Pontiac Bonneville

Pontiac Bonneville
Overview
Manufacturer	General Motors
Production	1957-2005
Assembly	Hamtramck, Michigan Lake Orion, Michigan Pontiac, Michigan Flint, Michigan Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec (1982-1986)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	2-door convertible 2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Related	Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile Aurora Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
Chronology
Successor	Pontiac G8

The Pontiac Bonneville was an automobile built by the Pontiac division of General Motors from 1958 to 2005. Introduced as a limited production performance convertible in the Pontiac Star Chief model range during the 1957 model year, the Bonneville became its own series in 1958. The Bonneville, and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 19 feet long, and were also some of the heaviest (2 and 1/2 tons, or 5,000 pounds).

Early development - 1954-58

1965 Pontiac Bonneville convertible with 8-lug wheels.

The Bonneville name first appeared in 1954 on a pair of bubble-topped GM Motorama concept cars called the Bonneville Special. It entered the production lineup as the Star Chief Custom Bonneville, a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible late in the 1957 model year that was loaded with every conceivable option as standard equipment, putting it in a Cadillac-like price range of $5,000 - more than double the base price of a Chieftain four-door sedan. Only 630 units were produced that first year, making it one of the most collectible Pontiacs of all time. The Bonneville endured until 2005 as the division's top-of-the-line model. The term was taken from the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the site of much early auto racing and most of the world's land speed record runs.

1959 Bonneville from the rear, showing double rear fins

The Bonneville expanded into its own series and added a coupe in 1958, and it paced the Indianapolis 500 that year. This year's Bonneville had a significantly lower price tag of around $3,000 thanks to the demotion of most of the luxury items found on the '57 model from standard equipment to the option list. Also a 300-horsepower 370 cubic-inch V8 with four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts was now standard equipment. The fuel-injection system offered with the standard engine on the '57 model was now listed as an extra cost option but very few (if any) '58 Bonnevilles were so equipped due to a towering price tag of over $500, which was not considered a very good value considering that for less than $100, a Tri-Power option was available with three two-barrel carburetors and even more horsepower.

1959-1970

1961 Pontiac Bonneville Tri-Power Sport Coupe

1963 Pontiac Bonneville Sport Coupe

In its third year, the 1959 Bonneville became a full top-line series with the addition of the four-door hardtop sedan and Safari station wagon body styles. The Bonneville played an important part that year in the introduction of two of Pontiac's greatest marketing inspirations — the split grille and the Wide Track slogan. The latter was not just ad copy, either, as Pontiac pushed its wheels further out toward the fenders than anyone else and created what were considered to be the best-cornering full-size cars in the industry. Both the grille design and the Wide Track phrase are still part of Pontiac's image today. The Bonneville remained as Pontiac's costliest and most luxurious model throughout the 1960s and was instrumental in pushing Pontiac to third place in sales from 1962 to 1970.

The Bonneville differed from their lesser Catalina and Star Chief counterparts by featuring more luxurious interior trims with upgraded cloth and Morrokide vinyl or expanded Morrokide upholstery in sedans and coupes, expanded Morrokide in Safari wagons or genuine leather seating in convertibles. Also found in Bonnevilles were instrument panels and door panels with walnut veneer trim, carpeted lower door panels, grab bar on passenger side of dash and courtesy lights. Beginning in 1964, a Bonneville Brougham option package was available that included even more luxurious interior trims with front and rear seats featuring center armrests, upgraded door panels and a standard Cordova (vinyl) roof with "Brougham" nameplates.

Although they were extra-cost options, virtually all Bonneville models were equipped with Hydra-Matic (through 1964) or Turbo Hydra-Matic (1965-on) automatic transmissions, power steering and power brakes with many also optioned with air conditioning. Other popular options included power windows, power seats, radio, cruise control, 8-lug aluminum wheels that included integral brake drums for improved stopping power. The Bonneville also had more powerful standard V8 engines than lesser full-sized Pontiacs including the 389 or 400 cubic inch V8s with four-barrel carburetors (horsepower ratings of 303 to 340 depending on year) with many optional V8 offerings available including Tri Power (three two-barrel carburetion) options on both the 389 and 421 cubic inch V8s that offered up to 376 horsepower through 1966.

Pontiac fullsize performance reached its peak in 1966. All fullsize models got new sheetmetal for 1963, including stacked headlights. Performance enthusiasts once again turned to the Catalina, the lightest of the Pontiac fullsize coupes. The standard engine was a 389 cid V8 with 283 bhp. Next up were two 421s with 10.75:1 compression ratios: a four barrel with 353 bhp and the Trophy 421 HO (High Output) which sported triple Rochester two-barrel carburetors operated by a progressive throttle linkage and was rated at 370 bhp. For serious drag strip use, buyers could specify the Super Duty 421 which came in three states of tune which all benefited from an increase in the compression ratio from 11.0:1 to 12.0:1 and an increase in the maximum shift point from 5900 rpm to a screaming 6400 rpm. Face it folks ET times ruled the showrooms during the Musclecar era and the early Pontiacs had impressive numbers.

A General Motors corporate edict that took effect with the 1967 model year led Pontiac to discontinue the Tri Power engine options on all of its cars. That year also brought a larger 400 cubic-inch V8 as the standard engine for Bonneville and other full-sized Pontiacs to replace the previous 389, while the 421 cubic inch V8 was replaced by a new 428 cubic-inch engine that offered as much as 390 horsepower. For 1969, a 360-horsepower 428 became the standard Bonneville engine, which in turn was replaced for 1970 by an even larger 455 cubic-inch V8 rated at 370 horsepower.

1971-1986

From 1971 to 1975, the Bonneville was de-emphasized somewhat as Pontiac used the Grand Ville name for its highest-price model. During these years, the Bonneville dropped to mid-line status between the lower-priced Catalina and the Grand Ville. During these years, the Bonneville was offered in three bodystyles including the pillared four-door sedan, four-door hardtop sedan and two-door hardtop coupe. The standard engine for 1971-72 was a 455 cubic-inch V8 with two-barrel carburetor that was rated at 280 gross horsepower for 1971 and 185 net horsepower for 1972 and optionally available was the four-barrel version of the 455 rated at 325 gross horsepower in 1971 and 250 net horses in 1972. (the on-paper horsepower ratings of both years reflect the changes in horsepower measurement between those two years as was common throughout the auto industry at the time). The year 1971 was also the first for Pontiac and other GM divisions to reduce compression ratios on all engines across the board in order to enable use of lower-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline thanks to a corporate edict in preparation for the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 to help meet increasing stringent federal (and California) emission requirements.

In mid-1971, a Turbo-Hydramatic transmission, power steering and power front-disc brakes became standard equipment on Bonneville and other full-sized Pontiacs (as well as other full-sized GM cars).

From 1973 to 1976, the Bonneville's standard engine dropped to a 170-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. Optionally available was the 455 four-barrel V8 rated at 250 horsepower for 1973-74 and 200 for 1975-76. In 1973, Bonneville was the only full-sized Pontiac to offer a "Radial Tuned Suspension" option package which included the steel-belted radial tires along with an upgraded suspension with Pliacell shock absorbers and front and rear sway bars. The RTS option was expanded for 1974 to all full-sized Pontiacs and radial-ply tires became standard on all 1975 models though an upgraded "RTS" package was still available as an option.

With the demise of the Grand Ville series after 1975, Bonneville once again emerged as the top-line full-sized Pontiac series for 1976 with the Bonneville Brougham models featuring the same luxurious interior appointments as the departed Grand Ville.

1977-1981

1977-1981
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	2-door coupe 4-door sedan
Platform	B-body
Powertrain
Engine	231 in³ Buick V6 265 in³ Pontiac V8 301 in³ Pontiac V8 350 in³ Pontiac V8 350 in³ Oldsmobile diesel V8 400 in³ Pontiac

Bonneville would continued its flagship duties on the downsized big car line that was introduced for 1977. The downsized Bonnevilles (and Catalinas) were about a foot shorter in length and reduced in weight by some 800 pounds compared to their 1976 counterparts but maintained the same interior roominess and trunk space with much-improved fuel economy - a major selling point in the years following the 1973-74 energy crisis.

With the downsized 1977 models, only a pillared four-door sedan and two-door coupe (with optional opera windows) were offered as the hardtop sedans and coupes offered in previous years were discontinued across the board at all GM divisions. The Bonneville also regained the Safari station wagon as part of its model lineup for the first time since 1970 with woodgrained exterior trim and interior appointments shared with Bonneville coupes and sedans. The Safari was available in both 6- and 9-passenger configurations and featured a dual-action tailgate that could be opened to the side as a door or downward as a tailgate, rather than the disappearing clamshell tailgates found in 1971-76 full-sized Pontiac wagons.

The standard engine for Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower and optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 185-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. In later years, increasingly stringent fuel-economy standards mandated by the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations would lead to the discontinuation of the larger engines with a 231 cubic-inch Buick V6 becoming the standard engine on Bonneville coupes and sedans for 1980 and 1981 with the only optional V8s offered including 265 and 301 cubic-inch Pontiac-built gasoline engines or an Oldsmobile-built 350 cubic-inch Diesel powerplant.

The Bonneville/Bonneville Brougham models were discontinued after the 1981 model year along with the lower-priced Catalina due to sagging sales resulting from the second energy crisis of 1979-80 which sent many new car buyers to more fuel-efficient four-cylinder or V6-powered compact cars. The discontinuation of the American-built, rear-drive full-sized Pontiac also coincided with the demise of Pontiac-built V8 engines, which were last built in 1981. From 1982 onward, all V8-powered Pontiacs were powered by engines sourced from other GM divisions such as Chevrolet or Oldsmobile.

1982-1986

1982-1986
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout
Platform	G-body
Powertrain
Engine	231 in³ Buick V6 305 in³ Chevrolet V8 350 in³ Oldsmobile diesel V8
Transmission	3-speed THM200 automatic 4-speed 200-4R automatic

In 1982, Pontiac abruptly moved the Bonneville nameplate from a full-size car to a mid-size car previously known as the Pontiac LeMans in both four-door sedan and Safari station wagon body styles with engine choices including a standard Buick 231 cubic-inch V6 or optional Chevrolet 305 cubic-inch V8 or Oldsmobile 350 cubic-inch Diesel V8. The wagon was dropped after 1983 in favor of the front-drive Pontiac 6000 wagon introduced for 1984. The Bonneville sedan continued in both base and Brougham versions through 1986.

Pontiac customers did not take to the change as the "downsized" Bonneville arrived just as many new-car buyers were switching their preferences from compact economy cars to full-sized, V8-powered cars, as noted by increasing big cars from Pontiac's competitors such as the Chevrolet Caprice, Oldsmobile 88, Buick LeSabre and Mercury Grand Marquis. Late in the 1983 model year, Pontiac reintroduced a full-sized car to the American market by bringing over the Canadian-built Pontiac Parisienne (which was essentially a restyled Chevrolet Caprice and powered by Chevrolet V6 or V8 engines). The Bonneville was then again one notch below the top of the line from late 1983 through 1986.

However, exactly as before, a downsizing proved its salvation. In 1987, the Parisienne was discontinued and the Bonneville was completely redesigned as a front-wheel drive car, rejoining its pre-1982 platform mates the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile 88 and regaining its status as the senior Pontiac. The Bonneville SE was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list that year.

All-New FWD Design

1987-1991

1987-1991
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	Sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	H-body
Related	Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight
Powertrain
Engine	3.8L LG3 V6 3.8L LN3 3800 V6
Transmission	4-speed THM440T4 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110.80"
Length	198.30-198.70"
Width	72.10"
Height	55.00"
Curb weight	3295-3558 lbs.

In 1987, Pontiac decided to change the car from rear wheel drive with a V8 to a more economical front wheel drive H-body platform, which was introduced a year earlier with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight. Pontiac used the 3.8 L Buick V6 (RPO code LG3). Performance was adequate, with the V6 producing 150 hp, and 210 ft-lbs of torque. The 1987 Bonneville was awarded placement on Car and Driver's Ten Best list.

For the 1988 model year, Pontiac replaced the LG3 with a revised version of the same engine platform, with an increase of 15 hp and 10 ft-lbs of torque. This engine has the RPO code of LN3 and is the first time the Buick 3.8 is called the 3800 V6. Other models on the H-body platform were fitted with the updated engine one year later, in 1989. The LN3 was used through 1991, until the Bonneville was once again redesigned for the 1992 model year.

They also revised the trim levels for the remaining part of this generation, removing the Base trim only used for 1987, keeping the LE which makes the change of going from the top trim to the base trim, and adding the SE and SSE trims which were then available with many more comfort and convenience options standard such as, electronic climate control, a digital compass, Driver Information Center, 8-way power leather seats, heated power mirrors, CD player with the premium sound package and many more. The SSE trim was exclusively equipped with an exterior sport appearance package that included body cladding, assorted ground effects, a body color grille and removal of the Bonneville door badges and Pontiac trunk badge, replacing the Bonneville trunk badge with an SSE Bonneville badge.

• 1989 Bonneville SE
  1989 Bonneville SE
• 1990 Bonneville SSE
  1990 Bonneville SSE

• 1991 Bonneville LE
  1991 Bonneville LE
• 1991 Bonneville SSE
  1991 Bonneville SSE

1992-1999

1992-1999
[[File:1992-1995 1993 Bonneville SSEi 1996-1999 1996 Bonneville SSEi|frameless|upright=1.25]]
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Platform	H-body
Related	Buick LeSabre Oldsmobile 88 Oldsmobile LSS
Powertrain
Engine	92-94 3.8L Series I L27 V6 92-93 3.8L SC Series I L67 V6 94-95 3.8L SC Series I L67 V6 95-99 3.8L Series II L36 V6 96-99 3.8L SC Series II L67 V6
Transmission	92-97 4-spd 4T60-E auto 92-96 4-spd 4T60E-HD auto 98-99 4-spd 4T65-E auto 97-99 4-spd 4T65E-HD auto
Dimensions
Wheelbase	110.80"
Length	199.50-203.10"
Width	74.50"
Height	55.70"

1992-1995

In 1992 the exterior and interior of the car was completely redesigned, this was a generation that hosted quite a few Bonneville firsts, the car not only got faster, but it also got a lot safer. One of the most notable improvements over the previous generation was that the Bonneville SE now came standard with a driver airbag, optional ABS brakes (with sport appearance package), the SSE models came with standard ABS, standard traction control, The trims were redone once again, the LE trim was removed, the SE was now the base model, the SSE was now the mid grade and a new top of the line trim was now added, the SSEi. According to GM, these trim acronyms mean absolutely nothing. The new N/A 3800 Series I (RPO: L27) engine was installed, producing 170 hp and 225 ft-lb of torque, as well as the newly designed SC Series I (RPO: L67) equipped with an Eaton M62 roots type supercharger which made 205 hp and 260 ft-lb of torque.

Abridged Option List:

	ABS	Traction Control	Driver Airbag	Passenger Airbag
92 SE	Optional (SLE)	Optional	Standard	N/A
92 SSE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Optional
92 SSEi	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
93 SE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Optional
93 SSE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Optional
93 SSEi	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
94 SE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Standard
94 SSE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Standard
94 SSEi	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard
95 SE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Standard
95 SSE	Standard	Optional	Standard	Standard
95 SSEi	Standard	Standard	Standard	Standard

For 1993 the Sport Luxury Edition (SLE RPO: H4U) was offered. This is basically an SE sub-trim with more standard options such as leather seats, electronic climate control and premium sound. Many more standard options were available with the SSE. The SSEi came standard with most of the available options in the lower models, including the Supercharged 3800 (RPO: L67).

In 1994, A new Generation III Eaton M62 supercharger came, along with new OBD-1.5 capabilities, raising the horsepower to 225hp, torque was raised to 275 ft-lbs. Also this year introduced the new 5 spoke "Torque Star" rims. A resonator also became standard on the exhaust to lower the raspy tone that the engine produces. Airbags also became standard on all models this year.

In 1995 the car stayed the same appearance wise, but the SE and SSE trims received a new naturally aspirated engine, the Series II (RPO: L36). This engine made 205 hp and 230 ft-lbs of torque. The SSEi remained equipped with the Series I SC 3800 (RPO: L67) engine until the 1996 model year, when it too was updated.

Common problems

The exhaust manifolds sometimes crack (common to the L67, occasional on the L27), causing a rise in KR (knock retard), retarding timing and subsequently losing engine performance. This can be fixed by having the cracks properly welded.

Sometimes the voltage, oil (or boost), and battery gauges work erratically. This is fixed by replacing the circuit board on the cluster, or possibly re soldering the connections.

The lower intake manifold gaskets usually fail around 110-120k.

• 1992 Bonneville SSEi
  1992 Bonneville SSEi
• 1993 Bonneville SSEi
  1993 Bonneville SSEi

• 1994 Bonneville SE
  1994 Bonneville SE
• 1995 Bonneville SLE
  1995 Bonneville SLE

1996-1999

In 1996 the exterior of the vehicle had some minor changes. Some things were reshaped, and the tail lights, headlights, grille, and lower body cladding were drastically changed. Also this year, the supercharged version of the 3800 Series II engine was introduced. The SSEi and optionally the SSE got a new supercharged L67, producing 240 hp and 280 ft-lb of torque. This engine was used from 1996 until it was retired from the Bonneville in 2003.

A new transmission, the 4T65-E was introduced in 1998 for the naturally aspirated 3800 installed in SE and SSE models, and the heavy-duty version, otherwise known as the 4T65E-HD was introduced in 1997 for the supercharged 3800 installed in the SSEi models.

Common Problems

The naturally aspirated 3800 Series II engine (L36) is known for having problems with the upper composite intake degrading from EGR tube heat and leaking coolant into the engine, along with lower intake manifold gasket problems. Please click here to read more about this.

The lower intake manifold gaskets tend to fail prematurely because of the GM Dex-Cool antifreeze used in these vehicles, and require replacement around 100,000 miles, depending on the climate in which the car is driven.

• 1997 Bonneville SSEi
  1997 Bonneville SSEi

• 1998 Bonneville SSEi
  1998 Bonneville SSEi
• 1999 Bonneville SSEi
  1999 Bonneville SSEi

2000-2005

2000-2005
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	H-body
Related	Oldsmobile Aurora Buick Park Avenue
Powertrain
Engine	3.8 L L36 V6 3.8 L SC L67 V6 4.6L LD8 V8
Transmission	4-speed 4T65-E automatic 4-speed 4T65E-HD automatic 4-speed 4T80-E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	112.2 in
Length	202.5 in
Width	74.2 in
Height	56.0 in
Curb weight	3596 lbs (SE) 3656 lbs (SLE) 3745 lbs (SSEi)

Completely redesigned from the ground up with significant advancements in design. Remained on the H-platform.

Interestingly, the Bonneville regained a V8 option on the GXP trim for 2004, its first since 1986, as a result of the discontinuation of the Oldsmobile Aurora. This opened up a "hole" in the GM lineup between Pontiac and Buick, allowing Pontiac to expand upmarket somewhat. The engine is Cadillac's Northstar, and as Pontiac's website said, "With GXP, V8 power gets reintroduced into the Bonneville line in the form of the world-renowned 4.6 L (279 in³) Northstar V8 engine. 275 hp, 300 ft·lbf torque and 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds demonstrates better performance than BMW 330i and 530i, and Lexus ES. Its 3.7:1 final drive ratio is the most aggressive found on any car in its class."

For the last year of production Pontiac gave the sporty mid-level SLE the new GXP styling. The 2005 SLE featured all GXP styling cues except the wheels, badging and muffler tips all remained unique to the SLE.

Common Problems

The naturally aspirated 3800 Series II engine (L36) is known for having problems with the upper composite intake degrading from EGR tube heat and leaking coolant into the engine, along with lower intake manifold gasket problems. Please click here to read more about this.

• 2000 Bonneville SSEi
  2000 Bonneville SSEi
• 
  2003 Bonneville SE

• 2003 Bonneville SSEi
  2003 Bonneville SSEi
• 
  2005 Bonneville GXP

The End of an Era

GM announced on February 8, 2005 that the Bonneville would be dropped from Pontiac's lineup for 2006. This was considered by many fans to be a black day in automobile history because few other cars had the reliability and comfort of the Bonneville and even fewer nameplates had the tenure of just under 50 years of continual production that Bonneville did. Only about 12,000 Bonnevilles were sold in 2005, partly due to a lack of advertising over the past years. With more than half of Pontiac dealers also selling Buick models, the new Buick Lucerne will remain as GM's only non-luxury full-size car. The smaller Pontiac G8, intended as a replacement for the Grand Prix, will absorb the rest of the Bonneville's customer base. The last Bonneville rolled off the assembly line on May 27, 2005.

External links

• Bonneville Club - The one and only place for Bonneville help & advice!
• History and Photos of Pontiac Muscle Cars
• 1987-2005 Pontiac Bonneville Photo Catalog
• Mechanical and repair advice for your Bonneville and other related cars.
• '58 Coupe site, note the extravagant side trim — the simulated rocket exhaust and four starbursts. Most Pontiacs had fewer starbursts, and no others had the rocket.
• Official Pontiac website
• 2004 V8 review