Memories of a 1960 Bonneville are Made of Metal

The Hershey event (this was 1996) turned up a lot of needed pieces, but Jim had come up with 13 legal pad pages of parts and matching GM part numbers that might be required for the restoration, so their quest had just begun. "We made a lot of key finds at Pontiac vendors there, buying what they had on hand and collecting business cards in order to loot everything they had at home." A year later, they had raided various shows and called just about every NOS vendor in Hemmings, but they had all of the parts to begin the restoration.

Lloyd's Auto Restorations in Bartow, Florida, was given the task of renewing the sport coupe, which took a total of 10 months to complete. "Lloyd and Jeff do outstanding work," Jim told us. "They make sure the car has everything, every last chalk mark." Finished just in time for the AACA Hershey show in 1998, the Pontiac was awarded its first Junior and was nominated for the prestigious Bomgardner Award, which it later claimed.

In 1999, the Bonneville took the Best Special Interest American 1946-1972 award at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and garnered its Senior First Place in the AACA. "Dave Holls, who was the head of GM Design, was a judge at Amelia and looked over the Bonneville for some time. I thought it was odd that he commented on how perfect the design of the car was, like he had never seen one before," said Jim.

Once the Bonneville was placed in the National Parts Depot collection, it still received its fair share of attention. "I was amazed that most people who go through the collection pick out the red Bonneville as their favorite. There's a lot of cars in there like Cadillacs and Fords, but many people have told me they like the Pontiac."

Having covered the story behind the Pontiac, let's tell you what's in it. From the factory, the Poncho was equipped with the standard-for-Bonneville 389ci "Tempest 425" engine (code B-1). Topped off with a Carter 4-barrel carburetor, it was rated at 303 (gross) hp due in part to its 273/282-degree duration cam and 10.25:1 compression ratio. The potent powerplant was backed by a Hydramatic 4-speed automatic transmission (gear ratios 3.97, 2.55, 1.55, 1.00) and the standard rear gear ratio was 3.08:1.

Beneath the floors is Pontiac's X-frame with box section front side bars and reinforced rockers to add stiffness. This frame layout was in its final season on the '60 models. A-arms were used up front with control arms at the rear. Coil springs were employed at the 4 corners as were hydraulic shocks and 11-inch drum brakes. A stabilizer bar was mounted in front and a rear bar was used on Safari wagons but not on the rest of the line. When power steering was ordered, as was the case for this Bonne, the ratio was 22:1. Putting the power to the pavement was a set of 14x6 steel wheels fitted with 8x14 bias-ply tires. With only 42,000 miles on the clock, the Bonneville rode and drove well, but the driveline components were gone through anyway as part of the restoration.

The crew at Lloyd's Auto Restoration massaged the exterior, and the acres of sheet metal were sprayed with Sikkens Coronado Red basecoat, followed by several coats of clear. Its immaculate factory upholstery and interior remained, and dons such equipment as an AM radio with rear speaker and power antenna, E-Z Eye glass, glove box, parking brake lamp, visor vanity mirror, and an inside tilt mirror. A safeguard speedo with low fuel warning lamp was fitted at the factory, as was the electric clock and Circ-L-Air heater/defroster.

Other features on the Pontiac include power steering and brakes, power windows up front, electric windshield washer and 2-speed wipers, HD air cleaner, custom spinner wheel covers, outside rear view mirror on the driver's side, luggage reel-out lamp, back up lights, and a disposable oil filter.

Having completed the restoration of the Bonneville sport coupe, Jim has turned his attention to adding more vehicles to his collection. He occasionally takes it to a show or two, and when his father Al sees it, he grins and says, "That Bonneville would pass everything on the road except for a gas station." It's a memory made of metal and one that warms the heart of its owner and those who can relate to it. Just another reason to be a car nut.