This ’66 Bonneville has undergone a frame-off restoration and according to its seller “all [there] is left to do is paint the car.” So that begs the question: would you paint it? Many would consider it sacrilegious not to, but I must admit I kind of like the look of the flat black primer and those Batmobile-esque aftermarket rims. And would you look to replace the missing nameplate letters on the front grille or perhaps keep its “Bon Evil” moniker? For $6,800 this car and those decisions can be yours to make. “Bon Evil” is available in Dannemora, New York and you can view it’s listing here on Craigslist.
In regard to the restoration, the seller is short on specifics, instead stating “everything was redone.” He also declares there is no rust underneath, but there are no photos of the undercarriage to provide verification. Is that the original chrome rocker panel cover? The chrome on the bumpers is definitely faded and I see some rust, especially on the rear bumper where it looks like there might be a hole starting in the lower left side. This Bonneville is from the era when passenger side rear view mirrors were an added accessory. It looks like “Bon Evil” came without one, which I think gives it a bit more panache. Wait a minute, can anyone confirm whether that’s an air horn mounted just ahead of the right front wheel well?
This tightly cropped photo of the engine reveals that considering the car’s age, things look pretty clean and decently cared for. The hoses look fairly new without showing any signs of cracking and it looks like the spark plug wires were updated at some point, along with the addition of the Edelbrock air cleaner. The owner fails to mention what V8 is under the hood of “Bon Evil.” Is it likely the base 389? We have to assume the motor is mechanically sound since the seller states the car is “ready to drive.”
Surprisingly the seller fails to mention anything about the absence of the dashboard cover. Actually, that’s not surprising. The interior really doesn’t look too bad. There are some scuff marks and a tear in the front seat back. Aside from that, it seems like a good cleaning might bring things back quite nicely. I love how the speedometer takes up nearly half the dash! Can anyone offer some insight regarding the rally gauge cluster mounted under the dash? I’ve tried to research whether this was a factory option for the ’66 Bonneville, but can’t come up with a conclusive answer. More information regarding this car is certainly needed before determining whether the seller’s price of $6,800 is fair. I am always skeptical of a Craigslist ad that fails to list a car’s mileage, but perhaps the seller simply forgot. Nevertheless, this car seems to give good vibes and by the looks of it “Bon Evil” might just be a sweet deal for someone in the market for a 4th generation Bonneville.
Now who would do a complete frame off “restore” and not paint the frame/engine/firewall/etc. Sorry… I’m not buying that story.
Pretty sure the flat-black and lightly-chromed Goth look was exactly the restorer’s intended final look, in keeping with the “Bon Evil” moniker (dig it). The “just needs paint” is just a sales pitch to prod prospective buyers to imagine beyond its current finish if that’s not to their taste. Me, I’d keep it as-is, but see my username. 😉
Either he is stupid, he thinks that buyers are stupid or both.
“No rust at all” means it hasn’t broken through the bondo, yet. The one thing he left out is a picture of the speedometer and claiming that is the original mileage.
These are great looking car, I have a friend with one and had another friend that cycled through a couple of mid-60’s 2+2’s. I would be afraid what’s lurking below the surface of this one.
Steve R
Kinda neat, definitely see the Goth image here, wooww how scary! Ha, maybe a different set of rims…polished or black would go more with the flat black color. Got the noisy air cleaner so throw on a pair of flowmaster 2 Chambers so everyone knows your coming for miles, needs a skull hanging from the rear view mirror to complete the count Dracula image.
Could be a 389 or, and doubtfully, a 421. I never really did know when Pontiac brought the 428. Mid size and Firebirds are alI I really ever paid attention to. Neat car.
Man, 66 sure was a good year for cars…
Agree with the others. Paint looks like a lipstick on a pig kind of gloss over. A/C car add it has a vent where the dash pad should be,but per the crappy engine pic,components are missing. The trio of gauges the author notes are after market. You could get a vacuum gauge or tach as options. First glance thought it was a replacement for the 66 gran prix I regret selling, but I think the seller may be as shady as that paint job.
Frame off. That’s funny. Not a single photo shows ANYTHING that looks properly cleaned, painted, restored or new. Who does a frame off and then puts the dirty, rusty engine back in, the old faded carpets back in, the old rusted chrome back on and doesn’t even paint the frame? He does I guess.
Pretty sure seller has no clue what a frame off resto entails.
Solid 52yr old no rust car from New York… uh huh…
To be honest, he didn’t say when the frame off restoration took place. My guess is late 70’s to mid 80’s.
You make a valid point, but was a car like this restored back then?
Pretty sure rear view mirrors became government mandated in ’66. Big Pontiacs, at least the upper series, had the three gauge cluster from ’63-’67, I’d guess. Clock, temp, ammeter, IIRC.
Passenger side mirrors mandated in 68
if you fall for this I have some swamp land in Florida for sale
Call Floyd… the flim flam man!!!