Vehicle Description
1966 Pontiac Bonneville
Interesting story on how the Pontiac Bonneville really earned its
name. It all started with David "Ab" Jenkins and his love for the
Bonneville Salt Flats. He and his son Marv were racers there and in
1956 were tapped by Pontiac to help the brand set some speed
records and to shed its ho-hum reputation. "Until my dad got hold
of that Pontiac," said the late Marv Jenkins, "it was a car for
retired ministers. In June of 1956 Ab and his son Marv drove a
Series 860 Pontiac around a 10-mile circular track that had been
laid out on the salt. Together they achieved an average speed of
118.375 MPH in a 24 hour period and shattered all 28 American
unlimited and Class C stock-car racing records. Ab drove around
2,841 of the miles himself and survived off of only a few chugs of
milk that he took down during his 30-second pit stops. He died of a
heart attack shortly after setting the records. In 1957 Pontiac
name the Bonneville in his honor, a rare example in which a car was
named after a racing inspired theme.
For consignment a 1966 version of the Bonneville that represents in
my opinion one of the nicest design years in the history of this
car. With its split front grille, Pontiac "beak" breaking it up,
dual stacked headlights, sleek rear with integrated horizontal
taillights and along with a clean interior, this example is a
keeper.
Exterior
Cameo Ivory covers the big steel panels of this large and in charge
cruiser, complete with fender skirts. Panels are mostly straight
paint is good, and there is a lot of it to look at. From the side
view it appears as a 4-door spaceship with a swept back B pillar,
and long, long trunk and hood and inset bumpers in chrome, it could
be moving at warp speed. Adding to the spaceship mystique are the
turbine style wheel covers. A stainless rocker trim which continues
on the rear quarters, shows some wear and dings, but adds a nice
highlight to the bottom end of this Starship Enterprise.
Interior
Pristine black door panels, a front bench, and another bench for
the back are all in nicely preserved vinyl and make up the
passenger compartment. A wood applique dash with plenty of chromed
highlighting is clean, and all functioning. The top dash is covered
with a towel which we did not remove to see if there are any cracks
in the padded dash top. Nice black carpet covers the floors, and a
tight black headliner floats above. Beam me up Scotty.
Drivetrain
A pop of the large and long hood and we are in the presence a
nicely restored engine bay, within which is a restored 389ci V8.
This steel blue block is topped with chromed valve covers, and a
chromed air cleaner, and has nice supple shiny rubber hoses, like
new wires, and some snazzy red spark plug connectors showing up
just under the valve covers. Below the air cleaner is an Edelbrock
4-barrel carburetor and strapped to the back is a TH400 3-speed
automatic transmission. Power goes rearward to a 10-bolt rear. I'm
giving her all she's got Captain.
Undercarriage
Setting our phasers to stun-ned, the undercarriage is clean and
mean with no rust seen. All structurally sound underneath, and
noted independent coil springs upfront, and 4 link with coil
springs on the rear, provide the glide ride this car is famous for.
Drum brakes are handed out to all 4 corners, and all is well
underneath.
Drive-Ability
Past history allowed me to step to the front of the test drive line
as when I was 16 this was the family car, and I loved every minute
off it, mainly because of those 2 large benches and my 15 year old
arm candy. This one started right up, idled smoothly, and when
shifted onto gear took off with V8 4-barrel power. It is a large
car, and will not carve a curve, but then again it is a cruiser
with plenty of cubic inches to romp around in and utilize under the
hood. A super smooth ride, this car will literally cruise all day
at highway speed and can carry a family on these long trips. While
on one, don't forget to pull over, have a sandwich and pop the hood
for the engine to cool faster before returning to the interstate.
Is that a 60's thing? As it is highly illogical when really
thinking about it.
All in all, a nice ride, good paint, clean chrome, and a sparkling
engine which ticks like a clock. Plenty of room to play in, and the
iconic Pontiac look with its split grille, "beak" and stacked
headlights, and a wonderful interior to boot. Speaking of boot,
prior to your purchase I'll move my 1-bedroom furniture out of the
trunk, but for now its staying. "Live long and prosper" Nannu
Nannu.
VIN Decode
262396E144276
2-Pontiac
62-Bonneville
39-4 Door Hardtop
6-1966
E-Linden, NJ Assy Plant
144276-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.