On September 13, 2001 I was on my way home to NC from the World Trade Centers as a member of the Red Cross Disaster Team / Firefighter / Medic when the transmission failed on my Subaru. I was in total shock from the previous days but the next day I went to the Pontiac dealer. I had been eyeballing the Grand Prix for a few years and had a customized 1984 as my first car (Mandy I will get her own thread). I even went to the dealer in 2000 to check one out and when I left my friend had traded his car in on a new GTP! So there was not going to be any more procrastinating in my life and Mandy II was my gift to myself for making it home to my wife and 1 1/2 year old boy.
Immediately Mandy got a CAI homemade in a clear box (kits weren't available yet) and Ubend & resonator delete. I designed the flag graphics and had them put on in vinyl for 2 years with great reviews. So then I had them painted and cleared onto the car. I met a guy named Charles Beyerly through CGP and got one of the first few DHP PCM's produced. I had also met up with the folks from NCSCCGP and a group of us formed the Triangle Area Club GP chapter. We had mod days at my house about every 6 weeks with up to 20 cars. Good times! We also started attending the NC State Autofair in groups of up to 40 GP's. That's where I learned to show a car and took home a few trophies.
In 2005 I moved back home to the Jersey Shore where Mandy would not have to drive more then 5 miles a day and had a garage. With the help of JSCGP members she got a GTP motor, ZZP ported SC, SLP headers, true 3" exhaust, lowered, sprung, and new wheels. After Hurricane Sandy hit us it was clear I wouldn't be able to drive Mandy for quite a while cause the roads were sandy and debris covered. The next day I purchased a 2000 Wrangler and finally made Mandy the weekend driver she deserved to be. My boy is now 13 and over the years has assisted me working on every single part of the car except the front seats. We keep her in pretty mint condition and are planning a total repaint of her in the next year or two.
2007 Club Grand Prix Miss August Calendar Photo:
2010 Red Bank Fire Department Car Show:
One of the North Carolina Auto Fair's in the early 2000's. That's pit road of Charlotte Motor Speedway:
HID Halos installed 2010:
Good times! Yes, those were fake hood scoops. She now has the SD hood from Mike Vaughn's famous GP.
Lowes Motor Speedway
Great pic compliments of the Maryland State Police. Well worth the $40 no points ticket:
Originally Posted by AmericanSoldier
