,205 pounds V-8 for the Grand Prix, 3,285 pounds for the LJ, and 3,349 pounds for the SJ, along with a 201.4-inch overall length, 72.7-inch overall width, 108.1-inch wheelbase, front/rear tread of 58.5/57.8 inches, front/rear head room of 37.6/37.8 inches, front/rear leg room of 42.8/36.3 inches, front/rear shoulder room of 55.7/55.9 inches, front/rear hip room of 51.6/54.9 inches, 16.1 cubic feet of trunk capacity, 195/75R14 standard tires on the Grand Prix and LJ, and axle ratios that this record's own text lists separately by engine and transmission for the Grand Prix/LJ and for the SJ.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 1979 Grand Prix. This record's own identification section gives series 2G, body style J37 for the Grand Prix, K37 for the LJ, and H37 for the SJ, sourced to the same Standard Catalog tables as this record's own production and price rows.²