Pontiac Bonneville

The Bonneville name first appeared in 1954 on a pair of bubble-topped GM Motorama concept cars called the Bonneville Special, sharing an appearance with the Chevrolet Corvette. It was also the beginning of a new tradition of Pontiac vehicles using French words for model names. It entered the production lineup as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957, and was loaded with every available option as standard equipment to include leather upholstery, power adjustable front seat, power windows, power steering, power brakes and power convertible top with the exception of air conditioning and a fashionable for the time continental kit. Standard only for the Bonneville was Pontiac's first-ever fuel injection system. A mechanical system built by Rochester, it was similar in principle, but not identical, to the contemporary Chevrolet Bel Air installed with the Rochester Ramjet continuous mechanical fuel injection (closed-loop). Pontiac did not release official power ratings for this engine, which had only been introduced earlier in 1955 replacing the flathead straight eight, saying only that it had more than . Contemporary road tests suggest that it was somewhat inferior to the Tri-Power engines, though it did offer better fuel economy. This put the Bonneville in a Cadillac-like price range of US$5,782 ($ in dollars ) - more than double the base price of the Chieftain on which it was built, with the result being a fully equipped Bonneville could cost more than the longer, entry-level Cadillac Series 62. Only 630 units were produced that first year, all of them fuel-injected, making it one of the most collectible Pontiacs of all time and was introduced to compete with the Chrysler 300C. The following year it became a separate model, and it would endure until 2005 as the division's top-of-the-line model. == First generation (1958) ==

The Bonneville became a separate model in 1958, available as a two-door hardtop or a convertible. It paced the Indianapolis 500 in its first year. As a separate model, Bonneville had a significantly lower price tag of $3,586 ($ in dollars ) for the convertible, thanks to the removal of most of the luxury items found on the 1957 Star Chief bodystyle from standard equipment to the option list. The fuel-injection system continued to be offered with the standard engine on the 1957 Star Chief bodystyle was now listed as an extra cost option but very few 1958 Bonnevilles were so equipped due to a towering option price tag of US$500 ($ in dollars ), which was not considered a very good value considering that for US$93.50, a more reliable Tri-Power option was available with three Rochester two-barrel carburetors and similar power. The Tri-Power produces a claimed , while the fuel injected version was rated at at 4800 rpm and at 3,000 rpm on 10.5:1 compression. The retail price dropped from the previous year to US$3,481 ($ in dollars ) for the coupe, adding leather interior and a power-operated convertible top. The 1958 models shared a common appearance on the top models for each brand; Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Pontiac Bonneville Catalina, and the all-new Chevrolet Bel-Air Impala. 1958 was also the year the "Silver Streak" styling feature was no longer offered, which was first used in 1933. It was also the last year of Harley Earls tenure as department head of GM's "Art and Colour Section". File:1958 Pontiac Bonneville (29962118722).jpg|Rear view of 1958 Bonneville fitted with a continental kit. File:58 Pontiac Bonneville (8942127046).jpg|1958 Pontiac Bonneville interior == Second generation (1959–1960) ==

In its third year, the 1959 Bonneville became the senior series with the addition of the four-door hardtop sedan and Safari station wagon body styles, while the Pontiac Catalina became the junior series. The Bonneville played an important part that year in the introduction of two of Pontiac's greatest marketing inspirations — the split grille and the "Wide Track" slogan, introducing a front tread width of and rear tread width of as opposed to other GM products with a width for front and rear width. As the platform expanded to add sedans and the Safari station wagons, they were also used as a basis for various specialty cars such as hearses. File:1959 Pontiac Bonneville (28826245343).jpg|1959 Pontiac Bonneville Sports Coupe File:Bonneville taillights.jpg|1959 Bonneville from the rear, showing double rear fins File:1960 Pontiac Bonneville Safari 2 (cropped).jpg|1960 Pontiac Bonneville Safari (with aftermarket wheels) File:59Bonnevilleinterior.jpg|1959 Pontiac dashboard File:59BonnevilleFront.jpg|1959 Bonneville Coupe File:1959 Bonneville.jpg|1959 Pontiac Bonneville in Sunset Glow Metallic File:1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Coupe, rear left, 06-15-2024.jpg|File:1960 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Coupe, rear view == Third generation (1961–1964) ==

The Bonneville was Pontiac's senior model throughout the 1960s and was instrumental in pushing Pontiac to third place in sales from 1962 to 1970. The distinctive protruding grille made its appearance on all Pontiac products during the early 1960s, and was a modern revival of a similar appearance on Pontiac products during the 1930s and early 1940s, as demonstrated on the Pontiac Torpedo. The Bonneville differed from its lesser Catalina and Star Chief counterparts by featuring more luxurious interior trim with upgraded cloth and "Morrokide" vinyl or expanded "Morrokide" upholstery in sedans and coupes, expanded "Morrokide" in Safari wagons and genuine leather seating in convertibles. Bonnevilles (with the exception of Bonneville Safari station wagons) were also (along with Star Chiefs) built on a longer wheelbase version of GM's B-Body. The 1962 hardtop coupe had a listed retail price of $3,349 ($ in dollars ). In 1962, the Bonneville coupe was offered along with the all new Pontiac Grand Prix which has the same luxurious interior of the Bonneville on the shorter Catalina wheelbase, and the Grand Prix was slightly more expensive and exclusive. For a luxurious appearance, the Bonneville came with instrument panels and door panels with walnut veneer trim, carpeted lower door panels, grab bar on the passenger side of the dash and courtesy lights and a rear arm rest. Beginning in 1964, a Bonneville Brougham option package was available that included an even more luxurious interior trim level with front and rear seats featuring center armrests, upgraded door panels and a standard Cordova (vinyl) roof with "Brougham" nameplates. The two-door hardtop was marketed as the "Sports Coupe", the four door pillarless models were called "Vistas". Bonneville models were standard equipped with Hydra-Matic (through 1964) or Turbo Hydra-Matic (1965-on) automatic transmissions. Options included power steering and power brakes as well as air conditioning. Other popular options included power windows, power seats, radio, cruise control, and 8-lug aluminum wheels that included integral brake drums for improved stopping power. The Bonneville also had more powerful standard V8 engines than other full-sized Pontiacs, including the or V8s with four-barrel carburetors (power ratings of depending on year) with many optional V8 offerings, such as the availability of the Tri-Power (three two-barrel carburetor) options on both the and V8s that offered up to through 1966. For 1963 only, Pontiac offered the Super Duty with two four-barrel carburetors, rated at , as a US$2,250 option ($ in dollars ) whereas the base Bonneville was listed at US$3,349 ($ in dollars ). == Fourth generation (1965–1970) ==

In 1965, B-Body Pontiacs received a dramatic restyle, featuring fastback rooflines on coupes, rakish fender lines, and even more pronounced "Coke bottle styling". Bonnevilles followed largely the same styling cues as on other 1965 Pontiacs, but was 8 inches longer thanks to its new 124-inch wheelbase chassis. The interior featured new instrumentation and dashboard styling as well as new upholstery. New for Pontiacs in 1965 was GM's Turbo-Hydramatic 400 transmission, which was released the year prior. This new 3-speed unit had a torque converter, unlike the old fluid-coupling based Super-Hydramatic featured on past Bonneville models. The new transmission also changed the shift pattern from "P-N-D-S-L-R" to a safer and ultimately more modern "P-R-N-D-S-L." In 1965, Pontiac Motor Division received the Motor Trend "Car of the Year" award. As part of this award, Motor Trend reviewed GTO, Grand Prix, Catalina 2+2 and Bonneville. In 1966, the Bonneville featured a minor update, with new front and rear sheet metal, trim and bright work. The interior saw some updates, including a more squared-up dashboard and minor changes in instrumentation. Powertrain components were the same as 1965. The Bonneville for 1967 received a major update over the previous years. Styling was changed dramatically and featured a new grille-in-bumper front design, more creases to accentuate the "Coke bottle" styling and an updated rear fascia. The interior featured a new wraparound-style dash with new switchgear, instrumentation and trim. As per the up-and-coming US Title 49 legislation, 67' Bonnevilles were equipped with seatbelts as standard, as well as other government mandated safety equipment. 1968 saw a large styling update for Bonneville. The front fascia was heavily revised with new side-by-side headlights, however, the side and rear styling stayed largely the same from 1967. The interior saw some minor updates to styling with less chrome, as well as an available 8-Track Tape player. Power was upgraded to 340 horsepower on the base 400 CI engine, up from 333 on the 1967 model year, the 428 CI engine remained an option In 1969, the rest of the Bonneville's styling was updated. The front fascia stayed similar to 68', however, the rest of the car saw a restyle. The creases on the side were removed and the overall "Coke Bottle" effect was lessened. The rear end saw widened taillights and a color coded bumper insert. The interior saw even more updates, featuring more padding, wood trim and a slanted dashboard. Power trains were upgraded to a standard 360 hp 428 CI engine. 1970 saw the most dramatic update to styling for Bonneville, featuring an entirely new front fascia, with more square features and an updated vertical twin grille design. Wrap around amber turn signals were integrated into the lower bumper. Side body lines remained similar to the 69' model year, however the rear design was completely revised with lowered tail lights and bumper, with a design more similar to that of 65' and 66' model years than those directly prior. == Fifth generation (1971–1976) ==

For 1971, the Bonneville was downgraded in the model hierarchy, as a new top-line Grand Ville series was introduced. In effect, it replaced the discontinued Executive above the lower-priced Catalina. The Bonneville had new "Monocoque" styling and was offered in three body styles, a pillared four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan and two-door hardtop coupe. The standard engine for 1971-72 was a 455 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 280 gross horsepower for 1971 and 185 net horsepower for 1972 and optionally available was the four-barrel version of the 455 rated at 325 gross horsepower in 1971 and 250 net horsepower in 1972. The on-paper power ratings reflect the change in power measurement undertaken by the industry for 1972. 1971 was also the first year for Pontiac and other GM divisions to reduce compression ratios on all engines across the board to operate on lower-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline, reflecting a corporate edict anticipating the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 to help meet increasingly stringent federal (and California) emission requirements. File:1971 Pontiac Bonneville 4-door sedan, front right, 09-30-2023.jpg|1971 Pontiac Bonneville 4-Door Sedan File:1973 Pontiac Bonneville 4-door sedan, front right, 03-29-2025.jpg|1973 Pontiac Bonneville 4-Door Sedan (with non-standard wheels) Size comparison between 1974 and 1984 full-size Pontiac sedans == Sixth generation (1977–1981) ==

The Bonneville was significantly downsized for model year 1977. Bonnevilles (and Catalinas) were shorter in length, over four inches (102 mm) narrower and 800 pounds lighter compared to their 1976 counterparts, while offering increased headroom, rear seat legroom and trunk space, and much-improved fuel economy – a major selling point in the years following the 1973-74 energy crisis. Only a pillared four-door sedan and two-door coupe (with optional opera windows) were offered, as the hardtop sedans and hardtop coupes offered in previous years were discontinued for all GM divisions. The Bonneville regained the Safari station wagon as part of its model lineup for the first time since 1970, with faux woodgrain exterior trim and interior appointments shared with Bonneville coupes and sedans. The Safari was available in both 6 and 9-passenger configurations and featured a dual action side- or bottom-hinged tailgate, rather than the disappearing clamshell tailgates of 1971-76 full-sized Pontiac wagons. For 1977 and 1978, the standard engine in Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at , while optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option. In later years, increasingly stringent fuel-economy standards mandated by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations would lead to the discontinuation of the larger engines, with a 231 cubic-inch Buick V6 becoming the standard engine on Bonneville coupes and sedans for 1980 and 1981, with the only optional V8s offered including 265 and 301 cubic-inch Pontiac-built gasoline engines or an Oldsmobile-built 350 cid diesel powerplant. For 1980, all GM B-bodies received revised styling and aerodynamic improvements along with reduced weight. The Bonneville and Catalina, already the smallest-selling of GM's B-body line, suffered a serious drop in demand following the economic recession that began in the spring of 1979. With that, GM discontinued the 6th generation with the 1981 model year, along with the 265 and 301 engines. File:1977 Bonneville Sedan.jpg|1977 Pontiac Bonneville 4-Door Sedan File:1978 Pontiac Bonneville Sedan, front right (2022 Back to the 50's Weekend).jpg|1978 Pontiac Bonneville Sedan File:1978 Pontiac Bonneville sedan rear left.jpg|Rear view of a 1978 Bonneville sedan File:79 Pontiac Bonneville (7867943408).jpg|1979 Pontiac Bonneville Sedan File:1979 Pontiac Bonneville coupe, front right, 06-29-2025.jpg|1979 Pontiac Bonneville Coupe File:Pontiac Bonneville (6083841012).jpg|1980 Pontiac Bonneville 2-door coupe File:1981 Pontiac Bonneville Safari - 51873704303.jpg|1981 Pontiac Bonneville Safari == Seventh generation (1982–1986) ==

Following the discontinuation of full-sized Pontiacs, the Bonneville name was instead simply swapped onto the midsized LeMans, which also suffered from poor sales. Thus, GM planners reasoned that attaching a more well-known model name to it would spark demand. This model had been produced since 1978 along with its siblings the Chevrolet Malibu, Oldsmobile Cutlass, and Buick Century, and sported a Buick 231 cid V6, Chevrolet 305 cid V8, or Oldsmobile 350 cid diesel V8. (A Buick 4.1 liter V6 was available in 1982.) The 1982-1986 models were officially known as the Pontiac Bonneville Model G (built on the GM "G" platform), although later models were not badged as such. Styling was revised to bear a closer resemblance to the departed B-body Bonneville and coupes were dropped. GM also began marketing the Bonneville in Canada for the first time starting in 1984 (1982 and 1983 Canadian models carried the Grand LeMans name), as GM's full-size Bonnevilles in Canada were referred to as Parisienne. While the previous LeMans, on which the new Bonneville was based, was classified as an A-Body, introduction of GM's new front wheel drive A-bodies (e.g. Pontiac 6000) in 1982 prompted the change to "Model G" on these RWD cars. 1983 was the last year for the G-body station wagon as the Pontiac 6000's wagon replaced it. The Bonneville sedan continued in base, Limited Edition (LE), and Brougham versions through 1986. The 1982-1986 Bonnevilles are direct descendants of the 1964 Pontiac Tempest. These 1982-1986 Bonnevilles were the smallest and the last of the old breed of Bonnevilles, having rear wheel drive, full perimeter frame (body on frame), and old-fashioned American car ride and styling. However, some Pontiac customers did not take to the "downsized" Bonneville as a portion of new-car buyers were switching their preferences from compact and mid-sized cars back to full-sized, V8-powered cars thanks to improving gasoline prices. Late in the 1983 model year, Pontiac reintroduced a full-sized car to the American market by bringing over the Canadian-built Pontiac Parisienne (which was essentially a restyled Chevrolet Caprice and powered by Chevrolet V6 or V8 engines). The Bonneville was then again one notch below the top of the line from late 1983 through 1986. However, exactly as before, a downsizing proved its salvation. In 1987, the Parisienne was discontinued and the Bonneville was completely redesigned as a front-wheel drive car, rejoining its pre-1982 platform mates: the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88 and it regained its status as the senior Pontiac. == Eighth generation (1987–1991) ==

For 1987, Pontiac migrated the Bonneville from the rear-drive G-body with a V8 to the GM's one year old front-drive H Body platform, shared with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile 88. Initially, a 3.8 L V6 was the sole engine, mated to a four-speed Hydramatic 4T60 automatic — in base and LE trim levels. The base model was only used for 1987. For LE models, an SSE sport package was also available featuring a quicker gear ratio, sportier suspension and more standard features, marketed as having a more sporty, European character than the LeSabre and 88. For model year (MY) 1988, Pontiac replaced the LG3 engine with a revised version of the same engine, with an increase of 10 hp and 10 ft⋅lbf (14 N⋅m) of torque — the 3.8 engine now used a regular production code (RPO) LN3 and was now called the 3800 V6. Featuring sequential-port fuel injection, the engine produced and . Other models on the H-body platform were fitted with the LN3 engine one year later, in 1989. The LN3 was used through 1991, since the Bonneville was redesigned for the 1992 model year. Also in 1988, the LE model, which was previously the top trim level for 1987, becomes the base trim. The base model, which was used for 1987, was dropped. Additionally, two new models are introduced: the midlevel SE, which went from an option package to a trim level, and the SSE trim. The SE and SSE trims were then available with many more comfort and convenience options standard such as: electronic climate control, a digital compass, Driver Information Center, 8-way (14-way for the SSE according to GM material) power leather seats, heated power mirrors, CD player with the premium sound package and many more. The SSE features an extra deep rear valence, a spoiler, lower body cladding, a digital compass/trip computer, an eight speaker premium sound system and much more. One notable feature of the SSE was the addition of an automatic leveling rear air suspension, which also included an inflator in the trunk. The SSE trim was exclusively equipped with an exterior sport appearance package that included body cladding, assorted ground effects, a body color grille and removal of the Bonneville door badges and Pontiac trunk badge, and replacing the Bonneville trunk badge with an SSE Bonneville badge. For 1989, a CD player and remote keyless entry became optional. For 1990 models, a facelift was introduced for the Bonneville, with revisions to the grille, headlights, and taillights, which included amber rear turn signal indicators. For the 1991 model year, Pontiac made suspension revisions. 1991 was also the last year for the first front-wheel-drive generation of the Bonneville. == Ninth generation (1992–1999) ==

The ninth generation Bonneville debuted on February 8, 1991, at the 1991 Chicago International Auto Show, with sales launching in July 1991 for the 1992 model year. The exterior featured an aerodynamic drag coefficient of .305; the interior featured a trunk pass-through; and two available engines: the naturally-aspirated 3.8-liter V6 and its supercharged variants. Both engines used a 4-speed overdrive automatic transmission. The ninth generation Bonneville was the first General Motors vehicle available with dual front passenger airbags. Engine availability • L27 - SE (92-94), SLE (93-94), SSE (92-94) • L36 - SE (95-99), SLE (95-99), SSE (95-99) • L67 - SSE (92-93) optional, SSEi (92-93) • L67 - SLE (95) optional, SSEi (94-95) • L67 - SLE (96-97) optional, SSE (97) optional, SSEi (96-99) == Tenth generation (2000–2005) ==

The 2000 Bonneville was restyled, using GM's G platform, For the last year of production, Pontiac gave the mid-level SLE the new GXP styling. The 2005 SLE featured all GXP styling cues, except the wheels, badging, muffler tips and engine all remained unique to the GXP. Return of the V8 For 2004, the Bonneville regained a V8 option on the GXP trim. This was the first time since 1986 that a Bonneville had a V8 engine. As a result of the discontinuation of the Oldsmobile Aurora, this opened up a "hole" in the GM lineup between Pontiac and Buick, allowing Pontiac to expand upmarket somewhat. The engine is Cadillac's Northstar V8, producing , . As Pontiac's website said, "With GXP, V8 power gets reintroduced into the Bonneville line in the form of the world-renowned 4.6 L (279 in3) Northstar V8 engine, giving in 6.5 seconds demonstrates better performance than BMW 330i and 530i, and Lexus ES. Its 3.7:1 final drive ratio is the most aggressive found on any car in its class." Safety NHTSA crash tests for the 2005 Pontiac Bonneville resulted in a safety rating of 4-stars for the Driver and 5-stars for the Front Passenger. Discontinuation GM announced on February 8, 2005, that the Bonneville would be dropped from Pontiac's lineup for 2006. The last Bonneville was assembled on May 27, 2005. About 12,000 Bonnevilles were sold in 2005. With more than half of Pontiac dealers also selling Buick models, the Buick Lucerne along with the Chevrolet Impala continued as GM's only mainstream full-size cars until the introduction of the 2008 G8. == References ==