Mount Prospect, Illinois  ·  Est. 1972

Dad's
Grand Prix

The restoration diary of Birdie — a 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ

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455ci V8 Engine Brasilia Gold Poly Exterior Color

Meet
Birdie.

She rolled off the Pontiac line in 1972 as a pinnacle of American personal luxury — long hood, sweeping roofline, split grille, and more chrome than your grandfather's bathroom. Decades later, she found her way to San Diego, and in the winter of 2024, she came home to Mount Prospect.

Now the restoration begins. Every bolt turned, every panel straightened, every mile driven is documented right here — for the love of the machine and for the story she still has left to tell.

1972
Model Year
Grand Prix SJ
Model
455ci
Engine
60056
Home Zip
Birdie — 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix SJ, three-quarter front view

Birdie's
Show Calendar

Summer TBD
Mount Prospect Lions Club Car Show
Lions Club International — Mt. Prospect
Mount Prospect, IL 60056
Hometown show — Birdie's local debut. The Mt. Prospect Lions Club hosts this annual community car show. Check their page for 2026 dates.
Local Community All Makes
→ Lions Club Page
Summer TBD
Norridge Car Show
Village of Norridge, IL
Norridge, IL — ~20 min from 60056
A popular northwest suburban show, great turnout for classics every season. Birdie fits right in on Milwaukee Avenue.
Suburbs All Makes
Summer TBD
Wheeling Cruise Night
Village of Wheeling
Wheeling, IL — ~15 min from 60056
Weekly summer cruise nights on Milwaukee Ave draw hundreds of classics. Low-pressure, high-fun local circuit stop for Birdie.
Cruise Night Weekly Local
Aug TBD
Buffalo Grove Days Car Show
Village of Buffalo Grove
Buffalo Grove, IL — ~15 min from 60056
Annual community festival car show adjacent to 60056. Strong classic turnout every August.
Local Classic Cars

Events update as the 2026 season is announced · Last checked Mar 2026