The Bonneville arrived in 1957 as a special edition convertible of the Pontiac Star Chief. It became a series of its own in 1958 (adding a hardtop), and the car expanded beyond two doors in 1959 and remained a Pontiac fixture through 2005. The third generation ran from 1961 to 1964, with stacked headlights becoming a trademark in 1963 (but only through 1967). The seller has a one-owner 1963 Bonneville Sport Coupe that may not have run for 40 years. Yet, the body, interior, and paint are remarkably nice. With what may be a rare 3-speed manual transmission, this Bonney is available here on eBay in Hardy, Arkansas, where the current bid is $2,225 (reserve unmet).
Because the Bonneville is a luxury car, you would typically expect to find one with an automatic transmission. Or occasionally a 4-speed manual with a floor shifter, But a “3-on-the-tree” manual, which is the case with the seller’s car? Was it a special order car, or am I making an assumption that most people wouldn’t have ordered a ’63 Bonneville with a column-shifted manual? Just shy of 31,000 sport coupes were built in 1963.
We’re told this Pontiac retired to a farm shed in 1986, perhaps due to the engine. We see one of the valve covers is missing, and the seller admits the 389 cubic inch V8 will need to be rebuilt. The rest of the car is original, including the aqua paint and white interior, both of which only show minor wear at 20,000 miles (or 120,000). The shed may have been in Iowa, though the car found its way south later.
The backup lights are incomplete, and new online replacements aren’t cheap. The tires are ancient, but three of them will hold air for trailer loading. The seller would have gotten the Pontiac running again but is moving out west, and the Poncho isn’t going with him. If you need the car delivered, the seller will do it for $2.50 a mile. Other vintage autos are for sale, including a 1958 Apache pickup, a 1971 C10, and a 1954 Bel Air, all Chevrolets.
Interesting also as i see manual brakes and steering. I would have expected a Bonneville to have that also. Must be a base model. Love the vintage tach and guagepod but don’t i see a trio of oem guages. I’m guessing fuel and temp and amps. This could be a nice project
Where do you get ‘base model’ out of ‘Bonneville’?
This doesn’t relate to the mechanics of the vehicle but a memory this brought back. When I was 16, I bought a ’55 Buick. I was at a stop light when my foot slipped off the brake petal on to the gas pedal. Buick with its big dagmars put a nice perfectly round hole in the truck lid of the ’63 right after the E, same color Pontiac too. Dad wasn’t happy when he found out. Trunk lid cost $350. back then to repair.
not too promising under that hood. too cheap to put a cheap set of tires on it. that would cut into the profits.
3 on the tree is a oddball for sure. They do pop up at times. This car is pretty cool in my opinion and seems to be in good shape. Valve covers off probably cause of a valve issue . My experience with Pontiac has been burnt valve issues. Btw paid 25 bucks when I was 15 for a 66 drop top gto driver side hit on fender and bumper. Also a odd ball with a 3 spd floor shifter from the factory. Who knew? Anyhow never had luck with Pontiac and my first Mopar was a 70 road runner and Mopar or no car now! Peace!
I don’t know what the reserve is, but it’s probably too high for the condition this is in.
Standard shift, no power steering, and no power brakes. This would be a beast to handle in city traffic or parallel parking!
Looks really dry.( Easy to disassemble and reassemble). Odd ball but the three speed with a 389 is an easy floor conversion. Sleek design and great bones
Must not be to hard up to sell it , since it has a reserve . Nice picture of bottom of trunk rotten cardboard. How does anyone make a logical decision on poor pictures ?
I’d sure like to own this ride but at my old age I cannot handle pulling the engine nor do I want to pay somebody else to do it. But me and that Pontiac could be friends.
I had a 65 the same color. Love those 389s but for this one I’d be forced to add another gear.
A 1963 loss leader. Wow.
The auction ended on 10/11/2026 with a high bid of $3,700, RNM, there were 21 bids from 9 bidders.
Steve R