Hiding in this garage is a classic that is ideal for someone who simply wants to slip behind the wheel and drive off into the sunset. It is a 1964 Pontiac Bonneville, and what sets it apart is that it recently emerged after a comprehensive frame-off restoration. Its presentation is seemingly flawless, making it ideal for someone who craves the finer things in classic motoring. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder T.J. for spotting this pretty Pontiac listed here on Craigslist in Sun City West, Arizona. All someone needs to do is to hand the seller $48,500 before enjoying all that this Bonneville offers.
It is easy to underestimate the importance of the Third Generation Bonneville to Pontiac’s history. The company may now be little more than a distant memory to many, but the Bonneville helped to elevate the marque to third in the sales race from 1962 until 1970. To place that into perspective, while Pontiac sold 715,261 new cars across all models in 1964, the Bonneville range contributed 120,259 vehicles across all variants to that tally. The seller confirms that our feature Hardtop Coupe underwent a recent frame-off restoration, and it shows. The Skyline Blue paint looks flawless, cloaking steel that is equally impressive. Combine the work with the car’s location, and its rust-free status is unsurprising. I suspect that most of the trim received a birthday during the build, and the glass looks perfect. However, there is one standout feature that deserves a mention. This Pontiac features the company’s beautiful 8-lug wheels. I have long rated these as the most attractive factory wheels to ever grace an American production car, and they are among the best in the world. They manage to achieve that rare feat of looking muscular and purposeful, as well as classy and luxurious.
It’s no surprise to lift this Bonneville’s hood to discover a 389ci V8 occupying the engine bay. Developing 303hp and 430 ft/lbs of torque, it wasn’t the most potent weapon in Pontiac’s arsenal. However, when teamed with a three-speed Hydramatic transmission and power-assisted steering and brakes, it provided an effortless driving experience and the ability to consume seemingly endless miles at 70mph without raising a sweat. It is unclear whether this classic is numbers-matching, but the engine bay presents to the same standard as the rest of the vehicle. The seller claims it has a genuine 50,000 miles showing on its odometer, and that it runs and drives extremely well. If a turnkey classic sits high on your Wish List, it appears your chariot awaits.
The seller shortchanges us on interior shots, but if this image of the back seat is an accurate guide, it should need nothing. Trimmed in Black vinyl, it features a bench seat, map lights, courtesy lights, and an AM/FM radio with an optional rear speaker. That doesn’t make this the most lavish interior on the planet, but I can’t help but think that this perceived shortcoming is compensated for by the elegance that is a hallmark of many cars from this era.
The photos and listing text suggest that this 1964 Pontiac Bonneville is a total package. From its flawless presentation to the V8 under the hood, it will undoubtedly turn heads and command respect. The seller’s price is at the top end of the market, and may even be slightly optimistic. Still, it only takes one person to want it badly enough and it could find its way to a new home. Are you tempted by all this classic appears to offer?
This year of Bonneville has wonderful styling cues – the inside door panels on the inside, plus the dashboard – this example has the optional gauge package.
On the outside – that grill pattern, continued on the rocker panels and making a 360 effect with the tail panel is just perfection. Add in the 8 lugs for icing on this cake.
What a looker.
Nicely ordered for a great hwy car.
4-Barrel 389, 2.69 ⚙️ gear was standard. Hydramatic. Sure the wicked tri-power was available and the larger 421. Plenty of power here.
Those wheels.. 👌
Agree w BigFun 👍
Nice restoration, just remove that dreaded Buick style air cleaner sticker! I know, buy it and remove it yourself…
Absolutely beautiful. Those eight lug wheels make changing a tire a chore though. When I was sixteen I had a 64 Grand Prix that was this car’s twin. Except mine was brown with a tan interior and a four speed. OK maybe not a twin but a cousin.
So what was the reasoning to put the mirror on the fender? You need twenty twenty vision to see into the mirror to see behind you! Lol.
Sorry, but even if the black interior replicated the original, it’s a deal killer for me. It just doesn’t have the panache the tri-color metallic blue option would’ve had. And with no power accessories except steering/brakes, the $48,500. price is a little bit lofty. However, a nice restoration was done for what it is.
I agree, that price is in a nice Corvette range. I like those 64-66 Pontiacs but wouldn’t pay that price.
From the side it kind of looks like the First Cars Designated and labeled as ” Muscle Cars ” the 64 GTO ( based on the Pontiac Tempest ) still this is a eye grabber! This is one car any Auto enthusiast would love to have in their collection
This car is almost just a few blocks down the street from me. I would just like to go look at it, so if anyone wants eyes on it, I would do it for you just to see it.
Has anyone ever figured out how to keep those Hydromatic transmissions working? I had to dump my 64 because I couldn’t get the transmission to work and I couldn’t find anyone who could fix it.
Just absolutely impossible to keep it consistently shifting gears. When it left my wife on the side of the road stuck in neutral, I gave up.
Couldn’t you have swapped in a used-in-’65-&-up turbo 400 automatic?
I bet even today you could find an original in a boneyard that still works fine with no repairs ever. My ’74 firebird 400 v8 has that trans behind it with 250k miles on it & no repairs ever – still shifts like a dream.
That being a Bonneville, wasn’t that a four speed automatic, as opposed to the three speed auto in the Catalina and GP?
No, those used the persnickety Rotomatic 3-speed. It wasn’t a Hydramatic at all, which were 4-speeds. Those were gone by then.
4-speed hydramtic no “slim jim in that!
Oofah…$48K?
The rear seat upholstery job is sad. Wrong vinyl plus the seat back buttons are mostly crooked, seams on armrest are buckled and mis-formed. The rear quarter upholstery is wrong, as well and original “Morrokide” vinyl is still available if one is willing to pay the price for originality. This one is nice but misses the mark. For top, top money, that car should be flawless.
The Bonnevile and Star Chief had the “Super Hydramatic” transmission. The Catalina and Grand Prix had the “Roto Hydramatic”. I recall the “S” on the transmission selector was for Super.
I owned a black 1964 Bonneville coupe, it was a great car and quite fast.
Why do all that engine work, detail it and then put that stupid Buick air cleaner label on? I will never understand that. The new seat covers are not so good. Nice car, but 48 large? No.
Agree, and instead of having the company’s most potent 389, it should have the 421. And a bench seat? Even a later immaculate 2+2 with the full console wouldn’t command anywhere near that price. I don’t think I’d give more than half of what they’re asking.
Beautiful Bonneville, but the hi light for me is the 8 lug wheel. Never have seen these before.
Like Big-Fun said, “Icing on the cake”