1988 Pontiac Grand Prix Turbo Prototype
edited by David Barth, 17 December 2008.
Courtesy "The Auto Collections" showroom at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in Las, Vegas, Nevada, USA. Photos were
taken 23 November 2006.
Identification number: ID42318
This unique vehicle began life as part of the high-performance Pontiac Grand Prix Turbo Project from 1988 through 1990.
Originally equipped as an SE model, it was delivered by Pontiac to the ASC/McLaren facility near Pontiac's Grand Prix
Plant in Fairfax, Kansas in 1988.
ASC/McLaren was commissioned by Pontiac to create a performace turbo prototype using
this car for research and development of the 1989 Limited Edition Turbo Grand Prix units.
Because it is a prototype, many hand-fabricated components and modifications can be seen under the hood and on the
engine and turbo unit, itself. Coupler units for testing engine performace, temperatures, airflow, etc. are also
evident. The chassis is fitted with heavy-duty, four-wheel discbrakes and a high-performance handling package. The turbo
unit possesses a higher spool-up rate than any of the later production units. The factory gold paint on this prototype
is also unique since all 1989 production Grand Prix turbo cars were offered only in black or red.
After factory R&D was completed in 1990, Pontiac Motorsports sent both the car and engine separately to Frank Peterson
Racing in Lakewood, Colorado for high-altitude evaluation and to compete in the Pikes Peak Auto Hillclimb in the
Showroom Stock Class.
The components were reassembled and the car was lightened and modified for competition including the following:
- A full roll cage
- 5-point harness
- Fuel cell
- Pressurized intercooler water tanks
- Boost gauge
- Racing tires
- Racing exhaust
- A purpose-built racing transmission by Hydra-matic Motorsports
The end resut is a fully-optioned, racing prototype with the following:
- Power steering
- Power brakes
- Heater
- Power windows
- Power locks
- Full-adjusted
- Power seats
- Air conditioning
- Original racing livery
This is a former World of Wheels car, the only Grand Prix turbo to race Pikes Peak and a true piece of Pontiac performance
history.
At the time these photos were taken, the price was $15,000.
