For 1969, John Z. DeLorean, Pontiac's general manager at the time, ordered the development of an all-new Grand Prix based on a slightly stretched version of the intermediate GM A platform, which was dubbed the G-body. The previous platform was based on the 121 in wheelbase from the Catalina, but in 1969 it was decreased to 118 in. This smaller, lighter car at last had its own body and Pontiac's longest-ever hood. Like the previous generation, the new Grand Prix would be offered only as a 2-door hardtop. Even the model names took elements of old Duesenbergs (J and SJ trim).
Development of the new intermediate-based 1969 Grand Prix began in April 1967 after a few prototype GPs were built on the full-sized Pontiac platform as originally planned. DeLorean and other Pontiac planners decided to make the switch in light of declining sales of the full-sized Grand Prix in comparison to competition from unique personal cars in both the luxury and sporty car fields including the Ford Thunderbird, Buick Riviera and Oldsmobile Toronado at the luxury end, along with the emerging ponycars such as the Ford Mustang and Pontiac's own new-for-1967 Firebird. To save product development costs, it was decided that while the newest GP would have a unique bodyshell of its own, the car would use the basic chassis and drivetrain from the A-body intermediates (Tempest, Le Mans and GTO), in much the same manner Ford created the original Mustang in 1964 using the basic chassis and drivetrain from the compact Ford Falcon. Going this route greatly reduced development costs overall and permitted Pontiac to concentrate on more effort to upgrade the styling and sheetmetal, along with interior appointments. This move also enabled Pontiac to reduce development time for the 1969 GP from the usual 36 months required for a new model to less than 18 months.[citation needed]
The new model also refocused attention on performance, with increased installation percentages for manual transmissions and engine options up to the 390 hp 428 HO. Two engine sizes were offered with two power options were available in each engine size; a 265 hp 400 cu in, 350 hp 400 CID, a 370 hp 428 cu in, or the 390 hp, high output 428 CID.
The 1969 Grand Prix featured a sporty and luxurious interior with a wraparound cockpit-style instrument panel that placed virtually all controls and gauges within easy reach of the driver, and was named the
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