PONTIAC DESIGN By Jeff Denison, GM Design Center
GRAND PRIX GTX RAM AIR
As originally appeared in Pontiac Enthusiast Vol. 3 No. 6
Reprinted with permission from Don Keefe, Editor, Pontiac Enthusiast
The SLP GTX Ram Air hood brings the production Grand Prix much closer in appearance
to the original 1995 300 GPX show car.
Automobile manufacturers have been previewing coming attractions at major auto shows across the country for years. Some of these models are exactly like the production variants that are later sold from dealer showrooms, while others are treated to special styling cues that often go beyond the first year of the model. Some of these cues may show up in a future facelift.  the 300 GPX's sculpted bodyside, Ram Air hood, and 300- hp supercharged engine were absent and not available as an option from the factory. Just as SLP Engineering had stepped up in 1992 to pro- duce 25 Firebird Firehawks in order to fill the void for an all-out performance Firebird, they now introduce the '98 Grand Prix GTX (most muscle car enthusiasts recall the 
 
The Grand Prix 300 GPX show car was just such an automobile, showcasing in advance the all-new 1997 Wide Track Grand Prix. It featured a 300-hp supercharged 3800 Series II V-6 engine under a uniquely styled twin NACA-ducted Ram Air hood. The bodyside was finely sculpted to form a smooth transition into wheelwells that housed huge P255/40ZR18 tires and 9x18-inch five- spoke wheels. When the production Grand Prix was finally introduced in dealer showrooms,
GTX as a Mopar designation from the late '60s). The SLP Grand Prix GTX will feature the same twin-NACA Ram Air hood design as appeared on the 300 Grand Prix GPX show car. This induction system will add an additional 10 hp to any of the Grand Prixs available with 3800 series V-6 engines. Regretfully, the GTP's bodyside treatment will not be reflected in the new GTX, as major sheet- metal changes would be required. The interior of the GTX will remain standard Grand Prix fare,





The Pontiac 300 GPX Grand Prix, shown above, was the hit of the show car circuit in 1995. Its large five-spoke wheels, low profile, Ram Air hood, and wide stance contributed greatly to its aggressive look.
 
as it would be difficult to improve on one of the best interiors already in the industry. The 235x55R17 Michelin Pilot series tires and 17x7 aluminum wheels shown here are optional on the GTX. To my eye, the chrome six-spokes might look more at home on a 4- wheel drive Suburban than on a luxury sport coupe/sedan like the GTX. A buyer might be able to find an aftermarket five-spoke design more similar to the wheels that appeared on the original 300 GTP show car (see photo above). The Grand Prix GTX is somewhat of a different program from SLP's Firebird Firehawk. The Firehawk can be ordered through any Pontiac dealer and is shipped from the  GTX sunroof available for open-air fans. A Bilstein sport su pension will also be available by spring. The GTX suspension is engineered by none other than Herb Adams of earlier Trans Am competition fame. The GTX upgrade of the Grand Prix adds additional excitement to the line of SE, GT, and GTP models. The upgraded styling of the Ram Air hood alone will separate GT. owners from the norm. If the 300 GPX show car was one of those automobiles you just couldn't live without, you can now live the dream. See your local Pontiac dealer and tell him you want a new Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Ram Air GTX.  Think how that handle will look on a title! 
 
factory with Firehawk options. SLP ac- complishes this by picking up the Firebirds at the manufacturing facility, trucking them some 30 miles to the SLP plant for modification, and then returning them for delivery. For the GTX, though, SLP is setting up two service centers – one in Detroit and one in Charlotte, N.C.– to convert new Grand Prix SE, GT, and GTP 3800- powered coupes and sedans to GTX specifications. By the time you read this, the GTX should be available in three colors: red, white, and black. The base GTX includes the functional composite NACA hood with ram air induction, GTX nameplates, and key fobs. The GTX's options list includes a stainless steel performance dual exhaust system and the previously mentioned 17-inch tires and wheels. There is even a 
The cloisonne GTX emblem and the 17" aluminum wheels are the only distinguishable changes in the already attractive Grand Prix rear-end treatment.