The Pontiac Bonneville is an automobile built by Pontiac from 1957 to 2005. Bonnevilles were full-sized, with the exception of a brief period of mid-size between 1982–1986. The brand was introduced as a limited production performance convertible during the 1957 model year. The Bonneville (known as the Parisienne in Canada until 1981), and its platform partner, the Grand Ville, are some of the largest Pontiacs ever built; in station wagon body styles they reached just over 230 inches (5.8 m) long, and at 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) and more were also some of the heaviest cars produced at the time. Also, they came with a Jetaway 315 and also were available as hearses.
Fourth generation (1977-1987)
1978
1978 brought a downsizing of the Grand Prix and the other A-bodies. This version of the A-body also received some sheetmetal revisions for 1981. The 1978 GP was about 1 ft (0.3 m) shorter and 600 lb (270 kg) lighter than the 1977 model with an overall length of 200 in (5,100 mm) and a 108 in (2,700 mm) wheelbase.
For the first time in Grand Prix history, a V8 engine was not standard equipment. In order to meet Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mandates set after 1973-74 energy crisis, a Buick-built 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 was standard equipment on the base model (formerly the Model J) and two versions of the Pontiac 301 cu in (4.9 L) V8 (Chevy 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 in California) were optional. The luxury LJ model came standard with the 135 hp (101 kW) 301 V8 with two-barrel carburetor while the sporty SJ was powered by a 150 hp (110 kW) 301 V8 with four-barrel carburetor. Top speed for the six-cylinder was about 96 mph (154 km/h), while the top-of-the-line 150 hp (110 kW) V8 was 109 mph (175 km/h).
A floor-mounted three-speed manual transmission was standard equipment with the V6 on the base model and the three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic automatic was optional. Turbo Hydra-Matic was standard on LJ and SJ models and base models with either of the optional V8 engines. Standard seating choices by model included a notchback bench seat with cloth or Morrokide vinyl in the base GP, a pillowed velour cloth notchback bench seat in the LJ or Strato bucket seats in cloth or Morrokide in the SJ. The Strato buckets were optional on the base GP and a 60/40 split bench was optional on both base and LJ models. Viscount leather upholstery was available with bucket seats on SJ models.
1979
A new crosshatch grille and revised taillight lenses were the only appearance changes made to the 1979 Grand Prix. The same models, base, LJ and SJ continued as before as did the basic engine lineup including the 231 cu in (3.8 L) Buick V6 standard on base and LJ models, the 135 hp (101 kW) 301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac V8 with two-barrel carburetor that was optional on both of those models, and the 150 hp (112 kW) 301 V8 with four-barrel carburetion that was standard on the SJ and optional on the other models. Transmissions remained the same as before with the three-speed manual standard with the V6 engine on the base model and automatic transmission optional. The automatic transmission was standard on LJ and SJ models and all models when a V8 engine was ordered. Again, the Pontiac V8s were not available in California, where they were replaced by Chevy 305 cu in (5.0 L) rated at 140 and 160 hp (120 kW). A new and one-year-only option this year was a four-speed manual transmission available with the 301 cu in (4.9 L) four-barrel or two-barrel V8 on all models. Only 232 4-speed/301 V8 cars were built.
1980
The 1980 Grand Prix returned to a vertical bar grille and featured new taillight lenses with "GP" logos. Automatic transmission was standard equipment on all models and the two-barrel 301 cu in (4.9 L) Pontiac V8 was replaced by a new 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8 rated at 125 hp (93 kW). The Buick 231 V6 and the four-barrel version of the Pontiac 301 V8 were carried over from the previous year as was the Chevy 305 V8 offered in California.
1981
A minor reskinning of the sheetmetal for improved aerodynamics marked the 1981 Grand Prix along with a new grille design and revised tail section. The SJ model was dropped and a new Brougham series was now the flagship of the Grand Prix line. The Brougham models came standard with all power options, a plush cloth interior similar to the full-sized Bonneville Brougham, and a half roof vinyl top with coach lamps. The base and LJ models continued as before. All models now came standard with the Buick 231 cu in (3.8 L) V6 with the 265 cu in (4.3 L) Pontiac V8 available as an extra cost option (Chevy 305 cu in (5.0 L) V8 in California). The 301 cu in (4.9 L) V8 was discontinued and a new option this year was the Oldsmobile-built 350 cu in (5.7 L) Diesel V8, which was not often ordered due to high cost of around $700 and poor reliability. The year 1981 was also the last for Pontiac Motor Division to offer its own V8 engine due to an emerging GM corporate engine policy that determined Pontiac would build only four-cylinder engines and Buick only V6 engines, leaving Chevrolet and Oldsmobile to build V8 engines for most GM cars and trucks, while Cadillac would produce its own aluminum-block V8 that debuted in 1982. From 1982-on, all V8-equipped Pontiacs were equipped with Chevy or Olds engines.
Source: Wikipedia
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