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Tri-Power Perfect! 1962 Pontiac Bonneville

Not only does the top go down, but triple carburetors make this big Bonneville move out, in style. With a near-perfect presentation, this spectacular convertible is going to garner a lot of attention. Let’s examine closely and see what this Oak Hills, California domiciled Poncho is all about. It’s available, here on craigslist for $24,500. Thanks to rex m for this discovery!

Pontiac had a lot of bases covered in ’62 with Bonneville, such as our example, riding at the top, Star Chief in the middle, and Catalina bringing up the markers. There was also a “new for ’62” Grand Prix two-door hardtop available as well. While the Catalina went full range on body styles from the lowly two-door sedan, up through four-door sedans and hardtops, on to two-door hardtops and finally a convertible, the Bonneville was more staid with just a convertible and two or four-door hardtops. Pontiac moved some metal in the ’62 production race, knocking out 521K copies and coming in third, just behind #2 Ford and #1 Chevrolet.

The listing proclaims, “very clean and complete all original classic!” so we’ll run with the assumption that this 57K mile convertible is still as initially intended. The finish, which looks like Garnet Mist, shows no defects, as does the stainless trim, chrome bumpers, and body panels. The seller claims that his car has been always garaged, and it looks like it. Ditto the white convertible top and I can tell you from experience, just look at one of those the wrong way, and it will show a smudge of some sort. The full wheel covers, with their tucked-in spinners and accompanying white stripe tires, complete the early ’60s vibe.

Cool stuff resides under the hood in the form of a 318 gross HP, Tri-Power, 389 CI “Trophy V8” engine. Surprisingly, there is no word as to how this powerplant and its Hydramatic automatic transmission motivates this 4,200 lb. ragtop. The engine looks complete and original in its appearance except for the K&N air filter elements and the valve covers. This is a non-A/C equipped Bonneville, an expensive option that was often absent on convertibles of this era.

Nothing but “snappy” is how I’d describe the bucket seat-equipped interior. The while vinyl upholstery, offset with red trim, similar to this car’s exterior hue, pulls the entire package together perfectly. While the Grand Prix offered a center console, this Bonneville is console-less and features a steering column-mounted gear selector. The interior images are not offered in great detail but from what can be spied, nothing appears to need attention.

As far as the old “what to do with it” category goes, that’s easy – leave it as is and just enjoy this big Bonneville as it sits. This 1962 Pontiac convertible is another fine automotive tribute to what we once had but no longer do. It’s an unfortunate turn of events but as long as cars like this continue to surface, we can still revel in prior times, right?

Comments

  1. Avatar wuzjeepnowsaab

    Dang that seems cheap for a lot of car. Love the “bracketed” tail lights

    Like 8
    • Avatar Will Irby

      I agree; the low price, along with the apparent good condition and claimed low mileage, makes me a little suspicious of a scam. Beautiful car though; just add Vintage A/C and drive it forever.

      Like 4
  2. Avatar MattR

    Me too. I love these Pontiacs. My wife wants to move somewhere warm and I’ve been resisting. Maybe I should show her this and say “Deal?”

    Like 10
    • Avatar rextreme Member

      Think Lake Havasu City AZ !

      Like 4
    • Avatar Will Irby

      Somewhere warm wouldn’t be pleasant without A/C!

      Like 2
  3. Avatar bobhess Member

    Nice car here, but very big. Don’t think my van is that big. Nice to see at least one seller roll his car out of the garage. The triple carbs must make great sucking sounds at full tilt.

    Like 3
  4. Avatar Hound59

    Single exhaust?

    Like 3
    • Avatar Tman

      I thought 3×2 set up was 348 hp. But the single exhaust is a first for me too but having an automatic transmission and not knowing which one it has is even more puzzling

      Like 1
  5. Avatar Bob McK

    This is really beautiful for a reasonable price. I would love to own it.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar JP

    I had a white on white one w/red int!

    Like 2
  7. Avatar gregg stewart

    389 tripower & single exhaust???
    Oh how a 4spd. would be nice.

    Like 2
  8. Avatar George Mattar

    Seems cheap in contrast to Titantic like holes in 69 Chargers on this site. Beautiful. Pontiac interiors far superior to any other GM car of the period. I know. I grew up in 60s Pontiacs. Best materials. Best dashes. Miss Pontiac. Stupid GM ruined the division and dumped it.

    Like 5
  9. Avatar Bill

    one sweet ride

    Like 0
  10. Avatar Carmanic Member

    This has affordable adventure written all over it. I’d ditch the dice, find or fab rear skirts, upgrade the exhaust to duals and load up 4/5 besties for an epic west coast road trip.

    Like 0
  11. Avatar Mike

    My in-laws had the same year Boneville convertible but blue and it was their pride and joy until one night when parked on the street while visiting friends it was hit by a truck and completely totaled! What a waste!😢😢

    Like 1
  12. Avatar Norman Reyome

    My first car, bought when l was 15, for $150.00, in 1970. Mine was a Catilina.

    Like 0

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