While Pontiac has long since left us for reasons known only to General Motors, the division was once known for performance oriented automobiles. When Bunkie Knudsen became general manager of the brand, he made performance both on the track and in the showroom his two main goals. Knudsen brought in Smokey Yunick to build up the brand’s racing pedigree and was rewarded with two Daytona 500 wins in 1961 and 1962. Pontiac jumped to third in sales from 1962 through 1970 thanks to this new performance image. Those numbers were made even more pleasing by the profits made selling higher end cars like this 1963 Bonneville, now being resold on craigslist in Rogersville, Tennessee. At an asking price of $6,500, this Bonneville is ready to relive some of that fabled Pontiac performance magic.
Bonnevilles were traditionally one of the largest Pontiacs. They were also some of the most expensive. Cars like this one contributed greatly to Pontiac’s bottom line, as the price of fully loaded models rivaled that of some Cadillacs. While not raced, these Pontiacs were available with engine options that could make them fly when the pedal on the right was pushed to the floor.
While this Bonneville looks to be rust free, the finish looks to have been polished with Comet cleanser. There is some gloss, but the scratches seem deep and numerous. There are some dents here and there, but nothing that would make the car unpresentable. What we can see of the chrome taillight trim reveals pitting common with plated pot metal of this era.
Inside, we can see that the massive dash will require replacement of the upper pad. The lucite on the steering wheel seems to be breaking apart as well. Recovering the front seat seems to be the only other hole to throw money down inside. Other than that, the interior is very serviceable as it is. The power seat and power windows will help you get even more comfortable. As an aside, check out the size of the brake and accelerator pedals! If you bought a big Pontiac like this, I guess you needed for both pedals to be in proportion with the size of the car!
Under the hood appears to be the original 421 cubic inch V-8 engine with three Rochester two barrel carburetors. Putting out 370 horsepower and a whopping 460-lbs.ft. of torque, it was the perfect engine to propel a car of this size. We can see that the car is equipped with power brakes and power steering. The car is said to be equipped with air conditioning. Also according to the ad, the engine runs.
Whether it runs on a couple of squirts of gas in the three carburetors, or the car is capable of heading down the road is not stated in the ad. A car this solid and complete, barring any hidden issues, could probably be on the road and drivable in just a few weekends of wrenching. Imagine the fun you could have with this car once you transformed it into a reliable runner. You would go broke if you attempted to restore it to perfect condition. A car like this could be driven as it looks, and enjoyed on a regular basis. It is easy to see why Pontiac sold so many Bonnevilles.
Seems like a pretty fair price for a tri-power Poncho.
I believe that the brake pedal is that large because of the relative new-ness of automatic transmissions. If the driver tried to stomp on the non existent clutch in an emergency, they’d simply get their left foot on the brake too. Happened to me in a family friend’s 1966 Bonneville when a corolla with a hell of a nerve jumped out in front of us.
You would throw everybody through the windshield that way, because you stab the clutch much harder than you press the brake. I’ve clipped my brake pedal with my clutch foot a few times when I’m wearing boots. It jerks you forward into the seat belt tensioners. Not good.
Nah… by ’63 anyone who’d step up for a TRI-POWER BONNEVILLE would take power brakes in stride. That pedal was wide so that you could show off the fancy chrome pedal appliques that came standard on the Bonnevilles and could be had in lesser Ponchos for like seven bucks! The Pontiac options brochures were a gold mine of cool cheap little options. A sharp pencil on the order form could give the buyer a unique beautiful and seriously FAST car.
My grandparents bought a black 63 Bonneville in ’68, magnificent looking car but had been abused and had a distinctly lemony aroma… worst of the dozens of Pontiacs in decades in our extended family.
My grandparents were Pontiac people too, all my life. They’d buy a one or two y/o, four-door Bonneville about every three or four years. He was a fireman, working his way up to chief, in LA. It’s where I got my love for Pontiac’s, for sure. But when they came out with the more rounded sporty Bonneville in the 90’s, he jumped ship and bought a Ford Crown Vic in protest. That was his last car. I still don’t understand why GM dumped Pontiac in favor of Buick’s that are built in China and Korea. But that’s just my grudge with them. Imagine a new Bonneville or GTO now!
Not only nice but also a well equipped Pontiac, Studebaker hubcaps and all. FWIW the absence of 421 emblems on the front fenders indicates this has the 313HP 389, not a 421.
Emblems would be the same as the 64 I recently parted:
This Bone seems to be missing trim here and there, which might ALSO include the “421” badges. However, I don’t see any mount holes on the front fender that would indicate such. The chances of this being a true 421 are slim to none, but the 389 tri-power is nothing to sneeze at either! Thankfully, the lucite steering wheels are being re-made today, and their are interior kits as well for Bonnes! Hopefully, that includes dash pads too.
The steering wheels aren’t being remade, but you can have one rebuilt for about $1500.00. If someone is remaking them, PLEASE let me know. This would be a fun, fun car with tri-power.
Will and NMCarNut, that was the second thing that came to mind: I highly doubt it’s a 421 unless Jeff has inside knowledge. He did say it’s being resold 🤔 What first came to mind is: DAMN!! I’m working on another car right now and would be killed if I bought another one! Otherwise I’d be all over this. It’s equipped with almost everything I’d want, and the price is great if it’s truly rust-free. Parts (used & new; trim, mechanical and interior) are all readily available, and it would be a treat to resurrect this beauty. It deserves it! And if someone is selling the lucite steering wheels new, please let me know too. I’d buy two right now! I hope they are available.
Oh wow 30 miles from me….hmmmm…
Do it Dan. Save me from myself!
Shew I have no more room, too many cars now…..
Come on Dan. It was meant to be.
Lovely vehicle. Seems a decent price and the black on red color combo is a classic but too infrequent in my opinion. As a 2 door with a V8 and tricarb set up it will be quite desirable.
Getting it to run in a few weekends of wrenching seems overly optimistic. It has sat idle for 35+ years! Every system needs to be checked out, some items (gas tank, gas lines, brake lines, tires, etc) will likely have to be replaced entirely. There is potential but I doubt it will be easy-peasy.
Having said all that it’s a good thing this is not near me.
Come on, Dan, Redwagon and I and others are saying do it and give it a good home; you won’e regret it. I would buy it but I’m on the Left Coast and Ihave no more room, and, like you, I have a lot of iron but who cares? Do it anyway.
Grandpa to the GTO.
Nice car, tri-power with AC, too. Needs work, but it’s worth restoration.
I had a Canadian 63, and loved the styling of this year. I love the teasing that is going on about who should buy another project, and feel fortunate that I am too far away from the car to make purchasing it a practical undertaking.
Bob
“Will Run” how about get it running, take some pictures out in the light of day then post your add.
Dave? Do you have good news? Just go look at it and report back. That’s all. Just a quick peek. It might have 8 lug wheels ………
This old a car and if you want 3 dueces prepare for new carbs and probably linkage issues. I had a 389 out of a 66 GTO put in my 68 GTO which we never got the linkage right. Solution 4 bbl and it would scoot.
i have (c1cp) property & 40 yr. coll. car’s & truck’s 4 sale take care & stay safe thank’s
Ok: Standard gripes! (When will they ever learn?). Toll it out in the sun, wash it, polish it (a little), clean interior (a little), clean engine bay ( a little), take underside pics. A little extra elbow grease will increase bottom line greatly. Works every time. But, fair price. Love it, basically.
Why cant I seem to see the shifter on the column in the picture?
In ‘63 I was workin in the local sohio station waitin for the draft to sweep me away n 4 of the local BOYS all bought either Catalina or Bonneville w/all FULLPOWER- then they ALL got swept away……….,,,………
Pontiac had it goin’ back then, ran by some real motorheads who knew how to not only build fast performance cars but also market them. Way different back then as compared to the last inklings of Chevy powered Pontiacs before they got the ax, or shall I say “corporate V8” powered.
I couldn’t agree more Troy. Once GM stripped Pontiac of its individual identity, and full-fledge corporate rebadging was the norm, Pontiac became a dead-maker walking. All originality was gone, and it killed them.
Tri power parts are out there, check ames engineering for one, they and in line tube helped me out a lot on my 66 goat. Steering wheel re-makes as well as restoration check Garys steering wheels. ’63 nice looking year for a bonnie, price is nice too.
Here’s the question of the day .?
By the way nice car !!!!
Was the Pontiac 428 or 421 ever placed in a first generation Firebird ?
I’ve been told yes ,,, but I’m yet to find or see one, !
It’s been awhile since I’ve commented,,, sorry but I’m a Pontiac freak!
Can’t blame me ?
Pontiac never offered a 421 or 428 in any Firebird.
Seems like a bargain to me. Beautiful sleeper, I too question if it’s a 421, but still a great car.
My in laws purchased a 64 Bonnie new here in LAS Vegas, 4 door 389 loaded. They still have it. Doesn’t run, don’t think it has run in 30 years. Mother in law doesn’t want to sell it. Pays $50 a month storage on it… 4 flat tires… baking in the sun. Shaking my head.
400 was offered in gen 1 firebirds, no 421 or 428. 455 was offered in gen 2 cars
What a boat! I have never been a true GM fan, but I have always liked Pontiacs. This car interests me. I wish it was closer to where I am.
I have an orig. ’62 Grand Prix 389 Tripower automatic w/factory A/C waiting it’s turn to be refreshed. Only the center carb is hooked up and the car will get up and haul – even at it’s 4,000 pound weight. Big torque. Can’t wait to drive it when it’s finished and the Tripower working right.
I’m with Redwagon on this one. Looking at the overall condition of that engine bay. It does not appear to have gotten any love for a long time. Those triples will need a rebuild. There is probably stuff floating around in the gas tank. The seals for the brake cylinders are probably hard as a rock. The hoses all brittle. Yeah it will probably run for a few minutes all sputtering and what not long enough to get it on the trailer if it don’t cut off a couple of times in the process. If it was that easy to start, the seller would have fired it up and pulled it out of the garage to take better pics. The seller does have some extra new parts to go with it which is nice. I’m not saying don’t buy it. I think for the right guy this would be a great car. His price isn’t ridiculous, bordering on fair. He is only 6 hours from me. Hummmm. Nah got to many cars as it is. LOL.