No car did luxury muscle better than the Pontiac Bonneville. From the beginning, the combination of big horsepower and full-sized luxury was something that other automakers tried to duplicate, but they could never quite capture the big Bonnie''s unique attributes. Today they''re great cruisers that are seeing some renewed interest in the market. Wearing original Palisade Green, this 1970 Bonneville was repainted several years ago and still looks great today. Styling was updated for the 1970 model year, tying it more closely with the revised GTO, featuring Pontiac''s traditional split front grille. But make no mistake, this is a full-sized car, easily capable of carrying six passengers in comfort, although Pontiac stylists did a great job disguising the car''s proportions. The paint job was done using modern materials and looks good, although a little elbow grease and a professional detail would probably take it to the next level. However the panels are straight, gaps are decent, and the plastic nose and tail pieces are in outstanding condition. That big chrome grille and the smaller "bull''s eye" vents to either side are in great shape and appear to be original, while out back the unique rear bumper with body-colored insert remains blemish-free and hasn''t even suffered a parking lot ding. Nice! The interior hasn''t undergone the thorough restoration that you might expect on a show-quality piece, but all told things are very presentable and have clearly been well maintained. The carpets and seat covers are in good condition. The console-like dashboard offers an unblemished dash pad and excellent faux burled walnut trim, typical of 1970s General Motors. I might be inclined to believe things like the door panels are original, and they suggest that this car has been carefully maintained since new. The power convertible top was replaced several years ago with matching tan vinyl, and the trunk still offers its original mat and spare tire cover. Like the exterior, it''s not perfect inside but a little well-invested time will easily take this car to the next level and it remains one that you can proudly drive and show immediately. The 455 cubic inch V8 was new for 1970, and while it was probably the wrong decision in the insurance and gas-starved early ''70s, today 360 horsepower in a full-sized convertible is an absolute party on the road. The rebuilt big block makes seemingly limitless torque that moves the big Bonnie effortlessly, and the engine bay was detailed at the time. There''s correct Pontiac Turquoise paint on the block and heads, the air cleaner wears proper decals, and chrome valve covers were Pontiac''s way of saying that they still cared about building special cars. It shows some signs of use today, but it runs beautifully, idling with a muscular hum and launching the big ragtop with real authority. A TH400 3-speed shifts crisply, and the chassis is solid and clean. Recent 235/75/15 Goodyear whitewalls ensure a safe, comfortable ride. Driven less than 2500 miles a year, this is a great entry-level collectible that will get a lot of attention on the road and at shows. Call us today!
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