Careful ownership will always show on a classic car, and when you look at this 1966 Pontiac Bonneville, it is easy to believe that this two-owner vehicle has been garage kept for its entire life. This striking beauty is completely original and unrestored and will offer its next owner performance that should match its striking good looks. The Bonneville is located in Florence, Kentucky, and has been listed for sale here on craigslist. The owner is asking $17,500 for this original survivor. Once again, our eagle-eyed Barn Finder Ikey H has spotted this beauty for us, so thank you so much for that Ikey.
The owner states that the Silver Smoke paint that the Bonneville wears is original, and when combined with the Black vinyl top, it really does give the car a sense of presence. At 18½’ in overall length, it could never be classed as a small and unassuming car anyway. However, the basic styling that had been introduced to the Bonneville range in the 1965 model year still looked fresh and allowed it to take on a very sleek look. The owner provides a couple of nice photos giving us a clear look along the length of the Pontiac on both sides, and the panels appear to be as straight as an arrow. There are no signs of any rust issues, while the paint shines, the vinyl top looks to be in good condition, and the fender skirts just further accentuate the vehicle’s long and luxurious appearance. In addition, the trim and chrome seem to be in good condition, and the tinted glass appears to be free of obvious flaws.
When a buyer walked into a Pontiac dealership and slapped down their cash for a new Bonneville in 1969, the standard engine was the 2-barrel version of the 400ci V8. For those willing to hand over a few dollars more, they could find their Pontiac equipped as this one is. What you got was a 428ci V8, a 3-speed Turbo Hydramatic transmission, along with power steering and power brakes. This engine pumped out a very healthy 360hp, but it was more the torque figure that told the story of this engine. With 472 ft/lbs on tap, that made this a car that was capable of producing some impressive low-end acceleration. In other words, this was an engine that simply didn’t need to have its heads revved off to deliver the goods. At a total weight of 4,297lbs, the Bonneville could still tear-up the ¼ mile in 15.3 seconds, and wind out to a top speed of 134mph. The reality was that in this form, the 428 was usually not worked that hard, with few owners venturing north of the 3,000 rpm mark. However, the engine blocks were drilled during production for 4-bolt mains, and even though the engines only wore 2-bolt items, a few enthusiasts did undertake a conversion to beef-up the bottom-end as part of a search for more power. With all of that in mind, the owner does state that the Bonneville runs and drives beautifully. Maybe more power isn’t really needed in this car
The originality of the Pontiac extends to the Black interior, which presents really well. Even though it hasn’t been weighed down with a lot of optional extras, the inclusion of ice-cold air conditioning and an AM/FM radio should make life on the road fairly pleasant. The upholstery and trim appear to be free of any obvious flaws, with no signs of any rips, tears, or sagging seat edges. What can be seen of the carpet is promising, while the dash is free of any obvious cracks or modifications. Beyond the radio and A/C, the windows are manual operation, as are the locks. There is no cruise control, and no power seat adjustment. To me, none of that really matters. What this car should offer is splendid isolation wherever you go, with performance on tap when needed. I mean, what more could you want?
This 1969 Bonneville Hardtop is a wonderful survivor that would seem to need nothing more than a new owner who is prepared to lavish the same care and attention upon it that it has obviously received over the past 51-years. It is a car that would undoubtedly draw plenty of attention wherever it goes, and as an added bonus, values for the ’69 Bonneville have been showing some strong signs of appreciating over the past year or so. While this one is not the cheapest example that you would find on the market today, its price would seem to be indicative of its overall condition. It is said that we tend to get what we pay for and in the case of this Pontiac, the new owner will be paying top dollar for what would appear to be a car in top condition. If you are a person who is looking for a classic that you can drive and enjoy immediately, I would say that this is a car that might be well worth a personal inspection.
This is one nice car. Probably worth that kind of money, but not sure it will sell for that much. In any case, someone is going to get a fine appreciating car. I suspect it has front disc brakes, and they are very necessary with that much engine. Interesting about the pre-drill for stronger mains.
Great cruiser especially with working factory air , never understood why GM used worm screw hose clamps on ac lines during this period .my 67 camaro vert was same before I upgraded it .This 428 appears to have cylinder head studs. Did these come this way?
Left front fender paint and left door paint – one of them looks wrong.
The 428 was standard on Bonnevilles.
Also, as 370zpp notes, the left fender does not match the door. I would expand on that and say that the entire front clip does not match the body. I seem to recall reading that some GM cars had their bodies painted by Fisher Body, and the front clip, considered part of the chassis, was painted by the divisions. Not sure if that applies in this case, but silver would have been a difficult color to match with the technology of the day.
Well I love this. I had a 69 Bonneville 4 door in high school. (1976)
I was designated driver. Many times we had the car loaded down with six guys or three couples.
Ah, memories of 97 leaded premium gas at 77 cents a gallon.
6 mpg. Tap it right leaving a light it would bark the rear tires going into second, and if you looked just right you could see the needle on the gas guage move a hair.
Fun times.
Mama mia, what a sweetheart!! HS friends dad had a 1970 Bonne with this motor. I remember his mom’s reaction when she saw the car for the 1st time, “G-d-%#@*&, John, what do you need a car like that for? It better have a 2 barrel”,,, well, it didn’t, and that car was a road car like none other. My buddy didn’t get it often, but when he did, it was sweet cruisin’. His dad,, at the time, commuted to Milwaukee from N.Wis, for a while, and he needed a car that could do it. In the early 70’s, there were very few 4 lanes and fewer cops. A normal trip would take almost 5 hours. Ol’ John made it in just over 3 in the Poncho. My friend said he never went below 80, except for towns. Yes sir, the ’69 Pontiac Bonneville was top of the heap.
To the editor of this article: there seems to be a Mismatching All Original: 1969 Pontiac Bonneville Hardtop for a 1966 Pontiac Bonneville The car is a 1969. Check email going out and the article itself. Thank you
My favorite engine;
69 Pontiac 428
I bought the 370 horse version out of a GP, to put in my 69 GTO. It did however, have the 4 bolt main caps.
I’d almost feel bad selling off the rims and skirts and then spraying some actual color on it….almost.
What a perfect specimen! So sixties “establishment”. When Pontiac really was great. A regular Joe could shell out a few extra bucks and looked and felt like he’d really made it. Seeing this one makes me lay down some resentment toward GM for being such an awful organization on so many levels for so many years. And just think what crap the typical, happy GM customer ended up trading these in on!
Nice car love these big Pontiacs, I would never buy this one even as clean as it is, simply due to the fact it’s a stripper. With only one noteable option being factory a/c I have seen these for sale on Hemmings and Ebay crazy loaded with everything! Sheesh the original ordering dude from the Pontiac dealership didn’t even check the box for hide a way headlights! That would have made the car look so classy
These weren’t offered with hideaway headlights. Should have though, that would have been sharp.
How many miles?