page_title: Pontiac Grand Prix
section_title: 1998
hierarchical_section_title: Pontiac Grand Prix / Sixth generation (1997–2003) / 1998
caption_attribution_description: English: Petty Enterprises #43 Pontiac Grand Prix at Pocono Raceway in June 1998. Driver is John Andretti
context_page_description: The Grand Prix is a line of automobiles produced by the Pontiac Division of General Motors from 1962 through 2002 for coupes and 1988–2008 for sedans. First introduced as part of Pontiac's full-size car model offering for the 1962 model year, the marque varied repeatedly in size, luxury, and performance during its lifespan. Among the changes were positioning in the personal luxury car market segment and mid-size car offering from the 2nd generation to the 5th generation for the sedan and from the 2nd generation to the 6th generation from the coupe; it returned to a full-size car from the 6th generation to the 7th generation for the sedan, positioned below the larger Bonneville in Pontiac's model lineup.
context_section_description: Few changes occurred this year, except that traction control now was available with the supercharged engine. Airbags were "depowered" to deploy with reduced force. The tire-pressure monitor was dropped. Also on models equipped with 3.8L N/A powerplants (VIN K), the 4T65E 4 speed automatic transmission was used in favor of the 4T60E previously used. To add some excitement, Pontiac also launched a special pace car model. This model celebrated the 40th running of the Daytona 500 on February 15, 1998. The pace-car replicas had special Medium Gulf Blue Metallic paint, unique "Sparkle Silver" 16-inch torque star aluminum wheels, custom decaling, a plaque notating the specific model number and custom door panels. Also standard was a heads-up-display that projected the speed onto the windshield. 1,500 were produced, with 200 of the 1,500 getting sunroofs.
caption: Pontiac supplied Grand Prix sheetmetal and engine parts to Petty Enterprises for years to field their #43 race car and this particular car was driven by John Andretti at the 1998 Pocono 500.
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