1961 pontiac bonneville 389 tri power bubble top barn find phs surviour 4 speed

1961 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE BUBBLE TOP 389 TRI POWER

ONE OF ONLY 209 EVER BUILT.

I WILL START WITH THE HISTORY OF THE CAR.

The car was ordered from Shearin pontaic co. in Milan TN. by Don and his wife at the end of 1960.

Don got to choose the power plant which was the 389 348hp 425a engine with the 3-2 Bbl option and the 4 speed jetaway automatic transmission ( V9 code). The only other option under the hood is the light. He did not want anything to take away any power because of a local rival with a 348 impala.

 His wife choose tradewind blue for the exterior color ( code h) the interior is the pleated jeweltone Morrkide with accents ( code 249). Other options include cir-l-aire heater & def. ( code 381) super dlx radio & man. ant ( code 391) inside non-glare tilt mirrors ( code 452) back up lights ( code 478) utility-luggage and under hood lamps ( code 481) glove box lamp (code 482) dome reading lamps ( code 484) cigar lighter and ash tray lamp ( code 492) parking brake lamp (code 494) ezi glass all ( code 531)

The Bonneville arrived at Shearin Pontiac in late Dec.  of 1960 and Don was able to take del. on Christmas eve.  just in time to get the Bonneville home for Christmas.  

They enjoyed the car until one afternoon in 1982 when Don got of work. he went to crank the car and it began running bad. He said after working on it for awhile he turned the dist. and it started running better. He thought it might have jumped time which was common for these engines. He then drove the car home and but it in the shed. closed the doors on the shed and thought he would repair it later.  As many of us have those projects sitting around he never got around to working on it.   32 years after the car was parked I purchased this time capsule from him.

Once I got the car home and looked it over it is in unbelievable shape and completely original. I ordered the PHS docs. on the car and found that there were only 209 Pontiacs built with this rare V9 engine code. With so many common options being deleted on this Bonneville it could very well be 1 of 1. But just being 1 of 209 is a ultra rare car.

What I have done is clean the 32 years of dust and dirt off the car. Confirmed that the engine is not seized and spins freely.  Antifreeze is still in rad. and oil is full. and the carb linkage moves freely.  I have not tried to start engine due to sitting for 32 years and sure fuel system will need going thru. I did hook a battery to car to verify electrical system ( lights and heater fan worked. radio did not come on).   

I have not found any rust on the under side of car. floors. trunk. frame. nothing. He did have Bonneville heavy undercoated when it was new. I took photos of the rust I have found which is very minimal for the age of the car. paint is all original except the hood. He had the hood repainted due to a backfire bubbling a spot above the carb. Paint is thin and showing primer on roof and trunk. ( see photos) The stainless trim is in great shape. The RH side hood trim has a small bent spot. the LH side is very nice. Both of these are not on the car but I do have them. All glass is good except windshield has small circle  rock peck but no cracks. Car rolls free and brake pedal is up. Tires are just for rolling round. Hub caps are close to NOS. Don took them off the car very early. boxed them up and kept them in the garage. He liked the open wheel look. ( He was a big Fireball Roberts fan. ) Spare tire and jack are original.  

DOCUMENTS I have with the car.

ORIGNIAL 1960 TN TITLE.

FIRST APPLICATION FOR CERTIFCATE OF TITLE

ORIGNIAL CERTICATE OR VECHILE REGISTRATION

ORIGNIAL BLACK & WHITE OWNERS TITLE CARD

ORIGNIAL OWNERS MANUAL

ORIGNIAL OWNER PROTECTION PLAN

ORIGNIAL PONTIAC ENVELOPE ( FOR MANUALS)

ORIGNIAL JACK INSTRUCTIONS

COMPLETE PHS DOC. PACKAGE

Here is your chance to purchase a ultra rare Pontiac. 1 of only 209 ever built.

I have put a very fair reserve on this piece of American history.

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?