For the first time in history NASCAR's Richard Petty ran a Pontiac in competition, as seen in this cut-a-way of his 1982 Grand Prix STP Oil Treatment car. Power came from a "corporate" 358-cid V8 engine (Chevrolet small block) and the chassis was constructed by the Petty Enterprises crew in Randleman, NC.

Extensive driver protection comes with the mandated tubular steel roll cage with four individual crash bars on each side. Wheelbase was 110-inches, screw-jack adjustable coil spring front and rear suspension, and with an overall weight of 3700 pounds.

For added safety, an on-board fire suppression system was used (as viewed with the twin red  Halon fire-extinguishers located near the driver's seat). In a similar Petty Blue / STP Red-hued 1984 Grand Prix, Petty went on to win his 200th NASCAR event win at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona, an all-time record that still stands today.

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