1977 Pontiac Bonneville

The Pontiac Bonneville was named after the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where many land speed record attempts were made. Pontiac introduced the Bonneville in 1957 and it would remain in production for an impressive 47 years.

The Bonneville was downsized for 1977, with a 14-inch shorter length, over four inches narrower, and 800 pounds lighter than the 1976 Bonneville. This began a new line of styling that would continue through 1981.

The 1977 Bonneville was offered as either a 2-door coupe or a 4-door sedan; the previous hardtop sedan and coupes of the previous years were discontinued across the board at all General Motor divisions. In the front was a new egg-crate style grille that was shaped in a V-pattern. The grille-pattern could also be found in the large chrome bumper. The bumper also housed the parking and signal lights. In the front were quad rectangular headlamps.

Inside, buyers had the choice of Lombardy velour cloth or Morrokide. The base engine was a 301 cubic-inch V8 with overhead valves, five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, and produced 135 horsepower at 3,800 RPM. Optional engines include a 350 cubic-inch, four-barrel V8 with a cast-iron block and head, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and delivering 170 horsepower. The optional 6.6-liter V8 produced 185 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. Stopping power was by disc brakes in the front and drums at the rear. The suspension was comprised of coil springs and anti-sway bars in the front, and a rigid rear axle with lower trailing radius arms, upper torque arms, anti-sway bar, and coil springs. A three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic transmission was standard.

The Bonneville Brougham added luxurious amenities, a luxury steering wheel, deluxe wheel covers, and rear fender skirts. The Brougham also added a Cordova top, driver's remote mirror, power windows, custom interior trim, and 60/40 seat with center armrests.

1977 Pontiac Models
Other 1977 Pontiac models included the four-cylinder Astre, and the four- and V6-powered Sunbird. The Ventura was offered with four, six, or eight-cylinder power, and the Firebird came with a six or eight. The LeMans was a mid-size model offered in base, Safari, Sport Coupe, Can Am, LeMans, and LeMans Safari trim levels. The full-size Catalina and Bonneville had reduced exterior dimensions but with improved head and rear legroom. The Catalina was offered as a hardtop coupe, sedan, and station wagon. The Bonneville was the top-of-the-line Pontiac, priced approximately $400 higher than the Catalina.

1977 Pontiac model year production was approximately 911,050 vehicles(calendar year production was 875,958 of U.S. vehicles).

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2014