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1961 Pontiac Bonneville

$44,500

1961 Pontiac Bonneville

Vehicle Details

Make

Pontiac

Model

Bonneville

Year

1961

Mileage

54,143 miles

VIN

861S5897

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Automatic

Engine

Original 389 V8

Description

1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible For Sale Beautiful Classic Pontiac Convertible - Original 389 V8 - Factory Air Conditioning - Rare 8-Lug Wheels! Here's a fantastic opportunity to own a beautiful 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, one of Pontiac's most stylish and desirable full-size automobiles from the early 1960s! With its unmistakable wide-track styling, long, low profile, dramatic body lines, and generous use of chrome, the 1961 Bonneville represents an era when American automobiles were designed to make a statement. This particular example is an especially attractive car, featuring its original 389 cubic-inch V8, factory air conditioning, desirable 8-lug wheels, and an excellent combination of comfort and performance. ### Engine & Drivetrain Under the hood is the original Pontiac 389 cubic-inch V8, identified by its TB engine code and rated at an impressive 315 horsepower. Equipped with a factory four-barrel carburetor and automatic transmission, this Bonneville delivers the effortless performance and smooth cruising characteristics that made these Pontiacs such wonderful road cars.

The engine runs excellent, and the car drives beautifully, making it equally enjoyable for weekend cruising, local car shows, or simply taking a relaxing drive with the top down. ### Factory Options & Equipment This Bonneville is equipped with a terrific selection of desirable factory features, including: - Original 389 CI V8 - TB Engine Code - 315 Horsepower - Factory Four-Barrel Carburetor - Automatic Transmission - Factory Air Conditioning - Working! - Power Steering - Power Brakes - Rare Pontiac 8-Lug Wheels - Power Convertible Top The distinctive Pontiac 8-lug wheels are particularly noteworthy. These unique wheels, featuring integrated aluminum brake drums, are among the most recognizable and sought- after Pontiac accessories of the era. They give the Bonneville a sporty appearance that perfectly complements its elegant styling. ### Exterior & Body The body is exceptionally straight, with beautiful lines that highlight Pontiac's sophisticated 1961 styling.

The extensive brightwork, distinctive front-end design, and sweeping body proportions make this Bonneville a real head-turner. The power-operated convertible top adds to the enjoyment, allowing you to experience this classic Pontiac exactly as it was intended - cruising down the road with the top down! ### Undercarriage & Condition The undercarriage presents very cleanly, reflecting the overall quality of this classic Pontiac. Be sure to review the detailed underside photographs.

The car runs and drives excellent and offers the combination of classic styling, V8 performance, and comfortable cruising that makes these early-1960s convertibles so appealing. ### A Desirable and Distinctive Classic Convertible You simply don't see many 1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertibles anymore, especially examples equipped with the original 389 V8, working factory air conditioning, power accessories, and those beautiful 8-lug wheels. While Chevrolet Impalas tend to receive much of the attention from this era, the Bonneville offers an equally impressive presence with its own distinctive Pontiac personality. If you're looking for something a little different from the typical early-'60s convertible, this beautiful Bonneville deserves a serious look! A terrific classic Pontiac that's ready to be enjoyed!
Trim: Convertible
Options: Factory Premium Sound System, Vinyl Interior Surface

Pontiac Bonneville Buyer's Guide

Full guide
M
Mike Sullivan
Muscle Cars
1957–1970
~3 min read
Updated Apr 2026
The Pontiac Bonneville started as the fastest American production car of 1957 and evolved into the Wide-Track performance flagship that defined Pontiac's golden era, a full-size car that combined genuine V8 performance with the luxury appointments that buyers at this price point expected.
This guide covers
âś“ 8-point inspection checklist
âś“ Common issues & what to avoid
âś“ In-person inspection guide
âś“ Market pricing by year & condition
âś“ 4 FAQs answered
âś“ History & fun facts

Pontiac Bonneville Market Overview

Based on 17 Pontiac Bonneville listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

17
Listed Now
$27,719
Avg. Asking Price
1960–1997
Year Range
Price Position on Our Site - Above Average
This car: $44,500
Low: $6,495 High: $72,995
Transmission Distribution
Automatic 65% ◄
Condition Distribution
Excellent 6%
Good 12%
Fair 6%
Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 17 listings →
đź’°

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Pontiac Bonneville Buyer's Guide

Mike Sullivan here. In 1957, Pontiac produced exactly 630 Bonnevilles, a fuel-injected convertible that was, at $5,100, the most expensive American car outside of Cadillac and Lincoln, and the fastest American production car of the year. That's where the Bonneville name started: as a performance statement, not a luxury statement. The name honored Bonneville Salt Flats, where Pontiac racing cars had set records, and the car's specifications backed the association.

From that 630-unit performance car origin, the Bonneville grew into Pontiac's flagship for the Wide-Track era, the car that sat above the GTO in the lineup, that carried the biggest engines, that had the most lavish interiors. The 1965–1970 Bonneville with the 428ci or 455ci is a serious performance luxury car that deserves more collector attention than it currently gets.

What to Check Before Buying

✓
Lower Rear Quarter Rust , Probe lower rear quarters thoroughly, the most common structural failure on all Bonnevilles.
✓
Rear Floor Pan , Inspect trunk and rear floor from underneath and inside.
✓
Tri-Power Verification , On Tri-Power cars, verify all three carbs are original Rochester 2-barrels and properly synchronized.
✓
Engine Compression , Compression test on 428ci or 455ci, confirms ring condition and rules out head issues.
✓
Transmission Function , Test TH400 or TH350 through all ranges, smooth shifts with no slipping.
✓
1957 FI System , On 1957 cars, have the Rochester fuel injection system verified by a specialist, completeness and function are critical to value.
✓
Convertible Top (if applicable) , Test top mechanism and hydraulics, inspect frame for rust and the rear tub for water damage.
✓
Power Accessories , Test all power windows and seat, circuit failures are common age-related issues.

Common Issues

Lower rear quarter panel rust, universal on northern cars. Rear floor pan rust. Tri-Power carburetor synchronization issues, all three carbs must be properly tuned. 428ci and 455ci oil consumption from worn valve stem seals on unrestored high-mileage examples. TH400 band adjustment on high-mileage cars. Power window circuit failures. 1957 Rochester fuel injection system, correct function and completeness are increasingly rare. Convertible top hydraulic seal failures and mechanism rust.

What to Look For

Lower rear quarter panels are the primary rust location on any Bonneville, probe thoroughly, especially on salt-belt cars. The rear floor pan is the secondary concern. On Tri-Power cars, verify all three Rochester 2-barrel carburetors are original, a transplanted single-carb setup or incorrect carbs reduce value significantly. Verify the 428ci or 455ci engine doesn't have excessive oil consumption; a compression test reveals the engine's real condition. The TH400 or TH350 automatic transmission should shift cleanly through all ranges. On 1957 fuel-injected cars, the Rochester FI system must be verified by a specialist, complete, functioning original FI on a 1957 Bonneville is a significant value element.

Price Guide

1957 Bonneville convertible (original FI, documented): $80,000–$160,000+. 1959–1964 Bonneville (driver): $12,000–$28,000. 1961–1966 Tri-Power Bonneville: $18,000–$40,000. 1965–1969 Bonneville 428ci (convertible): $28,000–$60,000. 1965–1969 Bonneville 428ci (hardtop): $14,000–$32,000. 1970 Bonneville 455ci: $12,000–$26,000. Convertibles premium 40–60% over equivalent hardtops in all years.

Did You Know?

The 1957 Pontiac Bonneville was named for the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, where Pontiac-sponsored racing cars had set records in the 1950s. It was the only full-size American car with standard factory fuel injection that year, and at about $5,782 it was priced above the Cadillac DeVille convertible. Pontiac's "Wide-Track" slogan coined in 1959 described an actual engineering change: the track was widened by approximately 5 inches, lowering the center of gravity and improving handling, and became one of the most effective automotive marketing campaigns of the era.

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