1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible

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!