Dear departed Pontiac, GM’s “Excitement Division” did build some exciting things in the sixties, with the 1964 GTO rising to the top of the mentionable list. But they had an excitement streak before that, as evidenced by this 1963 Bonneville. I’d call this one a “twofer” as not only is it a convertible, but it has a four-speed manual transmission too – sporty! Kinda like a GTO, just bigger (OK, a whole lot bigger). Anyway, this big drop-top has a lot going for it, so let’s take a closer look. You’ll find it in Arlington, Nebraska, and it’s listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $16,000. Thanks are due to Zappenduster for this tip!
Bonneville was Pontiac’s range-topping model in ’63 and was available as a two-door hardtop and convertible, as well as a four-door hardtop and “Safari” station wagon. First appearing as a trim level in ’57, Bonneville was on its own in ’58 and by ’63 rode on a 123″ wheelbase, stretching out to a length of 219″ – yes, a big car! Volume-wise, Pontiac assembled 109K Bonnnevilles in ’63, and 23K of that total provided the air-through-the-hair experience.
The seller states, “Car is overall very solid and straight. Nice frame. Floors are nearly rust-free. Trunk pan has pinholes and has been worked on. Little rust in the quarters and door corners. Convertible top operates nicely but needs replaced.” The body appears to be solid, though the Nocturne Blue finish is showing its age in places. That noted, the chrome and stainless trim look fine, and the iconic eight-lug wheels show as perfect. The images that illustrate the top in the up position do reveal fabric that has seen better days.
The seller states that the bench seats have been reupholstered and they, along with the carpet, look good. The door and upholstery panels aren’t half bad either, though the lower edge of the driver’s door panel may be unraveling. The dash pad is new too, though the steering wheel has been reduced to chunks on a steel rim. This is a non A/C equipped car, and apparently both the heater and the radio are on the fritz.
Powering this rig is a 303 gross HP 389 CI V8 engine, married to the aforementioned four-speed manual transmission. The engine compartment shows as stock and original, and despite its 133K miles of experience, the seller claims, “Runs and drives good. Recent ignition tune-up, carb rebuild, and fuel pump. Good tires. Cruises down the highway well. Went on an hour-long drive and it did great.”
OK, so maybe not a GTO, but this convertible is an excellent representative of Pontiac’s sixties sporting intentions, especially when rolled together with the full and mid-sized Grand Prix, the Firebird/Trans Am and, of course, the Goat. These were Pontiacs – not Chevrolets or Oldsmobiles! One last parting thought: this Bonneville is being offered by a dealership; I’d suggest a human inspection before taking the plunge – you know, that trust-but-verify business. OK, that’s all I got; what do you think?
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