What horrors! I couldn’t believe Pontiac, of all makes, was abandoning the full-size model for 1982. But they pushed the LeMans name out of the way and did a minimal restyle on it and renamed it Bonneville (Catalina was also tossed out the window). But apparently, they quickly saw their mistake, but horrors again, the Bonneville was the top of line name; they couldn’t bring back the Catalina and make it a higher model than the Bonneville, or even the Grand Ville. Enter the 1983 Parisienne, the name used on the Canadian model, which remained while the American full-size Bonneville model was ditched. Here is a 1986 Pontiac Parisienne Brougham sedan for sale here on the dealer website for Cherokee Auto Group in Canton, Georgia.
On a trip to Toronto, Ontario in September 1982, I saw what appeared to be an Impala in Pontiac clothing. It was the Canadian Parisienne, however, to me the Parisienne didn’t look quite as elegant as the Caprice did. When my wife and I searched for a Bonneville or 6000 at a Pontiac dealership in the summer of 1984, a salesman told us they were bringing back the Parisienne with the old Bonneville rear quarters, taillights, and trunk, complete with fender skirts. That is what I really wanted, but our budget could only afford us a Pontiac 6000. Sadly, this style with the former Bonneville rear, only lasted two years, rather than continuing as the Caprice did. In 1987 Pontiac got rid of the 1982 to 1986 Bonneville model and the Parisienne and had a new Bonneville on the front wheel drive platform used by the Buick Lesabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88.
This Parisienne is in top-notch condition, inside and out. This is a Brougham model which means the much nicer velour interior, exterior opera lamps, and vinyl roof. It is in excellent condition. The original dash, door panels, seats, carpet are all in great condition. The air conditioning blows cold. The power driver’s seat, power windows, door locks, power antenna, and cruise control all work.
The engine is a 305 cubic inch V-8 with 4 barrel carburetor paired with an automatic overdrive transmission. The car has just 44,000 miles and is one family owned. It runs smoothly and very strong.
The paint is nice and appears original. It comes with books and manuals and two sets of keys. Even though $11,890 seems a bit pricey, cars of this type are best bought original and in great condition. It would be too costly to restore one to like new condition if there are many things to be done.
The owner should have drove it and enjoyed more, I can’t imagine anyone wanting one of these over styled boxes.
I don’t think he should have drove it, instead he should have driven it….
My mother had one of these; I used it for senior prom as my 67 Cougar had no A/C. Lots of room and seats were like a stuffed couch.
I use to love these cars back in the day because these were the cars my parents drove. But looking at these cars now days they look really dated with anemic engines. Nice car though.
It is a 32 year old model, so yea, it will look dated, just like most every other car on barn finds. I think it has a classy look to it.
This car looks real good compared to what they are making today IMHO.
I agree It looks very clean and well taken care of.
Exactly! My folks had a two tone gold and silver Bonneville around this year. It may have been an earlier 80’s. Even back then I thought it was a sharp car. The rally wheels really made the car look better too.
At least the Chevy 305 should have a little more oomph than the 301 that Pontiac used to have.
I bet I look dated, too. : /
Maybe you’re retro! It’s probably a good thing we don’t have to post a picture of ourselves here, I don’t have a good side.
Love these cars. They are so classy like a Caddy but better looking.
Bill, the car is a Chevrolet with different front and rear body clips, interior and dashboard. It’s a very good buy and If I had the room I’d probably go for it. Someone buy it, change the oil, and enjoy.
Beautiful colors and condition- however, I lament that awful side molding
I’ve never owned one of these, but I had a crooked landlord with one. After being told by police that her coming into my house and taking stuff was a “civil matter” myself and my friend took matters in to our own hands. Without getting into too much detail; replacing all four tires and every peice of glass on this car would be more than it will ever be worth.
I think the molding was either factory, or dealer installed, but by this time was attached with double sided tape, so it would be easily removed without damaging it. If I were looking for a family cruiser, this would be it.
My Dad had an 87 it was canary yellow ! 305, tan interior. Drove well and was fun to drive but it was bright. I was only 18 years old and into cars as my dad had a garage. I remember i use to crawl under the dash to unclip the odometer as i was limited to milage back than. lol
Can confirm it was bright! My dad was a service manager at a Pontiac dealer in 1986. He had one for a demo and my family drove the same canary yellow, tan vinyl top and tan velour interior from Philly to Florida for spring break. Dad was bummed because we used to take wagons, but honestly for a family of four adults it was plenty of room. Took turns driving in shifts and you could sleep in any of the seats with more comfort than a modern airline. Yes the 305 was anemic, but with the cruise on 80, the automatic would keep the revs really low in fourth gear. Personally, I think this is a bargain, and if I needed something I would be very tempted. It’s a little different than a caddy and has the comfort of a modern vehicle.
This car is a queen of the malaise era. Big, soft, fluffy and really doesn’t give a rat’s hind end about getting anywhere in a hurry. Ha ha! So if you love a big, lazy road loafer, this car is perfect for you!
Perfect for me, I love those plush velour interiors with those pillow top seats!!!!
Luxury cars of today for $60,000 and up should be so comfortable!
Not the same exact car – but it totally reminded me of Sheriff Justice’s car in Smokey and The Bandit 2
https://www.imcdb.org/i011170.jpg
I had some friends that had a white 2 door with bright red velour. Beautiful car always wanted it.
It might be dated, but I think its classy and those things would run forever. My folks had an Olds 88 (same car underneath) and it had around 235,000 miles on it when my sister wrecked it. Oil changes, tune up, one carb rebuild, shocks- Heck- I don’t think the starter was ever changed. Not a bit of rust on it either. And- it went through my teenage years of flooring it at every stoplight and a few trips down Illinois 166 over 100 MPH- It might be “slow” for today’s standards, but it wasn’t compared to some of the other crap GM had to offer back then. Sorry- A new Malibu will never approach the miles that car racked up. There’s probably a few almost new ones already in the shop because they keep dropping the internet connection.
My father bought one brand new. Same colour, but not a vinyl roof. It was two tone with the darker colour on the roof and hood. He went to the dealership to look at a new LeSabre but the dealer gave him an excellent price on the Pontiac.
My G’pa had bought new Olds 98’s in 81 and 83, and when GM (always GM) went to FWD for the fullsize cars he was not happy. By 86 he wanted the last of the fullsize RWD floaters, but a step above a Caprice, so he bought a new one of these – very similar to this but darker maroon. I was just getting my first car as he was looking to replace it (back to Olds 98 in 1988, even though FWD :), and my first car was down for repairs a lot so he gave me this to use for an extended time. Had maybe 20k miles on it and I was PIMPIN in high school. Really a sweet driving car, and of course supremely comfy. Power was not bad with the 4BBL Chevy V8 – my Dad had a new Caprice wagon at the same time, and even that moved alright but this had to be lighter. I know Dad’s next Caprice wagon in ’89 had the Olds 307 and it was a pooch.
I love this thing, and if I had indoor space for another car I’d be tempted. Maybe kick the Lexus LS out of the garage…….LOL
Back in the early 90’s I bought a 1981 Parisienne Brougham 2-door Black with tan plush velour interior for $100 off an old man who couldn’t drive anymore being that the car needed extensive body work I got the car for a cheap price. The car drove like a dream started right up and was a joy to drive, just all banged up. These cars are a perfect example of the 1980’s American luxury car and this automobile is a beauty.
I bought a used one just like this in ’91 for $6K Canadian from an Ont. farmer who only drove it to church & on special occasions thus it was mint. Had it 5 years with no problems & sold it to a Taxi co. for $2,500 when it was 10 years old. Used it to transport 4 bridesmaids at 2 of our kids weddings & drove it daily + to Florida twice & it was an A-1 comfortable car that got 25 MPG on hwy. Year after I bought it I was parked in Greektown in Detroit & 2 men offered to buy it for more than $6K US.
It’s a nice unit, not sure of the mileage but way too pricey at $12,000