The words “Pontiac Bonneville” once stood for what was consistently one of the most beautiful and compelling American cars. That all ended in 1982, when that storied name was applied to this sad-sack G-Body. Yes, this example found and posted at the CC Cohort by canadiancatgreen is a particularly pathetic example, but it reminded me just how far the Bonneville had fallen from it former glories.
In case you need reminding, here’s a sample of all the generations of Bonnevilles. Pick your favorite. And if anyone picks this one, I’ll retire (again).
1958: Not exactly one of my favorites, but then that applies to all of the ’58 GM line. The blow-out end of an era.
I much prefer the cleaner 1960 over the fussier ’59, but feel free to disagree.
1961: One of my favorites. Lighter, tighter and faster, especially with the (non stock) 421 SD that this one sports.
1963 certainly deserves top billing, with its soon-to-be iconic stacked headlights and its bulging hips, a preview of things to come in 1965.
1965: Yes, it’s a bit excessive, but not too much so thanks to superb detailing and a dramatic front end. The best of the new ’65s.
The 1967 let its flowing mane sweep even further back, making it a nigh-near genuine fastback, and again, one of the best of its kind for a full size car, although the big Buick Wildcat might give it a run for the money.
By 1969 fastbacks were out and a turn towards a cleaner, more formal look was under way.
1971 brought a new body as well as a range-topping Grand Ville, but the Bonneville still has a lot of appeal with the new styling direction and bold front end.
1976 was the last of the really big Bonnies. The new squared-off coupe roof created a more formal look and previewed what was coming the following year.
1977 -1981: The downsized 1977 GM cars all had their respective charms and attractions, and an elegant new coupe roof shared with Buick and Olds. But it’s hard to say that any of them topped the Bonneville’s clean lines that went so well with that Fiat 130 Coupe-inspired roof. A superb finale to the full-size RWD Bonnevilles.
1982-1986 Need I say anything more than what I said here about this GM Deadly Sin?
1987 – 1991: A completely new FWD architecture and the beginning of Pontiac’s efforts to establish the Bonneville as a Euro-fighter. There’s a bit of unevenness between the rounded front end and the rather squarish middle section.
1992 1999: A more organic and smoother design, objectively well done. But Pontiac’s growing image as the Walmart BMW wasn’t helping.
2000 – 2005: The end of the road. And not a very glorious one, but some may differ.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1984 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham – GM’s Deadly Sin #8
The B-body Bonneville is writting checks it can’t cash.
To this day I’m still puzzled about how the B-bodies could be handsome in coupe versions but look like something specifically designed for Hertz in sedan versions. I love how Peggy Hill drove a Regal or Century B-body though, it went perfect with her outdated old lady glasses.
They looked so tepid, with sonething off about the balance of the three box design flow. That was a huge fail, I could see how sales were lost. Especially to families with children or anyone else who desired a sharp looking sedan. I was a kid back then, when it seemed like a lot of families were replacing B-bodies with Accords, Audi 4000’s and such.
My family had Pontiacs from 1955-1964…. my grand father had a 1965 Bonneville 4 door that was a very pretty car – my favorite year, drove nicely too but we’re talking boulevard driving… my grand father’s last Pontiac was his Grandville which drank gas like a drunken sailor – I drove them from NY City to the auto train outside DC – nice ride but glad I didn’t have to spring for the gas!
All the 1960’s are quite handsome, but the 1963 really is my favorite. Pontiac really had it together in those years.
In the lead photo I can’t decide if the centerline aluminum wheels make a rusty 4 door G body more pathetic or less pathetic.
Gee, I thought that, for the time, the 58 was beautiful. But I guess the 65 was a bit better. Anything newer than 65, ugh.
I have a friend with a similar 60 nicely done in white 421 fashion, what a machine. Then another with a 65 maroon 4 door hardtop, such a gorgeous land yacht….
I was barely alive, but in looking back with my 60+ year perspective, it seems the lithe ’60 is what led people to sit up and notice Pontiac for the first time as no longer an old person’s car, and the next 3-4 years cemented their performance image. By ’65 I think they begin to look bloated. The late 80’s/early 90’s versions were decent attempts at pulling it back in, but by then the extensive cladding, BMW-copy red IP lighting etc sealed their fate as the Walmart BMW wanna-be for the trailer park, and it was just a matter of time before the sun set.
I rented a ’93 SSE back then and thought it was pretty decent, but I wasn’t in the market for a large sedan.
I had a 74 GRANDVILLE and 80 Bonneville Brougham. Beautiful, elegant cars BUT both had mechanical problems. Applying the Bonneville name to these downsized vehicles was another one of GMs multiple mistakes.
I lean to the 1967, I remember when those first came out, and seeing the new car brochures of them with their sweeping design features, and big front beak. A nod to the 87-91s, a good friend had one and he loved it. To my eyes it was a whole different body shape for the times, much better than what it looked like through the 70s and 80s in a square-ish look.
A neighbour had an 80s Bonneville, and it rivalled the look of the one in the lead photo, when it was just 5 or 6 years old, both outside and inside. He couldn’t get rid of it fast enough.