Posted on 08/25/2025 2:12:07 PM PDT by TexasKamaAina
Introduced in 1958, the Bonneville became the company's range-topping model in 1959. The 1961 redesign saw Bill Mitchell handle the styling, and the Bonneville joined the "Coke bottle" craze. In 1965, Pontiac rolled out a longer and more sculpted version. It's among my favorite Ponchos, especially in two-door guise.
(Excerpt) Read more at autoevolution.com ...
Seat belts were unheard of.
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I read recnetly that seatbelts were a low-cost option on some brand of 1960 American car. Only 5% of their customers ordered them. I think our ‘65 Bonneville had them. (Didn’t have auto-rollers or shoulder-belts.)
I think it thought it was north of 110. When I let off at the toll gate it lumbered like it had lost a pound of carbon.
That’s a Matt Helm mobile. Sweet ride. They started going downhill after that.
Ford had a similar color in 1960 on the fairlane and sunliners. Beautiful color.
That purple grey would fit in with the modern colours of what seems to be popular.
My Grandfather had a 1964 Samoan Coral Thunderbird T-BIRD Convertible with white leather and a 390ci engine.
It was so nice but it turned to a dark day in family history when he traded it in for a station wagon.
Neighbors had a 1964 Pontiac Catalina , nice car.
I started driving in the early 70’s. I wish I had appreciated cars more. All of these were used cars that were not that far out of reach at the time.
About 10 or so years ago, I was at a concours d’elegance that always had a Packard category. I stopped to admire a beautiful 1950 Packard convertible. The white-haired guy sitting by it in a lawn chair said he had bought it new off the showroom floor in 1950.
But people were more courteous drivers and paid attention. Examples are natures best teachers.
In 1976 I drove a ‘65 Bonneville on its last journey, across Eugene, OR to a wrecking yard outside of town. Nobody else would drive it because it had no brakes whatsoever, which made things interesting.
I have a wonderful ‘63 Bird but it is a hardtop coupe not a rag top. Power windows and ac.
I saw that video the other day and figured this was the same car. I really like his channel.
Very true. My favorites are the ‘64-’69 Impalas.
Doesn’t sound like you know anything about this vintage when it comes to speed
For Chevrolet the same color was called Evening Orchid.
There was artistry in design.
I saw a 1949 Packard at a car show a while back. It was a Custom Eight Touring sedan. Showroom condition. The owner was dressed in a suit, tie, hat and shoes from 1949.
True story…as a small child my dad had an Oldsmobile ‘98. I’m guessing it was late 50s/early 69s.
It was SOOO yuuuge I clearly recall stretching out on long drives in the recess area under the rear window (rear deack???) and sleeping. In warm weather, at night with the summer air caressing me. Hearing my young parents in the front beach seat softly laughing and playing music as they cruised. It was a feeling literally impossible for me to recreate today.
I could win the 3/4 billion dollar lottery now and spend 50 million of it and I could not recreate that feeling. 😭
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