Simon Cars - Pontiac Bonnevile 1965

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 - 68

The first Bonneville was launched as a very limited edition model by Bunkie Knudsen who wanted to get rid of all the 'Chieftains' and 'Star Chiefs' in the Pontiac image; he also put into the scrap bin the Silver Streaks given by his father in 1936. The first Bonneville was a super luxury version of the Pontiac Star Chief on a 124 inch wheelbase, and only offered as a convertible. An all new bodyshell was given in 1958 and the Bonneville could now be ordered as a convertible or a hardtop, but the car was on the shorter Chieftain platform. New bodies were given to many GM cars for 1959, and the Bonneville went up to the new GM B-body, adding a vista roof hardtop and an estate car to the Hardtop and convertible line up. For 1961 a new Pontiac body was brought in, with the Star Chief and Bonneville having a slightly smaller 123 inch wheelbase (against the Catalina 119 inches), although overall length contracted by ten inches. Both the Catalina and the Bonneville were given new bodies for 1965, with the Catalina being on a shorter wheelbase and shorter in length.

aa Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible badgeb

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible, badge on rear wing

ac Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible head

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible, A new 124-inch wheelbase body was given to all GM B-body cars for 1965 with 'coke bottle' styling. Power was supplied by a 6,364cc (389) 325 bhp V*

ac Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe head

Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe. For 1966 the Pontiacs were given a new grille with four curved elements in place of the rectangular panels in 1965

ac Pontiac Bonneville 1968 4-Door Hardtop 400 head

Pontiac Bonneville 1968 4-Door Hardtop 400. In the final year for this GM B-body, horizontal headlamps replaced the vertiocal ones. Standard power was now the 6,558cc (400) V8, rated from 265 bhp up to 340 bhp, but there was also a 428 390 bhp option.

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible front

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible, A new 124-inch wheelbase body was given to the Bonneville in 1965, whilst the Catalina sat on 121-inches. The Bonneville was 7-inches longer than the Catalina.

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible rear

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Convertible, A new 124-inch wheelbase body was given to the 1965 Bonneville. As well as the convertible, the Bonneville was also offered as a 4-door hardtop, 2-door hardtop coupe, and a station wagon.

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Hardtop Coupe front

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Hardtop Coupe. The Hardtop Coupe was shared across the GM B-body models, including the shorter Pontiac Catalina and Chevrolet Impala.

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Hardtop Coupe rear

Pontiac Bonneville 1965 Hardtop Coupe. Pontiac did offer the Catalina version of this hardtop Coupe as a 2+2 model with rear bucket seats, but this was not offered on the Bonneville.

Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe front

Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe. Powered by a 6,364cc (389) V8 with an optional 6,902cc (421). New engines would be given i 1967

Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe rear

Pontiac Bonneville 1966 Hardtop Coupe. For 1966 a modest restyle of the tail and tail lamps was given

Pontiac Bonneville 1967 4-Door Hardtop 400 front

Pontiac Bonneville 1967 4-Door Hardtop 400. Powered by a 6,558cc (400) 265 bhp V8. There was a higher priced 'Brougham' version which was given a vinyl roof.

Pontiac Bonneville 1967 4-door hardtop 400 side

Pontiac Bonneville 1967 4-door hardtop. The 4-door hardtop was the sole 4-door Bonneville until the 4-door sedan appeared in 1968.

Pontiac Bonneville 1968 4-Door Hardtop 400 front

Pontiac Bonneville 1968 4-Door Hardtop 400. 1968 was the final year for the 8th generation full-size Pontiac, and for the first time it was given horizontal headlamps.

Pontiac Catalina 1965 Sports Coupe side

Pontiac Catalina 1965 Sports Coupe. The Catalina fourth generation launched in 1965 on a 121-inch wheelbase, whilst the Bonneville was on 124-inches. The Catalina was not expensive and when given a 421 V8 was a performer.

Pontiac Catalina 1967 4-door sedan front

Pontiac Catalina 1967 4-door sedan. Whilst the original Catalina was a hardtop option on other Pontiacs, the Pontiac Catalina came with a full range of bodies including 2 and 4-door sedans, 2 and 4-door hardtops, convertible and station wagon.

Ford Galaxie 500 1967 2-door hardtop front

Ford Galaxie 500 1967 2-door hardtop. The standard V8 for 1967 was the Challenger 289 200bhp V8, but the 390 was a popular choice as well

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