Top-Down Survivor: 1964 Pontiac Bonneville
Introduced in 1957, the Bonneville usually served as the Pontiac brand’s top-of-the-line car through the balance of the 20th Century. Riding on a wheelbase longer than the more pedestrian Catalina, the cars got a major facelift in 1963. As a result, changes were less dramatic in 1964 when the seller’s convertible was built. It looks like a tidy survivor that the seller bought from the Pontiac’s original owner’s family a few years ago.
The Bonneville took its name from the fabled Salt Flats in Utah. The car was on par with larger GM products like the Oldsmobile 98 and Buick Electra 225. A 389 cubic inch V8 was standard but you could opt for a 421 in the 1964 models. These cars were usually well-equipped with modern conveniences like power seats and windows (which I believe the seller’s car has both). For 1964, Pontiac built more than 22,000 Bonneville convertibles, so they weren’t an uncommon sight.
For a 60-year-old automobile, this Pontiac has only had two owners, including the seller. It’s said to be a solid runner, thanks in part to some work done by the selling party (from sitting over the years?). That includes flushing the fuel delivery system, rebuilding the carburetor, and installing a new fuel pump. The rest of the auto is said to not have been restored, which means the white paint and convertible top may be original.
The carpeting has been replaced, but the red upholstery may be original. From the cover over the front seat bottom, we assume the upholstery is worn and could use replacing. After all, it does have 90,000 miles on it but should be fine as a driver on the weekends and for shows. From Madison, Connecticut, this sweet ride is available here on craigslist for $12,500 OBO. Who wants to put the top down and cruise? Once again, T.J. comes through with a great tip!
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Comments
Won’t last long.
I thought only early powerglides did not have “reverse” next to “park” – not Pontiac 3 speed autos.
All of the old 4 speed hydramatics had reverse below low, which this could very well be. The thm400 was not available for Pontiac until 65
“All of the old 4 speed hydramatics had reverse below low [ . . .].”
Correct. It was also an attribute of Buick’s Dynaflow transmission. Outside of GM cars, Packard’s Ultramatic also presented this sequence of gear selections.
The Bonnevilles had a 4spd automatic transmission.
PNDSLR in my dad’s old pontiac bonneville
Love the Pontiac division. The hot rod guys there always delivered. These had 4sp manuals available thru the lineup. The 4-BARREL really added some zip to the 389. Beautiful cars.
Imagine a 421 equipped 4sp.
King of the boulevard 👑
Wow-just down the street from me. Nice car at a reasonable price in my opinion.
To bad I am not a convertible guy.
Whats not to like. Hope it finds a good home.
Hmm. Pretty sure I see two cranks on the driver door and a manual seat adjustment lever…
You will see two cranks (on both doors, actually). One for the window, the other for the vent window.
All of the old 4 speed hydramatics had reverse below low, which this could very well be. The thm400 was not available for Pontiac until 65
I was prepared to defend Pontiac’s virtually indestructible Morrokide, but it turns out Bonneville convertibles had standard leather upholstery.
Thanks, Russ. Actually it looks like a pretty basic spec car without many options. But still brings back memories. Styling got no better IMHO than ’60s Pontiacs. Thank you Jack Humbert. Dad always bought Pontiacs for himself and Mom(26 of them from 1931 and 2009!) and he had a loaded ’64 Bonneville Brougham 4-door hardtop from new until 1970, when it became my daily driver until ’76. Great car! NOT great mileage, but I got it in pristine condition and for free so I can’t complain. Thanks again for the walk down memory lane!
Strikes me as more of a new aftermarket carb than a rebuild of the original. Wish it was air conditioned.
I think it’s the original carb; see the rear driver-side gas inlet. Someone has butchered the fuel line.
I don’t buy it. It might be an NOS carb, but if those screws that hold it together are 60 years old I’ll eat your hat. And there’s a vac or breather hose laying in front of it with a piece of wooden dowl stuck in it.
Nope, OEM Carter AFB. Pretty solid carb but if you ever took it apart for a rebuild it would humble you. As I remember it had 47 billion parts, every one of them adjustable. But they worked.
Rebuilt a few in marine, they’re not worse than a quadrabog imo
My cousin had a new Bonne convertible in 1964. I remember riding it in numerous times as a 10 year old. Dad’s family were Pontiac buyers only. I have followed them having owned 69 and 70 GTOs, 77 Grand Prix and 95 Bonne. Those were the days. This car will sell fast. Very reasonable price. Who needs ac? Put top down.
Wow back when Pontiac built beautiful cars and this is a beauty right here and won’t last long for that price.