With the ascension of Bunkie Knudsen and John DeLorean into Pontiac’s executive sphere came a certain audacity of marketing that few automakers have managed to match. We could list the big stories: the GTO, the Super Duty race cars, etc., but sometimes it’s the small things, such as calling a 220.7-inch-long Bonneville hardtop a “Sports Coupe.” Yes, I know that other GM manufacturers called their big hardtops “Sport Coupes,” but Pontiac always seemed to be needling the sports car crowd. Regardless of Pontiac’s chutzpah, it’s hard to argue that they didn’t build an attractive car; indeed, this Bonneville would look at home just about anywhere (look at all those beautifully illustrated Fitz/Van ads). Our friend in Barn Finding, T.J., spotted this big, beautiful Bonneville on Marketplace in Lolo, Montana, with an asking price of $23,500.
In those pre-muscle-car, pre-Grand-Prix days of 1960, the Bonneville was the undisputed top-of-the-line in Pontiac’s growing corner of General Motors, and as such, it got the hottest standard 389 in the lineup. With Hydra-Matic (the four-speed variety, back before the Turbo 400 was a thing), that engine had 303 horsepower and 425 lb.-ft. of torque. When coupled with a standard 3.08:1 gear, the big Pontiac wouldn’t be embarrassed in any impromptu light-to-light affairs back in 1960. The original carburetor (which should be a Carter AFB) has been rebuilt and the car has “all new brakes.” You may have noticed that this Bonneville is, unsurprisingly, a power-steering-and-brake-equipped car. The seller claims that the car has 66,498 miles on the odometer, and given the condition of the engine compartment, I’d be inclined to say it’s original.
Especially when you look at the interior: That is certainly the original Bonneville upholstery pattern. The height of American upholstery may have been the mid 1950s to early 1960s, when tri-tone patterns and stars and cowboy hats and whatever the designers could think of made it into fabric. The seller says that the upholstery and carpet are original, and even that glamorous two-tone steering wheel has well survived the last six-and-a-half decades. Even the radio works (although AM stations are getting a little thin on the ground these days).
It was year two of Pontiac’s “Wide Track” marketing campaign in 1960, and the division would go from strength to strength throughout the decade and beyond, and this Bonneville is the essence of what made them great. The seller says that it was painted white in lieu of its original “Shelltone Ivory,” but it appears to be a solid, mostly original car with few sordid tales to tell (at least we can hope so). It’s been on Marketplace for a week now, so perhaps the price is in need of some adjustment (or I’m missing something), but it doesn’t seem too far out of line for a big, early ’60s hardtop (maybe it’s the fender skirts). Let’s hope that the seller can find it a “new home with a big garage.”
Gorgeous Bonneville here!!! Great write up too Aaron. And thank you for the link for Art Fitzpatrick and Van Kaufman artwork. Those Pontiac ads were so beautifully done. If you stop and look you can certainly see that they sure added a few inches of width to the cars. But the scenery they used and the Pontiacs they used were always beautifully done. ’60 is a unique year in that it doesn’t have a split grill. They had it in ’59 and then continuted it in ’61 and ran with it throughout the 60’s. Pontiacs are amongst my absolute favorite cars of the 60’s for sure.
Great write up Aaron I enjoyed it.
Beautiful `60. However, one gripe: LOSE THE SKIRTS! They were never offered that year by Pontiac–they were an aftermarket accessory and don’t look good at all on these cars. A strange aside, saw a red “65 Impala 4dr. HT online, and someone put skirts on it too! Made me want to puke!!
And while we’re at it get rid of those ugly chrome tailpipe extensions too.
It appears they may be necessary as the tail pipes look short of reaching beyond the back bumper. They’re attached using set screws, so they could be moved back so they don’t stick out so far, which as it is now is too far for proper installation. I totally agree that the fender skirts need to go as they do not do this elegant car any favors.
I agree. A set of lake pipes would really dress this car up !!
Fender skirts were offered on the 60 Bonneville. Not an aftermarket add on. They were an offered option.
That is incorrect, skirts were offered
Aaron, thanks for including the link. I remember seeing ads featuring the artwork of these gentlemen and it’s interesting to learn a little about the process of creating these amazing images!
Beautiful Ponch, but aren’t those fender emblems for tri-power?
worth it!
Didn’t Bob Seger write a song about Denver and a 60 Cad… never mind ( would have sounded better with a 60 Pontiac)
“Out in the back seat of my ’60 Chevy…”
Yep, as a Michigan resident, I have heard “Night Moves” on the radio at least once a month for my whole life. :)
Yes . Bonneville and 3 fender emblems = Tripower . 3 in line carbs.
It’s interesting, because the seller says it’s the 303-horsepower four barrel, and it certainly isn’t a Tri-Power in the picture.
my 59 has tri power emblems but will have a 4 barrel after I yank off the tri power. too damn finicky
Because the tripower carbs were difficult to keep tuned, they were probably removed and replaced with the 4 brl carb. Both use the same intake platform. Removing the tripower emblem would require professional bodywork to make it look perfect. If it was me, I would have left them on too rather than do the bodywork.
exactly
Seems like a good buy .