This 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible last saw active service nearly three decades ago. It is a solid and largely complete classic that would make a rewarding restoration project for its next owner. Its rust issues are minimal, while its drivetrain should offer a rapid wind-in-the-hair motoring experience. While it would benefit from a cosmetic refresh, the buyer could return it to a mechanically roadworthy state and enjoy it as it currently stands. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, you will find the Bonneville listed for sale here on Craigslist. This promising project could be yours for a mere $10,000. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Gunter K for spotting this classic for us.

While this Pontiac wears its original shade of Yorktown Blue, the owner admits it has had an older repaint. It still holds a shine, but it is well past its best. The buyer will almost certainly choose to perform a cosmetic refresh, which will be when they can address the few minor bruises and marks in the panels. They won’t need to spend a lot of time or money on rust repairs. The owner identifies one small area of rust in the passenger side rear quarter panel, but this looks like the buyer could address it with a simple patch. The rest of the panels are spotlessly clean, while the floors and trunk pan are perfect. A previous owner treated those areas with Rustoleum, which means that they should not cause future heartache. A few trim pieces are missing, but most of what is there is in a restorable state. The frame for the original soft-top is present, but the top itself is well beyond help. The glass looks good, and the overall impression is that this Bonneville represents a straightforward restoration project.

The interior is this Bonneville is likely to consume cash during the restoration. How much cash this is will depend on the new owner’s vision for the car. The seat upholstery is pretty secondhand, and new leather covers will need to go on to the shopping list. These are not cheap, with a set of front and rears generally costing around $1,600. The door and rear trims seem acceptable for a driver-quality car if thoroughly cleaned, but they will probably choose to replace them if the buyer seeks perfection. When you throw in a fresh carpet set, an interior refresh will leave no change from $2,500. The dash looks like it’s in good condition and needs nothing more than a deep clean. The wheel is cracked and crazed, so the new owner will need to source a replacement. There have been no aftermarket additions to this interior, and the original pushbutton AM radio remains in situ.

The mechanical configuration of this Bonneville includes a 389ci V8 engine, three-speed automatic transmission, power steering, and power brakes. At 4,220 pounds, this Convertible is no featherweight. However, with that V8 pumping out 303hp, it should allow this classic to storm through the ¼ mile in 16.4 seconds. If the pedal remains pressed to the metal, it will eventually run out of breath at 124mph. The owner says that this classic runs and drives, but it has been off the road since 1992. He suggests that the engine may benefit from a refresh, but I’m unsure if he means a rebuild or just items like new plugs, plug wires, points, and a carburetor rebuild. There’s no doubt that the buyer will need to consider replacing perishable items like hoses and belts, and the brakes may require some attention before the car is in a roadworthy state. However, if it is nothing more than minor tweaking and tuning, those are tasks that the buyer may be able to tackle during winter in a home workshop. That way, when the weather turns nice again, they are ready to hit the road for some top-down touring.

The 1962 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible makes a bold visual statement, and this car comes with the power to back its good looks. The supplied photos and the listing indicate that this should represent a straightforward restoration. It appears that there are no significant rust issues for the buyer to tackle, and with panels that seem pretty straight, it is a project that the next owner could potentially undertake in a home workshop. The interior restoration will undoubtedly consume a few dollars, but when you consider the owner’s sale price and the fact that spotless examples can easily fetch more than $40,000 in today’s market, it seems that the cost and effort would be worth it. If you’re at a loose end during the colder months, maybe restoring this Bonneville would be a great way to fill in some extra time.