This 1978 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe Was A Successful Downsized GM B-Body That Buyers Liked
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- All of the downsizing that occurred in the 70s and 80s was not beloved by the public. Buyers still wanted big and powerful cars, but felt restrained by world events conspiring to steer them toward smaller, more fuel efficient cars. The Big Three all moved quickly to make their lineups smaller and more fuel efficient, but GM invested the most, and had the most success with it - at least initially. The B-Body cars of 1977 were very well received by both the public and the automotive press, and sold well.
Though the engines were less powerful, they had less bulk to move around, and good engineering led to interior and trunk room remaining similar to the larger cars they replaced. Though far from nimble, the cars performed well enough, and were familiar enough to buyers who were used to much larger cars. It wasn't until the move from these RWD platforms to even smaller, FWD platforms that GM really lost its way, and buyers moved to the truck and SUV market to get the big car ride they were looking for.
1978 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Coupe - Full review and test drive by Bill of Curious Cars - Vehicle for sale at Auto Europa Naples, on the web at www.AutohausNap..., or at (239) 263-8500.
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Good Lord I’ve had the most stressful day and am going to bed early because of it and was just thinking please let Bill have uploaded a new video and he did. Seriously it’s such a stress reliever to just sit back and hear him talk about life and then review a car and enjoy the ride along at the end. Thanks Bill. Your viewers needed this more than you know.
Amen to that brother, there are days I feel the same way. Blessings to you, hope you have much better days to come. 👾🚘
@@ScrewheadChava Same to you hoss.
100%
The Cadillac of Pontiacs. Love the Bonneville
It is truly almost a Cadillac really. lol
The Bonneville/Parisienne Brougham models certainly gave Cadillacs a run for their money interior-wise. Super-plush!
@@BlancGivre That is definitely true. However, I truly believe that the Bonneville Brougham was a replacement for the Grand Ville after 75'.
Bought one of these in about 1997. It had 144K on its 350 and it and was nearly flawless. Ran like it was just broke in. Fast, smooth ride, lots of room, the most comfortable automobile I have ever driven. Everything worked, and it had style. Just a beautiful car. maybe not precisely put together, but it was definitely solid and strong.
So what's so bad about american cars looking like american cars? I miss the variety of american, japanese, german, italian, english, et al, cars all having their own character. Always love the bits of history you recount.....look a bird... Ahhh! Love your personality. Keep the reviews coming.
Amen Brother, Amen!
What a car, chrome, hood ornament, wire wheels, lots of details🇺🇸
hey Bill, im Patrick from Alberta, Canada. Just a quick note to say Keep doing what you are doin. I never miss an episode of curious cars, and love the little history lesson you give about each car. signed, A Chipper Canadian
Another one here as well, from Vancouver!
@@TheSpritz0 Yup . I’m a chipper Canadian too from Kelowna B.C. I love Bill’s interesting, informative, & amusing videos . I hope he continues to do this for many years to come .👍😊❤🇨🇦
@@andrewhazenberg3398 EXACTLY we all appreciate his videos!! Personally I would LOVE it if he one day reviewed a Dodge Mirada or Magnum those were my favorites as I grew up wanting one!!!
American cars should never have changed from this style - its what made the cars so special. Now every mainstream car in the world looks the same.
Lovely car. The timeless color combo helps. My dad worked at a small town Pontiac dealership when these were new. Lots of gold, brown and cream. I loved poking around all the new cars as a kid. The last one of these I rode in was a beater 77 or 78 model belonging to a friend of my mom. I can’t remember why mom borrowed it. Her Renault Alliance was probably broken again. She noted it was so slow and not running right and her friend could not figure out what was wrong. I listened as we drove. It didn’t shift. It only had third gear! She was amazed that I noticed such a thing at 15 years old. It was kind of hard to miss that little detail. It was a very leisurely ride. I love your videos.
I'd say driving in only 3rd gear is as leisurely as it gets, the car's so relaxed it doesn't shift!
HOPEFULLY she had it repaired on the Powertrain Warranty!!!
My grandfather had one of these when I was a kid. When he passed it was given to me. 1978 Bonneville Brougham coupe with a 305v8. Man, I miss that car. 😔
Yes, please enjoy the warmth... I'm temporarily in Knoxville, TN from SE. FL and and MISSING the HEAT like no one's business!
We can always count on Bill for animal sightings and the anxiety that comes with that and the obligatory apology for the bag of crap in the trunk which holds his covid whiskey. I wonder what the new earmark for the flask will be post-pandemic? Love ya Bill!
And the side arm beside the flask. Don't forget the weather report and his 2 or 3 Canadian friends in the back seat
This thing just makes me want to take a nice long trip in it
That frame was full coil spring. I like how they were just as comfortable as the barges they replaced, and handled better.
So happy. I need a new bra
The full gauge package has to be extremely rare on a Bonneville this vintage. Very nice car indeed. I truly miss the good old Pontiacs like this. Another Pontiac I really miss is the Grand Prix. I owned a 66.
You couldn't always be sure of a full gauge package on a lower trim Firebird, I have never understood why Pontiac didn't include things like this at no cost to differentiate the brand.
@@howardkerr8174 Bean counters at work.
Bill just amazed at how much stuff you have in your brain!!
True, the way it just flows the knowledge, and history the small details (without reading notes).
The guy is a brainless wonder railing about animals and has no special knowledge about an extremely common model
It even has the gauge package. Real nice.
Beautiful car! My uncle bought a '77 Bonneville brougham brand new back in the day. The ride in that car was so damm smooth! I loved that car. The '77 - '79 bonnie coupe could also be ordered with bucket seats, console shifted automatic and those awesome "snowflake" wheels found on the T/A of that vintage. Those options really gave this car more of a sport/luxury presence. Add the optional 403 (6.6 liter) 4bbl olds engine with the TH400 trans and what you end up with is a Bonneville coupe with the '78 trans-am drive line.
Three videos from Bill in one week? What a dream.
Oh memories! I had a 76 fully loaded Bonneville Brougham four door with the 400 four barrel, silver with black interior. It was the ultimate highway cruiser and great for long road trips.
My Pop bought a '77 Bonneville Brougham and it was terrific as a "Highway Cruiser", but trying to go uphill in the Adirondaks, the 301 V8 had a hard time! But a Beautiful & Comfortable ride.
I had a fire engine red, white vinyl top, white leather interior, 400/4bbl ci Pontiac engine, 1978 Bonneville Brougham in the mid 90's. It also had matching red rally wheels. I still miss that car.
As much as I missed my 1978 Buick Park Avenue? It came with the somewhat crappy Buick 350 and almost every option offered cept for the all-in-one CB 8 Track radio stereo and moon roof. It was truly a living room on wheels. I miss that car so very much...
I've never seen anybody get so freaked out over some birds and a cat.
"...unless you are a professor at Harvard." Nice dig at Elizabeth Warren.
Freakin’ hilarious!!!!! 😂
Pocahontas 😂 god i miss president trump
If were going to have races as mascots and logo's then why not bring back "Darkey Toothpaste"?
I had a friend of mine whose grandmother purchased one brand new, triple maroon, leather, all the bells and whistles. What a sharp car. I think it had a 350 engine as well.
Oh I love that Pontiac! My Aunt Mary in Western Pa had that same two door Bonneville!!
That's a really beautiful car. Love your vlogs. Greetings from Norway, Northern Europe 🇳🇴
In my opinion this series of B bodies is one of the best machines ever built. They just run and run and run.
This B-body doesn't look as ""70s so many other cars of the era... Definitely looks 80s ready... I can't tell if thats good or bad lol
I agree Joe. The '77 full-size GM's WERE what would take Pontiac through 1986 and Chevy through 1990. Olds, Buick and Cadillac were downsized for 1985, and it was NOT well received like these were, unfortunately. I really wish these downsized GM coupes came in convertible form. They would have been beautiful. In fact (swear to God) I saw a '77-'79 convertible conversion Caprice with the top down in Santa Barbara. It was a lot more attractive than the overblown 1971-'75 version. These cars were taut and crisp.
@@robmcgowan4034 Great points. Thought it was interesting that Bill didnt mention the Olds -Bodies; those were actually my favorite, likely due in part to the fact that my Aunt (rest her soul) had a gorgeous '85-ish Custom Cruiser.
@@joec1774 I have to tell you, the 1971-'75 Delta 88 (and Buick Centurion) were the best looking of that final crop of the full-size GM convertibles. Your late Aunt had good taste in cars. I'll also bet she had a lot of nice cars over the decades before that and would be horrified now at how cars have just become generic transportation appliances with outrageous prices.
Could you imagine Bill as a weather forecaster on your local news channel, "well for today's weather it's over to Bill. Quick!,Quick! cut to our sponsors😂😂😂
What a beautiful car. Something they did right in the 70s! Actually looks more late 80s early 90s like the 90 Cadillac brougham
"Gee, our old LaSalle ran great...those were the days!" ;)
What a gorgeous cruiser. The red crushed velvet is absolutely vintage.
Jackie had a '77 LeMans in the first "Smokey", and '80 Bonnevilles in the second one.
I love the highway run at the end. That is surprisingly quiet and smooth! Nice work, GM.
Not surprising. Those boats cruised soft as a cloud on the highway.
I enjoy your videos because you are like a time machine guide, Don't change your style.
I absolutely looooooove this car!!!! My dad's (mafia) friend drive this exact car and to me...this car in this exact configuration, is just as beautiful as the Cadillac coupe DeVille. It's cooler looking than the Olds 98 Regency Brougham, and on par (in terms of sex appeal) with the duece and a quarter (Buick 225 coupe) from the early to mid 1970's. Bill.... You choose cars with an eye for style unequalled anywhere and your knowledge is stunning. I love your show and watch every day!!! I will go to your website and see if I can afford this beauty. Thank God for you.
Oldsmobile Ninety Eight is spelled out. Delta 88 uses numerals
Really good channel Bill I have the dream I was going to buy all of these lovely Detroit beauties and cruise all over Switzerland feeling sentimental but the world and my wallet won't allow me!!
I know that feeling. What a car this would be for Europe!
They have alot of american cars in germany some big fans of them over there
My first car was a 78 Bonneville. Drove it down south. Rebuilt the motor in it, when I was 19. It had the 301. I'd do anything to get that old rust bucket back. I miss that car more than anything I've ever had in my life.
Beautiful 78. I bought a demo Brougham 4 door in September 1978. White with the red interior. Loved that car!
Beautiful Pontiac for sure. I had an 84 Chevrolet Caprice Classic and it looked very similar to this Pontiac except for the front and rear ends. They don't make cars like that anymore. Thanks for sharing the GM story.
For those of you who played a lot of GTA IV, this is basically one of Roman's taxis
roman's taxi was actually a mixture of multiple 80's american cars .. the tail lights are copied exactly from G body Bonneville (82-86) , the headlights were copied from a 1982 Chevy Malibu and the overall body design/style was pretty much a mixture of 1983 Ford Ltd & 1982 Lincoln Continental
My brother had one just like this with the 400 cu in/4bbl/TH400 and that thing hauled!
Because of Autohaus Naples, I’m starting to really love GMs from the 70s and 80s. Cars most people hate, but I love. Thanks a lot.
I've been watching car videos from many different resources over many years. I've never been more entertained and interested in a car review until I came across your TH-cam channel, Bill. You have nailed the task of educating us car aficionados while also making me laugh and eager for the next car review. Thanks Bill and keep up the great work!!!!!!
I watched this entire video in a transe over how nice that car is
Man I enjoy these videos with a cup of coffee
I would love to have this sweet ride just to cruise down the road while listening to some Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Al Green , Saturday Night Fever Soundtrack, David Ruffin, Minnie Riperton, just to name a few on 8 track. I own well over one hundred of them to listen to on a long road trip, so I would definitely put that 8 track player to good use. Lol 😊
I was a young sales manager and had one of these. Changed the factory 8-track for a $1000 cassette unit. Floating through my territory in a green-smoke haze listening to Pink Floyd, etc on that kick ass stereo. Like driving the sofa.
You have great taste in music, terrific artists, BUT MICHAEL JACKSON ?... really?
I had a ‘77 brougham. Mine was white with a blue interior and had the Pontiac Rallye rims and a 400 cubic inch motor with the 4 barrel carb. That thing would move. That motor was so smooth you thought it had stalled out at a red light. I wish I still had that car.
A time that we will NEVER live through again. Bill, your style brings tears to my eyes. This Pontiac is absolutely beautiful.
I got to drive a 1980 2 door Bonneville coupe like this but it was ordered with a Rocket 350 Olds V8, rally RTS suspension and tire upgrade, bucket seats and floor shifter and full gauge cluster. It was one of the nicest driving cars I ever drove up to that point and actually took corners really well and didn't suffer all the wallow of the base suspension. I could kick myself in the arse for not buying that lovely gem!
I know someone in California that has a '77 that is in storage - rarely driven and is in excellent all original condition,350 cubic inch motor , red leather interior with silver exterior paint , these cars are a classic that you can still drive and look cool without spending 50,000+ dollars and not looking like Mr. yesteryear
OH My God. I could listen to this guy ramble all day. I love it
This was my favorite iteration of this platform. But living in the Midwest during this period of time, the Bonnie was outnumbered by the Delta88 10 to 1.
Yup. It was the lowest selling B.
The Bonneville Brougham that era was more car than either the Delta 88 or the Buick Le Sabre. Those brands had the C body as their top dog. Pontiac had to make do with the B body, and Pontiac made the most of it.
Lovely. The 1977 GM downsizing brought the cars closer to the 1955-56 measurements.
Closer, but still bigger.
Oh my. My dad had a diesel. 4 door. Maroon. He is too!
lol. I’m sure he’s not. The diesels could go either way. Had an ex like that.
@@curiouscars9282 “ Had an ex like that”!... mmmmm.. unfortunately, I know what you mean!
Hi Bill, glad the weather is to your liking, sorry about the birds, superb review of a fantastic car
I love this guy's voice. It's so relaxing. Nothing like relaxing while learning about cool classic cars!
My aunt had a 65 Pontiac Grand Prix with those 8 lug wheels, that car was really fast too. This Bonneville is a good looking car for a mid 70s sled. Love your videos!! 🥴
It did actually have coil springs in rear as well. It was a very soft suspension ride with 'radial tuned suspension'.
Sweet car Bill. Buddy of mine bought one the same as this, back in "88 for $800.00 Canadian. He had a 350.4 bbl . I had a "77 305 Laurentian 2 door as well, in that same time. Nice cars! smooth ride. I love your videos! Keep'em coming man!
I had one just like this when I was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska!! It was a 1979 and a beater, but it ran great!!
1of the best dam looking and driving cars ever ! Floated down the road .
Best reviews on YT. Bill never seems to lose sight of the fact that whatever he's showing, it's still...just a car.
FYI, if you want to buy it and you get Tim answering the phone, hang up and get someone else. I love these videos!
Actually, the "Indian head" logo lived on for many years as the high beam indicator.
It’s an Arrow head. Like the stones they napped from flint and attached to the ends of sticks to kill .
@@LP-ov8mp It was an Indian head on our 65 Catalina.
Awesome and wonderful review, Bil! Takes me back, man. Classic car that my next door neighbors had when I was a kid in the 80's-love it. :) JV Johnny
I remember the day when I went with my father to by his new 1975 Bonneville 2 Door, it was a lime green with a 1/2 white top with white interior, What a car, first year with the square head lights too! I an proud of you guys, you are being good stewards to these cars .
In Canada this was called Parisienne Broughm , and I had 4 door just like this with the red velour , and a 350cu In with175 hp. Loved the car.
They sold the Parisienne in America towards the end of this body style's life. My aunt and uncle had one.
I had a 79’ four door, my first car! Great running car, 301 Chevy small block V8 I believe.
That's a Pontiac 301 built V8 engine, Chevy never made a 301 ,V8 engine !
My dad bought my mom a Bonneville Brougham in baby blue with blue velour interior. This brings back great memories of family vacations as a kid. He traded it in on a Toyota Cressida station wagon in 1981...which turned out to be the most unreliable car ever. It was traded in on an Oldsmobile Toronado in 1983. Which became my first car. Love those 80s GM carS
I never was a older Bonneville fan but, I’d be more than happy behind the wheel of this fine automobile.
Thanks for another great video, Bill!
Great way to start the day, awesome Coupe, timewarp tank, a fun video Bill :)
I worked for GM at 5 different assembly Plants from 77 to 08 and love your reviews on cars i helped build. When I worked at Pontiac back in the day DeLorean gave all us employees mirrored, flat styled ashtrays and if you acquired one they were worth gold and a great conversation piece while doing a line with your girlfriend.
For some reason this looks like the perfect car to be in a Gangster film.
I love the bag i the trunk. It reminds of a weekend roadtrip to the cabin or something like that. Good vibes
24:25 Man I'm just 18 and I absolutely love these cars, I love Cadillac De Ville series specially gen5 , Buick stuff, Chevy and Plymouth, Pontiac and everything like this, and I seem just like an old American patriot just listening to country music and looking for this kind of car, everything old-fashioned.
We had a 77 Catalina Safari when I was in high school. It has the 400 and ran pretty good. It made a good growl under full throttle but would only do about 95 top speed. Pretty good in a crash too. I rolled it into a ditch on a gravel road two months after getting my driver's license at 16 years old. Thanks for bringing back some good memories Bill. 😃
Man this car brings back memories. I had the 4 door version of this car in a two tone dark grey over silver starsky and hutch paint job from the factory. Always tried to bury the Econ gauge.... in the Clarkson theme... POWER!!!!
A 1978 Pontiac Bonneville is what motored me, my lovely date Debi Vittetoe her twin sister Deanne and her date Mark to our 1979 prom in beautimus Rockford, Illinois. Good lord, that was over 40 years ago now! Great old car, Bill! But, I'm much more interested in your infamous rants than the cars to be honest. Damned goats, birds and Canadians! lol
That Fuel Economy gauge would drive me crazy!
Thanks for the video! Keep pumping them out as I really enjoy your videos.
This is my old highschool car, Wish I still had it. No current vehicles ride like those old cars. Mine had a cassette player I had an after market stereo so I don’t know about the original But the rear seat was big enough for two 17ish old boy and girl to spend some time together I can promise that.
This is exactly what I needed today!
My dad bought a powder blue '78 Bonneville Brougham coupe back in 1983, a year and a half after I was born. It had the 301 V8. I took my first long road trip (from PA to TN) in this car. He always talked about the fact that the 301 ran good and was good on gas. He kept it for a good many years before replacing it w/ a 350 powered 4 door '77 Impala (that wasn't so good on gas, but he loved the power) Both were handsome cars. I still like 'em
WE love ya Bill! Keep em coming.
Hey Bill! My grandmother owned one of these when I was younger and wow did us grandchildren think we were something whenever we rode in it. It was a great car! Also, thanks for showing the pic of the Pontiac from McQ! I literally just watched that movie a couple nights ago. Sad what happened to that car near the end of the film.
the two trucks crushed it,,,,i remember john waynes line when help shows up while he is trapped inside the crushed car
(i'm in gas up to my ass!!!!!)
@@gsprings43 Haha!! Yup classic line!
This Bonniville coupe is a rare item, it seams the 4 door "B" body sedans where the cars I remember most.
A Jackie Gleason mention, George Jones on the stereo, a great car and Bill. It don’t get much better!
I remember going to the Miami Beach Auto Show in late 1977 and seeing these downsized cars. I was in love with the Pontiac Bonneville and Catalina. But the star was the Firebird Trans-Am which was featured in Smokey & the Bandit. Jackie Gleason and his police force had Pontiac LeMans.... and boy did they destroy those. Anyway... I miss Pontiac. My mothers car was a 1965 Pontiac Catalina Ventura coupe in midnight blue and two tone blue vinyl interior. She was fun to drive... and I even got 20 mpg on the highway due to the ratio of the rear axle. Miss that car. Great commentary too... especially the goats, cat and birds.
I had a 78 Bonneville identical to this one only mine was all white. I loved that car. It was the most beautiful car I've owned and I've owned Cadillac and all different kinds of GM cars. Wouldn't mind getting another 78 Bonneville one of these days.
I had a 1985 Bonneville I bought it from the old man that bought it brand new. It had 97 k on it when I purchased it, great car and was in great shape wish I would have kept it.
Owned a '60 silver Bonnieville convertible and also a '64 black Bonnieville convertible...memories, memories!
You DID IT! Bill you found the unicorn in 48 hours! No leaf springs. Great car & vid.
I hate it when you rushing these reviews through take your time
My German sarcasm detector is flashing red.
@@curiouscars9282 I must say rant was too short today
I worked the line seen these beauties roll off the assembly line plant 8
Pontiac Motors Pontiac MI 1977. They were great cars
2:00
When you said buggy company I immediately thought of the Pontiac Aztec and that a company must have some bugs if they came up with that idea, then you put up a picture of a buggy and I died.
Another Great one Bill. Love these 70s BEAUTIFUL AMERICAN CARS....Keep them coming. Love when you let out a big sigh especially after the animals attack you... LOL LOL
I remember these cars from the 70"s.The technology was so advanced,that they ran even when you shut them off.
Chrona Whisky 🥃 Therapy For those rough mornings! Dealing with dam goats 🐐! And those dam Birds 🐦 and those dang cats 🐈 love it all Bill always a good laugh!
me being a ford man I still like a lot of GM vehicles. this bonneville and thunderbird of this era were very successful downsize cars. to bad they quit making them. "SHARP LOOKING BONNEVILLE!"