The Last Great American Luxury Cars - The GM B-Bodies like This Pontiac Bonneville Were Very Smooth
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- Опубликовано: 20 апр 2021
- There is something lovely about the way these old sleds go down the road. B-Body cars like this 1979 Pontiac Bonneville Sedan are full-framed, smooth, mostly V8 powered, and built to cruise the town or eat up highway. When the last rear drive B-Body rolled off the line in 1996, it was the end of the tradional American luxury car.
Full review and test drive by Bill with Curious Cars. Vehicle for sale at Autohaus of Naples, on the web at www.AutohausNaples.com, or by phone at (239) 263-8500.
Prior review of a 1978 Pontiac Bonneville Coupe:
• This 1978 Pontiac Bonn...
Buick Riviera Headlight Video (With Explanation of New Dalton):
• Demonstration of 1968 ... 
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The older I get , the more I like 70s cars. They really take me back to my childhood.
What a lovely looking car Bill very of its time, especially now we can appreciate things a lot more given the crap we face these days.
Heh heh heh
Bill, You are absolutely correct about vicious rabbit attacks. Remember the rabbit in the movie “Monty Python and The Holy Grail”? They finally had to take it out with the Holy Hand Grenade after it killed several knights. Keep the faith!
lol
BAHAHAHA
Awesome!
My husband and I watch your videos all the time. We love all of your great knowledge about all the cars. My husband was just gifted his grandfathers 1979 Cadillac Coupe Deville. We enjoy all your rambling. We would love to send you a picture of our Cadillac!! Thanks Bill for all you do!
I've got to hand it to you Bill. Your, ability to find really tidy, interesting stuff is epic.
Greetings from UK. 🇬🇧
I knew an old couple who had one of these when I was young. I always admired it and how well he took care of it. A classy looking ride.
I woke up to 1 and a half inches of snow this morning, I think I’d like your weather a little better
I graduated in ‘87 and I can attest that these cars weren’t hated. Everybody’s mom, including mine, had one of the GM versions of this car.
In Canada, 79 laurentian was one step below this Parisien brougham. I had one and LOVED it. I was 18 and was teased relentlessly for having an"old man car". I was also constantly asked to drive a group to concerts!!!
Chipper canadians alert
@@V8_screw_electric_cars Hahaha! I haven't been chipper in decades... About the time I had the Pontiac
@@MrJoedabaker Parisienne.
Like Bonneville and Catalina here in the states.
Thanks for reminding the world of the Banzai Bunny. Their apparent cuteness allows them to get within striking range of the uninformed.
I love it. Even the two tone green. And the bug screen to match. ❤❤
Hey Bill, this Pontiac is a real time capsule, I thought we were back in 1979. My grandfather always drove Bonnevilles, he got a new one every other year, his last one before he passed away was a 76, the last big one.
I think that I saw that picture of Dalton in the Post Office on the FBI 10 most wanted list for crappy detailing!!! 👍🙄
I had a '73 Catalina, and that damned thing got 7 miles to the gallon! But boy, they were FAST! I used to know this little old lady in Mankato, Minnesota, (she was about 75 or so) who had a '73 Bonneville 400 sedan and one day she forgot to pay her bill at a restaurant and walked out. Ten miles down the road, she remembered, and wracked with guilt, turned around and went back as fast as she could go. (This was July 1976.) She put the Pedal to the Metal, and before she knew it, she was going 108. Nothing but smoooooooooth power from that engine. Suddenly, a Minnesota State Trooper pulled her over and he felt sorry for her and let her go with a warning. She almost wound up in the Pokey with Smokey.
Bill I wish I could trade places with you. I am sick of the cold dark crappy Chicago weather, but my family won’t move. I wish I could have grown up in Naples like you. We used to come there on vacation. I remember Coastland Mall back in the 80’s. I am 52. You are one lucky guy.
Like driving your living room. Thanks for memory, now I miss it.
Ah yeah. The good days. ( I flipped the air cleaner lids too Bill)!
This is some of your best work, Bill.
The emblem was called a "sunburst" ornament. Laurentian was equal to the Catalina. Bonneville in Canada was called Parisienne. The 1987 Pontiac Bonneville on the front drive H Body platform was considered full sized. It got larger in 1992. They brought the 1983 Canadian Parisienne to the United States. In 1985-1986 the Parisienne got the 1980-1981 sheet metal and seats a few other things. The car you have is not a Brougham.
Bill don’t change please we love your lengthy videos !! We wait until every morning here in U.K. so we can say good morning !! The goats - the birds and the weather your so funny and bring enjoyment with the cars you show us. Dalton cannot clean windows !!
Keep as you are - your a legend
I like that color. I didn't like greens and beiges on cars when I was a teenager, but now I've seen so many silver cars I want some of the colors that are rarer now.
Man that brings back memories. Mine was a golden brown 79 Brougham Landau coupe. What a luxury yacht. The 301 v8 was pure powerless misery, but the seats were better than anything I have owned for the last 30yrs since.
Bill sounds like Holden from The Catcher in The Rye. He does. He really does. Great car!
Nope. Samantha’s uncle.
Speedometer buried all the way to 90 and still casually cruising along.
Just gotta love B-Bodies
I love green, too!
"It's not easy being green!" Kermit T. Frog lol
Hey Bill, this Bonneville didn't have the Brougham package on it. It didn't have the big full door panels, power windows or the extra wide body side moldings. Oh, and it also didn't have the remote handle to adjust the passenger side view mirror. Here's a brief history for the Bonneville of this era:
For 1980, all GM B-bodies received revised styling and aerodynamic improvements along with reduced weight.
The standard engine for Bonneville was Pontiac's new 301 cubic-inch V8 rated at 135 horsepower (101 kW) and optional engines included a 170-horsepower 350 or 180-horsepower 400 cubic-inch V8. A 185-horsepower Oldsmobile 403 cubic inch V8 was also an option. 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 cid diesel powerplant.
The Bonneville and Catalina, already the smallest-selling of GM's B-body line, suffered a serious drop in demand following the economic recession that began in the spring of 1979. With that, GM decided to pull the plug at the end of the 1981 model year. Along with them went the 301 engine, marking the end of Pontiac V8s. From now on, the division would use Chevrolet engines.
Seventh generation (1982-1986)
Hope everyone enjoyed this brief history for the Bonneville of this era and Bill thanks for the showing of this one and the one you had a week or so ago.
The big Pontiac would come back in 1984!
I'm a 70's kid....and loved these cars, especially in that 2 tone green and the 2 tone maroon /red. Awesome cars.
I love that it’s snowing where I live. I’m not ok with humidity ever.
I love your videos dude!
That deep dish dashboard was always one of the interior features that drew me in
Your cars are always spotless with the best paint! Love watching your videos. The best thing is you have a camera in your hand and you are not in the video blocking the lines of the car or trying to make it about you. It's just the car and nothing but the car.
Bill, I love your commentary! I love love love that green!
The 77-90 B-Body cars are the best in every way. I've had a few and I miss them and really want another one
Beautiful car! My favorite color scheme of 1979. I'm so jealous.
Thanks Bill for another great video, The best thing for these classic cars is that their values are rising, and collectors will look after them rather than being treated as disposable items and getting trashed.
Thank you, Bill. An excellent survivor, and a real beauty! I just love the two-tone paint effect. God, how I miss *All-American* luxury cars, like this Bonneville! Now I drive BMW's and other copies of copies, it's disheartening for an old Boomer. 😒
Hi Bill, sorry it is too humid and the weather is bad, hope the goats are okay. Wow! What a fantastic car!
I love your weather rants. Don’t stop. I’m right there with you. Live in Atlanta and despise the summer weather.
Keep rocking Bill! I’m always chipper to see you uploaded a new one
Congrats you crossed the 80000 subscriber way to go
Tom Cahill is who I think of when I listen to you, Absolutely love and enjoy your commentary !!!!!!
I always thought those senior citizen bug guards were goofy even in the 1990's.
Why not wrap entire car in plastic like their couches lol
Almost as goofy as curb feelers (remember those?)
@@Well_hello_there_ I sure remember those. And how about grille bras?
He needs to take that thing off
Always found them helpful, myself.
I was born in '77 and I love when I saw part of the late 70s and through the 80s
These old cars are like Comfort Food just seeing them still around and so nice.. As a Middle Schooler and High Schooler in the Suburbs these cars were almost in every other driveway and remind us all of better days in America!! We had a Pontiac Granville in Red with the cool Rally Wheels and I used to love that car..
Grand Ville.
I took my drivers test in this car, (Baby blue color) most plush seats of any car I ever drove.
I'm from class of 86. So I love the reviews. Thanks Bill.
Bravo Bill! Another great find and entertaining review.
"The condition of the car, is a lot of fun" Best quote of 2021
I love this car! The GM B bodies of this time period were great cars. I thought that these Pontiacs came out with the best styling out of the 4 divisions when the great downsizing happened in 1977. The styling is great, I agree with the nice tail lights and nice chrome on the rocker panels. I love the two tone paint. I like the gauge package - which the other GM divisions did not offer. I like the fender skirts. Only Pontiac offered them. Overall these were really nice cars, and this particular one is a really nice example. Nice find!
Buried the speedometer on the interstate! How lovely!
That was great, very smooth and quiet cruising at 90mph @31:13
We’re two-thirds of the way through autumn/fall in Brisbane, Australia. It was 31 Centigrade/88 Fahrenheit yesterday.
Thank you so much Bill! Love the color and quirky option choices!! What I like the most is the end of the video. You have buried the speedometer; all gauges read exactly as they should, and the power/economy gauge is dipping toward the green!! I feel as though you should purchase this Bonneville!!
Great ride. These cars rode like a dream !
I had one of these in the late 90’s, was like a powder blue and paid 700 bucks for it.
Your intro rant about 1979 made me chuckle several times! 😆 ty for that. One of these '79 Bonnevilles is for sale near me by some kid ...
Interesting selection of options. I would've sprung for AM/FM over the power driver's seat, and obviously power windows to join the locks. But that interior is mint! (pun intended)
My mom had this beast in baby blue. What a ride...
One of the main reasons I watch your videos is your comments about the birds and goats. I keep imagining them watching you just waiting till they find you in a vulnerable position. The cars are an amazing find.
Love this green machine! So cool because it's so damn UNCOOL! The brick styling with the aero mirrors kinda puts the whole "downsizing" of luxury cars into perfect perspective. I have a 1979 Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue Edition that my Grandparents bought new, and it's also as aerodynamic as a brick, yet has these little tiny mirrors that just look so out of place. Thanks, Bill. Absolutely LOVE your videos. Don't ever change, man!
i had a 1981 pontiac parisienne 2 door , when i was young my mother had bought it for me drove great, kept it for a few years then gave it to my brother
Love this Bill, great review as always
Amazing car! Amazing bill! Just keep them coming
Bill keep the cool cars coming thank you.
That car is Pure Gold !!
This was my first experience of new car smell when my father bought his ‘79 in burgundy over red with pin stripes. I detailed this car; kept the paint gleaming, spokes shining and the white walls white. I was just 13, and loved looking at Firebird Trans Ams in the showroom when we took it in for service. I ultimately learned to drive in this car.
Ours was a Brougham with all power, Oldsmobile 350, and a space saver spare . Great video, Bill.
There’s an entire group of us in Nashville that is missing Bill & his insightful/entertaining car videos! Maybe we need to send a search party...
1. You said "Laurentian" perfectly.
2. That color combo is amazing!
I have a last year 1986 Parisienne, low mileage survivor car in storage... one owner... my late mom. She loved that car. Still smells new, even the trunk!
But it's only a 305-4bbl. Same key cover "flower" emblem on the trunk! And SPOTLESS wheel skirts!
So much fun watching your videos with an adult beverage.....you are fantastic entertainment, with much unbelievable knowledge!
This is a stunning car. What a colour!
Co worker of mine had the coupe Brougham version, we'd commute to work together, trading off every other week. I drove a '78 Fiesta, so needless to say, I offered her gas money instead. The ride & comfort were that amazing! Thanks for the memories. 👍...& the shout out to us Mass lobsta' lovers!!
All BRO-HAMS had the vinyl top and signature square "Brougham" label on the rear C pillar. Also had the cursive "Brougham" rectangular badge under the Bonneville's name on fender and rear trunk.
Love it. Oldest brother had a 78 in metallic burgundy after his 78 Grand Prix was T bone. And my other brother had a 79 Grand Prix with this color scheme.
My family and I have had 6 B bodies, from a 1977 Impala in that same green to my beloved 1996 Impala SS. And that's not including the two I drove as patrol cars. Greatest full sized platform ever. Thanks!
Absolutely, my parents had a 1979 Oldsmobile Delta 88 and it rode and handled like a dream.
Goddamn, Bill! This is AMAZING! I remember these when new, and very popular. I think the Bonneville was my favorite of all the B-Bodies. It's a very unique blend of presence, style, and sophistication. I LOVE the two tone offerings which beat the hell out of anything with a vinyl top / landau roof. I like the "wire wheels" that were a rather common option. This is the beginning of the end for GM as far as I am concerned. This was pure and proud American styling, and once the great Bill Mitchell had retired from the company, the cars became lukewarm interpretations of European designs (Celebrity Eurosport anyone?) Just the best! Thanks for posting this drive!
I had a '79 Bonneville Brougham coupe...same light green color with a Buick 350 4 bbl....the interior was great...a living room on wheels
I learned to drive in a 1979 coupe with an Olds 350 in San Diego, Ca. My father insisted on having the stiffest suspension. The previous year, 1978, had the 403 available. Dad ordered it with Posi-Traction. It was ordered without a stereo. It had the Oldsmobile 350 with a Rochester QuadraJet carb. The Olds 350 had rotating valves. But, it had cast aluminum rocker retainers.
I'm right there with you Bill with the weather down here I moved to Tampa in 1995 and I can't move back to Connecticut or New England because I have my business my family is all grown down here I've got grandkids I do go back a lot to get out of this miserable heat in the summer but I'm right there with you on the horrible horrible weather that takes over here from Springtime all the way to late November so I basically live here for about 3 months of weather that I do like a lot keep up the good videos and I love the weather reports
Not a Brougham. Underneath the fender script - BONNEVILLE, it said Brougham in cursive. “Also the Brougham had central electric locks and electric windows. Standard radio in the Brougham was dual band and I think included a cassette. That said this is very close and a very nice car. I learned how to drive in a ‘79 Pontiac BONNEVILLE Brougham. It was our family car for several years and this evokes a lot of love.
I had one about 30 years ago. Velour seats. What a beast, great for Interstate cruising.
Hey Bill, just subbed. This car evokes the early to mid-80s Caprice Classic for me, and you mentioned the Caprice in the review. Is there ANY chance you have an 1980-90 CC (sedan) you could do a review on? I grew up with that car.
Agreed on the interior. Love the green velour
No no this is an absolutely beautiful car this is so beautiful
Great 👍 ! I do love these GM and Ford full-sized RWD cars . May parents had one of these back in the early 80s but it was called the Parisienne .
Thanks for another enticing video, sir.
I think it's beautiful. Love the pea soup paint.
Bill you’re the man! It’s snowing here in Vermont now!
Move down here to Naples
Another great video my friend. I grew up with mom bought a brand new 1981 Pontiac Bonneville when we were teenagers it was maroon on maroon fully loaded minus sunroof it was a beautiful car had the 350 Diesel engine that thing was in the shop more than they had it wouldn’t start on extremely cold days without a shot off ether they would sometime just park it in there garage and let it idle all night .and it was extremely slow the motor finally went out after about 3 years they just let it sit till a neighbor bought it and put a olds rocket 350 in it and drove it for years after that ✌️
BILL! You should really consider doing a podcast. No joke. Your videos are great (!) but moreso it’s fun to hear you talk about the history, development, quirks, of each of these cars. But it’s also great when you talk about movie history and cultural stuff circling around each vehicle’s era. Great stuff. And funny! And the weather and animal talk is part of the show, for sure. Dead goats! Haha... CURIOUS CARS PODCAST!
I think the “new” Dalton doesn’t clean the windshields just to piss you off. Love your channel Bill. your awesome
27:55 That woo-wooo sound of big police cruisers when they get on the the power is one of the coolest sounds ever. I have thought about that in years. Thanks for the reminder!! 😃
Beautiful car Sir I'm Peter 48 years old from Hamilton Ontario Canada up north to you LoL. Unfortunately I'm also a stroke and cardiac arrest survivor and don't drive anymore but this car reminds me of my uncle Tony's Fleetwood brougham model I think it was a 81 or 82 model and it was so big and a great cruiser car I remember my dad used it a few times with my two younger cousins and my brother Chris and we used it to go to Buffalo NY. Thanks for the memory
That whisky works well on Covid buy plays hell with the brain cells 😜
Upside, not anything worth remembering.
With you 💯 % on that 👍
I subbed Bill... you are very entertaining! Thank you! 😎👍
Thank you for the video again. Hello from Finland :) I had a question but you answered it right away at 2:47 . It just looked like Olds Delta 88
Another great video
Bill you are a car legend in the car community my friend :)
Bill, I LOVE Florida - I'm in Knoxville, TN right now and it's 39 -- was 28F last night.
I moved from CT 3 years ago and am only here for family. I can NOT wait to get back for the warm summer heat!
She's one of the few cars out there that I feel looks better as a sedan over a coupe.
I love the chrome window crank and the green interior
I love this car, it's similarities to a project i'm working on, and the... stream of consciousness - and I can't help but imagine you as Denis Leary (Asshole song vintage) as you ramble. it's spot on xD
I spit out my drink when you said New Dalton detailed the windshield with a raw chicken thigh XD
Can’t take credit for it - it was a great comment by a user.
Bill, I was scrolling through 2018 S-Classes all the way up in Ohio when I saw one in front of this house. I immediately recognized the house and thought of you. Clicked on the car and gave it a look. I need a 4Matic but if you ever wondered if these videos do something for the business just know yours was the first car I clicked on.