[smaman]

I have a friend looking at a 69 428 (non-ho) 2 door, automatic Bonneville, solid, driveable, needing paint. Any help in estimating a rough value on one of these is appreciated. I like the sound of the car but it seems like it might be a tough sell for him later even with a low price tag.

[bdk1976]

Without pictures, location, or any other details, I'd guess somewhere in the $1000-2000 range.

[smaman]

Originally Posted by bdk1976

Without pictures, location, or any other details, I'd guess somewhere in the $1000-2000 range.

Thanks- I was thinking low but not that low- anybody else?

[Mark Simiele]

I think thats a good guesstimate as most of the seasoned big car folks on here have always told me the value and desireability of the big cars begins to really fall from 68 and on. I could be wrong so if anyone else chimes in please correct me.

[blubomber]

I'll concur with the comment that a fair assessment would have to have some pictures.

The big cars can be a great value if someone is looking to get into a classic car without wantingto spend the money on a Muscle car. These cars easy to work on, have a fair supply of parts to support any work you may need to do, and can easily be made to perfrom at any level you desire. Unfortuantely they will not bring the kind of money you see in the Muscle car arena. Hard tops are worth significantly less than convertibles.

Your best bet is to find the most solid car you can. One that does not need signficant body or fender work,if any. Seats and carpet are easily replaced so I would not let that be a major distractor. Engines are also easy to work on as long as the car was not mauled by a previeous owner.

As far as value it is difficult to pin point. Human emotion is always a consideration however the overall state of the economy has created a situation where far fewer have the luxury of a "toy." It is supply and demand. There are more cars available now and far lower demand therefore it's a buyers market.

I would pay more for a solid car though in order to not have to deal with repair issues which will quickly far surpass the savings you may have thought you were getting by buying the "cheapest" car.

Many guys seem to think that just because they put $20000 into a project that they are entitled to get thatout of it. Unfortunately the market doesn't care about that and right now it is a buyers market.

As far as value goes IMO a pristine '69 Bonneville convertible may get somewhere between $15K-20K. A 2 dr hardtop maybe half of that, a 4 door take off another
15-25 %.

You can add back on about 10% for a/c, 5-10% for a 428 HO, and 5-10% for well optioned or rare options.

Hope this helps. Send pictures and we may be able to help more.

[Doug]

Sounds like the car may be a car in "#4 condition". This info from a website gives a pretty good idea of what it may be worth. (Keep in mind that the 428 motor is worth several hundred dollars by itself. If it happens to be a decent running motor, it would be worth even more.)


#4 Fair: runs and drives OK but needs work throughout the vehicle. Body shows signs of wear or previous restoration work. Any rust should be minimal and not in any structural areas. Cosmetics, body, and mechanics all need work to some degree.

1969 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE 400-340hp (8cyl-4V) AT
#5 #4 #3 #2 #1
2dr Convertible 1000 3625 7075 11125 15600
2dr Hardtop 625 1425 3775 6800 10750
4dr Hardtop 450 1425 3375 5600 9025
4dr Sedan 375 1225 2900 4825 7750
4dr Wagon 625 2000 5150 9125 13900

Add:
428-360hp (8cyl-4V) 5%
428-375hp (8cyl-4V) 5%
428-390hp (8cyl-4V) 10%
Power windows 3%
Brougham trim 5%
Deduct:
3spd manual transmission -10%
No air conditioning -10%
Manual steering -5%

[blubomber]

One more note on the motor

The YH code 428 360 hp engine is a small valve design. They produce decent power and lots of torque but are not really muscle car motors despite their displacement. They are 2 bolt mains. These cars usually came with a 3:08 rear end.

The YK code 428 is a true muscle motor with drilled in valve stems, large valves, higher compression; 10.75:1, long branch exhaust manifolds, larger exhaust pipes, competition cam, high capacity oil pump, stronger distributor advance springs. Listed at 390 hp they were probably more like 430 hp. This is a differnt engine than then YH motor espite their identical displacments.

These YK motors were not available to the A body or Firebird cars due to the GM restriction on 400 motors or smaller for all A F body cars except the Corvette. This was lifted for 1970 to combat the large engines used in Ford and Dodge/Plymouth cars. In 1970 you could get the 455 in mid-size GM cars. This situation has restricted the limited the disireability of the 428 for muscle cars. 455's are more desireable in general. You can get year correct 455's for $650-$850.

[blubomber]

One more note. In '69 the YH code 428 became the standard engine in the Bonneville replacing the 400 which was the base motor in '67 and '68. The YK code 428 was optional.

Other 400 cid were also optional but it is fairly uncommon although I have seen 1 or 2 400 cid 2bbl cars. These were special ordered most likely because the owner wanted to save some money on fuel since they used regular v. premium gas.

[smaman]

Thanks for all of the helpful information guys. Doug, what website did you get the #5 thru #1 values from? I go to nada.com but it's always nice to see other opinions.

[Doug]

Smaman,

The website is: www.vmrintl.com

[BADRAT]

Does anyone know where I could find the production numbers for a 69 bonneville .. thanks

[goatless]

Originally Posted by BADRAT

Does anyone know where I could find the production numbers for a 69 bonneville .. thanks

4 door sedan- 4859
4 door hardtop- 40,817
2 door hardtop- 27,773
2 door convertible- 5438
4 door station wagon- 7428

[baron_]

Originally Posted by bdk1976

Without pictures, location, or any other details, I'd guess somewhere in the $1000-2000 range.

Agreed

[BADRAT]

Originally Posted by goatless

4 door sedan- 4859
4 door hardtop- 40,817
2 door hardtop- 27,773
2 door convertible- 5438
4 door station wagon- 7428

Thank you very much ,, much apprecated

goatless

http://s670.photobucket.com/albums/vv68/BADRAT01/

[muscle_collector]

badrat, killer looking bonney. is it an HO car?

[BADRAT]

Yes it is,, paid 1250$ for it at a swap meet,had 38K actual miles, was faded chocolate brown, but great shape,, the nose was cracked,, some like they all do,, but I took all the endura crap off the backing and made a new one out of metal,,
anyone need a new nose?? [ bonney , catalina]
I removed all the side trim, vinyl top, door handles etc, its in the paint shop now,, doing a Fade from pearl black on bottom to Graphite top,

[David Brown]

I have owned my 1970 Bonneville Convertible since 1979. 69 &70 big cars shared a lot of parts, and a lot of parts are 69 & 70 only. I agree with Blubomber pretty much on price, although maybe a tad optimistic. One of the dificult things if you are looking to sell is demand. There are many many more people looking for GTO's and Firebirds than are for big cars, so your sales opportunity is definitely less.

That said, I love my Bonneville! It is solid, powerful, nice ride and a great car to take a trip in. My wife and I have driven from south Florida to the North Carolina mountains many times. It has an incredible trunk that has enough room that the wife can pack anything she wants. I wound up installing a set of super lifts so when we loaded her up for a vacation, it would still ride level.

I would think these are poor alternatives if your intention is to buy, restore and resell at a profit, unless it's real solid to start with and you buy it right. In my case, I don't ever want to sell mine. So I don't care how much I have in my car, because divided by the 32 years I have owned her (and counting), she is a bargain. And nice big cars, especially convertibles are usually appreciated at car shows because you don't usually see too many of them. Only once in 32 years have I ever seen another 70 Bonne Vert at a show where I had my car, and that was a Daytona Turkey run back in the 90's.

69 and 70 Bonneville's had the 428 and 455 as the standard engine. Hey, the big engines were originally designed and intended for the big cars. Yes the optional big engines do offer some potential advantages over the standard 2 bolt engines, but talk to any of the engine builders and they will tell you the 2 bolt Pontiac engine is not an issue unless you are geting up in the 650-700+ power arena. Don't confuse the Pontiac block with a Chevy small block that has a very weak bottom end that needs 4 bolt if it's making any real power. My 455 is a 2 bolt, but drilled for 4, if you are planning a serious buildup. I believe all were drilled for 4 bolt. I changed my #15 small valve heads years ago to 6X with larger exhaust valves mainly to lower compression. Even with the small valve head 360 horse version, it was 10:1 compression and pinged on todays 93 octane, unless you backed off the timing.

[BADRAT]

Thats pretty much my feelings on this,, I don't really give a rip how much they will sell for,, the bonneys are a great riding and handling car,, I love driving it and it is basicly still new,, only 48K actual miles,, no squeeks rattles , but loves the gas,,

I fixed it up the way I want it, and get lots of compliments when I take it out,, I have been saving up gas money to drive it to Calif this summer,,

hope to have it out of the paint shop soon,,,