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Most Wanted Classic Cars: Pontiac Bonneville (Part 2)

With the introduction of the Pontiac Grand Ville as the most expensive Pontiac series in 1971, the Bonneville became a mid-line series. It was made available in three different body styles, including the 4-door hardtop sedan, the pillared 4-door sedan, and the 2-door hardtop coupe.

From 1971 to 1972, the Pontiac Bonneville was powered by a standard 455 cid double-barrel carbureted V8 engine with 280 gross hp, and a 4-barrel version of the same engine with 325 gross hp was offered as an option. In 1973, the standard engine was dropped to a 400 cid V8 that was rated at only 170 hp, and the optional engine was the 455 4-barrel carbureted V8 with 250 hp. The Grand Ville became less popular as fuel prices skyrocketed in 1974, and the series was discontinued in 1975. With that, the Bonneville became the top-line full-size series for Pontiac again.

In 1977, the Bonneville was downsized, with its body length reduced by a foot and its total weight by about 800 pounds, but the spaciousness of the interior and the trunk was maintained. The lighter weight made the car more fuel efficient, which was one of the main reasons why the Bonneville was popular among car buyers during the years after the energy crisis. From 1977 to 1981, the car was powered by a 301 cid V8 engine with 135 hp, and the optional engines were 350 V8 with 170 hp and 400 V8 with 185 hp.

Production of the Pontiac Bonneville continued until the year 2005, making it one of the longest-lasting Pontiac series of all time. Today, the Bonnevilles of the first few generations are highly prized items among classic car collectors.