Vehicle Description
1964 Pontiac Bonneville Coupe
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 it's 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
named the Bonneville in his honor, a rare example in which a car
was named after a racing inspired theme.
For consignment, a 1964 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 arrow inserted
into bumper taillights and along with a clean interior. This
example is a keeper...Meet George Jetson!
Exterior
A Maroon Metallic respray covers the big steel panels of this large
and in charge cruiser, which is also peppered with stainless
trimmings to break up the maroon. 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 2 door spaceship with a swept back B pillar, a long,
long trunk and hood and inset bumpers in chrome. Appearing that it
could be moving at warp speed. The roof is painted in white and
shows very nicely with clean rust-free trimmings around the glass
all around. Adding to the spaceship mystique are the turbine style
wheel covers with knockoff center hubs. Bumpers have started to
delaminate on the chrome front and have slight rust also. Most
trimmings are in nice condition though ailing with badging and the
stainless-steel rocker coverings. Jane, His wife...
Interior
Style-a-licious would best describe this mid century modern
inspired interior. Slightly soiled white door panels, showing with
more delineating trimmings which are a bit corroded but maintain
their shine, along with some patina cranks and handles. A front
split back bench presents with some stitched mild tuck and roll
inserts and smooth bolsters are draped in white vinyl. Power
toggles are on the drivers left and allow electric adjustability of
this front bench. Another bench for the back is 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 padded black vinyl and
shows no cracking. Gauges are looking good and original, and an
aftermarket vintage style radio is now inserted just below the trio
of eyeball gauges in the central dash. Nice red carpet covers the
floors, and a tight white headliner floats above. This headliner
has suffered some water stain damage particularly on the passenger
B pillar region. Daughter Judy....
Drivetrain
A pop of the large and long hood and we see a 27P stamped correct
389ci V8. This patina engine is topped with chromed valve covers, a
chromed air cleaner, has nice supple rubber hoses, like new wires
and no corrosion or rust. Below the air cleaner is a 4-barrel
carburetor and strapped to the back is a Hydramatic 3-speed
automatic transmission. Power goes rearward to a 10-bolt 2.69 ratio
rear. His boy Elroy....
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 to provide the glide ride this car is famous
for. Power 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
of 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 into 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 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. Slight brake bias to the left was experienced
and the A/C blower is in-op. Jane STOP this crazy thing....!
All in all a nice ride, good paint, aging chrome bumpers, and an
original engine which runs like a Swiss watch. 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 bed room furniture
out of the trunk, but for now it's staying.
VIN DECODE
884P228587
8-V8
8-Bonneville
4-1964
P-Pontiac, MI Assy Plant
228587-Sequential Unit Number
TRIM TAG
05C-3rd Week May Build
STYLE 64 2847-1964 Bonneville Sport Coupe
BODY PO10456-Pontiac Body #
TR 292-White
PNT LC-Marimba Red, Cameo Ivory
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 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.
