Bigger was better in the Pontiac lineup before the mid-’60s “muscle car” (mid-sized body with larger engines from the full-size line-up) took over the spotlight, and this ’62’s 425A engine was as hot as you could get in a factory-installed Pontiac mill. The famed dealer-configured Super Duty 421 cars hold ultimate bragging rights on the 1320, but your local naughty Librarian could have ordered this 1962 425A-powered Bonneville convertible and nobody would know until she hit the gas. This claimed six year-old restoration looks OK but not perfect in these so-so pictures, and you can see more angles and a host of supporting documents here on eBay. If you have $70,000 to spare, you’ll get $5 back after clicking Buy It Now, or test your luck with the Make offer button. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this wide-track beauty in Coulee City, Washington.
Nothing in this shot would draw a crowd at the local burger stand, unless you pull the air cleaner housing to reveal a trio of Rochester 2-bbl carburetors, the famed Tri-Power setup. You know you’ve won the marketing war when owners of other brands call their 3×2 “Tri-Power,” even though each had a separate name for it. Not shown but claimed in the seller’s description are the 425A’s cast‑iron headers instead of the standard Trophy V8’s “log” manifolds. A shot of the X and O markings on the heads would be nice too, but that will take confirmation. According to AACA, “X” indicates 10.75:1 compression and “O” heavy‑duty valve springs. Pontiac published specifications on the 425A of 348 HP and the 425 lb-ft of torque that gave this 389 cid V8 its name. Working backwards from the car’s performance suggest the actual numbers were notably higher.
Pontiac styling was hard to beat in the ’60s and this drop-top Bonneville looks great from every angle even in this listing’s compromised photos. Eight-lug wheels always please the Pontiac faithful.
Tri-color upholstery and plenty of shiny trim inside and out highlight the Bonneville’s flair, and there’s nothing like a convertible for soaking up the sun and scenery while enjoying the rumble of that 389. Would you drop $70k on this hot full-size or save your pennies for a later GTO?
Lots of GTOs or “GTOs” not too many of these left.
The tri power wars were in full tilt back then.
Love the wheels. A stick in there would’ve really been exciting. Nice to see an article again from you Fitch. Hope you’re enjoying the summer and driving around the Imperial 🌟
Thanks, Stan! I don’t have a newer car so I rotate the ’81 Imperial, ’86 Fifth Avenue, ’89 Mustang LX 5.0, and the ’97 Wrangler. None are perfect but they’re all long-distance capable. Hope you’re having a great summer as well. Cheers!
This is my kind of car. Back in 1972 when I started driving at 16 y.o. I would have given up my spot in He11 and sat on the coal pile for one of these.
Now, at 70 y.o., I can afford it but, my cruising days are behind me. I’m just a spectator these days.
Better a spectator, than a specter…enjoy what you can, while you can!
Come on jw454 70 isn’t that old! I am 70 and I have a kinda legal street car that I drive on the street and take to the drag strip, runs 11.16 , and will be at the Kingman street drags in October. Your not old! Get yourself a car and go have fun! My 77 year old brother has a bad A$$ 48 ford .
Kek the mind says yes but the body says no. It’s OK though… My eyes are still good so I’ll be a spectator for a good long time yet.
I miss Pontiac.
Lovely looking car. I hope whoever buys it enjoys it.
More photos on eBay, one shows rust bubbles and another shows a small patch of peeling paint. 6 years since a professional restoration? I would think rust bubbles would not be appearing already.
Nice car but 70 grand?
Coulee City eh? Well then, this has too be the coolest car by a dam site. Many years ago while on a road trip I took a picture of my wife’s ’61 Olds Dynamic 88 bubbletop with Grand Coulee Dam in the background just for that caption.
Doesn’t even have AC. 70K=NOT. Nice car though.
The Pontiac guys at the car show would know by not only the double snorkel air cleaner but also the long thermostat housing that it’s a 3x 2 intake . Nice car but bit pricey. Drop top is going to be heavier than the hard tops so gonna need the hp. Glwts peace!
Didn’t the Gran Prix originate from the Bonneville in 1962? Tach, Trans shifter in the console, 8 luggage wheels.
Wow!!
What a cruuser!!
My parents bought a 62 Pontiac brand new. It was a full size than the green color I believe. It was my mom’s car to drive. It burnt to the ground due to an electrical issue. I smile now, but my parents didn’t then. My dad never bought another GM product until years latter. Bought a new 82 Buick Riviera. All the knobs for the trim pieces fell off on a rather frequent basis. Again, one not to buy any GM products in the future and only bought Ford motor company products from then on.
OR You could buy mine! A real 425A 4Speed Bonneville conv. All original. needs to be restored. Have a second 62 Bonneville conv for a parts car that can be bought as well. My car may be the only four speed 425A convertible built. Turquoise w/tritone leather turquoise int. I have all the potmetal pieces NOS as well. Asking 30K
Please send it in so we can feature it here on the site!
Those librarian fantasies live on, don’t they. Beautiful Bonneville. Love the soft top, tri-tone and, of course, the motivation. Top down, radio up, let’s roll.
The description lists it first as a 421 . But later referrs to it as a 389 ????
Read that line slowly.
It only refers to a Super Duty.
But I understand the confusion…