1960 Pontiac Bonneville

Pontiac gave their lineup all-new bodies for 1955 with an extended rear deck section that emphasized the extra luxury associated with the Pontiac name. The new design was popular with buyers, however, the inline eight-cylinder engine under the hood was a negative selling factor due to its lack of performance compared to the modern overhead-valve V-8 engines powering many other vehicles on the road.

A long overdue, new V-8 engine was introduced by the close of 1955, and a new era for Pontaic began in 1956 when 'Bunkie' Knudsen took over the reins as Pontiac's general manager. A new engineering group was assembled, headed by Pete Estes and John Z. DeLorean, and were tasked with developing a new line of cars with an emphasis on performance. A new racing program was developed to promote the new line of performance Pontiacs, and a new, optional high horsepower engine, similar to those used on the team's racing cars, was made available to Pontiac buyers. The new powerplant was equipped with a full-race camshaft and dual four-barrel carburetors. In 1957, another engine was offered with fuel-injection but only on the Bonneville series convertibles.

By 1957, Pontiac's lineup included four different models, with the least expensive being the Chieftain line, followed by the Super Chief line, the Star Chief line, and the top-of-the-line Star Chief Custom line. The Star Chief Custom line differed from its lower-priced siblings with deluxe two-toned interiors and extra exterior trim features. There were four vehicles offered in the Custom line: a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop, a two-door hardtop, and the top-of-the-line vehicle; a Bonneville convertible.

The Pontiac Bonneville became a full-fledged model for 1958, offered in convertible and hardtop coupe body styles resting on the 122-inch Chieftain wheelbase. The Bonnevilles were the most expensive Pontiacs, equipped with the Star Chief's 255 brake horsepower V-8 and wearing distinctive trim. 'Tri-Power,' using three Rochester two-barrel carbs, became available, and its lower cost resulted in few orders for the still-available fuel injection.

For 1959, all General Motors cars were redesigned, with Pontiac receiving the distinction of a 'Wide Track' chassis. The series, now called Bonneville Custom, gained the new 389 cubic-inch engine with a four-barrel carburetor setup. Bonnevilles were equipped with the Hydra-Matic and 10.0:1 compression, which resulted in 303 brake horsepower with four-barrel carburetion, and they now rested on the 124-inch Star Chief wheelbase. Body styles included a hardtop, convertible, Vista Hardtop, and a four-door station wagon. A 'Safe-T-Track' differential, used to minimize wheel spin, was added to the options list for 1959.

The Vista Hardtop was popular, with 38,696 examples built, followed by 27,769 of the hardtop, 11,426 of the convertible, and 4,673 of the Custom Safari station wagon.

1960 Pontiac Bonneville
A new decade brought about new transitions - from the high-finned highway machines of the 1950s and the horsepower revolution of the 1960s. Pontiac's performance persona was starting to grow, with four NASCAR Grand National wins in 1960, as well as wins in three other stock car races. A 1960 Pontiac was driven by Jim Wangers to the NHRA 'Top Eliminator' title, and four Pontiac engines were used to propel Challenger I to a world land speed record of 363.67mph.

Styling updates were minimal for Pontiacs in 1960, with an undivided horizontal bar grille being among the most recognizable difference from its 1959 siblings. Distinguishable features of the top-line Bonneville included front fender scripts, a V-shaped crest on the lower front fenders, bodyside belt moldings ending in three dashes of chrome at the rear, and Bonneville lettering on the deck latch panel. The entry-level Catalina, Ventura, and Bonneville Custom station wagon used the 122-inch wheelbase while the larger 124-inch platform was reserved for the Star Chief and Bonneville (hardtop, Vista Hardtop, and Convertible). The Star Chief used a two-barrel version of the 389 CID V8 while Bonneville's 389 V8 had four-barrel carburetion.

Standard amenities found on the Bonneville included all-Morrokide seats, right-hand ashtrays, electric clock, full carpeting, custom steering wheel, Deluxe wheel discs, turn signals, oil filters, courtesy lamps, and five tubeless tires. Genuine cowhide leather was part of the options list, along with air-conditioning, E-Z-Eye glass, Circ-L-Aire heater defroster, Wonder Bar radio, Super Deluxe radio, Safeguard speedometer, and Magi-Cruise.

The four-door Bonneville Custom Safari station wagon had a base price of $3,530 and 5,163 examples were built. The hardtop listed for $3,260 and 24,015 examples were built. The Vista Hardtop was the most popular, priced at $3,330, Pontiac built 39,037 examples in 1960. The convertible was the most expensive Pontiac in 1960, with a base price of $3,500, a total of 17,062 examples were built.

The overhead-valve eight-cylinder engine installed in the Bonneville had five main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a Carter four-barrel carburetor, and 8.6:1 compression with the synchromesh transmission and 10.25:1 compression with the Hydra-Matic. The engine delivered 281 horsepower at 4,400 RPM with the synchromesh and 303 at 4,600 RPM with the Hydra-Matic.

A new perimeter frame design was introduced for 1961, resulting in a decrease in size and weight across the Pontiac lineup. The compact Tempest was new, resting on a short 112-inch wheelbase. Most of the Pontiacs used the 119-inch wheelbase, while the Star Chief and Bonneville were slightly larger with a 123-inch wheelbase. The styling introduced for 1961 would continue through 1964. The B-Body Pontiacs received another major restyling for 1965, with fastback rooflines on coupes, and even more dramatic 'Coke Body' styling, and a new 124-inch wheelbase chassis.

The Bonneville would remain part of the Pontiac lineup through the mid-2000s.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021