Ninety-nine bucks? Heck, yeah, I’ll throw my hat in the ring for this 1962 Pontiac Bonneville convertible at that starting bid. The Bonneville followed up its 1958 debut with ten eventual generations of the model, this one being part of the third (1961-64). The car is available here on eBay, but with more than a week to go in the auction, you’re not likely to get it for anything like that money. Might be fun to put in an early bid and dream a bit, though. Thanks to Larry D for unearthing this one, which resides in East Norwich, NY.
Liveried in a beautiful Bamboo Cream yellow, per the seller, this 8-lug-equipped cruiser sports a brand-new black leather interior and black vinyl convertible top. But you’ll love it for more than that. How about those taillights, which retain a hint of a fin while curving upwards, a nod to 1960s chic? Other exterior appointments include chrome body accent spears and “Bonneville” script in chrome on the leading edge of the front fenders, leaving no questions as to this car’s luxury identification, tops in the Pontiac line-up during its year of release.
One red flag: while there’s a shot in the trunk and one of the engine, there’s nothing to show what the underneath looks like, and thus no way to know how patched together this nearly-twenty-foot-long car might be. The current owner hints at things being A-OK when he says that this is not a show car, but that it can be taken to car shows. We’re assuming that’s not the Pontiac national level he’s referring to, but more the local type. It’s an endorsement of the car’s usable condition nonetheless. But whether at a show or cruising, you’re going to have to live with the fact that the born-with drivetrain is gone, replaced with a 1965 engine of 421-CID, with a high-lift cam and Turbo 400 transmission. The original engine might well have also been a 421, as the cool fender call-out badges with their checkered flag motif point out. Before you buy, if the dollars start getting high, you’d be best to work on some details, such as a decoding of the data plate, if available.
To review: How does the car run and drive? What’s its state of solidity? What of the gauge panel works, and what needs help? You don’t know any of that. Yet lest I forget to mention it, despite the inauthenticity of the engine, this Bonneville does have what would have been optional power steering, and it is set up with tri-power induction, so details have been paid attention to in its revival. You’re just going to want to fill in some blanks to get the whole story on this one before you commit over your head, or the car’s value.
Can we see underside pics please
Closest thing in the Chevy world would be a ’62 409 Impala ‘vert – and this one will never sell for the $ of that Impala + IMO the Poncho is just as desirable!
While it would be a nice thing just to have the OE drivetrain sitting around on a pallet the ’65 is really a lot better combo with the TH transmission. While the Hydramatic is a stout unit I personally find the TH400 behaves much more like I’m expecting a proper auto should. I suspect the original Hydramatic threw in the towel somewhere down the line and the owner couldn’t locate someone to rebuild it or simply deemed too costly. Hence the ’65 engine too – one cannot combine a TH tranny with an early Pontiac engine since the starter bolts to the transmission rather than the block. It wasn’t until ’64 that Pontiac would accommodate for a block-mounted starter
I have to say this looks to be a very desirable car IMO. Original drive train would be nice but replacement is something most people can live with IMO.
Though I’d like a in person exam, the only visible issue I see is the dash pad needs to be replaced.
and it’s yellow.
It’s beautiful.
The color on this car appear way off for Bamboo Cream which is a light, pale cream, not really “yellow”.
8 lug wheels nice to have.
Top of the Line Bonneville but has no power windows?
My best friends parents bought a new 62 Catalina convert, light metallic blue with the tri-tone blue bench seat interior. Loved that car. The Bonneville was of course was the higher option, besides the Grand Prix, but I like the more restrained chrome and trim on the Catalina’s. Still, this brings back great memories, and I could “accept” with this Bonneville! Blue dot tail lights are cool, but I would be looking for a spare set of OEM lenses.
We had a 63 Catalina in robin’s-egg blue. I was barely in preschool at the time so I don’t remember much except that it was huge and we looked forward all winter to riding in it with the top down.
Looking at this car makes my heart beat faster than normal, what a beauty.
I happen to like the yellow color on this car. Add A/c and power windows and this is a treasure to own and drive. Since I’m 75 this car was one of my favorites in the year it was born. Of course my dad was very frugal and would never by a new car it was only a dream for me at 17, but the dream lingers on in my old brain. But I’ve got too many projects and to out of condition to do much care taking these days, and so I dream on of days gone by.
God Bless America
The Bonneville debut was in 1957 as a very good looking convertible. I have always loved these old Pontiacs because I grew up around these good looking cars when they were just used cars. As I remember my first ride with my dad as a little boy was in a white ’62 Bonneville hardtop coupe.
I love those taillights!
It WAS Bamboo Cream, it has been repainted. Look at the firewall and then the cowl vent and fenders.