Vehicle Description
Pontiac practically invented luxury muscle with the Bonneville, and
this Bonneville ragtop was the ride of choice for the up-and-coming
young executive. Only 18,264 Bonneville convertibles were built in
1961, and they were available with a wide range of performance and
luxury options, including the 389 found in this one.
Wearing its original code C Shelltone Ivory hue, this awesome
ragtop certainly looks the part of a gentleman's express. Tailfins
were fading, but hadn't entirely vanished in 1961, and the dramatic
upswept quarter panels give this Pontiac the appearance of being in
constant motion. Fit and finish are quite good, and you can still
see details from the '50s in the wrap-around windshield and
stylized stainless trim. The finish has just the right shine, not
too harsh like a modern car, but definitely not faded like original
paint would be, giving this car a very inviting look. The
traditional Pontiac split grille is in excellent shape, and the
chrome appears to have been refinished during the restoration
process and still glitters brightly today. And with big, bold block
letters spelling out BONNEVILLE on the tail panel, it won't be
mistaken for anything else on the street.
The guys at Pontiac loved their tri-tone upholstery, with this one
wearing Silver, Blue, and Ivory seat covers that are sporty and
elegant at the same time. With matching door panels that are works
of art by themselves, new blue carpets, and that clear steering
wheel, there's no doubt that the Bonneville buyer in 1961 was
getting something truly special. The matching blue instrument panel
offers only the basics of speed and fuel level, but an auxiliary
set of gauges has been fitted underneath to keep an eye on the
rumbling 389 up front. That slender shifter lever is pure 1960s
cool, along with the shiny stainless dashboard face that frames the
original AM radio. A white power top with crystal clear rear window
folds with the touch of a button and hides out of sight under a
matching silver boot. The gargantuan trunk is neatly finished with
a correct mat that's the size of a queen bed, as well as a
full-sized spare with matching cover.
Pontiac's top engine was the 389 cubic inch V8, and topped with a
4-barrel carburetor, it delivers impressive performance in the
Bonneville. Painted with correct Pontiac Turquoise and dressed up
with chrome valve covers and an oversized open-element air cleaner,
it definitely lives up to the excitement brand's reputation. Other
luxury features include the power braking system with original
master cylinder, power steering, and a Hydra-Matic automatic
transmission. A newer dual exhaust system with original-style
mufflers gives it a muscular tone that is never annoying, and the
floors are remarkably clean and solid. The factory rear end has
been rebuilt and detailed with red oxide primer on the center
section, and the list of new equipment includes the shock absorbers
and gas tank, so it's ready to cruise this summer. Optional 8-lug
wheels are highly desirable and wear 215/75/14 Michelin whitewall
radials to complete the luxury look.
No other car combined style and performance quite as well as the
Bonneville, and this handsome convertible is every bit as
impressive today as it was in 1961. Call today!