1973 Pontiac Bonneville

The 1970s witnessed the words 'muscle' and 'performance' fading from automaker's literature, replaced by 'large' and 'luxurious.' Pontiac cars catered to the needs and desires of the buying public, finding favor with its stylish and well-appointed lineup of vehicles. It did, however, cling to the past by offering the 455 cubic-inch Super Duty engine with its roots in the 1961 high-performance option package offered for the 421. Installed in the sporty Trans Am, these factory-built Super Duty cars would become legendary.

Named after the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah where numerous world land speed records were set, the Bonneville name was first applied to a pair of bubble-topped GM Motorama concept cars in 1954. The production Pontiac Bonneville began as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible within the Star Chief line in the 1957 model year and was loaded with every conceivable option as standard equipment. The chrome-laden Bonneville convertible was introduced on January 11, 1957, and was the fastest Pontiac ever produced.

By the early 1970s, the Bonneville name was still part of the Pontiac lineup, but, like the rest of industry, had transitioned away from performance and embraced luxury. It was a full-size automobile positioned above the 'entry-level' full-size Catalina and below the top-of-the-line, full-size Grand Ville. Styling was similar between these three, distinguished by the level of trim and standard accouterments. The Catalina was priced in the high-$3K range, the Bonneville in the low-$4Ks, and the Grand Ville in the mid-$5Ks. Both the Catalina and Grand Ville were offered in five different body styles, but the Bonneville was offered in three - a pillared four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop sedan, and a two-door hardtop coupe.

The styling of the 1973 Bonneville was similar to the previous year which had origins in 1971 (the first year of the fifth generation of styling - 1971 to 1976). The 'Monocoque / fuselage' styling had some resemblance to the 'coke bottle' appearance of the late 1960s, but without creases on the side, higher rear fender lines, a V-shaped split radiator grille, and dual headlamps. Styling revisions for 1973 included a new 'eggcrate' mesh grille traversing the entire width, from side-to-side. The name 'Bonneville' was positioned on the left side of the grille, behind front wheel openings, and between the dual twin-deck taillamps.

A 455 cubic-inch V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor had been standard in 1971 and 1972; from 1973 to 1976, the standard engine was a 400 cubic-inch V8 with 170 horsepower. A four-barrel 455 CID V8 rated at 250 hp was optional.

The 1973 Bonneville came standard with Deluxe wheelcovers, decor moldings, dash panel courtesy and trunk lamps, custom cushion steering wheel, carpeted lower door panels, and an electric clock. Fender skirts were no longer standard equipment. Importantly, the Bonneville was the only full-size Pontiac to offer a 'Radial Tuned Suspension' option package which included an upgraded suspension with Pliacell shock absorbers and front and rear sway bars, and steel-belted radial tires.

The Bonneville four-door sedan was priced at $4,160, the two-door hardtop at $4,225, and the four-door hardtop at $4,300. The four-door hardtop was the most popular with 17,202 examples sold, followed by a 15,830 of the sedan, and 13,866 of the two-door hardtop.

by Daniel Vaughan | May 2024