RARE 1961 Bubbletop- 94k California Car- Well Optioned & Documented-W/ Tri-Power

1961 Pontiac Bonneville Additional Info:

If you are looking at this ad, you most likely know how rare it is to find any 1961 Bubble top, let alone one with low original miles, documented, very well optioned, a California car (hence on good shape in terms of rust), and in great condition. Chevrolet made bubbletops for 4 years. Pontiac made bubbletops such as the Ventura, Catalina, and Bonneville for 1 year! Good luck finding a better bubbletop in this price range with the options this has.

The car was built in the Southgate, California Assembly plant and sold new in Bishop, CA. The car lived in California all of its life until 2010 when an owner moved from San Diego to Pennsylvania for a few years before making it back to San Diego. I bought the car from San Diego and brought it to Oregon. The car still maintains its original body color of Tradewind Blue along with its correct tri-tone medium blue interior. The car has 94k miles on the odometer and has its freshly rebuilt original numbers matching 389 motor (303 HP) and 4 speed Hydra-Matic Transmission. Some of the factory options it came with (supported with the extensive PHS documents I have) include: power steering, power brakes, power windows (including power wing windows!), 6 way power seat, EZ-eye tinted glass, the mirror group, dual speed electric wipers, the mirror group, super deluxe antenna, HD air cleaner, and Circ-L-Aire air conditioning (recharged it recently but has a leak). Some of the options that have been added to give it essentially every optioned offered from the factory include: 8 lug rims (drums have steel liners…which was a huge expense), correct 389 Tri-power set-up with air cleaner, true dual exhaust manifolds/dual exhaust, Wonder Bar radio, and guide-Matic headlight control.

Over the years, the car has won many trophies and accolades including AACA National 1st Place winning car (senior) in Hershey, PA in 2012 and being in a 2006 Snap on Tools calendar. The car will come with a few of the trophies it has won including TWO Hershey trophies! The car has a huge stack of receipts/paperwork including dealer manuals/repair books to go with the complete Pontiac Historical Society paperwork and reproduction build sheet (see pictures). I even have a set of 4 original-style biased ply white wall tires that will come with the car along with a car show sign/plaque.

In the last few hundred miles on the car, there has been an extensive amount of work by professional shops. The most recent work was done by American Hot Rod in Troutdale, OR which included a full engine rebuild, engine bay detail, transmission pulled/resealed including replacing anything that needed attention, brake work, purchasing/rebuilding/tuning/detailing correct 1961 tri-power carburetors, intake, dual exhaust manifolds, and air cleaner, etc… This receipt alone was over 20k! Due to this work, the car runs and drives well. The car will come with the original intake manifold and carburetor if the new owner wishes to have it. The car starts right up, drives straight down the road, shifts like the Hydra-Matic transmissions did (a little higher RPMs), and the car is ready to be driven!

The body panels on the car are original. The car has had one repaint many years ago. The paint shows very well for its age. It has a few small imperfections. However, it shines bright and is more than presentable at any cruise-in or car show.The underside is original and even has some faded factory markings still present. Due to being a California car, the floors are original and excellent. The most common spot for the old Pontiacs to rust was in the trunk. The trunk was treated with a rust prevention and body color was applied over. The trunk is not showroom perfect. But, for its age, it presents well and is solid. As rust goes, I believe one would be hard pressed to find a better 1961 example in this price range. With this said, I would never want to say anything is "rust free" as I feel it is a liability waiting to happen regardless if the car is a trailer queen or a daily driver.

The trim is well above average, the glass is good, and the interior is free of any large imperfections. In my option, this car is a high #2 car. The car is not a perfect $200000 super duty. This is a car one can have a ton of fun driving and have a car that is rare, collectible, fun, and well-optioned.

My Ebay ad will only allow me to post 24 pictures. I had a buddy who is way better with technology shoot two videos, one 6 minute walkaround video and one underside 2 minute video. The videos can be found on YouTube entitled, "Benner's 1961 Bubbletop," and "Benner's 1961Bubbletop underside." I am selling the car “as-is” with no warranty, guarantees, or set-asides. A $500 non refundable deposit through Paypal is required within 48 hours of auction close. I always encourage personal or professional inspection prior to purchase. I can also give the name of credible local shops to inspect acting as a 3rd party. I am happy to work with a transporter of the buyer’s choice and continue to store it in my shop (within reason) until transport pickup. Thanks for looking and please do not hesitate to call 503-703-4zero6five or send me an e-mail through Ebay. Thanks for looking.