Williamrubano recently posted pictures from his visit to a rather interesting lot of scrapped cars, and the first set of these I’d like to share is of this ’67 Bonneville convertible. Pontiac set styling trends at the lower end of the market throughout the 1960s, and although its star was fading by the end of the decade, the front end of the 1967 is a favorite of mine.
I’m pretty sure that the pre-loop bumper cars are more highly regarded. It wouldn’t be the only time my aesthetic sensibilities have run afoul of conventional wisdom, but what can I say; the combination Endura/loop styling complements the rest of the car’s coke-bottle shape, while the ’65 and ’66 styling echoed the themes more appropriate to the earlier bodystyle’s crisper lines. If the Grand Prix was widely judged to appear bloated by this time, the exposed headlights on more pedestrian full-size models provide some relief from all the soft contours on display.
If past owners of this particular Bonneville convertible have appreciated its unique-for-1967 look, it would appear not have had much bearing on the treatment it has received more recently. It looks to have been more of less complete aside from its missing top and if that’s what sent it to the tiny urban boneyard behind this shop (in front of which is a rather well-kept 1970 Catalina coupe), I wish someone would’ve taken the ten dollars and ten minutes to anchor a tarp in place. If the owner is willing to let it go for cheap, which would be the right thing to do, someone should rescue this imperiled classic.
Related reading: Curbside Question: How Far Gone is Too Far Gone?
These later stacked-quad Pontiacs always strongly resembled the ’65 Rambler Ambassador to my eye. The ’65 GTO, ’65 Ford Galaxie, and ’66-’67 Fairlane / Comet were always the cleanest iteration of that theme for my money.
I remember not liking the 67 Pontiac much at the time. The front end was quite unusual at the time (and now as well). However, now I am intrigued by it. Like I am intrigued by a 59 Dodge. This 67 certainly has more character and interest than the plainer 68. Which is better looking though, is a tossup to me now.
Is that 67 ragtop parked behind a 57 Pontiac?
I’ve always liked the ’67 style; personally I like it more with the hidden lamps. It’s true that the exposed lamps and their related sculpturing do create quite a bit more visual interest, it just might cross the line into fussy. Still a treat to see. ’65 is probably my favorite sixties Poncho though.
In any case, both the Bonneville and its lot-mates there appear to deserve a chance at survival. That FC Chevy van looks complete, and though I can’t make details out, looks like a ’59 GM wagon of some sort? Also wondering if that’s a Studebaker truck under the gray cover.
I concur on the 1965 Pontiac. 1969 also. There was no Endura in 1967. It came out on the 1968 LeMans and GTO, and was also used on the rather large beak of the 1969 full-sized cars. There was also no Endura on the 1969 Grand Prix; I woned one of those. It looked exactly like Paul’s picture from a few years ago.
So the upper half is metal?
Most likely some typical plastic moldings that were increasingly commonly being used at the time. Endura was a thick, energy absorbing material only used for the actual bumpers; too expensive to use otherwise.
Plastic body and interior parts were proliferating very rapidly during this time; this was the heart of the plastic boom.
The upper half was metal on these.
Like that famous, oft-quoted line in The Graduate: “Plastics.”
When new I thought these were the best looking cars on the road in that price class. The ’67 was different with the treatment of the upper headlight and the beak. Today i look back and still like it but i’m drawn to the more conservative Mercury and Chrysler. Surely that must be a repaint as i’ve never seen a baby blue with red interior poncho.
As the proud owner of sever Superior Pontiac Professional Cars I’m always looking for a ’66-’72 Bonneville parts car.
The ’67 and ’68 full size Pontiacs (and Grand Prix) were the only blot (albeit minor) on what otherwise was a spectacular decade for this division. Bunkie, Pete Estes and John Z. were at the top of their game and produced winner after winner. The wide tracks, 2+2, GP, GTO, Endura bumpers, hide a way wipers, etc., etc.
Even though the ’67and ’68 full sizers and GP were somewhat bloated and not the best of the era, Pontiac came back strong in ’69 with an iconic GP restyle and full-sizers that IMHO were GM’s best. Really liked the hockey stick tail lamps on the Bonneville.
Styling, notwithstanding, as it doesn’t mean as much to me as being an older car worth restoring I like the car. I like most all old cars from the 60’s. The problem this car has is the current owner. Isn’t that the problem with many of these cars hidden in yards or behind garages. I look at it and see Fiona the Ogre and the owner sees Fiona the Princess. Finding practical middle ground is almost always impossible. This princess may not get saved.
Looks like a rather plain example to me – I can see that it doesn’t have a/c or even power windows – and better-equipped restorable ’67s still exist. If I had a garage big enough to hold a ’67 Bonneville or GP convertible (rather than just a driveway), I could see myself tinkering with one long-term, but only if equipped with those options plus factory 8-track player, cornering lights, power door locks, 6-way power seat, power front disc brakes, cruise control, power antenna, positraction…
Straight out of the “Scar Tissue” music video.
This was a unique front end treatment, but I much prefer the hidden horizontal light version used on the Grand Prix and Canadian Grande Parisienne.
I agree the hidden headlight treatment in ’67 really killed it. The Grand Prix had the one year only convertible too. In retrospect they are somewhat bloated and agree the ’69 restyle trimmed it right up.
+1. Love the hidden headlights and parking lights.
Between the way the upper light is hooded & the center prow. If I could, I’d love to fix it up & give it a batmobile paint job.
Thats what I always thought these looked like too!
Its a shame that they didn’t offer the hidden headlight front end on the Bonneville in the US.
The interior still looks to be in semi-decent shape. If the car’s owner or shop’s proprietor can’t take 10 minutes to cover the car with a canvas tarp, they’re idiots. There’s no excuse for sort of neglect.
Actually, to see the inspiration for the origami-like angles of the ’67 headlamp treatment, all you have to do is look at the far left and right extremes of the tail of a ’66.
How about the ’57 parked in front?
Big fan of the 67 front. I think its better in the plain than it is on the Grand Prix.
It’s a shame that the owner won’t sell or at least cover this car, and instead chooses to let it rot away.
I liked the ’67s, I think these Pontiacs popularized hidden windshield wipers.
No one is paying attention here ~
There’s CLEARLY a blue tarp in the last picture and the slab of plywood on the rear most top bow is indicative that the owner usually keeps it covered : that board prevents the tarp from collapsing into the rear seat area .
A sad thing that this car isn’t able to have indoor storage .
-Nate