All 60s Muscle Cars Look Alike, So Just Buy Something Cheap

"DailyTurismo" (thedailyturismo) 07/16/2014 at 13:22 • Filed to: daily turismo, pontiac

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The face on the Pontiac Bonneville reminds me of Ben Stiller as Derek Zoolander doing his latest modeling pose Blue Steel which looks exactly like Magnum and his other signature looks. This '64 Bonneville looks like any number of other ragtop classics...but, it is inexpensive.

If you haven't seen the movie !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , you owe it to your inner child to pick up a copy on DVD or Blu Ray. The point is that 60s muscle cars also shared similar faces and this Bonneville looks like a Tempest, GTO, and LeMans —in fact, it even bears a passing resemblance to Galaxie and Fairlane. Find this !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! currently bidding for $11,655 via ebay in Lakeland, FL with a few hours to go.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

The 3rd generation Pontiac Bonneville was built on GM's B-platform, and shared key dimensions and components with the Buick LeSabre, Chevrolet Impala, Pontiac Catalina, Pontiac Laurentian and Chevrolet Bel Air. You could spend more money on a rare or more desirable classic...but why?

Under the hood of this Bonneville is a 389 cubic inch (6.4 liter) V8 good for 230 horsepower and 386 ft-lbs of torque. The 389 was the smallest V8 available in the Bonneville, and even though its power rating was low, the thing is a stump pulling monster and will move the big boat down the road with loads of torque.

Bench seats and basic instrumentation look liveable and although the sellers HDR style photos do make everything look nice, this seems to be a great deal for a 60's convertible.

See a better deal on a classic American big block ragtop? !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Originally published as !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

bob and john > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:35

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yea, the one cletus44 bought

Bandit > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:38

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You see , the fronts changed enough to be noticeable but the interiors and rear ends changed a lot. I don't like the look of those tail lights, the impala looked so much better.

JB1 > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:40

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All muscle cars look alike? really?

The Old Man from Scene 24 > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:42

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I prefer the styling of the Buick and Olds B-bodies over that of the Pontiac and Chevy.

86it > JB1 07/16/2014 at 13:44

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to a non-car enthusiast, yes, but we all know better.

Axis ThirtyTwo > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:47

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WE may know the difference but we all dream about cars that are too far beyond the reaches of our bank accounts. Keep dreaming, not saying to ever stop. This car is a great opportunity to have NOW before we all turn 60. I would rather enjoy it now and get a nicer one later.

T off the New > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:48

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Saying something looks similar does not make it so.. I would never opt for a Bonneville over my '66 GTO

472CID > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:50

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There were 389s rated at 230hp?! that's ridiculous.

Edit: power started at around 300(net)hp for the 389.

PumpedSump > The Old Man from Scene 24 07/16/2014 at 13:53

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Back when Buicks and Oldsmobiles were cool...

Monsterajr > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:55

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3yrs later and a reskin gets you a one year only Gran Prix based on the Catalina.

The only thing close in looks then would be the original batmobile/futura.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 13:57

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See this? This is what you put an LSx into.

Blizz > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:00

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Same goes for late model German cars.

Garrett Davis > Monsterajr 07/16/2014 at 14:02

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That thing is glorious!

JaredTheGeek > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:03

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MOPAR or no car.

CobraJoe > JB1 07/16/2014 at 14:06

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No, not really.

I think the real message is that "Don't worry about finding the rare/collectable muscle car, All of them are just as fun."

And that's pretty much true. That 1970 Chevelle SS isn't going to be that different from a Mercury Montego, especially if you add some go-fast parts to it.

CleverUsername > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:07

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"All 60s Muscle Cars Look Alike"

After almost 15 years of driving cars older than myself, I agree. Generally, if you are in a car from before 1980, you're going to get a ton of attention in it. So, pick one, any one, and get to driving.

CobraJoe > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 14:09

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That's a less that more people need to learn, even amongst us jalops.

We shouldn't care if we have the newest/fastest/rarest/dieselest/oldest/most cylinders/lowest lap time/etc, we should just get out there, buy what we can afford, and be excited to drive it, and then we can work up to bigger and better (or slower) cars later.

ZaqAtaq > JaredTheGeek 07/16/2014 at 14:09

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I support this message. (Restoring a '66 Coronet)

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 14:11

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Are you specifically meaning an LS1, 2, 3, etc, or just generically referring to all Gen III/IV Chevy smallbocks as "LSx" motors? If you mean the latter, well, carry on. If it's the former, I disagree. If you're going to motor swap it, I'd just go with one of the non-LS iron-block Gen III/IV motors like the 6.0L from the Escalade.

Axis ThirtyTwo > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 14:11

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Amen, Brother. Amen.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 07/16/2014 at 14:16

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I mean specifically the later engines, an LS3 would be perfect here. Although if I was crazy, I'd put an LS7 in here and supercharge it.

Fenderaddict2 > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:20

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I've been lucky enough to own a few of these mid-level cars from the Musclecars era. But I won't be happy till I have one of these again (see pic). And it looks like no other Musclecar, especially not the one it was based on...the Ford Mustang. Fact is, the '69 Mercury Cougar Eliminator is the best car from the 60's...period.

DailyTurismo > 472CID 07/16/2014 at 14:25

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When I read "that's ridiculous" I did so in a strong Daffy Duck lisp.

Anyway, the seller didn't specify which V8, so i assumed it was about as basic as you could get with the auto, and according to THIS site, it is 230 (GROSS!) hp.

http://www.oldride.com/library/1964_p…

DailyTurismo > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 14:27

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The nice thing about driving a classic like this is that at $11k or whatever it will never depreciate...even if you park it in a barn!!

DailyTurismo > CleverUsername 07/16/2014 at 14:28

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I know a guy who calls everything built before 1980 a '57 Chevy. He might be a sociopath...too.

Monsterajr > Garrett Davis 07/16/2014 at 14:30

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Buddy had a 67 Catalina 2dr Hardtop that I got to drive down to DC from NYC for him back in 90 or so and wow wow wow what a car. 400 motor, drum brakes and I think the last set of bias ply tires on the planet made for awesome acceleration, terrifying stops and squirrely handling. But it was glorious to cruise in with 10 or so friends in it.

Ryoku > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:31

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"You could spend more money on a rare or more desirable classic...but why?"

This is why instead of eyeing 60's Camaros and Mustangs I shoot for Nova and Falcon sedans, somewhat similar cars with shared parts but for far cheaper.

CobraJoe > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 14:31

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And the best thing about doing that, the absolute best thing, is that you can always find something fun if you take the time to look for it.

For example, I'm looking to replace my Protege5 as a daily driver, and I need something with 4 doors and new enough to trust driving my 2 year old son around, and I want to spend less than $3000. Those restrictive constraints still leave supercharged Pontiacs and Buicks, the occasional Catera or Lincoln LS, plenty of Panthers, a rare BMW or Audi, quite a few Volvos, a few Saabs, and plenty of other cars that a Jalop would have fun with.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 14:34

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The Gray Adder > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 14:35

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My grandfather always drove Pontiacs, and he would have loved this one to pieces.

Mr. Sinister > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:35

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No.

While you have an overall "boxy" aesthetic on many of the early-mid 60's muscle cars, and more rounded and smooth look to the later 60's cars, they were FAR more distinctive from model to model than today's cars.

RS Hole, I forgot my password for 8 months > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:36

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Maybe because this one is a land yacht and the GTO isn't?

CobraJoe > CleverUsername 07/16/2014 at 14:39

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That is absolutely true.

I got massively more compliments on the '77 Cougar I drove during college than the '04 Mach 1 I drove after.

Mr. Sinister > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:43

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The important thing to keep in mind, is a small percentage of muscle cars sold during this era were the high-option big block unobtanium you see on those auto auction TV shows. There are more big block unicorns around now than were ever built when it comes to some models. Let the rich guys fight it out over the high-dollar cars they'll stash somewhere and never drive. What the average guy needs to look for are the small block cars. the lower-optioned cars. There are legions of "average guy" muscle cars out there for very affordable prices. $15k can buy you a really nice small block muscle car, and not some oddity you'll never find parts for. I'm talking Chevelles, Mustangs, Fairlanes, Camaros, etc. Then, if you so desire, you clone it into the big block wundercar. The best part about cloning, is people will damn near pay the same money these days for a good clone as the real thing.

The Old Man from Scene 24 > PumpedSump 07/16/2014 at 14:44

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Hey, Oldsmobiles are still cool, just look at the....... um, wait. They don't make Oldsmobiles any more, do they?

Well, Buick is cool, you've got the, uh..... Regal? Well, Buick's are cool if you live in Beijing, I suppose.....

Hey, at least we still have Ponti...... DAMN IT!!!!!!.

Kerry > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 14:54

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can we get definition check on the term "muscle car"? Because I am pretty sure a bonneville (or any 1960's full size) doesn't qualify.

RTChoke > 472CID 07/16/2014 at 14:54

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I learned to drive in a 66 Bonneville with a 389 4bbl, huge car. I about scared the shit out of myself a few times when my mother (who used to let me drive her around for Saturday morning errands) would say, "Go on, put your foot down and let's go!" I don't know what that thing was rated, but when prodded it would suck 25cents/gallon "ethyl" gas at a prodigious rate, screech the crappy skinny tires, and kick you right in the butt. Fun fun fun. Then I got to drive the 63 Catalina most of the time, I think it had a 389 too, and quite entertaining but nowhere near the oomph in the 66. Now my buddy's 65 Skylark GS convertible, with the 445 Wildcat engine... now that was FUN!

RalphieDC > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 15:08

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My first car was a '79 Cougar!

uofime > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 15:11

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if you were sticking to a budget build, what Rev mean I think.

the thing is already a boat, so use a cheaper iron block LQ series motor out of a truck/suv, you gain a couple hundred pounds and save a couple thousand dollars

Nedus > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 15:12

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The buyer better do a thorough check for rust if this car is in Florida.

CobraJoe > RalphieDC 07/16/2014 at 15:16

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They are very underrated cars. Very comfy and practically bulletproof.

I recently sold mine to someone here in town, and I see it occasionally. Last sighting was a glorious sight, it was filled with 5 teenagers, one who had an afro with a fro pick in it. I was a bit sad to see it because I didn't own it anymore, but absolutely thrilled because it is being used exactly as it was meant to be: cruising.

Uak42 > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 15:20

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I would rather wait, as buying this one would extend the purchase of the real car. It may not depreciate much, but ongoing repairs, gas, insurence and so on will slowly hose money out of one's pocket for a car one really didn't wan't in the first place.

Uak42 > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 15:23

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I disagree that they all look alike. On the contrary all current crapmobiles, barring exotics north of $50k, pretty much all look alike.

I wouldn't own a halfarsed car and just settle for that, NOT that this particular car is halfarsed for the right buyers, but waiting for the right car will just feel so much better once the purchase is then made.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > uofime 07/16/2014 at 15:43

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Adding all that weight and losing the power is not worth the couple thousand you'd maybe save. Unless of course you were on a serious budget. I think it would be more beneficial to save longer and do it right.

leonard-brandon > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 15:45

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I was in a similar scenario. I picked up an older BMW 3series in great shape with low mileage. Its easily the best car I have ever owned, and it cost next to nothing. You just have to be creative about the options, and not be afraid to get your hands dirty if something goes wrong.

uofime > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 15:53

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well if money's no object I see an LS9 crate on sale for only 22,638!

InfinityAero > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 16:04

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Oldsmobile F85— it's basically the skeleton of a 442 and you can get them for under $4K with a V8...

tobin999 > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 16:28

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I love driving my dad's Bonnie convertible. It's huge the engine is huge and it's a great cruiser.

CobraJoe > leonard-brandon 07/16/2014 at 16:37

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An older 3 or 5 series is very high on my list of cars I would like. I'd love it with a manual, but I could accept it with an auto (though I know I'll be wishing the entire time that it was a manual.)

RalphieDC > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 17:14

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I unfortunately didn't have mine long as while it was bullet proof, it was not tree-proof. While going through the Jersey Pines (very flat, straight and boring) with a very light rain, intermittent wipers going whoosh-whoosh....................whoosh-whoosh.........etc., I was reclined in the velour lazy boy Mercury called a front seat, with the Doobie Brothers Greatest Hits on the tape deck and promptly fell asleep and hit a tree. It was a little too comfortable of a cruiser. Also as you still occasionally see you first car driving around I'm willing to guess this accident happened about the time you were born.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > uofime 07/16/2014 at 17:29

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You wouldn't gain a couple hundred pounds; you'd be saving weight over the stock big-block. And even comparing to the aluminum-block LS motors you're talking maybe 100 lbs more with the iron-block engines (assuming they at least have aluminum heads).

CobraJoe > RalphieDC 07/16/2014 at 17:30

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That '77 Cougar of mine was my 4th car, though I only recently sold it because it wasn't being used (and my parents were tired of storing it). Though I was born in '84, so that's plenty of time to own and wreck a late 70's car.

I guess I've been spoiled by the rack and pinion steering on the Fox mustangs I owned up until I got it, because I've never been that relaxed driving the Cougar, even on the long boring stretches between the family farm and college.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > uofime 07/16/2014 at 17:31

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Now that would be a monster! Of course if you have money coming out of your ass you can just call up Nelson Racing Engines and have a street-drivabel 1500 hp twin turbo small block built up just for you ready to drop right in.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > uofime 07/16/2014 at 17:31

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Is the LS9 really worth eight grand over an LSA, which retails from GM for $14k? Sure seems like you could easily make up the sub-100hp difference between the motors with the money you'd save.

Blze001 > Axis ThirtyTwo 07/16/2014 at 17:47

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At this point I'd be happy with a $7000 MGB, but still about as attainable as a GTO.

uofime > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 07/16/2014 at 17:57

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yeah, but I'm assuming the ls9 crate has a warranty you'd lose strapping a blower on something else. also bare in mind that those ls9 heavily benefit from a cheap pulley and a tune, of course there goes the warranty again...

uofime > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 07/16/2014 at 17:58

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I think that's a small block in there, you're still right though about saving weight from either swap

uofime > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 17:59

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now that's just over the top...

ha!

Spoon II > 472CID 07/16/2014 at 17:59

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If I'm not mistaken, the torque is pretty substantial though

RalphieDC > CobraJoe 07/16/2014 at 18:13

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The accident happened in '89, so I wasn't that far off. You're right though, if I had to drive that car now it would probably scare the shit out of me the way it doesn't go where you point it without a lot of input. But it was the only thing I had driven for the most part and substantially smaller and less floaty than my mother's '77 Mark V with a 460, so i didn't know any better.

AMG OMG > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 18:13

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I think some people watch the auto auction shows on TV and think that one has to drop a huge ton of money to get a classic muscle car. You can find plenty of muscle cars for much much less. The ones on TV auction shows are usually show quality and/or rare. As long as you just want a nice classic to drive, and not to win first place at a car show, there are lots of reasonably priced options

I hoon, therefore I am > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 18:30

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I could see the argument if this were a Tempest or LeMans, but a Bonny? I'm going to have to respectfully disagree. Nobody in their right mind is going to cross-shop a Bonny with an A-body. Now, I'd argue that one should consider this or a Bel Air in lieu of a Continental, De Ville, or Eldo, but I don't think it typifies the term 'muscle car'.

That said, you could speak at great length on the virtues of a Nova vs. Camaro (same underpinnings), any other A-body vs. a Goat or Chevelle (the latter being extremely popular and therefore expensive), or Duster/Demon vs. practically any other Mopar of the era (the same can be said of the Mustang coupe vs. other Fords).

I hoon, therefore I am > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 18:42

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Typical difference between an iron- and aluminum-block Gen III/IV engine is in the neighborhood of 75 lbs. And the Vortec engines accept all the same hardware as their LS counterparts, making for a much cheaper route to the same power. The 317 heads on the LQ4 are very popular with the LS crowd looking at forced induction, as they're simply LS6 heads with larger chambers. For those looking to go the square-port LS3 route, the 6.0L iron-block LY6 is a great alternative that utilizes a top end nearly identical to the LS3.

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > I hoon, therefore I am 07/16/2014 at 18:56

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Always amazes me how much interchangeability there is between all these engines, and the subtle differences between them.

tolldog > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/16/2014 at 19:19

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No, putting anything other than a Pontiac engine in a Pontiac means that Chevy has won.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > uofime 07/16/2014 at 19:27

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LSA already has a blower. From my understanding, it's just a detuned LS9 with a different supercharger.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > uofime 07/16/2014 at 19:29

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389 was a smallblock?

JaredTheGeek > ZaqAtaq 07/16/2014 at 20:35

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Awesome! I love the Coronet.

TheLOUDMUSIC- Put it in H! > DailyTurismo 07/16/2014 at 21:41

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As a person who owns a 1957 Chevy , WTF?!

Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment > tolldog 07/16/2014 at 23:41

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They already have

68CougarXr7 > DailyTurismo 07/17/2014 at 04:50

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Buy anything, But buy it with a stick!!!

I probably did it > DailyTurismo 07/17/2014 at 08:44

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The 389 was rated at 303 base horsepower in 64.

abaker1012 > Evan, Pope Of Jalopnik by Self-Appointment 07/17/2014 at 09:35

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originally I'd thought you were referring to the racing motor

uofime > Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon 07/17/2014 at 09:41

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from the picture it looks like a small block ( you can see the far-close-far arrangement of the 4 exhaust ports) and yes they did go up that large.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > DailyTurismo 07/17/2014 at 10:32

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Exactly how I got this for $2500 a few years ago:

1968 Mercury Montego MX. 302 V8 threw on an Edelbrock Intake, Holley Carb, dual Flowmasters, and it's great.

Ratchet when he's all hopped up on synthetic energon > uofime 07/17/2014 at 11:09

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I knew there was a small-block 400, but I wasn't aware of any between it and the 350. (I am a Ford/Toyota guy, though, so I don't claim SBC expertise).

J "oppo" Zeke > DailyTurismo 07/18/2014 at 14:32

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You could spend more money on a rare or more desirable classic...but why?

I'm not sure if you're trolling with this one...

boobytrapsandtreasure > DailyTurismo 07/22/2014 at 15:18

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"All 60s Muscle Cars Look Alike, So Just Buy Something Cheap"

My head just exploded. I can't express the degree to which I disagree about this statement without launching into a written attack upon you and the horse you rode in on. To each his own, I suppose. And just don't buy ANYTHING from the '60's. Pick out something with some style. There are too many suicide door having Lincolns out there in need of a good home.

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