It takes dedication and devotion to tackle a project build, and some enthusiasts fall at the first hurdle. That isn’t the case with this 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. Its owner has spent fifteen years meticulously bringing the car to its current state, and the finish line is in sight for this build. However, he feels it needs a new home and a buyer who can see his dream to fruition. Therefore, he has listed the Convertible here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $25,000. When you delve into the scope of the work performed, you can’t create a classic of this caliber for the price.
You will often see an unfinished project advertised with an owner claiming the hard work is done. That is no idle boast with this Bonneville. Its most pressing need is a buyer with the patience to bolt everything back together because the last fifteen years have seen the car returned to a rust-free state and repainted professionally in its original Coronado Red. The owner acknowledges it requires color sanding and buffing, but the paint is flawless. The panels are laser-straight, and the owner hasn’t cut any corners with the glass and exterior trim. Every piece of glass is new, while the bumpers have had a trip to the platers and shine magnificently. The paint shade and trim guarantee this classic will turn heads when it returns to its rightful place on our roads.
The 1960s saw manufacturers place a greater emphasis on wheels, acknowledging that they were more than round things onto which tires were fitted. Styling became more important, and I have repeatedly stuck my neck on the line by proclaiming that I believe that Pontiac’s 8-lug wheels were the best looking ever to grace an American production car. They look stylish, classy, and purposeful. The owner includes a sparkling set with this Bonneville, but they aren’t your average wheels. He had a set of 17″ beauties custom-made specifically for this project, leaving scope for the buyer to add some modern low-profile tires to improve grip and handling. Those tires will allow the Pontiac to apply the power to the road from its freshly rebuilt 389ci V8 and transmission. It is unclear which version of the 389 this is, but the new owner will have at least 281hp at their disposal.
Another design aspect of cars from this era that I find irresistible is interior trim choice. I have often lamented the lack of imagination shown by modern manufacturers when choosing interior colors and materials. There were no such issues in the early 1960s, and the new owner of this Bonneville will benefit from that thinking. It features sparkling new Tri-Tone upholstery that perfectly complements the exterior paint shade. It is simply stunning, with the list extending to new carpet and a trunk kit. Interiors of this generation didn’t generally feature the automotive tinsel we take for granted today. However, rocking up to a Cars & Coffee with the top down so the world can see this interior will cause a stir and generate a swathe of favorable comments.
I often feel sad seeing a project like this 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible. The hard work is done, the finish line is in sight, and the owner has committed significant amounts of time and money to this build. That he won’t get to enjoy the fruits of his labor almost feels like an injustice. However, he is comfortable with another enthusiast taking what he has already started and turning it into the car of their dreams. Are you up for that challenge?
Where is it located?
When most people see Lebec they think Canada, Lebec, Ca. is just off interstate 5 at the top of the grapevine 45 minutes south of Bakersfield,Ca. and about north an hour & a half north of LA, Ca.
Lebec, CA
If you want a worthwhile project that will amount to something rapidly.You really cannot go wrong and once assembled if your in flip mode which most of the car world is now. A home in a far away land will be easy on this one. For me 59 would be the cats meow. The only downside is I didn’t see what options the car has mentioned other than the factory bucket seats which are nice. Someone will get a good car.
I use to own that car, bought it as a running driving project car back in 2007 sold to to Todd at Todd’s GTO’s he started resto on it at, 25k that’s a steal since it’s painted and the interior is done and it comes with 8 Lugs , I think I sold it to him for 22k back 17yrs ago and it needed a restoration, so what he’s offering is a bargain
Chris,
Thanks for this comment, not a lot of options to boast about standard 4 BBL, AM radio, power top, PS, Power brakes, not sure if I mentioned in the ad but I do also have a complete correct 60 Tri-Power with the correct big car air cleaner, very cool addition.
It’s a beautiful car with gobbs of work completed. I have a 59 Impala convertible that I could only wish turns out 1/2 as nice as this. Someone is going to get a fantastic car for half of its worth.
Whomever buys and finishes this car MUST, absolutely MUST return to the seller and allow him to appreciate the completion of his labor of love. It would only be just.
Price is definitely right for this car. If I hadn’t taken on a put back together project recently, I’d jump on this one! This car will be a beautiful piece of cool history when it’s done! Ya can honestly say ya don’t see these rolling down the rode very often. Glwts !
EZ fix. Just what I will never do again is squire someone else’s project. Call me when YOU get it done. The money saved will probably be doubled to assemble it.
I couldn’t agree more.
“I have most of the parts to finish…” although there are no photos showing them and there’s no list specifying what’s missing. The seller has obviously spent a lot of time and money already, but that doesn’t mean this car will be an inexpensive project to finish.
I think the buyer better fall in love with this car or he’ll quickly regret buying it. Cold hard logic and bad experiences tell me to pass.
Fran and Jerry, I could not agree more. If I’d spent 15 years on a project, what’s another year or two to finish? Especially if you have a majority of the parts needed. Sorry, but I am seeing it through. People that think this is an easy finish and flip, probably have not done it before. There’s always more to it and that rabbit hole can run deep. Nice car, and maybe it is truly not far away, but prospective buyers need to go in eyes wide open and plan, and budget, for unforeseen issues, like hard to source parts.
Even if I was considering (NOT EVER!) finishing another’s project, it’s amazing what the difference in one little word would make “I have ALL (instead of most) of the parts needed to finish”. When I think of the myriad clips/nuts/bolts/screws needed and the job of finding the right ones, it kills any desire to take on a “jigsaw puzzle” project. But, best wishes to the seller/new owner!! :-)
90 percent of the work takes 10% of the time and 10% of the work takes 90 % of the time. I have gotten involved in many basket case restorations and it is the small parts that are not available that always dissapear while the work is being done bythe person who took it apart. Sad there are no photos of the engine and chassis.Makes it hard to see what is left to be done.
To all, interesting comments ( I have always felt if you don’t have something good to say don’t say anything ) I have been restoring Pontiac’s for the past 45 years and have built some of the nicest cars out there I don’t do anything but first class work, this is NOT a basket case but an unfinished very cool project, for sure not for everyone but I thought someone would like the opportunity, I’m going to be 70 in a week and have 6 other body off GTO’s under restoration and another 35 Pontiac’s that could use a new home. I also have a wife of 49 years a home in Mexico enjoying life and my Pontiacs, pretty sure a this point, I’m not going to get them all done?? and as to the comment from Moparman I did not use ALL (I used most).
All the best to all the car builders out there.
I also want to thank Adam Clarke for him opening comments on the Bonneville.