In the animal kingdom, there is a concept called “mimicry.” This is where a species may mimic a harmful predator with markings or what-not to stem any aggressive attacks. In the automotive world, we also have a similar concept where a vehicle does a fine job of running with more prestigious vehicles. Our Pick of the Day, a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville convertible, arguably fits the bill better than any other. It is listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Sandusky, Ohio.
In 1965, Ford introduced a premium sub-model in the Galaxie 500 series and called it LTD. Chevrolet followed suit near the beginning of the 1965 calendar year and called the specially trimmed four-door Impala the Caprice Custom Sedan. Both pretended to be more premium thanks to fancy interiors and tasteful exterior trim. For 1966, Plymouth responded with the VIP and AMC released the Ambassador DPL.
All of the above cars were designed as luxurious vehicles within brands that were decidedly not luxury-oriented—no one would shop for a Caprice and a Cadillac. The Pontiac Bonneville, on the other hand, was more of a masquerade, a Pontiac that thought it was a Buick. Though originally a 1957 special-edition convertible full of power features plus fuel injection, the Bonneville settled at the top of Pontiac’s lineup as a mainstream model starting in 1959. A longer wheelbase than the Catalina was one of its hallmarks, as was its extended trunk.
A funny thing started to happen at the time: The Wide-Track Bonneville became a car with cachet, a model that could confidently move with more prestigious machinery. Though the Bonneville was priced more like a Buick Wildcat, the class it exuded was closer to that of the Electra, which was much more expensive. That combination of sporty and classy was something that no other brand could match—Dodge’s Custom 880 didn’t fake a Chrysler, and the Mercury Park Lane simply didn’t have what it took to fake a Lincoln despite being “In the Lincoln Continental tradition.”
Full-size Pontiacs were completely redesigned for 1965, exploiting the “Coke Bottle” styling that had been introduced several years earlier. For 1965, the Bonneville looked lithe with exaggerated rear proportions thanks to that extended trunk lid and huge rear fenders. Plus, Pontiac was the hot manufacturer in the industry, having kicked Plymouth out of the traditional #3 spot several years earlier with strong styling, a sporty personality, performance engines galore and, eventually, the stylish Grand Prix and mid-size GTO.
Power plants were similar to what they were before, but the 421 gained horsepower in all three variants. The 421 four-barrel went up 18 horsepower to 338, while the 421 Tri-Power gained only six horses for 356. The top 421 HO with Tri-Power gained six horses for 376. The latter was the same engine that, in Bobcat form, was the ringer for powering the GTO in the famous Car and Driver “GTO vs. GTO” story the year before.
The 1965 Pontiac Bonneville is not the most desirable collectible for that year, but it’s not for lack of trying. It has all the elements to make a strong collectible, but the collectible market has never been accused of being logical. This Montero Red convertible is an awe-inspiring combination of all of Pontiac’s strengths of the 1960s, starting with the 421 HO (though this is a documented 421 four-barrel car), buckets and console, TH400 automatic, air conditioning, power steering and brakes, remote trunk release, Safe-T-Track, AM/FM stereo, and 8-lug wheels. “The original top … works well. Interior is in great condition with new carpet installed about 10 years ago,” says the seller. “Body is straight with no rust.”
There’s never been a rhyme or reason why some cars become more collectible than others—witness the Buick Riviera, which always has had among the strongest styling of the decade, according to critics, yet has languished compared to many other lesser cars. The Bonneville is similar, though its strength lies in being able to mimic more expensive and prestigious machinery. For $57,500, this is one masquerade that will fake the Buick thing like a charm.
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