The Pontiac Bonneville was originally conceived as a 1954 GM Motorama concept car called the Bonneville Special, borrowing its underpinnings from the Chevrolet Corvette.
For the 1957 model year, the Pontiac Bonneville was a performance package available on the Star Chief. The Bonneville (named for the famed Bonneville Salt Flats) package featured a fuel-injected engine and every possible option as standard equipment, save for air conditioning and the continental kit. As a result, the Bonneville stickered at nearly $5,800, squarely in Cadillac territory, and more than twice that of the standard Pontiac Chieftan. A mere 630 copies of the 1957 Bonneville left the factory.
The Pontiac Bonneville became a model unto itself for 1958, and was chosen to pace the Indianapolis 500. The new standalone Bonneville eliminated much of the standard equipment and was markedly less expensive, with a base price near $3,000. It was available as either a two-door hardtop or convertible, powered by a standard 370 cubic-inch V8 fed by a four-barrel carb, producing 255 horsepower. Both Tri-Power (three Rochester two-barrel carbs) that made 300 horsepower, and Rochester mechanical fuel injection that produced 310 horsepower, were available power options, but few opted for the $500 fuel injection, as the Tri Power option cost just $93.50.
By 2000, the Pontiac Bonneville had evolved into its own model, and was beginning its tenth and final generation. The 2000 Bonneville was a complete redesign, with advancements in technology, engineering, and design, dubbed by Pontiac as “luxury with attitude.” The front-wheel-drive sedan was powered by the General Motors’ second-generation 3.8-liter V6, pushing power through a four-speed automatic transmission. The top-of-the-line SSEi model featured a supercharged version of the 3.8, as well as leather interior, power driver’s seat, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, air conditioning, tilt wheel, foglamps, cruise control and rear-window defogger.
Our feature Pontiac Bonneville SSEi is finished in glossy black over a Dark Pewter leather interior. The single exterior image supplied shows a car that has been well kept, with no nicks, scratches, or dings visible. The wheels appear to be free from damage of any kind. Headlights and driving lights are crisp and clear, showing no visible haze.
Inside the Pontiac Bonneville SSEi, the Dark Pewter leather shows no undue wear, only some minor creasing. All dash lights and gauges appear to work as they should, and the factory Bose AM/FM/CD stereo is still fitted. Print remains crisp on all the control buttons on both the dash and leather-wrapped steering wheel. This Bonneville SSEi is also equipped with head-up display.
Under the Pontiac Bonneville SSEi’s hood, the engine bay has been thoroughly detailed. The 3.8-liter supercharged V6 presents well, and appears to be correct and complete. This potent V6 produced 240 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque when new.
This Pontiac Bonneville SSEi will be crossing the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Las Vegas event happening October 7th-9th.
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Comments
Should be on a used car lot. There are a number of low mile models out there. My friend bought one not long ago, o major value here but a good daily driver.
My Dad had one for a little while (same color, but gold wheels) before he traded for a 750iL. That was a fun car. Pretty quick for its time.
Bought a twin to this car new and had it’s share of problems, both mechanical and electrical.
Wouldn’t have been so bad if the dealer would have been cooperative. Worst dealer experience ever.
Laughable…”by 2000 the Bonneville had emerged into its own model”. What about all of the Bonnevilles in between? I personally had a 1976 Bonneville, 4-dr sedan.
I had a 65 Bonneville 389 4bbl. Great car
My parents had Bonneville Broughams in 1964 and 1965..both with 4bbl 389s and a 1962 Bonnie Coupe
long before your stated 2000 yr models as full Bonnevilles .Actually they date back to the late 1950s.
Also the photo shows an AM/FM Cassette Tape with Dolby NR…vs your assumption of an integrated CD.
I look at this and I see plastic. The Bad Old Days. The unjustly maligned ’04-’06 GTO was far more GTO than this is Bonneville.
Your name fits you. Time and place for style trends. Some will look back on today’s styles and say the same thing in the same ignorant tone. I guess you missed all the extra gingerbread that was part of bonneville styling from 1957 on ( with a brief bland hiatus from 71 to 86)
1957-60: legend
1960s: legend
1970s: as legendary as you’re gonna get for… the ‘70s
1980s-early 2000s: plastic
2004-2009: Holden builds the best Pontiacs since the SD-455 Firebird and Solstice nails it
Today: nothing but memories, some good, some better forgotten
In the nutshell: sharp design never goes out of style and lousy design will always be lousy, Phil