Junk a 65' Bonneville 4dr hardtop because of a few broken windows? Huh!
 

My uncle has all kinds of old, weird cars. He recently got a 65' Bonneville 4dr hardtop sedan that had been setting for a few years, but is still a very solid car. It is white with black interior. He has not tried to start it, but I was under the impression that he was going to get it running and sell it, like he normally does when he gets a old car. Anyway, he lives on a country road along one of the local large rivers and he had the car parked in his yard- at the area nearest the road. Seems like some jerks had drove by and busted some windows in it according to my uncle and now he says that he is going to pull the engine and tranny and junk the body.

I really like these cars, but I have no time, no space or money to restore this car, as I am restoring my Caprice and about ready to buy a new/nearly new car/truck.

Now, I would love to rescue this car, but its not possible. Just how crazy is it for him to junk this car? I think around 80,000 of these were built, but you do not see too many these days. I think they are cool looking too.... they have a low look to them. Whats more, is that this is an extremely high optioned model..... power windows, power locks, tilt, cruise, power seat, AM-FM radio, climate control A/C, power steering, power brakes and I think even power antenna! Am I crazy for wanting the car saved, or does anyone else out there crazy too and think that even though this is a 4dr car, it should be saved?

I would have thought my other uncle- a Pontiac nut would have bought it, but his time is now focused on a 1965 Oldsmobile F-85 Deluxe wagon he just acquired that is in EC for only $400!

Hopefully, I can convince him not to remove the engine from the Bonnie.... or bite the bullet and buy it and kick myself later? :D

If he's not gonna restore, then how about selling to somebody who could restore it? Get it to barely run, and sell it for a bit more than he has in it. Or pull the engine and sell the car cheap cheap. Better than junking it.

I still feel bad about junking the '67 bonny wagon, and it was a total POS. Was a 428/TH400/Posi, full power, Morane disc brakes. 428 was long gone, body was shot. I pulled the 400 out of it and junked the car. Still feel bad.... At least the 400 lives on in my LeMans.

Buy it.

figure the rest out later- keep it, sell it, whatever, don't let him crush it

4 door cars
 

buy it. part it out. sounds like it has some great option that shouldn't be hard to sell. quit getting so emotional over 4 door cars. thats what they are there for, to be parted so the 2 door cars can live. then put a chevy motor in it and use it for a demo derby car! every car can't and shouldn't be saved. pontiacmonstr

It's a shame to see a decent car go but the reality is the 4 doors aren't easy sellers. I've parted out 3 decent Pontiacs in the last few years: a '64 Safari, a driver '76 Bonneville 4 door, and a '75 Grandville. Nobody wanted them and I'm not going to sit a car forever. Next up is a '64 Cat 2 door which is beyond saving but does have some good parts. Either buy the '65 cheap or forget about it.

Buy it part and it. It will cost you more $$$ to restore or fix it that you can buy a decent one for

While the car sounds too good to junk, big 4-door Pontiacs are practically worthless. Will never be worth restoring.

you have to love the abody guy's opinions of the big cars. parts only,demo cars ect.

in 1980 gto's, firebirds,camaros, were worthless also and look at them now.

the value on the big cars is increasing, it's apparent because of the number of parts being repro'd for them.

it may never bring what a gto will but it's worth something to someone.

if you're not gonna build it then sell it to a big car lover and let them do with it what they want.

my old boss had a saying , "there's an ass for every seat". he's right, someone wants that car you just need to find them.

mike

The reason big car values has risen has more to do with the coattail effect. The rarest & most desirable bodystyles shoot up & price, & most everything similiar, but not as desirable, goes along for the ride. As prices make a correction, the less desirable the bodystyle, the more the drop. As a result, no way I'd put hard earned money in a 4 door projectcar.

2 door hardtop Bonnevilles & Cats, I can handle, there are several years I really love the styling. If had more room & money would love to own a '62 Cat or a '65 2+2. Many B series converts are cool too.

4 door sedans & 4 dr hardtops... they better be super clean time capsule original, & new owner better have nothing but room & upkeep $$$$, other wise, they're a losing proposition to keep up, or restore. Something learned a long time ago... not every vehicle can be saved, or has to be saved. When nicely restored 2 door B series Pontiacs get wrecked & the phonecalls & e-mails start going out, it's often 4 door parts/projectcars that show their true usefulness. Really have to examine the situation, would one rather see that faded out lightly dinged up 4 door getting driven into the ground or parked in the elements with no respect to the damage being incurred year after year? Or see it's use as a driver being over, so others could live? As an A & F-body guy, there have to be A-body & F-body partscars as well. Not all can be saved.

My opinion is based on the fact that the car is a 4 door, not because it is a big car. I have the same opinion on 4-door A-bodies. Great parts cars for the more desirable models/body styles. With few exceptions (sentimental value) they are not worth restoration on their own. That's just market reality.

GTOnly70,
Got to fess up, cut up another '70 LeMans 2 door hardtop this week :( Waited till had the frame sold locally, have had the interior gutted since the day I rolled it in. Desperately needed the solid rh 1/4, tailpanel, & a/c parts for my own resto projects. Never like cutting up solid '70-72 2 door LeMans, but that's what it's come to considering the lack of quality in repro sheetmetal.

I strongly disagree.

They only made so many of them to begin with. How many are left and how many of the ones that survived are restorable? Convertibles used to be the hot cars to have, then the 2drs and now the wagons. What's left after that? 4drs..

Everywhere I drive my 4drs people make remarks about what beautiful cars they are and they are right. Those 4dr cars that were just stylish transportation years ago are now rolling art. Save everyone you can. There aren't that many left.

[QUOTE='ol Pinion head] As a result, no way I'd put hard earned money in a 4 door projectcar.

the thing is these can be great low cost entry level cars for someone wanting to get into the hobby until they can afford the high dollar car everyone wants.

the people like joe that build / maintain these cars are a part of the hobby just as much as the high dollar, numbers gotta match, date code the hose clamp concours crowd is. actually they're probably a bigger part when you figure the driven car'll will keep putting money into the hobby and the trailer queen's done when it's done.

will you guys throw baby seats in the 50k resto'd gto or ho bird when it's done?
a solid 4dr htp's or wagon's the way to go for someone with kids.





Really have to examine the situation, would one rather see that faded out lightly dinged up 4 door getting driven into the ground or parked in the elements with no respect to the damage being incurred year after year? Or see it's use as a driver being over, so others could live?

actually i'd rather see someone enjoy the car as a driver than have a solid car cut up that needs what's considered minor work in the rust belt.

i know the southern or "spoiled" [as they're referred to in the rust belt] people look at this the opposite way but up here it's reality.

we fix what you guys cut up and save what you wouldn't even buy as a parts car.

roger, you've got a rough idea of what i've got sitting around here and not all of them are "desirable" cars. i agree that not all need to be saved but some should be.

this isn't meant to be derogatory to anyone but it's another point of view.

mike

"we're not worthy!"
 

I'm w/ Bonn-Joe.

If the thing is reasonably solid, get it into a garage, scatter a bunch of mouse traps inside it and get to it later (even YEARS later).

On the other hand, if the frame's rotted to the point where the rear control arms tend to pole-vault the thing when it goes down the road then, yes, part it.

I realize "you can't save them all", but there are probably diehard '65 lovers on this or the Classical Pontiac board who'd make great next-owners for it. Worst case: you buy some used glass, have it installed and build a cool set of daily wheels.

On a related note, let me make the following blanket request of all you guys with one (or more) of those unsightly, unworthy-of-restoration full size 4-doors from 1962: I will buy/adopt it from you and rid you of your burden.

btw, the attachment is the now-famous, "$510, trans-continental roadtrip car" I bought from a charity auction (no-reserve) ... drove it 2400+ miles home over the Sierra Nevadas and the Rockies in FEBRUARY... 6500 miles of daily use later I STILL haven't turned a wrench on this 'parts' car.

thanks for reading my rant.

That's what I'm talking about big car guys! Dont listen to the goatees, do what you can to save the car as mentioned above. I certainly agree that you can't save them all but that should apply when they are wrecked or rusted to death. You're talking about a solid car that can be easily fixed up to a satisfactory degree! I'd ride a boat before a goat anyday and i'm sure you can find someone who agrees with me and who is looking to buy!!

Well I would also say save the car if you can. The 65's are absolutely beautiful cars. You would not believe what great lenghts people up North go through with fixing rusted, rotting cars. If all you have is missing glass and a couple dings I'd say go for it!!

And as for Matts (Engine Ear) post about his $510 parts car. It is a sweet a$$ ride hands down!! :biggerGri

Hey Im up for a 4dr 61 if anyone has one taking up valuable space and needs it gone!
Seriously, I have a GTO, and a T/A, and have had several, but there something about a full size car. I am currently looking for a 61 2dr htop, for a SD clone, but would love a 4dr driver! One of the coolest cars I ever saw was a 63 tripower 421/4spd 8lug wagon, and the same guy had a 62 389 tripower 4spd 4 dr htop with dog dishcaps

Your rant lends credence to the most commonly heard reply to my Pontiac questions to an old mechanic I know starting with "should I...?". He always says, "I wouldn't do anything to it. Just run the hell out of it."

Hey.... I LIKE 4DRHT cars.

I like 2 door cars too. I consider myself very fortunate in being the owner of a 1965 Parisienne Convertible and my '66GP

And I also own a '65 Bonneville 4DRHT. It really is a car which is junk - not worth the expense of saving but I LIKE it. (I suppose the fact it's documented by PHS that it is a genuine 421HO Tri-power car might have something to do with it).

But what happens when all the 4 door "donor" cars are all gone. The big 4 doors are going to be such a rarity that is is feasible that they might be highly prized and worth top money?

And anyway, 2 door cars are like arseholes - everybody has got one!!!

Save that big old girl if you can.

Hmmmm. I am now looking at my turquoise arsehole in a whole new light! I don't think I could live without it.

To further the metaphore... Maybe 4 doors are like colostomy bags. Not many people have 'em but they are better than nothing?

Sorry.

I don't think there were ever nicer looking 4 doors made than the '65-'66 Big Pontiacs. The non-post versions are hard to tell from a 2 door at a distance with the windows down. Now THAT is styling.

I like it.
 

Heh heh heh.... That's good. Yes Bruce, you are indeed quite right. Gotta be a pillarless car. Pillared cars look like old taxi's. Terrible things.

Over here up till '65 that's all we got - 4 door pillared cars. Well there were some odd pillarless but usually they were a special import. Very rare (and expensive!!)

Well, I'm off tomorrow in my beige "arsehole" on a long road trip. I'm on holidays and we are taking the Grand Prix on a 3500 mile trip up into the far west of New South Wales to a town called Broken Hill and thereabouts. I've never been there before so I'm quite looking forward to it. VERY DESOLATE country in parts. If any of you saw the movie "Mad Max" it's where it was filmed. (I think the movie might have been called "The Road Warrior" when it was released in the USA. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Changed the plugs, leads, oil, filters etc etc and she is running faultlessly. But I'd like to talk with the guy who decided to put the A/C compressor over plug number 2. What a bummer to get it out. Old plug lead had welded itself onto the plug. I had to remove the compressor out of the way so I could get to it.

I have a mate and his wife coming in his 1979 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance. VERY nice car for a road trip. It's only got 28 thousand miles up from new too so this should blow some cobwebs out of it.

I'll post some pictures when we get back.

Here is another spin. If I was driving by your uncle's house and saw a 65 4dr Bonneville just sitting there waiting for rescue I would sure as hell stop and ask what he wants for it. Glass is easy to get. There are plenty of rusty old Chevy 4dr hardtops Id be glad to gut the glass out of. :)

I envy you a trip like that. I hope it is a mechanically uneventful one.

We will come at that guy from both hemispheres. I have an old T handled spark plug wrench I cut the handles off of and a modified 3/8 w/ deep well I alternate between. Sometimes it seems like I can get it from above & others I have success from under through the splash shield. Better than the 305 Monza or a Boss 429 which I beleive on both you had to pull the engine forward or cut holes in the sheetmetal to change rear plugs on.

4 door & wagon uber alles!

Great thread, I say save the big bodies! Pillarless windows are the best, most commentors on my 63 StarChief notice that first. If anyone is junking big bodies let me know I want an f-in fleet of those things!

Amen brother....

Stylish transportation - I'll second that Joe. Not only stylish, but comfortable as well. And they were particulaly quick for what they were. Not to mention they had all types of option combos depending on the tastes of the buyer.

I know saving them all is not sometimes realistic, but these old cars are like land - no more are being made.

Those old Chevy's are at least good for something :bounce:

restoring?? how about rodding/sledding it?
4 door big car haters crack me up :heh:

right here :D

mike, check out my new sig below :D

Wow. I had lost track of this thread and did not realize there were so many replies. Yeah, I like the 4-door cars too- guess thats why both of my old cars are 4drs. :D My father hates them though- he says they are tanks, but I would take my "tanks" anyday over his 69' Camaro that everyone seems to rave over. I like them too (the 2-door muscle cars), but I still have the soft spot for the 4drs and wagons.

Still have not heard anything about my uncles 65' Bonneville. I have not saw him in awhile. I hopefully can get down to his house soon to see what is going on with this "tank". Hopefully he will let me have it, or sell it to someone that will restore it.

Its much easier to rail your girl in the back of a 65 Bonneville than the back of a 69 Camaro too.... :)

If you want a car to keep a four door is fine but DONT buy one to fix and resell. It costs as much (or more) to restore a 4 door as a 2 door and you wont get your money back. This doesn't even take into consideration what it costs to have a car shipped half way across the country. If you can buy a nice one locally and want a great driver go for it but you just can't spend a lot of money on them.

Haha i see it and i love it. It's so real!

And 4-drs are going up in value every day so to buy one, enjoy it, and sell it in a few or more years would not be a bad investment. As for whether restoring is a bad investment, that depends on how much it costs you to get it and how much work needs to be done blah blah blah. Much like a 73 SD T/A isn't worth restoring if it's been crushed to a cube (unless the vin tag is intact ;) J/K of course!)

Bah enjoy your cars everyone! And save that bonneville! =)

Here's another one of those "do I part it out?" cars - a '66 Star Chief Executive which has been sitting for about 25 years and may have only 27,363 miles on it.

It's missing only the wheelcovers, right rear quarter trim molding, and the power steering box.

Hey would that 65 happen to be a stick, that would make me jump

That car looks like its got a helluva good body on it.

Save it....

Looks like a post car. If the bottom part of those doors would fit a wagon I'd say part it out.

you just want them for damage repair!

mike

To destroy a fixable 65 Fullsize is a travisty in itself. The design of the 65 Fullsize cars is what drew me in towards being a car guy in the first place. My stepfathers 65 Bonnie Convertible was a thing of beauty. I would sit in it while in the garage and just imaging cruising. I would love a 65 4 door hardtop, in the light green color, black intieror, black vinyl top with eight lugs and a nice 421. What a helluva family cruiser. There is one on ebay right now out in california that I would love to have. I may be biased but for a sixties car nothing screams elegance like a 65 fullsize 4 door hardtop, 2 door hardtop or convertible. Just my .02 on this topic. Remember, the whole line up won car of the year in 65 for a reason. I go back to my old smoke signals and read about the 65 line in thier articles and makes me salvate.

hmmmm
if ANYBODY know about a 66 bonnie 4dr in nice cond
please let me know
I will certinly SAVE it
regards stig
66 bonnies forever

Buy it and make it into a convertable so you don't have to buy the glass.

I have all the rear & side glass out of a '66 tinted already out of the car no use for it as far as I know. I believe rear glass is diff from my 2 door, if so I can not use any of it.

Nine times out of ten, the 4dr cars are not beaten to a pulp like the 2drs. Owners of 4drs usually took better care of their cars.

Whatever came of this car? Id be interested in it depending on where its located.

I'm with you Bonne Joe. I am currently looking for a nice 65 4dr hdtp that can be a nice driver for under $7K. Needs A/C, tilt, Cruise would be nice. TenneseeStorm: Sound familiar? I'm a buyer looking for that car, there are others.

I agree with all the 4 door big car fans, too many big cars, esp. 4 doors have been junked for it's engine to go into another 'Bird or GTO.
I have owned several Goats, and T/As over the years but have become a GP and big car fan. They ride better, cost less to buy, can be just as eye catching, and you're not as afraid to drive it or park it somewhere for fear of theft or damage. I love the 65-68 GPs, Catalinas, and Bonnevilles.
I just bought a 74 Grand Ville 4 door hardtop (pics attached) from the original owner for $450, paid $575 to have it brought here from Nebraska, and put about $500 into it for tires, tune up, etc. and I drive it everyday. I wouldn't be afraid to drive it anywhere.
Also, the pillarless hardtops are so cool with the windows down.
Dave

People knock 4 doors, say they are worthless. They thought the same about 30s cars in the 1950s, Muscle cars in the early 80s, and station wagons. Now they roll across the Barrett Jackson auction block.