1966 Pontiac Bonneville

The Pontiac Bonneville encapsulated elegance, performance, prestige, and distinctive styling. For 1966, it shared its 124-inch wheelbase platform with the Grand Prix, the largest footprint in the Pontiac lineup. Power was from an overhead valve V8 engine displacing 389 cubic-inches and fitted with a Carter four-barrel carburetor helping to produce approximately 330 horsepower at 5,000 rpm. Body styles included a two- and four-door hardtop, a 9-passenger station wagon, and a convertible. Prices ranged from $3,350 for the two-door hardtop and rose to $3,750 for the station wagon. The 4-door hardtop was the most popular with 68,646 examples built. 42,004 of the 2-door hardtop were built, along with 8,452 of the station wagon, and 16,229 of the convertible. Standard equipment included a padded dashboard, armrests, and cloth upholstery. The convertibles had deeply piped Morrokide covered seats, and the Brougham option package added tufted Plaza pattern cloth upholstery. Additional Brougham upgrades included model identification badges on the rear roof pillars.

Bonneville models had 'Bonneville' block lettering on the left-hand grille and behind the front wheel openings, and they had fender skirts. Minor changes included new front and rear sheet metal, brightwork, and trim. The interiors received a more squared-up dashboard and slight changes to the instrumentation.

A synchromesh transmission was standard and a Super Hydra-Matic was optional.

This fourth-generation of Pontiac Bonneville styling lasted from 1965 through 1970, receiving styling updates along the way, including a major update for 1967 that included a new grille-in-bumper front design, and additional creases to accentuate the 'Coke body' styling. Seat belts became standard along with other government-mandated safety equipment.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020