'69 Bonneville ragtop

[Sixties Guy]

I am going to look at a '69 Bonneville convertible this week. I am only interested in it for the 428 and Turbo 400 tranny. It needs restored, but is all there and has been parked inside. Was wondering about the demand for parts off this car or the whole body less engine/trans if anyone was interested? (Yellow with white interior air car)

[Sixties Guy]

I am going to look at a '69 Bonneville convertible this week. I am only interested in it for the 428 and Turbo 400 tranny. It needs restored, but is all there and has been parked inside. Was wondering about the demand for parts off this car or the whole body less engine/trans if anyone was interested? (Yellow with white interior air car)

[FourDoor68]

My little bro would be very interested in a convertible. I already have 68 four door with 428/400. How much for the car? would you be willing to leave the convertible intact in return for the 4 door with the 428/400? How is the interior on the convert? VERY INTERESTED!!!

Are the convertible and the 4-door interiors interchangable? I have a good black interior and don't want to sacrifice it.

[ August 29, 2002, 01:42 PM: Message edited by: FourDoor68 ]

[Sixties Guy]

Hi,
Am picking up car today. Will have more details once I get it home and go over it. Be aware though that this car does need complete restoration, but is very original. I only bought it for the 428 and the turbo 400. Am planning on selling the car without engine/trans. or parting it if no one wants whole car. (Would "possibly" take your complete 428/T-400 in exchange for leaving the orginals in car plus cash.)
As far as I know the front seats and dash would be the same. The door panels on a four door would be different as far as size. I don't know about rear seat. (Car has bench front seat with fold down armrest.)
Dan

[68 Prix]

The interior out of the 68 is quite different then the 69s. The seats would bolt in but the 4 door will not fold forward like a two door seat would. The rear seats are differnt also. Two doors are different then convertables and 4 doors are different then the convertable and two door. You could sell the four door interior though to give it a good home. I am sure some one needs an interior for a four door some place.
I hope this help a bit.

[FourDoor68]

You said the convertible needs restoration. Is it rusty? Are there big holes in the sheet metal? Or is it just neglected? Are all the mechanicals functional? I am still interested in the car, although it is quite a drive from my location. Depending on the condition, and the cost, I would be willing to take the rolling shell. Sorry it took me so long to reply, I can only check e-mail on my free time at work. Any pictures would be helpful too, as my brother is the one who is bankrolling this whole project (I'm just the paid labor) :D

[Sixties Guy]

Car is very restorable. Has some rust, but repairable, no big holes. Mechanically/electrically very sound. Interior needs redone. Car is all there except for radio and nose cone.
Check your e-mail for detailed description.
Thanks

[slikwilly]

Car is very restorable. Has some rust, but repairable, no big holes. Mechanically/electrically very sound. Interior needs redone. Car is all there except for radio and nose cone.
Check your e-mail for detailed description.
Thanks

Nose Cone?? just finished this one for a fella in N Carolina,,, bolt on replacement, all hand made with metal infused epoxy , on origional nose cone backing,

[muscle_collector]

keep in mind the 68 428 engine is far superior to the 69 428 (unless the 69 is an HO ). 68 gets 4 bolt main caps and big valve heads where the 69 is going to be a 2 bolt with small valve heads.

[blubomber]

The 67-69 428 blocks are all identical. They all are drilled for 4 bolt main caps and use the same crank shaft. The difference was in '69 they made the 428 the base engine for the Bonneville, before that it was an option for all the full size cars. To simplify production they used the 46 heads (small valve - pressed in studs) on the base engine which is the same head used on base 400 Catalinas and two bolt main caps. You could order the HO version which had the 62 heads (large valve - screw in studs), different cam, 4 bolt caps, and the long branch exhaust manifolds. They only made about 725 of the HO motors for the B bodies in '69. They made about 1250 of them for the Grand Prix's that year but they have a different engine code. The HO motors also had small differences in the carb and the distributor to set them apart as well.

The base '69 428 is still a stout performer, especially if you use a slightly higher rear end gear (3.23 or 4.42) and put the Long Branch exhaust manifolds (available aftermarket) on. 2 bolts v. 4 bolts is only added money on a rebuild and is not necessary. The two bolt set up is plently strong unless you are planning on doing some heavy duty racing. A dual snorkle air cleaner or open element helps as well for breathing. Ensure you use a high capacity Cast Iron water pump (not a re-manufactured steel impellor) and heavy duty radiator. Vital to keep these motors running under 210 degrees.

A good machine shop can convert the press in studs to a screwed in set up.
NOTE: The "small" valve 46 heads still are larger than the valves used on the 421 cars so they are very capable.

Hope this helps.

PS... I'd be interested in the nose cone if you are selling it. PM me. Thanks,