Big, bold, and beautiful. Those are the “Three B’s” that I would assign to the 1963 Pontiac Bonneville seen here on ebay. The tipster on this one is the always-accurate Curvette, and the price asked is $26,500 for a car that’s sitting in Tallahassee, Florida. It will wait almost twenty more days, unless you hit the full-price “buy it now” button in the meantime. Are you tempted to make space in your garage for this Saddle Bronze two-door and its 220-inch length?
Make no mistake, you’re not buying a muscle car. Oh, for sure you’re getting a muscular engine, with 389 cubes of displacement to motivate your adventures. But the Bonneville is a full-sized car, in the categorization of the day. The muscle car was a mid-sized car with an engine just slightly large (can an engine ever be too large?) for its mid-sized category. And, in an ironic twist, this car has a manual transmission that will make driving the Bonnie feel like you’re in control. Anyone who has driven such a set-up with the three-speed manual is welcomed to weigh in on what the experience is like. That engine, by the way, is offered with a claimed original mileage number under 62,000.
The seller claims that the car is in excellent running condition and that there’s no rust or body filler. There’s no word as to the quality or longevity of the paint job though, and generally, the ad doesn’t say much in the way of real detail. It’s easy to say, though, that the styling can’t be beat. The “Coke bottle” design was still in the future when this car was new on the showroom floor, but this design lacks nothing. Check out the chrome trim appointments and the stacked headlights. How about eight-lug wheels?
This comes down, then, to a simple question: Is this car worth mid-20K money? If you believe the “go find another” people, then finding the car is more than half the battle, making it worth spending a bit too much to get what you want. Worst case scenario, you drive this car for a couple of years and get $18K or $20K back out of it in a fire sale. That’s not enough of a loss to delay retirement or not send your kid to a good college. Still, considering that there’s a lot more market for a GTO, and that one of those can be had mid-30s, maybe you want to get out your slide rule and figure out where the sensible money sits on this Bonneville. The seller does, after all, say that he will entertain your best offer.
I don’t get the glory of 8 lug wheels, especially when they’re hidden behind wheel covers. Is there a functional advantage on a street car? Would a 5 lug wheel be any problem? What’s the deal?
What looks like wheel covers is actually the center portion/brake drum of the wheel. These are two piece wheels, the lug nuts you see near the perimeter are where the two half’s bolt together.
Steve R
Exactly! NOT wheel covers. They are indeed glorious.
I think I say this goes for many people, the Pontiac 8 Lug rims are one of the nicest wheel designs to have come from GM. If it weren’t for the front disc brakes becoming more mainstream, I think these would have carried on well into the 70’s.
I have to say. Over the course of the last couple of days, full sized Mid 60’s Pontiacs have been very well represented here on Barnfinds. And I’ve enjoyed every one of them. I’m a little partial to them, my Dad had a ’64 Catalina 2 door hardtop and then traded it in on a ’66 Bonneville 2 door hardtop. They are very handsome cars, with great lines. Once again, a tip of the hat to Curvette for spotting this gem, and Brian K. Great write up. Thank you.
How much more would a 4 Speed transmission have cost over the 3 Speed ? Seems odd to have ordered a top of the line Bonneville with a manual and not go for a 4 Speed…
3 on the column (“3 on the tree”) and bench seat was the base factory, no options, build. If you or the dealer didn’t check automatic or 4 speed option box, that’s what you got. A bit unusual for a luxury car like the Bonney. Detroit cranked out thousands of bone stock grocery getters.
My 4 spd Super Turbo Hydramatic {code 77P}, shows $231.34 as an option on my ’63 Bonneville Safari window sticker.
389 on the fender is not factory stock
You are correct D!
Also,
I would rather have the factory air filter assembly, who knows what else…
LOL
what with the gypsy numbers on the fender
Another beautiful full sized ’60s Pontiac. The three on the tree actually makes it very retro cool.
Agree with a couple of other commenters about those garrish engine compartment c. i. #s on the fenders. They’re not even on straight. Reminds me of a ’83 Delta 88 Brougham coupe I see at car shows. Gorgeous maroon in & out, but 307 emblems on the front fenders. Fortunately, they’re stick on & can be removed and buff the area. Ewww!
On the other hand I like the 3-speed; too many 4-speeds. You can always double clutch to drop it into 1st without grinding gears although it’s kinda fun to hear that once in awhile!
I think it said the original air cleaner comes with.
This thing has me scratching my head. Who would do that to the fenders?
At the same time, there is a lot to like.
Growing up in a Ford family, I’ve come to appreciate the many other brands over the years. For GM, I think Pontiac knocked it out of the park from 1963 to 1966, especially the Bonneville. Not so much a fan of the 64s with its flat face treatment of the headlights, I find it interesting that the 65 reverted back to the more hooded look of the 63. It makes one wonder what went on in the Pontiac styling department.
Nice car that needs a little attention ~ rear bumper needs rechromed & front seat has a big rip. A Florida car with no A/C?? Can you say overpriced?