The Grand Illusion – This Pontiac Is More Than Meets the Eye
Some cars announce their presence with flashy paint jobs, loud exhaust or a combination of things that lets you know they could mean business.
But then there are the sleepers; the cars that don’t register on most people’s minds as ‘quick.’ And although the automotive community has grown to pay attention to sleepers a little more at times, John Marecki’s Pontiac Grand Prix does its best to keep people guessing.
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Carrying the righteous nickname of ‘Granny’s Pacemaker’ this 1982 edition of the Grand Prix might not register on the same scale as a Buick Grand National, Chevrolet Monte Carlo or Oldsmobile Cutlass.
But it packs the same ‘G-body’ frame, suspension and advantages, so John knew he could slap some power to it. Currently, the Grand Prix sports the popular LS-swap in the form of a 5.3-liter base with a Precision turbocharger in the 75/76-millimeter size for some extra performance.
The LS operates on a Holley Terminator X EFI set-up, and is backed by a Turbo 400 3-speed automatic transmission, a Quick Performance 9-inch rear end. Coil-over shocks get the stance right, and for a true sleeper nod, whitewall tires at all four corners puzzle onlookers enough to miss the drag radials at the back with full hub caps on each wheel.
With some drag racing experience in his back pocket, John made his first drag-and-drive appearance at the OG, Hot Rod Drag Week, in 2021. He added the new ‘Back to the Streets’ event last year, a no-prep held in Michigan. “I finished both and learned a lot,” said John.
That will lead to repeat appearances at both events in 2024. “Hot Rod Drag Week is the granddaddy of drag-and-drives, and it’s somewhat local to me,” John admitted. Back to the Streets is a great group of people.”
Another factor leading John to do a pair of drag-and-drive events in 2024 is his co-pilot, his father. “This is going to be an amazing father and son experience. The memories will last the rest of our lives.”
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of John Marecki and Dominic Damato.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com