From 1957 to 2005, the Bonneville played a key role in the Pontiac line-up. The third generation arrived in 1961 with a mild refresh in 1962. It was the most lavish of the Pontiac offerings, but got some internal competition with the new Grand Prix personal luxury car in ’62 (built on the shorter Catalina wheelbase). Having spent its entire life in California, the seller’s Bonney is only on its third owner and is in pretty nice shape, though it needs a bit of attention. Also featuring low miles in Bakersfield, this Poncho is available here on eBay for $20,000 OBO.
Of the 1961-64 full-size Pontiacs, I always thought the ’62s were the most attractive, thanks to GM designer Bill Mitchell. The Bonneville had no less than a 389 cubic inch V8, and the seller’s car has a 2-barrel carburetor (I thought they were all 4-barrels). A Hydramatic transmission takes care of the shifting of gears (no CVTs here!). The Bonneville rode on a longer version of the GM B-body platform and had a much better level of trim than the Catalina or Star Chief, but on a par with the Grand Prix.
This Pontiac was put together at a GM plant in South Gate, California, and none of its three owners has relocated it outside of the Left Coast. The seller has only owned the car for a year or less, but has no time to do anything but look at it. The original owner had it until 2007, and the second owner had it from 2007 until 2025. The odometer has only recently crossed the 62,000-mile mark, and almost everything works as it should. The tires have tread but are older.
The paint job is a re-do but of a cheaper variety, per the seller. The chrome trim is good, but it does have some pitting. The fuel pump is new, but the car shuts off after you let off the gas, so some attention is needed there. A new master cylinder may be in order, and it comes with the car for the buyer to fool with. Rust isn’t an issue, but the interior is beginning to show its age, and a new headliner will be required. Pontiac sold more than 31,600 Bonneville 2-door hardtops in 1962.
Coolest tail lights EVER! There was no question if you were following a ’62 Bonneville, but not for long.
Besides the tailights, I like the nose on the ’62 Bonneville the best out of the early 60’s Pontiacs. ’65 and ’66 stacked headlights are still my favorite though.
Cheap paint job, car shuts off when you let off the gas, AC is in parts in the trunk, headliner is shot, older tires, leaks brake fluid, 2bbl. Well, at least the price is OBO.
Stall when you key off the gas, needs brakes, headliner, AC was removed, old tires, pretty much rust free (whatever that means), all for $20,000. It might be a good cruiser, the body style looks great, but it’s hard to see it making sense for the asking price.
Steve R