Is this the ultimate in Pontiac opulence from one of the greatest years (in cars) of the 20th century? Yes, it’s the big Bonneville Vista four-door hardtop, all 221.7 inches of it, seven longer than the base Catalina your neighbor just bought. Luxury still meant size (for the most part) in the 1960s, and in addition to sheer bulk, the big Pontiacs attacked the 1965 selling season with styling that clearly ranked among the best in the industry. In addition to the swoopy crispness and well-tailored elegance one would expect from a GM car, the Pontiac had a lower-body line that made the car look a good six-inches lower than it really was. The seller of this long and low Bonneville claims that it has 35,941 miles on it from new, and while claims such as those invite abundant caution, this is a nice Bonneville regardless of the mileage. Barn Finder T.J. found it on Marketplace in Union Mills, North Carolina, for $15,000.
The Bonneville got a little extra power over the Catalina as standard equipment, in the form of a 325-horsepower 389 with a Carter AFB up top. With air conditioning such as our featured car has, it channeled the power through its Turbo-Hydramatic to a 2.73:1 rear axle ratio for relaxed cruising. Pontiac tended to specify tall axle ratios in their full-size cars; maybe they figured the ample torque of their V8s would make up for the lack of ratio multiplication and offer better highway fuel mileage. Regardless, it’s a clean engine compartment, and it looks as if the master cylinder is newer, so perhaps the braking system has been recently serviced. The ad is a little thin on details, so it may behoove you to send the seller a message if you’re interested.
The only Bonneville four-door available in 1965 was the Vista, Pontiac’s term for a four-door hardtop. A full 62,480 of them were sold in 1965, despite their $3,362 base price, about $400 higher than a Catalina Vista. Even though Pontiacs were available in a rainbow of available colors, the original owner of this Bonneville chose what appears to be Cameo White, which was available with this gold “Expanded Morrokide” interior. In essence, Morrokide was Pontiac-ese for vinyl; you could also order cloth and Morrokide on the Vista. As an added luxury, this Bonneville has “Automatic Temperature Control,” which is a Cadillac-style feature offered on the big Pontiacs.
Twenty years ago, I’d have scoffed at the idea of a four-door Bonneville selling for $15,000, but it’s important that we occasionally align our expectations with reality. This looks like a pretty nice original car, and the seller says that he is willing to entertain “reasonable offers” because he doesn’t want to “sit on this car.” Who knows? If that reasonable offer is yours, maybe you’ll be cruising with the whole gang in Pontiac luxury this summer.
Toth those taller gears ⚙️ are appreciated if the car is primarily on the highway.
Never heard of a Vista before.
“Vista” is the name Pontiac used for 4-door hardtops from 1959-1965. 2-door hardtops were called “Sports Coupe.”
GM was really at its height in ’65 ’66 especially. The designs were very handsome. I’ve had pictures of my Dad’s ’66 Bonneville. I didn’t know these had such tall standard rears too. With the torque of that 389 it was effortless cruising. Just beautiful. Great article Aaron!!!
I love all generations of “Bonnies” (I owned the last generation back in 2002, still miss that car. HiPo V6 really put out some power and wonderful rumbles when you needed it). Too bad this 65 doesn’t have the magnificent 8-lug wheels, but still gorgeous and a reasonable price. This is only 5 hours from me, I’m very tempted.
Great looking CAR. Alot more for your dollar –then any piece of overprice junk they are putting on now. Plus you can work on it and don,t have to mess with any electronic junk and you can see the motor when you raise the hood. Better ride and alot safer. One word describes the car—AWSOME !. I LOVE IT.
I’ve seen a Bonny Brougham before (pretty rare), but what is a VISTA?
As in an Olds “VistaCruiser”??
Gary,
In 1965, “Vista” was the moniker for Pontiac’s 4-door hardtop body style while the “Brougham” option on Bonneville included a more opulent limousine-like interior and a padded “Cordova” (vinyl) top.
OK, well I remember the silver, rectangular “Brougham” badge on the C pillar (usually on a black vinyl top), but where is the “Vista” badge? I’ve never heard of a generic term for a 4dr GM hdtp.
“Vista” was just the 4-door pillarless hardtop body style namesake for the 1965 Pontiac Bonneville & Catalina and not a specific option per se, nor did it have a specific badge or emblem denoting “Vista”.
the Vista I believe started in 59 which is what the 4 door flat tops are called due to the 360 degree view from inside.
Sorry for not paying attn. to the term “moniker. I’ve owned a 66 Pontiac conv, and a 68 Bonny and just learned something new today! :)
Chinese GM will never make us in America anything like this ever again!
@ angliagt….
Pontiac labeled ALL their B-body 4dr. hardtops ‘Vista’. Oldsmobile referred to their big-B 4dr. hdtps. as a ‘Holiday’. Full-size Chevy’s were ‘Sport Sedan’ for the Impala & ‘Custom Sedan’ for the Caprice. Buick made no specific distinction for their pillarless 4drs.
Be still, my heart! I fondly remember how much I loved the ’65 Pontiacs. Three of my friends bought new ones–all convertibles–in Pennsylvania–an aqua Cat, a regular red B’ville, and a red B’ville with 3 deuces and a four speed! While my red ’64 Ford 500XL convertible was no slouch, it wasn’t the ’65 Pontiac I now craved but couldn’t afford. Years later, I finally found a low mileage ’65 Cat ragtop (dark blue) and bought it for $1200. I loved that rascal and put 70K trouble-free miles on ‘er before selling to another Pontiac fan for twice what I paid for it, and that was with a demolished LR quarter!
65 and 66. General Motors had the top designers! Buick, Olds, Pontiac(!!!), Chevy! All the big sedans were gorgeous!