1960 - 1970 were, in my opinion, the peak years for the American automotive industry. The best of that lot was the mid decade (approx. 1964 - 1968) Pontiacs. You're correct about the styling, but the performance was also stellar. If I were an adult at the time and could afford it, I would have bought a Pontiac. Wish I had bought a good used example in the 1970's when they were still plentiful.
I remember when the 1965 models were announced in the fall of 1964. I was 8 years old and already a hopeless car nut. What an exciting time new model introduction was, easily equal to all the hype. I think that it was America at its finest hour.
I remember when dealer's windows were covered in brown paper, awaiting the day and time when the paper would come down. We would line the sidewalk with anticipation of what was inside.
@@jerrycallender7604 To a kid that loved sweets but rarely got them at home another great perk of the unveiling was……free donuts! I suppose that someone would say that my life was lacking something, but going to the dealers with my father to see the new models remains one of the brightest spots in my childhood.
You are so right, when the new models were unveiled it was a highly anticipated adventure for my family and just about everyone we knew. We'd go from dealer to dealer collecting the brochures and looking at the (usually) all new designs - a lot of the dealers would also give out prizes and have free refreshments. Looking back on it I am thankful I grew up in that time period, it was truly "magical" is the only way I can describe it not only with the auto industry but with many, many other things going on in the country at that time - how far we've fallen, nothing is "special" anymore!😪
I'm going to guess that since GM already had the Riviera and the front drive Eldorarado and Tornado would be coming out in 67, they saw this boat tail Grand Prix proposal as something that would rob sales from higher level divisions. Thank you Adam. One of your best videos!
I remember my grandpa’s 65 Bonneville 4-door in Navy blue. Loved that car and the dashboard. Boy oh boy if they only came out with that early proposal Grand Prix boat tail. Absolutely stunning!!
Wow, such beautiful designs on both concept and production versions! Days when car designs were truly dynamic, creative, and sculpture-like. Compare that to today's where it's just a race to see who can put more incongruous and haphazard lines on a surface.. 😢
I learned how to drive in a ‘65 Catalina. Maroon red. Huge engine. Incredible car. I believe a 27-28 gallon gas tank! Was devastated when my dad traded it for a ‘69 Impala. Wish I still had the Pontiac!
In the early 1970's when I took Industrial Design courses, we had a former student come in & talk about working in the GM design studio. He told a story about Bill Mitchell. He notice that when ever Mr. Mitchell entered the design studio, he'd first glance at the same spot on the wall of design drawings. According this former student, he started posting his design proposals on that spot on the wall to get his attention.
I've got a '65 Grand Prix survivor, factory loaded inc gauges in speedo, tach, reverb. Barn found in Trenton NJ next to a 16k '65 Catalina 421HO 4 speed survivor
Another super informative video, Adam. I really appreciate the work you put into getting the information to us as to why these cars were as special as they were, nostalgia aside. These cars were designed at a unique point in history when there was a major collision of economics, engineering capabilities, styling and art forms resulting in the classiest vehicles ever built at a time when money was available to put them Into the hands of the average household. This truly is valuable history documentation.
The mid ‘60’s Pontiacs were some of the best looking cars GM ever produced! Both full and mid size were stunning. Their build quality was also top notch. GM at the top of their game here.
Enarmored "of", rather enamored "with". This aside is contributed with the greatest respect for your presentations in mind, which are of the highest quality.
The 1965 GTO is my all time favorite car ever! 😍 Also, loved seeing the '59 Bonneville pop up on the screen for a few seconds! 💟 My dad had a convertible version for many years, that he rebuilt pretty much from the ground up. It was beautiful! If there is anyone reading this in the metro Detroit area who frequented car shows or cruise nights within the last 20 years or so, especially at Pampa Lanes, you've probably seen it. It's painted gold with some mauve mixed in there (my dad calls it rose gold) so it looks almost pink and it really stands out. He sold it before the pandemic though so it's not in MI anymore.
I have taken cross country trips in 66 & 64 Bonnivilles and Catalinas. I believe and can tell you that no modern car can match those Pontiacs in ride quality and style. I read an Air Force safety study that reported that pilot fatigue is a major contributor to crashes and accidents. Increasing pilot comfort where possible reduces fatigue considerably. With that in mind I remember how much better I feel during a long trip in one of these comfortable cars and why I have told others about those wonderful cars for years.
The boat tail @10:37, is both smooth as silk and yet does have a very cool and yet just a bit unsettling look.If it had come to market, a used version of it would be on my bucket list. I like it.
That boat tail is beautiful! It’s a wonder it didn’t make it thru. Looks like a Caprice coupe rear quarter glass. That car to me is perfect. Very period. “Back when GM was still GM”
Gotta love those older Pontiacs AND ALL THE OLDER GM models!! Used to be around Generous Motors Tech Center and Proving Grounds/Milford back in the day!! As a vendor, got to various divisions and got to see a bunch of stuff in the design stages!! Notown like Motown!!
The '65's were one of the highlights for Pontiac in my opinion. When I was a kid my friend's family across the street had a sandstone colored four door '65 Bonneville hardtop with a black vinyl top and black cloth interior that I remember being in love with. I remember the first time riding in it asking why it had two radios in the dash and the father explained that one was for the radio and the other was for the climate control.
Actually, in 1959, Motor Trend had named Pontiac Motor Division "Car of the Year" for its all new "Wide Track" package. Also, in 1957, the "Car of the Year" was Chrysler Corporation (Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth)!
My neighbor when i was growing up had a Pontiac Catalina and a Grand Prix. I always lived them. Both 2 doors!! They were wonderful. Too bad Pontiac didnt put that Boat Tail into production ..... it is so futuristic looking!! Its a beauty!!
Watching again and I feel I must say that the design proposal with the motel for the Grand Prix would have been a runaway success. I wish they had done it.
That Grand Prix coupe proposal was stunning and still looks reasonably feasible even for the mid 60s. This is to my eyes so much more attractive than the boat tail Riviera that eventually appeared!
The 65 Gran Prix is beautiful, so glad that proposal got canned. The proposal kind of looks like there were about ten different stylists trying to get their own little design features worked into the design.
I own a 65 Catalina 2 dht and a 65 Bonneville converible and I LOVE them. Most of those proposed designs were not as pretty as the production cars. But the boattail roof looks stuning! It is a pity that this roofline did not make it into production. Me personally I love the fastback roof of the Catalina much more than the weird rear window and not elegant roof of the Grand Prix. Everything else of the Grand Prix is beautiful for sure. A friend of mine has a 67 Grand Prix and he loves it. I think the 59 Pontiacs and the 65s were the most stunning cars Pontiac ever produced. Only the late Fourties fastbacks and the Judge would be nearly as fascinating.
Interesting how these shapes morphed into different divisions. My bench marks are the 63 Riv, 66 Riv, 67Eldo, 72 Riv, 66 Toro, 72 Grandville vert 75 Chevy Caprice, 63 vette, Corvair monza. Pontiac had a great run in terms of distinctive designs before the devisions became convoluted.
The '71/2 Riviera's boat tail was far better integrated with its "W" shape rear bumper area. This proposal is far too busy overall. AND that the tip of it's "bow" is carried through to its point as sticking out past the bumper. Brilliant. The one on the '65 looks too long and bulbous. Like for instance the rear qtr side window on the Riv is about 4 inches shorter, giving it a sportier flavor. Plus its wrap around back window & open, radiused wheel openings. The Riv is kinda genius and masterfully crafted. It really is perfectly done for what it is.
As a racing boater and a car guy I never understood why its called a boat tail. No boat that I ever saw had a pointy butt. I mean, where would the engine go? Its more like if a boat flipped over in the water and the front of the hull was facing up.
Motor Trend actually DID honor the Entire CHRYSLER CORPORATION Lineup (Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial ) The CAR OF THE YEAR Award in 1957
Ahh, Adam, the '65 Pontiacs! The single most beautiful lineup of large cars ever. The canting of the headlights, in particular, gave the car an aggressive stance and the appearance of movement even when parked.
The 65 Pontiacs are beautiful especially the Grand Prix!!! My aunt had one for several years, it was very fast & she drove with a lead foot!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🎄
I had a 1959 Pontiac. One of the best cars I ever owned. Kept it for 12 yrs. It was one of the best handling cars of that Era because Pontiac introduced the all new " Wide Track" that year. It was also the first year of the split front grille that Pontiac became well known for. I also had the 1963 Grand Prix which was an awesome car. Designers & engineers back then really had it together. Today, they don't know whether to shit or go blind!
For some reason, Pontiacs always seemed to handle better than any other GM car. Back in the early to mid '60's, all GM cars had separate chassis in addition to separate engines. Cool fact: there is no 1982 full-size Pontiac. The Bonneville name was transferred to the G-body LeMans that year. Then in 1983 the Parisienne was brought from Canada. It was essentially a Caprice with Pontiac-spec grille and taillights. Later, the taillights from the 1981 Bonneville was reinstalled on the Parisienne. This went on until 1987 when the Bonneville was switched to front-wheel drive on the GM H platform. GREAT VIDEO!
I liked what you had to say, but I wanted to add to it. You are correct about Bonneville being moved to the G Body in 1982. It was called Bonneville model G. What you said about Parisienne is true too. It was already like that in 1982 in Canada. We got it in 1983. The 1985-1986 Pontiac Parisienne did not just get the 1980-1981 Bonneville rear styling. It got the rear styling, the seats, door panels and more. The only things that stayed Chevrolet Caprice was the front end design with a Pontiac grille, the instrumentation panel with Pontiac gauges. The rest was 1980-1981 Bonneville. Add to that the 1980-1981 Pontiac Bonneville( United States) and Pontiac Parisienne( Canada) were the same car in two different countries. So in a way Parisienne got its old styling back. The 1987 downsized Bonneville was a H Body. The B Body was dropped after 1989 model at Pontiac with the Safari wagon. The other interesting thing the 1987-1991 Pontiac Bonneville was shorter in length than the G Body Bonneville. The H Body had a two inch longer wheelbase and a smaller trunk.
I bought the last Pontiac ever made in 2009....the Solstice. Convertible, black and chrome, 5 speed turbo, fully loaded with everything they offered. It was literally in the last 20 they pushed out the door. The thing was perfect and the steering was awesome. I could just touch the wheel and there you were on a dime. Unfortunaly someone stole it and totalled it 3 years later.
@@OLDS98 I did not know the 1986 LeSabre, the 88, and the 1987 Bonneville was an H-body. It makes sense they would need to call those cars something else because they did continue the B-body until 1989 at Pontiac and until 1992 with Oldsmobile and until 1996 with Chevrolet and Buick. Cadillac used the D-body until 1996. I think the Parisienne used Chevrolet chassis with Pontiac sheetmetal in the 1960's. There may have been other models as well.
@@lvsqcsl You stated it very well what took place. I liked you added the fact about the 1960's Pontiac Parisienne. Adam shared his Pontiac Parisienne on this channel that was a Pontiac Bonneville on a Chevrolet chassis. I know about that, but I liked how you mentioned it. The reason why Fleetwood/Brougham got the D body name was because of the front wheel drive C Bodies. They were C Bodies when they were rear drive and then the rear drive Cadillac became D Body. They called G Body Bonneville Grand LeMans in Canada. Just to show you how close the G Body Bonneville was in length to the G Body Bonneville: The G Body Bonneville was 200 inches long. The H Body Bonneville was 198.7 inches long. When it was redesigned for 1992, it went up in size to over 200 inches long.
@@OLDS98 The Canadian Pontiacs always looked a little 'off', that is there was something not quite right with the proportions. And that was because they were built on the Chevrolet chassis, they weren't the 'wide-track' cars that were in the USA, so the wheels looked small and inboard. Like a nice suit with the cuffs and sleeves to short?
Occasionally you mention how in order to compete with Virgil Exners's 1957 products that GM restyled everything for '59. Will you be seeking to show what GMs 59 lineup would have looked like originally?
When I was a young boy a neighbor bought a brand new 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix it was yellow, or what looked like yellow, and I thought it was the most beautiful and just cool looking car I’ve ever seen. Pontiac did a great job back then with the Grand Prix, Bonneville, Catalina and so on. But of course they were not the only ones that put out really good looking cars that year. Another car other than Pontiac that caught my attention was the 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport especially in that artesian turquoise with the black interior or the maroon with the white interior. Wow, GM came out with such beautiful cars back then unlike the cheap crap they sell today. Back then living in Brooklyn, N.Y. It seemed like these cars were everywhere and I’m sure it was because they looked so good. Cars like that will never happen again and that’s too bad.
My first dream car was a '65 Chevy Impala SS, red in and out. It was owned by a farmer neighbor who paid us $1 a DAY to help him bale hay. The ride home in that car, all of one mile, was memorable! I was nine.
Thank you Adam. I enjoy seeing the design proposals. I liked to see what they were thinking. These designs are progressive. I liked seeing the Oldsmobile proposals for the Aurora and the many Pontiacs. Those taillamps from that one proposal ended up on the 1971-1972 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. It is interesting how things get used at other places at other brands with in GM. I am a fan of the 1975-1976 Pontiac Bonneville and Grand Ville styling. Everyone has something they like and do not like. It is respected. I liked how you gathered this information and discussed it in detail. My late uncle had a 1971 and 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix. That trunk design became a theme on Grand Prix well into the 1980's( until 1987). It is amazon how the GM brands could do some grand styling and the market would copy. Thank for the video.
Another great Rare Classics...thank you. Fan of 62, 63/4 and 65/6 Pontiacs. As a admirer of the crescent shaped tail lights, I really like the two clay model proposals shown between 6:30 and 7:30. Feel these look great with the side sculpting at the rear, and are nicely coherent with the stacked front lighting. Would have loved to see them go in this drection...as much as I love the 65/6, I find the rear detailing to be disappointing and the horizontal lighting lacking character. Perhaps it's brilliant design upfront...those headlight bezels potruding from the fender are an outstanding detail.
Adam the 1965 line up has to be one of my all time favorites! These cars are just gorgeous to look at! Sexy and sporty with a hint of luxury down every body line. ❤
PONTIAC was a great, popular car in the 60s. They started that design leadership in 1959 when they also won Motor Trend Magazine's "Car of the Year" award. The boat tail design is always a little iffy ! I never personally liked it on the Riviera. I owned a 1974 Grand Prix, but that design was understated compared to their original concept. A friend of mine bought a new 1965 Grand Prix in that dark Turquioise metallic. It was beautiful.
I have owned Pontiacs, and have no idea why I don't own one now. One moved me across the country looking like the Beverly Hillbillies, and one was a sleek and sporty true Pontiac. I miss my Pontiacs!!!
In 1965 my next door neighbor traded in her '63 Impala and bought a new Bonneville in Burgundy with a black interior. Magnificent car from every angle, exterior as well as interior.
Early 60s I was about 6 & a neighbor of ours had a 62 Grand Prix in turquoise & he had the 8 lug wheels & glass pack mufflers. He was fanatical about keeping it clean as I am today w/ my car. The car made an impression on me!
I agree with your assessment of the 1965 Pontiac line. My dad owned a 66 Grand Prix, and we thought Pontiac improved the grill even more by removing metal, which brought out the cool turn signals. To this day, I think the interior was the prettiest they ever designed. The 389 would fly and chirped the tires between first and second with positraction. I have to admit that as a teenager, we all salivated over the 69 Grand Prix, but the 65 really showcased how Pontiac led the way in design.
My dad owned a '66 2-door Grande Parisienne in dark blue with a black vinyl roof. What a beautiful exterior styling it had and the interior was great, too!
I remember my Dad buying a new 1965 Pontiac Catalina. It was dark blue in color. It was a very roomy car. It rode so smoothly. It had plenty of power when it was needed. I don’t think they make cars that well with that kind of quality anymore…
It is interesting to look at the 1965 and the 1975. I think it’s very important to note that even in 1975, the “Coke bottle” shape continues, despite a very different era. As I think of it, and in my recollection, the Pontiac was the best expression in the GM full size catalog of the “Coke bottle” look in 1975, and is among the reasons why that Pontiac featured still looks so attractive today.
The '65 Pontiacs were great looking cars. GM was at the top of it's game in the mid-60's, and I can't think of single bad looking car from any of their divisions.
1960's Star Chief= Bonneville body and wheelbase with Catalina interior appointments/standard equipment/option list. The "economy" LWB Pontiac. For those wanting more trunk space and a smoother ride on the cheap. and sold ok for the the time. Became the Star Chief Executive for 1966 and simply Executive from 67-70.
I graduated from Pontiac Central High School In Pontiac, Michigan in 1965. Born and raised in Pontiac but no longer live there. But to this DAY I, when people ask me where I'm from I always answer " Pontiac Michigan. We built the Pontiac GTO." I always loved the 60s Pontiacs. All of them. and we raced them to Detroit along Woodward Avenue .. DAILY
Great episode, thank you. I remember fondly driving my older brother's 1965 GTO for 1 month. My parents had a 1963 Bonneville and 1964 Catalina, both "Wide Track" stationwagons.
There are no trunk lines on that boattail...no trunk?? You are so correct when you say that Pontiac like a Cadillac, that was Buicks go to and Pontiac blew them out of the water in 1965!!
That "Boat Tail" was a great idea, but certainly expensive to build. I've never liked "stacked headlights" on a car, though my current '14 Cayman S has that feature. Albeit, with projectors under polycarbonate shields. Great video as always! [It's always fascinating seeing southeastern lower Michigan in your videos, reminds me of my childhood there.]
During the early 1980s, a friend of mine had a maroon 1965 Pontiac four-door sedan, that was dentlesss, but ran poorly. He wound up junking it, at the same time with a 1967 Lincoln. (RIP TCK 1954-1993)
i would guess on the grand prix that those fin type lights were the first introduction of safety brake lights. what riviera and toronado did in later years. beautiful designs!!
1960 - 1970 were, in my opinion, the peak years for the American automotive industry. The best of that lot was the mid decade (approx. 1964 - 1968) Pontiacs. You're correct about the styling, but the performance was also stellar. If I were an adult at the time and could afford it, I would have bought a Pontiac. Wish I had bought a good used example in the 1970's when they were still plentiful.
I remember when the 1965 models were announced in the fall of 1964. I was 8 years old and already a hopeless car nut. What an exciting time new model introduction was, easily equal to all the hype. I think that it was America at its finest hour.
I remember when dealer's windows were covered in brown paper,
awaiting the day and time when the paper would come down.
We would line the sidewalk with anticipation of what was inside.
@@jerrycallender7604
To a kid that loved sweets but rarely got them at home another great perk of the unveiling was……free donuts! I suppose that someone would say that my life was lacking something, but going to the dealers with my father to see the new models remains one of the brightest spots in my childhood.
We're close to the same age.. I was born Jan 1957. NOBODY was better than Pontiac in the mid '60s !
October, 1956
You are so right, when the new models were unveiled it was a highly anticipated adventure for my family and just about everyone we knew. We'd go from dealer to dealer collecting the brochures and looking at the (usually) all new designs - a lot of the dealers would also give out prizes and have free refreshments. Looking back on it I am thankful I grew up in that time period, it was truly "magical" is the only way I can describe it not only with the auto industry but with many, many other things going on in the country at that time - how far we've fallen, nothing is "special" anymore!😪
I'm going to guess that since GM already had the Riviera and the front drive Eldorarado and Tornado would be coming out in 67, they saw this boat tail Grand Prix proposal as something that would rob sales from higher level divisions.
Thank you Adam. One of your best videos!
which is what wound up happening anyways, you could get a loaded GP for the same price as a regular Eldorado in the 70's.
The 1965 Buick riviera is my favorite with the clam shell headlights 😊
The boat tail look was added to 1968 and later GPs
@@1208bug Fortunately they saved the styling cue, the 73-77 GP's are some of my all-time favorite GM cars.
I have always loved the 65 Pontiacs- the most well styled autos of all time.
I always wanted a 1965 Bonneville front with a 1966 Bonneville rear. Those 1966 Bonneville tail lights were awesome.
I remember my grandpa’s 65 Bonneville 4-door in Navy blue. Loved that car and the dashboard. Boy oh boy if they only came out with that early proposal Grand Prix boat tail. Absolutely stunning!!
Wow, such beautiful designs on both concept and production versions!
Days when car designs were truly dynamic, creative, and sculpture-like.
Compare that to today's where it's just a race to see who can put more incongruous and haphazard lines on a surface.. 😢
I learned how to drive in a ‘65 Catalina. Maroon red. Huge engine. Incredible car. I believe a 27-28 gallon gas tank! Was devastated when my dad traded it for a ‘69 Impala. Wish I still had the Pontiac!
Adam, Motor Trend's "Car of the Year " award is like a broken clock, twice a day it tells the right time. 1965 was one of those times. 😉
They were stunning. Quite a few models. But but boy did they have style 🏖️
In the early 1970's when I took Industrial Design courses, we had a former student come in & talk about working in the GM design studio. He told a story about Bill Mitchell. He notice that when ever Mr. Mitchell entered the design studio, he'd first glance at the same spot on the wall of design drawings. According this former student, he started posting his design proposals on that spot on the wall to get his attention.
I've got a '65 Grand Prix survivor, factory loaded inc gauges in speedo, tach, reverb. Barn found in Trenton NJ next to a 16k '65 Catalina 421HO 4 speed survivor
Bucket seats w/ console & tach? Beautiful interior on those.
Should have wood veneer on dash. Truly elegant !
Honestly speak, Bill Mitchell gave us good, beautiful looking cars during his tenure as GM Head Of Design / Vice President of Styling.
10:40 the side glass on this boattail mockup is so beautiful with the chrome gutter molding framing it. So modern and lovely.
That 1965 boat tail grand prix is so great looking. If they would make that today, I would buy one!!
Another super informative video, Adam. I really appreciate the work you put into getting the information to us as to why these cars were as special as they were, nostalgia aside. These cars were designed at a unique point in history when there was a major collision of economics, engineering capabilities, styling and art forms resulting in the classiest vehicles ever built at a time when money was available to put them Into the hands of the average household. This truly is valuable history documentation.
The mid ‘60’s Pontiacs were some of the best looking cars GM ever produced! Both full and mid size were stunning. Their build quality was also top notch. GM at the top of their game here.
Agree 100%
They were ascending up a peak of innovation in 1965, great innovative designs!
No longer true though.
@@michaelreilly1310esqI
No@@glennso47❤
I'm a boat tail Riv fan (and former owner) and that Grand Prix proposal is absolutely gorgeous.
Adam: Thank you! This video was most interesting and enlightening! You do such a GREAT job researching and prepping your videos! Thanks again!
I love the design of the boat tail Grand Prix. As you said, it's a radical design. And I see the boat tail Riviera's rear right away.
I had a Pontiac Gran Prix , ( with the closing headlights ), and Bonneville . LOVED THEM BOTH !
Enarmored "of", rather enamored "with". This aside is contributed with the greatest respect for your presentations in mind, which are of the highest quality.
The 1965 GTO is my all time favorite car ever! 😍
Also, loved seeing the '59 Bonneville pop up on the screen for a few seconds! 💟 My dad had a convertible version for many years, that he rebuilt pretty much from the ground up. It was beautiful! If there is anyone reading this in the metro Detroit area who frequented car shows or cruise nights within the last 20 years or so, especially at Pampa Lanes, you've probably seen it. It's painted gold with some mauve mixed in there (my dad calls it rose gold) so it looks almost pink and it really stands out. He sold it before the pandemic though so it's not in MI anymore.
I have taken cross country trips in 66 & 64 Bonnivilles and Catalinas. I believe and can tell you that no modern car can match those Pontiacs in ride quality and style.
I read an Air Force safety study that reported that pilot fatigue is a major contributor to crashes and accidents. Increasing pilot comfort where possible reduces fatigue considerably.
With that in mind I remember how much better I feel during a long trip in one of these comfortable cars and why I have told others about those wonderful cars for years.
Thank you for highlighting the incredible designs of Pontiac! Ashame the fastback with gills didn't make production. Stunning car!
The 65 GTO convertible was my favorite model from that year.
I enjoyed watching this. Beautiful Pontiacs! Well done!
The boat tail @10:37, is both smooth as silk and yet does have a very cool and yet just a bit unsettling look.If it had come to market, a used version of it would be on my bucket list. I like it.
the boat tail look is beautiful and GM shoudl put it on some of their offerings!
That boat tail is beautiful! It’s a wonder it didn’t make it thru. Looks like a Caprice coupe rear quarter glass. That car to me is perfect. Very period. “Back when GM was still GM”
Gotta love those older Pontiacs AND ALL THE OLDER GM models!! Used to be around Generous Motors Tech Center and Proving Grounds/Milford back in the day!! As a vendor, got to various divisions and got to see a bunch of stuff in the design stages!! Notown like Motown!!
The '65's were one of the highlights for Pontiac in my opinion. When I was a kid my friend's family across the street had a sandstone colored four door '65 Bonneville hardtop with a black vinyl top and black cloth interior that I remember being in love with. I remember the first time riding in it asking why it had two radios in the dash and the father explained that one was for the radio and the other was for the climate control.
Actually, in 1959, Motor Trend had named Pontiac Motor Division "Car of the Year" for its all new "Wide Track" package. Also, in 1957, the "Car of the Year" was Chrysler Corporation (Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge and Plymouth)!
My dad and I were big fans of Pontiac’s - we still have 3 Grand Prix all 8 lug 2 are 64 and one is a 65 all have tri carburetor
My neighbor when i was growing up had a Pontiac Catalina and a Grand Prix. I always lived them. Both 2 doors!! They were wonderful. Too bad Pontiac didnt put that Boat Tail into production ..... it is so futuristic looking!! Its a beauty!!
Watching again and I feel I must say that the design proposal with the motel for the Grand Prix would have been a runaway success. I wish they had done it.
That Grand Prix coupe proposal was stunning and still looks reasonably feasible even for the mid 60s. This is to my eyes so much more attractive than the boat tail Riviera that eventually appeared!
Beautiful cars of the day, Kudos to the engineers!
I never was a Pontiac Guy, but I can't deny, the 65 Pontiacs to be good looking cars...
The 65 Gran Prix is beautiful, so glad that proposal got canned. The proposal kind of looks like there were about ten different stylists trying to get their own little design features worked into the design.
Adam, Motor Trend also named the entire 1963 Rambler lineup Car of the Year so it happened at least once before the 1965 Pontiacs. Great video though!
I own a 65 Catalina 2 dht and a 65 Bonneville converible and I LOVE them. Most of those proposed designs were not as pretty as the production cars. But the boattail roof looks stuning! It is a pity that this roofline did not make it into production. Me personally I love the fastback roof of the Catalina much more than the weird rear window and not elegant roof of the Grand Prix. Everything else of the Grand Prix is beautiful for sure. A friend of mine has a 67 Grand Prix and he loves it.
I think the 59 Pontiacs and the 65s were the most stunning cars Pontiac ever produced. Only the late Fourties fastbacks and the Judge would be nearly as fascinating.
63-65 Pontiacs are still the best looking cars. The GTO of that Era is my personal favorite muscle car look ever.
Interesting how these shapes morphed into different divisions. My bench marks are the 63 Riv, 66 Riv, 67Eldo, 72 Riv, 66 Toro, 72 Grandville vert 75 Chevy Caprice, 63 vette, Corvair monza. Pontiac had a great run in terms of distinctive designs before the devisions became convoluted.
Another great video
The '71/2 Riviera's boat tail was far better integrated with its "W" shape rear bumper area. This proposal is far too busy overall.
AND that the tip of it's "bow" is carried through to its point as sticking out past the bumper. Brilliant. The one on the '65 looks too long and bulbous.
Like for instance the rear qtr side window on the Riv is about 4 inches shorter, giving it a sportier flavor. Plus its wrap around back window & open, radiused wheel openings. The Riv is kinda genius and masterfully crafted. It really is perfectly done for what it is.
Looking at the profile of the Grand Prix proposal, I see hints of the Chevy Caprice coupe and the first generation Dodge Charger (spies are afoot!).
Many shared parts with a Chevy. I thought the same about the Charger.
As a racing boater and a car guy I never understood why its called a boat tail. No boat that I ever saw had a pointy butt. I mean, where would the engine go? Its more like if a boat flipped over in the water and the front of the hull was facing up.
I like GM cars of the 70's and 80's. But the 60's are the best. Every American car manufacturer had beautiful cars in the 60's. Especially 1960-1963
Love my Pontiac.
That 65 prototype should have been greenlighted for production !
I kind of like that Boat Tail design.
Motor Trend actually DID honor the Entire CHRYSLER CORPORATION Lineup
(Plymouth, Dodge, DeSoto, Chrysler, and Imperial ) The CAR OF THE YEAR Award in 1957
PONTIAC MADE SOME BEAUTIES.
I'm glad they didn't do the fastback. Reminds me of a Rambler Marlin.
That boat tail design was earmarked for the 66 Riviera & thru the next gen of Riviera too.
It looks more like the 1966 Dodge Charger than Marlin.. that's a good thing.
Ahh, Adam, the '65 Pontiacs! The single most beautiful lineup of large cars ever. The canting of the headlights, in particular, gave the car an aggressive stance and the appearance of movement even when parked.
The 65 Pontiacs are beautiful especially the Grand Prix!!! My aunt had one for several years, it was very fast & she drove with a lead foot!!! Thanks for sharing this exciting video!!! 👍👍🎄
Too funny!
😂
I had a 1959 Pontiac. One of the best cars I ever owned. Kept it for 12 yrs. It was one of the best handling cars of that Era because Pontiac introduced the all new " Wide Track" that year. It was also the first year of the split front grille that Pontiac became well known for. I also had the 1963 Grand Prix which was an awesome car. Designers & engineers back then really had it together. Today, they don't know whether to shit or go blind!
For some reason, Pontiacs always seemed to handle better than any other GM car. Back in the early to mid '60's, all GM cars had separate chassis in addition to separate engines. Cool fact: there is no 1982 full-size Pontiac. The Bonneville name was transferred to the G-body LeMans that year. Then in 1983 the Parisienne was brought from Canada. It was essentially a Caprice with Pontiac-spec grille and taillights. Later, the taillights from the 1981 Bonneville was reinstalled on the Parisienne. This went on until 1987 when the Bonneville was switched to front-wheel drive on the GM H platform. GREAT VIDEO!
I liked what you had to say, but I wanted to add to it. You are correct about Bonneville being moved to the G Body in 1982. It was called Bonneville model G. What you said about Parisienne is true too. It was already like that in 1982 in Canada. We got it in 1983. The 1985-1986 Pontiac Parisienne did not just get the 1980-1981 Bonneville rear styling. It got the rear styling, the seats, door panels and more. The only things that stayed Chevrolet Caprice was the front end design with a Pontiac grille, the instrumentation panel with Pontiac gauges. The rest was 1980-1981 Bonneville. Add to that the 1980-1981 Pontiac Bonneville( United States) and Pontiac Parisienne( Canada) were the same car in two different countries. So in a way Parisienne got its old styling back. The 1987 downsized Bonneville was a H Body. The B Body was dropped after 1989 model at Pontiac with the Safari wagon. The other interesting thing the 1987-1991 Pontiac Bonneville was shorter in length than the G Body Bonneville. The H Body had a two inch longer wheelbase and a smaller trunk.
I bought the last Pontiac ever made in 2009....the Solstice. Convertible, black and chrome, 5 speed turbo, fully loaded with everything they offered. It was literally in the last 20 they pushed out the door. The thing was perfect and the steering was awesome. I could just touch the wheel and there you were on a dime. Unfortunaly someone stole it and totalled it 3 years later.
@@OLDS98 I did not know the 1986 LeSabre, the 88, and the 1987 Bonneville was an H-body. It makes sense they would need to call those cars something else because they did continue the B-body until 1989 at Pontiac and until 1992 with Oldsmobile and until 1996 with Chevrolet and Buick. Cadillac used the D-body until 1996. I think the Parisienne used Chevrolet chassis with Pontiac sheetmetal in the 1960's. There may have been other models as well.
@@lvsqcsl You stated it very well what took place. I liked you added the fact about the 1960's Pontiac Parisienne. Adam shared his Pontiac Parisienne on this channel that was a Pontiac Bonneville on a Chevrolet chassis. I know about that, but I liked how you mentioned it. The reason why Fleetwood/Brougham got the D body name was because of the front wheel drive C Bodies. They were C Bodies when they were rear drive and then the rear drive Cadillac became D Body. They called G Body Bonneville Grand LeMans in Canada. Just to show you how close the G Body Bonneville was in length to the G Body Bonneville: The G Body Bonneville was 200 inches long. The H Body Bonneville was 198.7 inches long. When it was redesigned for 1992, it went up in size to over 200 inches long.
@@OLDS98 The Canadian Pontiacs always looked a little 'off', that is there was something not quite right with the proportions. And that was because they were built on the Chevrolet chassis, they weren't the 'wide-track' cars that were in the USA, so the wheels looked small and inboard. Like a nice suit with the cuffs and sleeves to short?
Occasionally you mention how in order to compete with Virgil Exners's 1957 products that GM restyled everything for '59. Will you be seeking to show what GMs 59 lineup would have looked like originally?
1965 Pontiac Bonneville and Grand Prix does have fender skirts as standard and to hide the rear wheels partially.
When I was a young boy a neighbor bought a brand new 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix it was yellow, or what looked like yellow, and I thought it was the most beautiful and just cool looking car I’ve ever seen. Pontiac did a great job back then with the Grand Prix, Bonneville, Catalina and so on. But of course they were not the only ones that put out really good looking cars that year. Another car other than Pontiac that caught my attention was the 1965 Chevy Impala Super Sport especially in that artesian turquoise with the black interior or the maroon with the white interior. Wow, GM came out with such beautiful cars back then unlike the cheap crap they sell today. Back then living in Brooklyn, N.Y. It seemed like these cars were everywhere and I’m sure it was because they looked so good. Cars like that will never happen again and that’s too bad.
My first dream car was a '65 Chevy Impala SS, red in and out. It was owned by a farmer neighbor who paid us $1 a DAY to help him bale hay. The ride home in that car, all of one mile, was memorable! I was nine.
The designs speak for themselves, but let’s not forget the advertising artwork of Fitzpatrick and Kaufman at the same time.
'65 Pontiacs were the most beautiful cars in the world.
I think if I could go back to 1965 my choice if cars would be a Pontiac or the Buick Riviera. They are both beautiful cars.
Very cool!!!!! 🙂
Thank you Adam. I enjoy seeing the design proposals. I liked to see what they were thinking. These designs are progressive. I liked seeing the Oldsmobile proposals for the Aurora and the many Pontiacs. Those taillamps from that one proposal ended up on the 1971-1972 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight. It is interesting how things get used at other places at other brands with in GM. I am a fan of the 1975-1976 Pontiac Bonneville and Grand Ville styling. Everyone has something they like and do not like. It is respected. I liked how you gathered this information and discussed it in detail. My late uncle had a 1971 and 1977 Pontiac Grand Prix. That trunk design became a theme on Grand Prix well into the 1980's( until 1987). It is amazon how the GM brands could do some grand styling and the market would copy. Thank for the video.
Another great Rare Classics...thank you. Fan of 62, 63/4 and 65/6 Pontiacs. As a admirer of the crescent shaped tail lights, I really like the two clay model proposals shown between 6:30 and 7:30. Feel these look great with the side sculpting at the rear, and are nicely coherent with the stacked front lighting. Would have loved to see them go in this drection...as much as I love the 65/6, I find the rear detailing to be disappointing and the horizontal lighting lacking character. Perhaps it's brilliant design upfront...those headlight bezels potruding from the fender are an outstanding detail.
I really like how clean & sharp the '65/6 rear looks. But I agree - I really like those proposals as well!!!
Adam the 1965 line up has to be one of my all time favorites! These cars are just gorgeous to look at! Sexy and sporty with a hint of luxury down every body line. ❤
65 and 66 full size Pontiacs are some of the most beautiful cars ever built - I have always admired them.
PONTIAC was a great, popular car in the 60s. They started that design leadership in 1959 when they also won Motor Trend Magazine's "Car of the Year" award. The boat tail design is always a little iffy ! I never personally liked it on the Riviera. I owned a 1974 Grand Prix, but that design was understated compared to their original concept. A friend of mine bought a new 1965 Grand Prix in that dark Turquioise metallic. It was beautiful.
Thank you for the history of the 1965 Pontiacs. IMHO, the full-size 1965s are the absolute pinacle of automotive design. Exquisite. Never bettered.
I have owned Pontiacs, and have no idea why I don't own one now.
One moved me across the country looking like the Beverly Hillbillies, and one was a sleek and sporty true Pontiac.
I miss my Pontiacs!!!
In 1965 my next door neighbor traded in her '63 Impala and bought a new Bonneville in Burgundy with a black interior. Magnificent car from every angle, exterior as well as interior.
Early 60s I was about 6 & a neighbor of ours had a 62 Grand Prix in turquoise & he had the 8 lug wheels & glass pack mufflers. He was fanatical about keeping it clean as I am today w/ my car. The car made an impression on me!
We had a '65 Grand Prix with wooden inlay on the console and beige body. It was strikingly glamorous; a show stopper. A wonderful period auto.
My first car was a 1965 Pontiac Bonneville 4Dr Hardtop. Always loved the styling of the 65 Pontiacs.
I agree with your assessment of the 1965 Pontiac line. My dad owned a 66 Grand Prix, and we thought Pontiac improved the grill even more by removing metal, which brought out the cool turn signals. To this day, I think the interior was the prettiest they ever designed. The 389 would fly and chirped the tires between first and second with positraction. I have to admit that as a teenager, we all salivated over the 69 Grand Prix, but the 65 really showcased how Pontiac led the way in design.
My dad owned a '66 2-door Grande Parisienne in dark blue with a black vinyl roof. What a beautiful exterior styling it had and the interior was great, too!
69 Pontiac sj w 428 stock was a rocket390 HP . Wish it had 4spd.
Best looking Pontiac ever!
My parents had a ^^ 65 Bonneville . Was a weird shade of light purple i remember , black vinyl int . great memories , thx for sharing
Lavender metallic.. That was a popular color those years. Also the dark turqoise and the maroon colors were hits those years.
@@MarinCipollina yessir . it was a great finish
I remember my Dad buying a new 1965 Pontiac Catalina. It was dark blue in color. It was a very roomy car. It rode so smoothly. It had plenty of power when it was needed. I don’t think they make cars that well with that kind of quality anymore…
Grandad had a ‘65 Catalina in that light blue. I still think those are just gorgeous, inside and out.
It is interesting to look at the 1965 and the 1975. I think it’s very important to note that even in 1975, the “Coke bottle” shape continues, despite a very different era. As I think of it, and in my recollection, the Pontiac was the best expression in the GM full size catalog of the “Coke bottle” look in 1975, and is among the reasons why that Pontiac featured still looks so attractive today.
Yeah but the 1975 was a bloated pig compared to 1965, with a choked engine that could barely move the car out of its own way.
They're all beautiful. I had a couple 1966's. Awesomely smooth ride!
I had a '66 Ventura.
I was 6 years old when the ‘65s came out. I was already a Pontiac fan as most of my family members drove Pontiacs.
The '65 Pontiacs were great looking cars. GM was at the top of it's game in the mid-60's, and I can't think of single bad looking car from any of their divisions.
1960's Star Chief= Bonneville body and wheelbase with Catalina interior appointments/standard equipment/option list. The "economy" LWB Pontiac. For those wanting more trunk space and a smoother ride on the cheap. and sold ok for the the time. Became the Star Chief Executive for 1966 and simply Executive from 67-70.
I graduated from Pontiac Central High School In Pontiac, Michigan in 1965. Born and raised in Pontiac but no longer live there. But to this DAY I, when people ask me where I'm from I always answer " Pontiac Michigan. We built the Pontiac GTO." I always loved the 60s Pontiacs. All of them. and we raced them to Detroit along Woodward Avenue .. DAILY
Great episode, thank you. I remember fondly driving my older brother's 1965 GTO for 1 month. My parents had a 1963 Bonneville and 1964 Catalina, both "Wide Track" stationwagons.
I think that 1964 through 1967 was the pinnacle of design for GM.
Yep, the Mid-60's Pontiacs were Awesome and still look good today, Adam😎👏
There are no trunk lines on that boattail...no trunk?? You are so correct when you say that Pontiac like a Cadillac, that was Buicks go to and Pontiac blew them out of the water in 1965!!
Man I love that boat tail... Pontiacs in 65-66 were incredible.
63 Grand Prix,67 Riviera & 61 Lincoln are very different but my three favorites from the era. New Sub,I've enjoyed the videos for a while..
That "Boat Tail" was a great idea, but certainly expensive to build. I've never liked "stacked headlights" on a car, though my current '14 Cayman S has that feature. Albeit, with projectors under polycarbonate shields.
Great video as always!
[It's always fascinating seeing southeastern lower Michigan in your videos, reminds me of my childhood there.]
Wow that Pontiac in the thumbnail is awesome looking.
Adam..
your 1965 Bonneville is absolutely Gorgeous
Idea suggestion...
Nova (Chevrolet)
Omega (Oldsmobile)
Ventura (Pontiac)
Apollo (Buick)
The "real" story on who, how and why.👍🏼
Thanks Adam.
NOVA quartet. Plus the initial ('75) Cadillac Seville derived from this "X" body. (EX)
Totally agree about the look of this year and look of the Pontiac design..
Although it would have been cost prohibitive, I would like to have seen the Grand Prix fastback/boatail roofline made a 2+2 exclusive design.
Pontiac and Buick had the best styling at GM.
During the early 1980s, a friend of mine had a maroon 1965 Pontiac four-door sedan, that was dentlesss, but ran poorly. He wound up junking it, at the same time with a 1967 Lincoln. (RIP TCK 1954-1993)
i would guess on the grand prix that those fin type lights were the first introduction of safety brake lights. what riviera and toronado did in later years. beautiful designs!!