Vehicle Description
You've seen cars like this 1964 Pontiac Bonneville tucked into
garages in your neighborhood. You crane your neck when you're out
in the country, trying to peer into barns on old farms. You have an
elderly aunt who bought hers new and is still driving it today.
Yes, one-owner, low-mile survivors do exist, and this is a
positively amazing example.
It shows just 27,666 original miles, and was purchased new in 1964
by the current owner's uncle, so it's pretty much exactly the way
it was back then. That uncle clearly loved this car and treated it
gently, because a top-of-the-line Bonneville hardtop was not an
inexpensive car when it was new. It is also infused with Pontiac
performance DNA and crisp styling that makes no secret about this
car's relatives, the GTO and the Grand Prix. The paint is original
and with that in mind it's simply gorgeous, but yes, it does have a
few of the usual signs of age which are pretty much impossible to
avoid. However, it's also clear that there are no major accidents
in the car's past, no long winters in the rust belt, just an
awesome heavy cruiser that was literally the car that was used to
go to church on Sundays and very little else. The panel gaps are
exactly where they were when the guys on the assembly line put it
together and there's some speculation that a family member worked
in the Doraville assembly plant and when this car came down the
line, they gave it a lot of extra attention to make it right. Even
the chrome, which is often the first thing to go on a vintage car,
still sparkles brightly and while it's not perfect, it's pretty
darned impressive.
GM nailed it with the Bonneville's interior, a combination of
full-sized luxury and just a hint of performance, the exact right
combination for the young executive with a family. The two-tone
upholstery is comfortable and in excellent condition, with rare
front buckets and a spacious rear bench that echoes the bucket
look. A few well-chosen woodgrain appliques warm up the blue
interior and they work well with the sparkling trim on the dash,
highlighting the Bonneville's "executive express" status. A trio of
gauges is angled towards the driver, just above the original AM
radio that's still fully functional. That remarkable clear plastic
steering wheel is original equipment and remains in fantastic
condition, a really rare find on a car like this. Heck, that's even
the original rubber floor mat! The only notable issue is that the
clock doesn't work and the heater core has been bypassed, but
otherwise this is one incredible piece of Pontiac history. The
trunk is positively massive and it sure looks like it still holds
the original mat, along with a full-sized spare and jack
assembly.
The original, numbers-matching 389 cubic inch V8 was a fantastic
performer in the Bonneville. Neither the engine nor the 3-speed
automatic transmission have ever been opened, but thanks to the low
mileage it still starts, runs, and drives like a much younger car.
The engine bay is pretty original and a bit grungy, but all the
original equipment save for things like hoses, belts, and tune-up
parts remains intact, making this a great survivor. The underside
is as clean as you'd expect, with that undeniably smooth, confident
feel only survivors can offer. The exhaust has a mellow V8 tone
that's just right for the upscale Bonneville and it sits on recent
whitewall radials and factory hubcaps that look exactly right.
Impressive is the right word for a car like this, both in terms of
preservation and performance. If there's more luxury muscle for
less money anywhere, I'd be shocked. Call today!