I got a free 03 Grand Prix GT

[bustaphoto]

First I wanted to say how blown away by the detail and dedication I have seen on this forum:th_peaceout:

After not having a car for over 5 years living the bicycle life I randomly inherited 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT in Light Driftwood Metallic with only 62k miles. I wasn't even on the inheritance but I guess someone in my family loves me!!

I have never been into American cars but being a cinematographer and creative I always had a soft spot for the old GP commercials in the dessert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jaPUAofB0 and when they followed up with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFltU0oonuU for the newer GPs it really tied the whole story together they where great. I had a hand me down 98 Chevy Astro that I loved and learned a very valuable lesson, that maintenance is hand down the most important thing for a car. My parents sucked at this lol and after 160k I had to sell the van after replacing the water pump and flushing out some super rusty coolant, the hood on that car before me had never been popped outside of at mechanic shop, except for this one time. I remember we where on a road trip and the coolant reservoir had gone dry, and my dad filled here up with some water and never looked back, years later the cancer had grown to the point of no return.:th_shakinghead1:

I'm a big fan of 80's Japanese cars and have worked on Corola and Mr2s in the past but newer cars have always scared me. But after seeing some really nice cars in the members rides I have grown to really like the look go the wide body GMs, and after doing some research on these cars the power train option for them where pretty beefy.

Soon since I have a little grease monkey in me I here by swear to make this the nicest Grand Prix I can. My goal would be to make some tasteful modifications to the exterior to bring the cars look up to date, make it ride a little better, and make me happy.

Thanks for all the inspiration... Pics to come

 

[bustaphoto]

Here are some images from when I first got it. The paint looked pretty good but was rough to the touch so I clayed the car and gave it a good wash and wax. The inside of the car is in perfect condition outside of the driver side door has some rips, any suggestions on covers? All the leather ones I have found are in the $200-300 price range for both front seat covers.

 

[Scottydoggs]

she looks clean, new head lights and tails and she'll be looking good. struts even look good still judging by the ride height. is the lower door molding missing? looks messed up a little. didnt even notice till i read it being messed up lol

got to love them southern cars.

 

[bustaphoto]

Yup I am missing the "lower door molding"? on both driver side doors. I think he was in an accident and dint tell anyone because there is some bondo on the driver side door and the rear driver side door is hard to open and close. I took a look around the Upick Junkyard locally but had no luck and on Ebay they can get pricey but I'm looking.

Also the lights I already got started on... again the head lights have a grease pencil marks so they where put on at some point. One of them has black spray pain on the inside which looks kinda cool but totally kills the visibly of the light since the mirrors are painted over and don't reflect back any light. I used Meguir's Heavy Duty Headlight Restoration Kit. I'm happy with the results, still clear today 3 months later.

 

[bustaphoto]

Current Pic

 

[Scottydoggs]

they sell smoked corners, might be what you have there, they did come back pretty good. next time you need to clean em up, they do come off rather easy, better to work on in your lap i find. i use my buffer and compound on mine to clean em up. they always dull back up tho. might try some clear coat next time if i dont buy new ones.

 

[bustaphoto]

Amen! I had the same thought once I was done, it would have been easier to do even sanding too. I'm curious how many times you have done it, I have always had glass headlights. Also read about just clearing them, the kit comes with a UV protectant lets see how that lasts:th_popcorn:

 

[Scottydoggs]

yeah, i forgot about the wet sanding part lol much easier off the car. mine come off super easy just two clips and unplug it. you guys got a few screws i think.

mine look like they need help again, its been almost 2 years since i did them last.

from a month ago.

and the last time i cleaned them i also painted the front bumper. yeah it looks like i take stuff apart a lot lol

 

[bustaphoto]

ya it does lol, I see you had ramps and now stands... any reason or it just so happens? I had stands in the passed but the ramps seem so convinient

 

[Scottydoggs]

top pic is a tranny swap last month. theres no frame under it.

other pic is just a bumper removal to paint it, ramps make life easy for that job.

 

[idrivejunk]

Wow, that thing is GOLD. Looks clean. I'd get rid of the pinstripes. Looks like both bumpers may have also been painted, going by the color difference and no accent color at the bottom.

 

[bustaphoto]

Right?! I was wondering if the color accent was a super standard thing or only on some cars, def a repaint thought cuz the emblems have no place around them just all gold everythang!

 

[Slick2500]

The emblems are painted the same color as the car from the factory.

 

[CrazyGuy03]

Super clean find

you had me at "clay bar"

 

[hotrodwoman66]

Hey do you happen to know the correct timing marks for a 2003 grand prix 3800 l engine????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

First I wanted to say how blown away by the detail and dedication I have seen on this forum:th_peaceout:

After not having a car for over 5 years living the bicycle life I randomly inherited 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT in Light Driftwood Metallic with only 62k miles. I wasn't even on the inheritance but I guess someone in my family loves me!!

I have never been into American cars but being a cinematographer and creative I always had a soft spot for the old GP commercials in the dessert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jaPUAofB0 and when they followed up with https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFltU0oonuU for the newer GPs it really tied the whole story together they where great. I had a hand me down 98 Chevy Astro that I loved and learned a very valuable lesson, that maintenance is hand down the most important thing for a car. My parents sucked at this lol and after 160k I had to sell the van after replacing the water pump and flushing out some super rusty coolant, the hood on that car before me had never been popped outside of at mechanic shop, except for this one time. I remember we where on a road trip and the coolant reservoir had gone dry, and my dad filled here up with some water and never looked back, years later the cancer had grown to the point of no return.:th_shakinghead1:

I'm a big fan of 80's Japanese cars and have worked on Corola and Mr2s in the past but newer cars have always scared me. But after seeing some really nice cars in the members rides I have grown to really like the look go the wide body GMs, and after doing some research on these cars the power train option for them where pretty beefy.

Soon since I have a little grease monkey in me I here by swear to make this the nicest Grand Prix I can. My goal would be to make some tasteful modifications to the exterior to bring the cars look up to date, make it ride a little better, and make me happy.

Thanks for all the inspiration... Pics to come

 

[Pursell1911]

You may want to use the search feature, at the top of the page next to the magnifying glass. If you can't find what you're looking for, try starting a new thread in the General section. Will probably get more responses that way.

OP, nice looking car!

 

[Scottydoggs]

Hey do you happen to know the correct timing marks for a 2003 grand prix 3800 l engine????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

first off this should have it own thread, not jacking this guys ride thread. only timing marks you have are the cam/ crank gears.