1973 was the year when the GTO turned into what the Goat was never supposed to be – an underrated muscle car that nobody wanted, with its sales dropping to only 4,800 units.
However, it doesn’t mean Pontiac entered panic mode because its superstar was no longer generating interest in the automotive space. The GM brand had other models that brought home the bacon, including the Firebird.
The 1973 Bonneville, part of the fifth-generation series introduced in 1971, received a new standard engine, this time generating only 170 horsepower. Not everybody liked the detuned 400, so Pontiac also offered a more potent alternative—the 455 four-barrel V8 with 250 horsepower.
The Bonneville in these photos comes with this massive block under the hood, and as you’ll discover in a few seconds, it isn’t the only surprise hiding in this Pontiac.
First and foremost, it’s important to know that this Pontiac Bonneville spent its entire life with the same family since it rolled off the assembly lines. The car never left the family, but on the other hand, it never spent much time on the road. The odometer indicates a surprising number – 13,793 miles. The people at Primo Classics (primoclassicsinton eBay) claim the previous owner confirmed the mileage as being correct.
The blue-on-blue Bonneville left the factory loaded with options, including air conditioning, power brakes, and power steering. It starts, runs, drives, and doesn’t seem to require anything. The car was meticulously cared for, and the low mileage suggests this Bonneville spent many years in storage, regularly started to retain its working condition, but away from anything that could alter its shape.
The garage doesn’t reveal if the car is still completely original, so you’ll have to determine this in person or with a third-party inspection. However, the car rides on new Riddler wheels, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see more parts replaced with aftermarket versions.
It’s still one of the best-looking Bonnevilles you can find online today, and the working 455 with the low miles on the clock is a main selling point for someone who just wants to hop in and drive (only for a few minutes, though, as nobody wants to add many miles to the incredible number on the odometer).
This Bonneville just failed to find a new home earlier today, as the auction started on eBay failed to hit the reserve. The garage did not reveal the reserve’s value, but after 19 bids and a top $14,700 offer, the car will remain where it’s parked for a little longer. I expect the car to appear on eBay again in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, you can see it in person in Lakeland, Florida.