1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible in White Paint & Engine Start on My Car Story with Lou Costabile
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- Опубліковано 2 жов 2024
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On "My Car Story" we're in Chicago IL on 8-26-16.
We're looking at a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible in White Paint with a 389 CI Tri-Power Engine.
The car's Owner is Ron Rufo. Ron shares as a kid he remembers a neighbor having a 1959 Pontiac Catalina and always liked the look of the car. While driving into a car show in Tinley Park he happened to park next to this car. He was impressed with the car as the car won “Best Of Show” that day, met the Owner, and they started a friendship. In 2001 the Owner ended up selling the car to Ron.
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Nice, but the continental kit just ruins the back end of that car.
agreed. I don't like them on any car. great car though, and nice vid.
The factory back end is my preferred choice.
and those rear view mirror dice are tacky i would take them down
Yeah, interesting to see, but really changes the vibe!
Not an easy car to find. What a machine, and WORK OF ART !
Hi Jay Wilder, "WORK OF ART !" Well said, Lou
Absolutely beautiful, such an amazing design, everything about this car is special, and only 65k on the clock. Thankyou Lou and thankyou Ron for spending what is obviously a lot of time and money.
It's my pleasure Jon to share these cars with you, Lou
This was to me the second most beautiful GM car of 1959, the first being, as I mentioned a couple days ago, the 59 Buick. GM beat out every other car maker that year in innovative and beautiful cars!!! The third was the Oldsmobile.
Hi David, High praise on the design of this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
In 1961, my first grade teacher "Miss Clifford" had a White 59 Bonneville Convertible, with white and red interior. Boy I loved that car.
Hi Bob Arena, A wonderful memory :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Front looks like the evolution of the GTO front end. Those annoying jet planes !!. Car has two tail fins in one.
Another great video :) That continental kit was just awesome as well as the sparkle carpet... I can't tell you how much I enjoyed looking at it all. Thanks Lou!
So glad you enjoyed the car. Thank you for the encouraging words. I really appreciate it, Lou
Yes '59 was the first year for 'Wide Track'. However it had little or nothing at all to do with handling. Better handling may have been a minor side benefit but that was more of an illusion. Without checking the names and the exact numbers I will try to explain the real story from memory. When Semon Knudsen was charged with revitalizing Pontiac the styling of the all new '59s would be his baby. So G.M. set the final overall dimensions along with the build and body specs. Then these get handed to the separate divisions so they can make them look unique. '59 is historically looked upon as G.M.s first crack at true badge engineering. For the first time all divisions shared the same platform. There may have been 2 bodies/platforms (not checking my resources here), the C and the B. The only difference being the wheelbase. The mechanical, build and body platforms were identical throughout the GM divisions. With a few slight exceptions (the Cadillac 75...) true separation between the divisions had come to an end. Don't believe me... ? Look at the doors on any GM 2 door for '59. They are identical. So in an effort to further set the Pontiacs off from the rest of GMs all new '59s, Knudsen and his team realized that GM was using the same tire track width as had been used for the '58s, but with the new wider bodies this resulted in a somewhat ungainly look. So the Pontiac styling studio pushed all 4 wheels out an inch or so and 'Wide Track' was born. True genius! Pontiacs of that era are known for their road holding but that has more to do with the engineers fine tuning the spring and shock rates to Pontiacs 'sporty' image. The wider track helped but that was just gravy. The sales/marketing department ran with 'Wide Track' in every way, including road holding right into the 1970s by which time Pontiac had long since abandoned a true wider tracking chassis. 'Wide Track' was conceived by the styling department. Purely for styling. Check your facts....
HI Michael, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
Awesome car! Micheal is correct "Bunky" thought the car looked top heavy so they push out the wheels and lowered it. The improved handling was luck not planning. But the Pontiac marketing team loved it and ran with for many years after. If you look at the illustration art for the brochures and ads through most of the 60's Pontiacs were always low and wide.
Actually if a 59 Pontiac rolled through some a wide puddle and on to dry asphalt the rear wheels would be overlapping the outside edge of the front wheels
List Media, Inc.
All of the low-wide art of that was deceptive. It’s still that way, even though photos are used now.
What a car...loaded with so much bling....from tire skirts to the continental kit to the groovy interior. I love this car TODAY but am quite certain I would not have bought one in 1959 due to Chrysler styling that year.......thanks Lou.
Hi Mike, Happy to read the details you enjoy on this car :-) Glad to read you know the purchase direction you would go in 1959. Thank you for sharing, and you're welcome, Lou
Beautiful Bonneville and all that interior chrome! rear view mirror dice looks tacky.
Hi JxT1957, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car (minus the dice), Lou
My very favorite year of Pontiac!❤️
Nice !
The Pontiac grille was by far the nicest of all the 59-60 GM models...
The front of the car to me looks like an Eagle with the hood that rolls down into the center like a beak and the headlights are the eyes.
kramden
No way . ‘59 Caddy has the best, most intricate grille.
Nothing wrong with a nice '59 Bonnie'... But I think it's fair to say that the owners of these and other classic cars with the ridiculous aftermarket 'Continental' kits should be sent to a mental hospital for intensive therapy and evaluation specifically in the areas of insecurity and outright delusional perception of reality. Or just outright thrown in jail for horrendous bad taste and destructive behavior. Of course each owner without fail will vehemently explain that his is a 'very rare 1 of 1' specially ordered and installed at the factory right along with the tissue dispenser which of course did not come from EBay. As far as the 'very rare' for '59 tri-power.... They were not all that 'rare' when new as they were a fairly common factory option. The rare car today... The HOLY GRAIL of rare '59 Pontiacs would be an actual factory 4 barrel car that has not been changed over to a tri-power. All the evidence is under the hood. Where has the rare and valuable 1959 factory issue tri-power air cleaner gone? Into the trash? Certainly not... 1 of 1 '59s produced specially at the factory with generic mid-60s style GTO air cleaners.
Hi Michael R, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this UA-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this UA-cam Channel, Lou
I'm not a fan of the Continental Kit Person, The rest I Like. I like the Fins.
Hi Tiger, I like the fins too :-) Lou
My dad told just the other day that he bought a 59 convertible white in the 60's from a lady who had it sitting in yard not running.What surprised me was the fact she sold it to him for 75 bucks.
Hi g balla, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this UA-cam Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile Oh yes,I definitely have enjoyed the cars you have on your channel.I spend alot of time with dad looking at cars he once had.Brings back memories for him and gives me joy to sit and talk to him about them..Thanks for sharing..
Thanks a lot Lou, such a beautiful 59 Pontiac Bonneville Conv, the outside white paint sure does go so perfect with the blue & white upholstery. As a young kid I always admired the styling on this 59 Pontiac Bonneville. Too bad you didn’t take this car for a cruise, of course with the top Down. I loved the sound of the horns too, it really “gets” your attention. Great job as always Lou!✌️❤️🙏🏻💚👍
Hi Gary, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car. Stay tuned, an other 59 Bonneville coming up.....with a ride :-) Thank you for the kind words on the videos, Lou
Can one even imagine if cars like this were made tody? Nope! Just the small, inverted bath tub look-alikes which you literally have to crawl in and out of.
Yep, this car build is from days gone past.....
Liche Christ
I assure you, you’d grow wearing of navigating one of these as a daily driver. I know. We had a ‘59 Cadillac.
Frank Gutowski depends on where you live. In Europe yes, it’s a bit tricky. But in America, the roads are a bit larger, and these cars ain’t that bad to be navigated, if you live in a small town or rural area, or even a small city.
Hi Ron & Lou / Cool ride it is a shame the GM, took out Pontiac. Yes for "Wide Track" Come take a ride on the LCCA Traveling Boxcar.
ua-cam.com/video/_2ENwMvHNI0/v-deo.html
Gary from Michigan 🚂
Hi Gary, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this UA-cam Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this UA-cam Channel, Lou
When I was about 10, my dad bought this exact car. I was in love!! Thank you for posting this vid. Brings back many memories.
Hi larry allen, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this UA-cam Channel, Lou
Great car! Sounds like you were right under the flight path of O'Hare airport.
Glad you enjoy this car :-) That's exactly where we were.
👀 WOW 👀 Beautifull ,.....pop had one when I was a preteen,,..........yiks, I never liked continental kits,....theyre just so in the way.....How could anyone turn down owning that ! Nice Find👍👍
Glad you like this one, and I like to find cars that I think the views don't get to see everyday, unique cars, and find out their story to leave a historical legacy. It's fun to share :-) Lou
Hi again Lou. Just going back through my favourite videos and there you are again. I reckon you two had a blast together that day. Ron and Lou, two Italians having fun and reminiscing.
Good times, good times :-)
My first car, ...a white convertible, but not the continental kit or tri power. That came later with my '66 2 + 2 421
Hi Grateful Child, Happy to read this car / video brings back memories of your 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and I hope you see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
My dad had the red version..white top..It had the famous 389 that went into the GTO.. ..He loved that car..so did I..sneaking it out in the middle of the night was stupid and a thrill...I'm lucky to be alive ..He never caught me.
Now we all know why the UA-cam name Rebel with a cause :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
My first car was a white 1959 Pontiac Parisienne , 2 door hardtop (Canadian Bonneville)...only had the 283 motor with 4 bbl. Still dream of that car today.
Hi Michael Schmidt, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this UA-cam Channel, Lou
Does anybody know how these curved glass windows are made? That must be an art in itself.
No idea, and I agree, it must be artwork.
What a car!! So american...
:-)
Pretty cool “Big Chief Pontiac.” Noticed that it had seatbelts up front that appear to be “factory supplied.” For a ‘59, that’s rare. My oldest brother once had a 1959 Pontiac Stratochief four-door sedan, which was the lowest-priced full-size Pontiac. Although the rear end was similar in design (without the Continental Kit), the front end was completely different in styling. Unfortunately, he crashed it into an Air Force parked car! My late father once owned a 1958 Cadillac Series 62 Hardtop Coupe. Although it was the lowest-priced model, with its white exterior and aqua/green interior, that car turned heads wherever he drove it. It was a beautiful automobile, and my dad’s pride and joy. When my other older brother was sixteen-year’s-old in the Spring of 1963, he wanted to learn how to drive. With him in the driver’s seat and Dad in the passenger side, they made a right turn on a road, but it was too wide, and he was in the oncoming lane. To avoid a head-on crash with a car coming in the opposite direction, Dad grabbed the steering wheel to get it out of that lane. Unfortunately, he over-corrected, and steered his pride and joy right into a hydro pole! Dad was so angry with him that he got scared, and ran away! My brother stayed at a friend’s house for a couple of days until Dad cooled off. My father was a self-employed mechanic with his own repair shop, so he did all the repairs himself. The car needed a new grill, hood, front bumper, radiator, fan, and water pump. The Cadillac crest and “V” underneath it were made of anodized gold aluminum! The parts alone cost him over “two thousand dollars,” which was a lot of money in those days. After getting the hood painted at a body shop, my older brother helped him install it. If you can feature a 1958 Cadillac in an upcoming episode, that would be great. Thanks!
Hi Fred Kelbert, Glad you enjoy this car :-) Here is a video of a 1958 Cadillac I think you'll enjoy, Lou ua-cam.com/video/wUvt_eDenC0/v-deo.html
Lou Costabile Thanks for sharing the video of the 1958 Cadillac. In my previous comment I made a mistake. My oldest brother’s car was apparently a “1959 Pontiac Strato Chief.” The front and rear styling was similar. I’m sixty-six year’s old, and my memory is not as sharp as it used to be. Cheers!
I love this car the interior of the Bonneville is ace :)
Glad you "love" this interior :-) Agreed, really cool :-)
Lou your buddy with the 59 Bonnie in red and silver? Now this one? I'm ecstatic!
Hi Bob Bob, Happy to read you're ecstatic! What if I told you there is one more?! Stay tuned :-) Lou
Must be near O'Hara. Nice car but it would be even better without the continental package.
Hi Lee, You're right, we're right by the airport, Lou
Was the sparkle carpet a Pontiac exclusive, I've only seen it on them!?!
Not sure. Hoping a Viewer can share more knowledge.
Great color combo but way too long, The conti kit is too much, adding to the over all length
Hi Pat, Happy to read you enjoy the looks, and the continental kit clearly adds length. Lou
tip of the day don't have a car review next to an airport also them continental kits are hideous !
Hi Martin Lafleur, Tip of the day, get some videos on your Channel that look better then mine before giving a tip of the day to someone with 60K+ Subscribers :-) Stay well, Lou
I find it strange that it;s the top of the line Bonneville with all the options but no padded dash.
Interesting.
this one doesn't have chrome pieces on door handles and has mirrors on door not on fenders as opposed to another 1959 Bonneville seen here -
ua-cam.com/video/42LkQiOAf8A/v-deo.html.
Is it because of inaccurate restoration or Bonnevilles were different in 1959?
Hmmm, I'm not sure if the Bonnevilles were different. Hope a Viewer with knowledge can help, Lou
@@loucostabile Thanks! You know what, I watched this video (ua-cam.com/video/42LkQiOAf8A/v-deo.html) one more time and found the answer re mirrors on 2:50. The red Bonneville seems to be a rare one. Interesting.
Stunning 😎👌
Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-)
GM came out with great designs in '59. The continental kit on the back is over the top. A regular continental kit would probably look better. The bumper dosen't look natural. Other than that a true beauty!
I don't like continental kits. But it's a gorgeous car other than that
Hi Martin, Happy to read you enjoy the design of this car :-) Lou
@@loucostabile I have to admit the designs of GM for 1959 were over the top! But they were playing catch up from Ford and Chrysler. I also have to admit there's another reason why I'm fond of the '59's. I own a '59 Belair. Those batwings certainly do make a statement. Another example of those 'over the top' designs!
Wow, is that an O'hare/ORD flightpath!?!
Yes.
LOU, One of my ALL TIME FAVORITES! I LOVE THE 1959 PONTIAC'S Especially the STAR CHIEFS and Bonneville here with the Chrome around the gauges and all along the dash! ANd yes the sparkle in the carpet was cool. We had a 1959 Flat Top Star Chief 4 door when I was 9 years old and the car was also 9 years old when we got it for $70 my dad said he paid LOL. I fell in love with the styling instantly.
Hi Gene978, Bingo! Glad I'm able to share an ALL TIME FAVORITE, Lou
The 1959 Pontiac and 1959 Oldsmobiles look a lot alike and they are intimidating.
Big Cars in your rear view mirror 8-0
So does the 59 Chevrolet. I love their mean and aggressive looking grille.
Thanks for another great video. All your videos are excellent. I love this one in particular because growing up, we had a 59 Catalina 4 door sedan in aqua with a white roof. Love the curved glass. From there my parents bought a 71 Catalina which was also a wide track but nothing special. Then to another wide track, 76 Grand Safari (Bonneville) Wagon... the last of the big clamshell wagons and wide track GM's... That car again had rounded glass, but this time at the back, above the right and left rear quarter panels, leading to the clamshell tailgate. This car had 127 inch wheelbase and was 231,8 inches long. All of our vehicles were always kept in mint condition. Thanks again Lou!!
Hi Kevin Lynch, Thank you for viewing, and sharing your family had a 59 Catalina too :-) Nice ! You're welcome, Lou
My estranged father owned,a 1959 Pontiac Bonneville,4-door,vista hardtop.Great car,rode like a smooth,tank.4200 lbs,of the most beautiful steel.389 Cu.inch,V-8.Thanks for this tape.!God bless.!
Hi martin matsil, Thank you for sharing your memories of this car :-) Blessings received, and God bless you too, Lou
Apologies for sounding rude. Just can't stand when people make up automotive myths and fantasies and state them as fact. Should be more understanding tho. Love your style Lou, thanks.
Hi, no apologies needed. Thank you for viewing the Channel and the compliment on my style :-) Lou
In my opinion, I'd say this is the nicest car for 1959. Since these are hard to collect/find, I never knew there was a unrestored 59 waiting to be fixed in my hometown (I was uncertain there was one living close to me), John
Hi John, "Nicest car for 1959" High praise :-) Glad you enjoy this one, Lou
The way I say "Nicest car for 1959" is the front grille, the fender ornaments, chrome, interior, you name it! Also, I have uploaded some new videos, might want to check out, John.
this is not to believe, what a dream car , gosh!
Happy to read you enjoy this car :-)
I don't like the noise of the airplanes.
Yes, it's a challenge.
It is interesting to compare the trim ("jewelry") of the
Pontiac vs. Olds during the same year. Thank you. :)
Thank you for viewing & sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this UA-cam Channel you enjoy, Lou
WAs that Continental kit an real option or add on?
Hi jim dandy, As I understand it the Dealers would add this at the Dealership. Lou
Unfortunate location with the constant jet noise.
You do the best you can with what you have, where you're at, while you have time, and this was the result.
so the jet flying over while showing a car built in an era of fins, rocket shaped chrome, bullet site hood ornamentation.
Nice attention to detail :-)
Only thing missing is a Jib Boom and Miz'n Mast. What excellent wretched excess Lou.
Hi Audie Conrad, "What excellent wretched excess" Just the way we like them :-) Lou
I think the front of the 59 Pontiac looks years ahead of styling of its contemporaries. Beautiful car.
Hi Randy Tompkins, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts, Lou
As a car fan I'm glad that some of these cars are still around. I still get amazed that they are. Keep them coming.
You're on the right Channel welch shahan as I'm a "car fan" too :-)
Gorgeous until you get to the back end. There you find the tacky distortion that trashes the car, a continental kit.
Hi Steve Harden, Glad you like most of this one, Lou
I the forest preserve off of Dee Rd ?
Yep.
sounds like you're parked just below the runway Lou ? LOL
Hi spacemaster Chavez, You're exactly right, we're right next to O'Hare, Lou
Beautiful car. My 6th grade teacher had a '59 Catalina... just a sedan... but I remember it.
Hi werksdesign, Glad you enjoy this one, and thank you for sharing your 6th Grade Teacher had one similar too :-) Lou
Mom's former bus driver owned a '59 Catalina sedan also,he lived close by to our school so got to see it quite often.
Do your videos somewhere else the jets overhead are annoying
This was the only day we videoed at this location. Sometimes Dave H you do what you can, where you can, when you can.
why does it has spot lights Lou is it a cop car
This one is not a cop car. Back in this time period Owners / Dealers would add them as a option.
Did you have to be in the flight pattern?
Hi fromtelaviv, Sometimes you video where and when you can to share with the Viewers. I would have preferred a well lite garage with lights all around the car, or a sunny day in a secluded park, however today, I'm in a flight pattern. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
I designed the Illinois License Plates.
Then you should see this video, enjoy, Lou ua-cam.com/video/GvmKJMboUuM/v-deo.html
Sir, I thought the /58/ was the first year for widetrack cars
You maybe right, Lou
the first year for wide track was 59.
59 was the first year for both the Wide Track styling and the 389 ci V8. 59 was also the first year that the Pontiac emblem changed from an Indian head to the arrowhead with the star in it
LOOK AT THAT CAR !! W O W, OH, W O W!
Hi T Hyslop, Glad to receive a "W O W" from you :-) Hope you see many more cars on this UA-cam Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Cool :)
Happy to read you think this one is "Cool" :-)
@@loucostabile 😀
thanks for your video. AMERICAN CARS.
Hi Erlan Ayaguzov, You're welcome and it's my pleasure. Hope you see many more cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Sure, I will enjoy your videos. And thanks again
Must be next to an airport.
Yes, pretty close.
Another one... FABULOUS !
Hi Jay Wilder "FABULOUS !" High praise, nice, Lou
That rear overhang is insane! Great car though.
Like a diving board, Lou
That rear bumper hangs out like a balcony. It's a balcony bumper!
You're right, and that's funny!
Very nice 59
You have great taste. Amazing looking car, hard to keep your eyes off it.