Oh seller, surely you jest in this ad here on craigslist when you say, “Ran when parked.” This car wasn’t parked. It was abandoned to the elements in the backyard of someone’s house. Mitchell G found this compelling tip on a 1967 Pontiac Bonneville convertible that has been sitting where it now is for twenty years. It’s in the vicinity of Newark, Ohio, east of Columbus, though the ad comes from the Pittsburgh craigslist, and if you call to make an offer on the $3500 asking price (or $3700, depending upon which part of the ad you read), make sure you mention the town you’re from. At least, that’s what the seller wants from you if you expect him to reply to you.
The town you’re from? Is he expecting calls from the neighboring village? Does Mr. Hatfield refuse to sell his old rusty hulk to Mr. McCoy? Some of you are shouting, “I’m from Chicago, what the heck difference does that make?” It’s all part of the fun if you believe this Pontiac has your name on it. Still, there’s not much to go on. Why are the images with this ad so monotonous—shots of the front end and hood, basically? Because the seller hasn’t had a chance to dig the car out yet.
At least you know it ran when relegated to its current spot. What engine is that, again? If it’s factory, it would be at least a 400-CID. The owner hasn’t gotten the hood up yet, so he doesn’t know. But he’s standing on the claim that the mileage is 59,000, as the title indicates. Maybe that’s accurate. Yet if that engine has internal corrosion, which is very likely, then is it going to matter how many miles it has previously gone? He also doesn’t know the condition of the frame yet, but he still boasts that this is a very solid car. Do you think, just maybe, water has leaked through and around the convertible top over these two decades? What do you surmise has happened to the floors, then?
Someday, this car could represent the third generation of Bonneville (1965-70) well once more. Its flowing Coke-bottle lines and disappearing top would be the pride of whoever resurrects it. Maybe when you get digging into it, you’ll find that it has some specialness to it, like optional disk brakes or the Quadra Jet carb. If so, and you’re one of those parse-the-numbers types, you’ll figure out it’s one-of-one. But hold your horses. You’ve got to part this chassis from the underbrush and trees it’s living amongst first and do an inventory of what’s there, what’s not, and what’s needed. Do you feel like taking that gamble after you’ve dropped three grand to get the Ohio title signed over into your name?
Only a half hour away from me and it might be fun to take a labor day weekend drive and look at it. Just don’t get a real warm, fuzzy feeling about the seller. Best left for a ’67 Bonny lover to check out… Expect the worst, hope for the best (? lol)
Wish you LUCK.
I wonder what kind of critters have made a toilet out of it!!
Owner seems like a bit of a turkey. I would like to encourage everyone that sees the ad send the seller a message asking if its still available
done!!! lol.
Hehe, I like your style! And give him a fake address of where you’re inquiring from? Tell him your like Visa, “Everywhere you want to be”
It must have gotten to him. The ad has been deleted. Good work everyone!
Frame is likely rotted from sitting in the dirt by now. Floor pans are also likely rotted from sitting in dirt and rain water from getting into the ripped convertible top. Might break in half just trying to unearth.
Title, Keys, Registration. Would like to know if Seller has these? Seems like Seller found car in abandoned field and wants someone from out of town to purchase. Hold on to your hats and high tail it on the way out. LOL.
3500 for a 800 to one thousand dollars at best.
These get parked for a reason .. engine blown , trans shot or much rust to park.
I Will buy the car as is and ship it home…. for $2000 cash … no hassle or problems … If you want to sell it email me… I will send you a money 💴 transfer to your account 😊💴💵. Charlene Spino
I like that kind of business No BS, straight forward. If you want the car you buy it. When I was in business I would buy something like this and think in my mind it will need everything. When the vehicle arrived, it needed less Than I thought. If you want the car just buy it and repair whatever it needs. $2000 cash is a good offer for this vehicle. I hope you get it and in the process of repairing send some photos. Good luck. I always liked doing business with people like this. No BS.
Ohio= rust bucket. Frame sold separately, previous owner did not purchase the optional floorpans and it comes with a jug under the hood in the event your foolish enough to think it will run. Check the rear bumper and see who ran for city council in 1981, that way you will have an idea when it last saw the road or a piece fell off on a public highway.
I’m only a couple hundred miles away. I grew up in this era and these cars were great in their day, but most didn’t hold up very far beyond ten years with normal use. This one, with rats, rain and rust added, is likely a goner. If there is a rare, salvageable 400 SB or a BB under the hood it might be worth a couple grand, but the rest isn’t worth the trip.
My 11yo compact Chevy is typically still going strong, but somehow people think these old bombs are something better. Only if they were somehow preserved properly is that so.
The reason it is so solid could be that her belly is on the ground. Good luck.
The Ad has been deleted by author. Pretty pricey vin tag for a less than desirable poncho IMHO. Perhaps the owner of the woods this was parked in got wise to this guy trying to cash in on his yard art
Maybe he took the $2000 offer? Maybe.
Ran when parked… Uh HUH. Went to restatrt and it sheared the teeth off the plastic cam gear. Retired in place.
Not a personality contest. Cars like this are at least candidates for parts. Need to see the ad, $75, you haul!
The seller needs to pay someone to haul it away…. what a joke about asking $3,500.
I knew a young woman who won an identical car in a contest. Didn’t buy insurance and hit a power pole dead center after a couple of days. It sat by her apartment for many years. Never parted out, just wasted.
Ran When Abandoned
Now you run away when you see it