Some of our favorite cars are those that simply shouldn’t exist. Rarity due to an unusual confluence of options is one thing, but cars that automakers seemingly didn’t want to build—but did—are the ones that become legendary collectables. Think of the eleven 1971 Hemi ‘Cuda convertibles, the two ZL1 Corvettes, and even the COPO Camaros. Someone was willing to spend the money, and as a result, some rather fantastic cars rolled down the assembly line. Am I saying that this incredible 1967 Pontiac Grand Prix convertible deserves to be treated like a ZL1 Corvette? Of course not. But I bet that Pontiac management didn’t want to build a full-sized luxury convertible with a high-output 376 horsepower V8 and a 4-speed manual gearbox. But someone was writing the check and here it is. Experts suggest that perhaps 14 or 15 were built and how many can still exist today? Three? Four? It is an incredibly rare car that is desirable for all the right reasons, not just because of its color or the type of hubcaps it’s wearing.

This Pontiac Grand Prix ragtop gets everything right, don’t worry. It’s a real-deal 428 HO/4-speed car, as documented by PHS paperwork. It carries the right engine, too, a WJ-coded 428 that was unique to the 4-speed HO Grand Prix (more on the engine in a moment). It is loaded with desirable options like factory A/C, a center console, and an AM/FM radio with power antenna. And it has been treated to a no-expense-spared frame-off restoration to the very highest standards, likely making it the best of its kind available anywhere. This is one of those collector cars that checks every box and there are exactly zero asterisks attached to it. Performance, beauty, and pedigree, this Grand Prix delivers on every single level.

Code D Montreux Blue is this car’s original color, and when it was restored there was zero question about what was going back on the fully prepped bodywork. It’s just stunning. Not too bright but not a light blue, either, it’s the archetypal color for the grown-up buying a Pontiac in the 1960s. The 1967 Grand Prix was a one-year-only design, and not just due to the unique hidden headlights and slotted parking lights. The following year, the Grand Prix would move to another platform and get downsized to a personal coupe, making 1967 a banner year in more ways than one. This is a big, full-sized car, make no mistake, but the handsome styling makes it look trim and well-tailored, particularly the curvaceous quarters that recall the GTO. You will note that this car was taken down to bare metal and rebuilt from there (we have the photographs and receipts to prove it) and the workmanship is simply spectacular. It is highly unlikely that they were this nice when they were new, with exacting gaps, doors that thunk close with precision, and not a wave nor ripple to be seen anywhere on the vast flanks. Check out the side view where the crease running from nose to tail is most visible—it is crisp and straight enough to give you a paper cut. There’s a depth and shine to the paint that comes from modern two-stage urethane being color-sanded and buffed and the careful assembly means that it fits together extremely well. Even the matching Parchment pinstripe is painted, not a decal!

You’d expect a lot of chrome on a luxury sled like this, and you won’t be disappointed. The big bumper/grille assembly up front features the traditional Pontiac beak and yes, the hidden headlights are fully operational. The rear bumper is massive and it, too, was treated to a show-quality triple-chrome restoration. Other details like the stainless rocker trim, the subtle “GP” emblems, and the critically-important ‘428’ badges are all as crisp and fresh as if they’d popped out of the molds last week. The restoration on this car cost well into the six-figure range and it shows everywhere you look.

I don’t know about you, but I find Pontiac’s particular shade of Parchment upholstery to be incredibly appealing. Not white but not beige, it’s got an iridescent glow that makes it seem warm and inviting. Of course, that’s how this car was ordered when it was new and it’s a lovely complement to the Montreux Blue paint: flashy but sophisticated. Seeing buckets and a console with a Hurst 4-speed shifter in a big luxury car will cause a lot of double-takes, and even without the 428 HO engine, this would be a rare car: only 205 Grand Prixes were built with a manual gearbox of any kind. Looking around, however, and you’ll quickly see that this car tends towards the luxury side of the sport/luxury equation, with comfortable seats, a handsome dashboard, and upscale options like cold factory A/C, a tilt steering column, and an AM/FM radio with power antenna. Here, too, all the chrome was restored so the trim glitters against the burled walnut appliques and the big woodgrained wheel takes its inspiration from other high-performance Ponchos. The only possible demerits are a clock that wants to work but occasionally stops and a horn button that’s canted a few degrees off-center. Otherwise, the list of flaws is very, very short. Overhead, this Pontiac wears what is perhaps the best-fitting power convertible top we’ve ever seen; it’s so taut that there’s not a wrinkle or crease to be found anywhere. We expected it to be difficult to latch on the header, even with power assist, but no, it drops down and latches with your fingertips—whomever installed this convertible top was an expert at the top of his game. Wow! In back, the trunk is spotless and finished with a correct mat, matching full-sized spare with cover and a full jack assembly.

Now about the engine. In 1967, Pontiac increased the size of all their V8s, with the 389 getting punched out to 400 cubes and the former 421 becoming the 428 thanks to a modest overbore. There were two versions of the 428, a 360-horsepower version and the 428 HO, which made a rather impressive 376 horsepower and 462 pounds of torque. Obviously intended for use in full-sized hardware, the HO made even the biggest Pontiacs feel 1000 pounds lighter than they are, yet it’s buttery-smooth and effortless in true luxury car fashion. Only 385 428 HO engines were built in 1967, so any car carrying one is a rather rare beast. At any rate, this car is a real HO/4-speed car so don’t worry about that part. And don't worry, it is a correct WJ-coded 428 HO engine that was unique to the B-bodies.

It is, of course, fully rebuilt to stock specs and has about 2000 miles on the restoration, so it is broken in but still quite fresh. It starts quickly and easily with just a single press of the throttle to set the choke, then settles into an easy, unobtrusive idle. Sure, there’s a big cam working in there, so it’s not invisible, but this luxury car is reminding you that it can run with a GTO. Correct Pontiac Turquoise metallic engine enamel gives it the right look, along with a set of chrome valve covers that were a Pontiac trademark on their performance engines (they obviously knew guys would be looking around under the hood). Correct markings, decals, and even things like the tower hose clamps make this car extremely correct. The A/C has been converted to R134a so it’s easy to service, but the changeover was invisible so you won’t lose any points on the show field. The heavy-duty cooling system has no problems keeping it healthy and throttle response is RIGHT NOW thanks to the giant 4-barrel carburetor up top. You will also find new wiring, correct vacuum systems for the headlights, and even all the extra little ground straps on the block, details that many restorers omit.

The Muncie M20 4-speed manual transmission is likewise correct and we have photos of all the critical numbers before it was installed in the car. The body was off the frame for the restoration and there’s nothing on the car that hasn’t been refinished, from the frame to the satin black underbody to the steering and braking systems. This car carries optional $110.59 front disc brakes, which is reassuring when you have this much mass able to gather speed so quickly. A new dual exhaust system has the right mufflers and mellow tone that’s appropriate for a luxury/muscle car such as the Grand Prix, and it has proper turn-downs under the rear bumper. The 10-bolt rear end was factory equipment and is packed with 3.23 gears on a limited slip, making this a fantastic highway cruiser. Factory steel wheels and hubcaps are protected by a set of fresh 225/75/15 whitewall radials.

Documentation, as you’d expect, is extensive. In addition to the full PHS package that proves this car is legitimate, there are reproduction window stickers, original owner’s manuals, warranty booklets, and a factory service manual on CD-ROM. There’s a huge album full of restoration photos and receipts that should satisfy anyone that this car was restored to the very highest levels. It also includes several magazine articles on this car, a stand-up show board, and a 1967 Pontiac showroom brochure. There are no question marks on this Grand Prix.

We’re very impressed by this Pontiac. The combination of rarity, performance, luxury, and pedigree add up to a very special car that belongs in the world’s best Pontiac collections. It is unlikely that you will ever see another one and there can’t be any that are finer than this. Luxury muscle cars like this will never exist again, making the 4-speed Pontiac Grand Prix convertible an exceptional piece of history. Call today!