1965 Pontiac Bonneville 2+2

[doorsovdoon]

After completing my 1970 Bonneville I've been looking for earlier models from each year to go with it. I saw this 65' 2+2 model on ebay, which was the only one listed in the UK, so I decided to buy it instead of wishing I had done when it was available! So, here we go again, haha.

 

[1972coronet]

Have fun with that bad boy !  I started building one --- started being the operative word here --- back in late September 1987 . I'd painted it Testors Italian Red (no clear coat) then started on its engine (421 or 428 cube , not certain ) . While I was letting that Testors enamel dry ( took forever back then ; even longer these days ) after its gasses flashed , the 1987 Whittier Earthquake hit ( Thursday , 01-OCT-1987 at 0742 HRS ) . The body , and the black '70 SS-454 Chevelle which was also drying , was flattened by falling debris ( 95% of my collection was destroyed ) . To make matters worse , it was the Prestige Series version of the kit , which at that time was a $8.00 kit ( versus $5.00 for a regular kit ) .

Now I get to live vicariously through your build of a fine kit . 

Enjoy !

Mæ'r Ddraig Goch yn Drech na'r Ddraig Wen !

 

[doorsovdoon]

That's bad luck! No chance of an earthquake happening here... then again, I wouldn't be that surprised given what 2020 has had to offer so far!

[1972coronet]

5 minutes ago, doorsovdoon said:

That's bad luck! No chance of an earthquake happening here... then again, I wouldn't be that surprised given what 2020 has had to offer so far!

Earthquakes are the bane of the Pacific Plates' regions ; I've physically-survived : 1971 Sylmar ; 1987 Whittier ; 1994 Northridge .

2020 can sod-off !

Now , back to our regularly-scheduelled programme .

[Ace-Garageguy]

I'll be watching. I think that's one of the best looking things GM ever built.

[doorsovdoon]

Yeah, it is a stunning design! I love Pontiacs anyway, so I would say that, haha.

[doorsovdoon]

Starting on the kit today and there's two choices of wheels and carb set up. The instructions say the engine, heads, and transmission are all coloured "steel" is this right? Body colours I'm thinking of are light yellow and tan roof with white interior, or just black all over with either a red, white or navy blue interior. Early days yet though, it may end being a completely different colour combo. Another idea floating in head is a convertible conversion.  Suggestions always welcome:)

 

[blunc]

pontiac engine color for that time period is like a light turquoise blue.

taking the time to check fitment of the grille assembly to the front fenders will make it look better when done, reference real car pix for examples.

I had a 67 Tempest, sometimes when I see builds of 66/67 GTO's, I cringe when I see the fitment of the headlights to the fenders (similar style as the 2+2).

[espo]

This is going to be another great build to watch. The 2 + 2 was based on the shorter wheel base Catalina body. Think of a GTO and a Catalina as kissing cousins. The 8 lug wheels in this kit represent a unique brake upgrade that Pontiac offered until they went to disk brakes. The center section is the brake drums that was an aluminum alloy that had an iron brake drum inside. Beyond looking very nice this also added in brake cooling. The raised fins were usually a machined surface and the area in between was a little rougher as cast finish. The outer wheel was painted a silver color and the trim rigs made it look like a chromed wheel.  Converting to a convertible would be little more than chopping off the top and the boot, that's what we call the material that covers the folded top, can be found in the AMT '65 Impala convertible kit. Just have to find one. Knowing that you like to stay close to an OEM look the white interior would look good on a convertible. They would have had the dash board and carpet as well as the very low portion of the door carpet all the same color. The seats and most of the side panels would be white. These could be black or many other colors were offered.    

[doorsovdoon]

3 hours ago, blunc said:

pontiac engine color for that time period is like a light turquoise blue.

taking the time to check fitment of the grille assembly to the front fenders will make it look better when done, reference real car pix for examples.

I had a 67 Tempest, sometimes when I see builds of 66/67 GTO's, I cringe when I see the fitment of the headlights to the fenders (similar style as the 2+2).

Thanks, Mike. A quick check showed grill fitment is very good. I trial fitted the interior tub, glass and dash this time after the fit issue I had with the 1970 Bonneville. So far everything seems to fit nicely. Thanks for the info on the engine, I've seen blue, red, black and even orange.

[blunc]

about 25 years ago I acquired a 65 catalina wagon that  I had planned to convert into a "Catamino", unfortunately that never got done and I had to get rid of the car.

here's a factory color Catalina motor, also a decent detail shot if you're going to detail the engine.

factory engine color

Edited July 18, 2020 by blunc
content

[doorsovdoon]

2 hours ago, espo said:

This is going to be another great build to watch. The 2 + 2 was based on the shorter wheel base Catalina body. Think of a GTO and a Catalina as kissing cousins. The 8 lug wheels in this kit represent a unique brake upgrade that Pontiac offered until they went to disk brakes. The center section is the brake drums that was an aluminum alloy that had an iron brake drum inside. Beyond looking very nice this also added in brake cooling. The raised fins were usually a machined surface and the area in between was a little rougher as cast finish. The outer wheel was painted a silver color and the trim rigs made it look like a chromed wheel.  Converting to a convertible would be little more than chopping off the top and the boot, that's what we call the material that covers the folded top, can be found in the AMT '65 Impala convertible kit. Just have to find one. Knowing that you like to stay close to an OEM look the white interior would look good on a convertible. They would have had the dash board and carpet as well as the very low portion of the door carpet all the same color. The seats and most of the side panels would be white. These could be black or many other colors were offered.    

Thanks for the info, Dave. I tend to have a messy list of options in my head when starting a new build, everyone's input helps me narrow it down. The convertible conversion keeps popping into my head and I have a fold down top, not from a 65 Impala but it fits nicely. Looks like this one is heading toward a top chop!

[doorsovdoon]

Thanks, Mike. Yeah, the kit comes with the option of the triple carb set up which I prefer over the stock version, so that's happening, haha.

[randyc]

I started this one last fall.  Put it up for the winter and. Now can't find it or the 65 Grand Prix.  I'll be watching how yours goes. Inspiration. 

[doorsovdoon]

I just laid a light coat of metallic blue on the car and looks really nice!, a bit of squinting and imagination and I think convertible is the way to go:) I'll take a better picture tomorrow as the camera shows it a bit dark here. Try to imagine it with a white folded top:D

 

 

 

[doorsovdoon]

10 minutes ago, randyc said:

I started this one last fall.  Put it up for the winter and. Now can't find it or the 65 Grand Prix.  I'll be watching how yours goes. Inspiration. 

Thanks, Randy. Can't find it? How many kits do you have?! xD

[Slotto]

Looking good Gareth. This body looks very familiar to me

[doorsovdoon]

1 hour ago, Slotto said:

Looking good Gareth. This body looks very familiar to me

I'm watching your build of the Grand Prix:) It'll be interesting to see the outcome of the same body styles.

[doorsovdoon]

I think I've decided on the interior! Came across this picture while looking for colour options. Looks stunning.

 

[doorsovdoon]

No going back now! Roof is off. I'm getting everything trimmed nicely to fit right. The fold down roof is a good fit but I needed to cut back the arms, they were a bit too long. It's not the right roof for this car but it'll look good, trust me! I may need to use some filler to finish but so far it's going well. This is my first time I've got this deep into a build, I've never cut the roof off a model before so this is kind of scary for me, Lol!

[Slotto]

There you go. You never know what you can do until you do it. You got this

[doorsovdoon]

2 hours ago, Slotto said:

There you go. You never know what you can do until you do it. You got this

It's more involved than I thought. I think the boot/trunk is longer on the convertible.

[randyc]

On 7/18/2020 at 7:51 PM, doorsovdoon said:

Thanks, Randy. Can't find it? How many kits do you have?! xD

I put it up because my building isn't heated and knew I would lose parts.  Now I've lost the whole dang kit.  3 kits are Missing.  Lol. 8 don't have that many kits.  That's why its so crazy.  

[Tom Geiger]

6 hours ago, doorsovdoon said:

It's more involved than I thought. I think the boot/trunk is longer on the convertible.

On some American convertibles of this era, quarter panels, tulip panel (panel between rear glass and front of boot lid) and boot lid can be different shaped parts. 

Also the rear seat in a convertible can be more narrow to account for the pocket on each side that the roof bows fold down into. Sometimes with models of that era, the kit manufacturer only tooled the convertible interior and put it in the hardtop version of the kit too.

[doorsovdoon]

9 hours ago, randyc said:

I put it up because my building isn't heated and knew I would lose parts.  Now I've lost the whole dang kit.  3 kits are Missing.  Lol. 8 don't have that many kits.  That's why its so crazy.  

Lol, I've done that, store something so safely it gets lost completely!