1976 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Junkyard Find

1976 Pontiac Bonneville Brougham Junkyard Find. Another old Poncho makes it into the yard. This time its a 76 Bonneville with the 455 still under the hood. But unfortunately the engine was locked up and looked to have water in the oil along with heavy rust on the valvetrain . The interior was in rough shape as well. The trunk was a bit of a time capsule with old tools and parts. The Body was dented ans rusted in some areas. But she did at least have a full set of the hard to come by 5x5 Pontiac ralley wheels that ive been searching for. I also took the air conditioning compressor brackets.

[@mikesawyer4707]

This was the era of the big american automibile. Gone, but not forgotten.

[@olddisneylandtickets]

Always loved Pontiac's front end treatments, classy.. Last year of the Poncho 455! I have two 1970 Pontiac 455's in my garage, I just need a car to put them in!

[@3713msg]

Thanks for the explanation of types/stages of rust! Some must need it. I do not however, because I live in Northern Indiana. At any rate, you do a great job on the videos, and narration. I feel like I am in the junkyard with you! Thank you for what you do.

[@dieselbronco9247]

I had a '73 Grandville with a 455, thats the only car I have ever owned that you could be running 45 and stomp the gas and it would just annihilate the back tires. In hindsight that was probably not the wisest choice of cars for 16 year old me but I'd sure love to have one today.

[@toussantlbisso]

Wide Trackin Pontiac ! Won't make them like That anymore.

[@andydanko7074]

That Bonneville was a very classy ride back in the day when it was new.🤗🤗🤗

[@briang4470]

It's a shame that the 455 was junk, they probally stopped driving it because of a blown head gasket or cracked head, I'm sure someone will still get all the accessorys off that engine, factory pontiac ac brackets can be hard to find complete

[@johnbartol8511]

These cars were so beautiful two or four door four hardtop was awesome with all the glass dropped and pontiac rallys hell yeah

[@malikdigger4544]

Dang shame for that Poncho Bonneville agree those Pontiac rims are hard to find but least all 4 are there luv when GM use to call there automobiles Brougham.

[@SuperRobbie1976]

76 was a good year.

[@dowen1511]

Surprised that thing never caught fire with Sun beating through the window on all that paper. 😳

[@cadillacguy1890]

Those old parts were just as cool as the car, which is pretty cool.

[@googleusergp]

Whoa Nelley, that's a large barge and it once (was) in charge. Yup, David McDavid is still around, they are at least a Ford and Honda dealer. The Ford dealer is located at 300 W Loop 820 S, Fort Worth, TX 76108. Yup, Parker-Hannafin, they were in St. Augustine, FL. A woman I worked with in the aftermarket came from there to us around 1986. Nope, that cap isn't for this car. This car would use a Standard DR-450X (Blue Streak HD version) or a DR-450 (regular). That is a Chrysler cap. "CH" prefix parts stood for for "Chrysler Head". A "head" is an automotive term for distributor cap back in the old days "JH" in Standard was "Japanese head" for the Japanese car caps. Standard's part number prefixes gave you a clue as to the type of part that they were. Yes, Delco R45TSX is the correct plug for all catalyst Pontiac V8 engines, including my '79 Trans Am 400 and '80 Turbo 301 as well as this car. That looks like a Milton USA made tire gauge. I just got one too in a lot buy of old SK, Snap On and Craftsman tools for $60 on FB marketplace. Included in that lot was a Craftsman air ratchet as well. Good score. We got the VIN, we win. Here we go: 2 for Pontiac, R for Bonneville Brougham, 47 for two door, W for 455 Pontiac V8 RPO "L75" with four barrel (which had 200 HP even in the Trans Am that year), 6 for 1976 model year, X for Fairfax, KS assembly and the rest is the production sequence, and it's an early 1976, judging by the late 1975 delivery date. Save the books, they sell on Ebay. It took me a long time to find the ones for my car which were missing. I have now "recreated" them by using blanks I found in the yard and my mom used an old typewriter at work with the correct font and typed up the pamphlets just as the dealer clerks did back then. If you look closely at the one you had in your hand, the typist used a "strike-through" as they made an error and typed "2S47" instead of "2R47" because the "S" and "R" are very close on the keyboard. We got the tag, we can surely brag: ST76 for 1976 model year, 2BR47 for two door Bonneville Brougham, X for Fairfax, KS assembly and the rest of line one is a data processing code. 74C for the trim is Deluxe Burgundy/Carmine/Oxblood interior trim, AM6 should be split front bench seating, 13L is Sterling Silver exterior paint, 36T should be a red vinyl top, and 10B is the second week of October 1975 production. This was a beauty when it was new. It was the last of the large barges. My uncle had a wagon of this vintage and he got hit by a Chrysler New Yorker of the same vintage and he wound up in the hospital with bad injuries. The police called it the "Battle of the Boats" because it was two 4000+ cars hitting head on. My uncle was in the hospital for a long time and he recovered. I was very small when this happened and I'm going to say it was around 1976 or so. I'll have to ask him again as we talk all the time. Yup, those Pontiac 455 engine parts often swap over to the 400 and other Pontiac engines, as do the brackets and other parts. They are often missing on Trans Ams of this vintage so you should get a few bucks for them. I surely would have stripped a few parts from this one for sure. One item worth a buck or two is the delay wiper switch which to my knowledge also fits F body cars from 1978 to 1979, part #497234. Yours truly has about 5 or so of them. LOL. Rest in peace, large barge. You were once in charge. Now you're going to get squished and we're kinda pissed......

[@garymckee8857]

Outstanding you are a true poet in the automotive world.

[@googleusergp]

@@garymckee8857 Maybe one day I'll go on the VIN Wiki channel and talk VIN numbers and "war stories". You can then say, "Hey I know that guy". LOL.

[@mitomr.twiceasnice4358]

Its still gold, rusty gold. Always thought they were 4 doors.

[@dannyjaythompson1243]

I passed up a triple black 2 door back in 93 running,working a/c and sunroof for 650 at the shop where I took my Beemer to. Two weeks later it was destroyed in a demo derby. I really regretted not buying that car.

[@googleusergp]

Sunroof, RARE!!!!

[@datsun210]

15 years on the road, 44 years rotting

[@nathankim7664]

Nice catch on the wheels, but the whitewalls ain't your cup o' tea lol Were you able to get the papers and the wax products? I'm surprised the papers haven't been chewed up by the rats yet! And I do see an 8 track in there, but I can bet that the belt is no good

[@thomaswilsonsr.9206]

Those Bonnevilles use to float down the road. All the power, comfort, and style you need for one of the most reliable line of vehicles to have ever rolled off the assembly line. I swear those cars were designed to be worked on decades later.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The big Pontiacs of that era were unique in that they had adjustable brake pedals and full analog gauge readouts for engine functions rather than warning lights. The other big GM cars did not offer those options.

[@tyronebateslibra9435]

Long time no see.

[@ulrichboll4539]

how many 76er Bonneville are register in the US ?? I have an 76 Sedan 400-4 Brougham , stay in Germany since 2008. I now,there are build 23.000 in 76....it´s hard to find some parts for this beautiful car.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

And unfortunately this one now has been crushed

[@tyebirchsr1058]

Dont see to much two doors like that smooth ride tho

[@davidt4219]

Aloha, first time commenter, long time watcher. So much fun. Keep up all the great work. Love love love your videos EXACTLY how you do them. Love the tools, love the picking thru the junk, love all the cars 59-80 GM of course. Glad you got those Poncho Rallye rims. Can’t wait to see them on your 70 Executive. Thank you for hours of fun especially in these challenging times.

[@nvths50]

What a beast.

[@MrKen407]

awesome old rally wheels!

[@justinraystyles3537]

Last year before the new smaller body change that Smokey made famous!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

👍

[@waltereturner]

Cool ride. I had never seen a 2 door before.

[@garbage854]

Cool 😀

[@clf1908]

Yes it's a g ijoe

[@wolfwagonc1727]

There’s one of those on a movie called short time but it’s a four-door and it’s one of the best car chases ever

[@mcqueenfanman]

Seven Ups had a big poncho in it.

[@googleusergp]

That is correct. Bill Hickman is the driver, same driver of the black Charger in Bullitt.

[@dennislattimore3027]

Not that tank

[@outcastprojects6733]

Nothing says build home here to a mouse like a stack of paper!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

😄 so true

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

My Dad had one new, lime green with a half white top. This car can be saved, but some took the darn wheels!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

😄 i had to have those wheels. That style in 5x5 is hard to find

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

Lol

[@Ka9radio_Mobile9]

@@ClassicRideSociety 1970 ponco is a great looking car, the new wheels will make it stand out from the crowd for sure!

[@lateefcarrere1649]

Really appreciate your digging (in this case, literally) into these machines...& thanks for giving those that don't know (or just want to sound important) the difference between patina, the start of, & full blown rust. Living in Illinois, I know all 3 - & even had a car that had all 3, lol! Hope you was able to walk w/all those extra tools you scored in addition to that full set of wheels - you can never have enough tools. Be careful out there - some of your heat is starting to find its' way up North.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

All the tools came home with me

[@marktellez9719]

Hey bro grab the hood emblem worth big bucks I just got the Rally wheels there were something to excellent video stay safe and cool

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Some other dude came up and took it along with some of the other emblems. He broke some too 😄 😠 😆

[@marktellez9719]

@@ClassicRideSociety some of those old emblems are worth quite a bit Trade .

[@johnbasil7882]

Bahahaha......this poor old sexy baby girl was killed hard by time and on a scale of 1 to 10 is a one, but you pull out the owner's manual and it's like brand new! The books outlasted the car! Funniest thing I've seen in the junkyard in a long time

[@joe6096]

These were ok cars when/if they're in showroom condition, but they're not worth saving or restoring or putting money into them. Really, anything to come out of the Malaise era is not worth saving once it starts requiring substantial money to keep it running. These cars were not built very well and thanks to all the emission and fuel economy regulations before computers, performance was non-existent.

[@2strokepower803]

Well. I might have doe it. Not this one but I love those 70s 80s cars

[@googleusergp]

That's not true. There are many Trans Ams of that era that are worth big bucks now. Try finding a 400/4 speed '79 Trans Am and see what you pay even for a junker.

[@googleusergp]

@jdslyman Got news for you. The "Malaise" era cars are going up in value a bit. Why? All the early era muscle cars are out of the sky with the "I know what I got and I'll restore it some day".

[@ARAR148]

I had a 80s Cadillac 2 door, it had a lot of surface rust, it actually looked cool the way it was, very clean underneath, I told my mother its a pretty clean car, she looked at me and said "the whole thing is covered in rust, what do you mean?" she didn't understand either that surface rust doesn't hurt the car and you sand it off

[@jeffstrong2993]

A friend of mine just explained about that junkyard it's a pick a part but still don't know if that includes go joe's n tools n stuff explain it to me

[@richroggio]

nice car Benny, and the sport mirrors. I don't remember seeing to many of these back in the day. nice OEM wheels too.

[@daviddamico4288]

What a mess

[@garymckee8857]

😆

[@robertgeary7520]

Great video 👍

[@doug9066]

David McDavid has so many dealerships in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. In 1987 I looked at a brand new Mercury Grand Marquis at McDavid Lincoln-Mercury lot. I think the dealer might still be around.

[@googleusergp]

They are, they still have Ford and Honda and maybe others. The Ford dealer is at 300 W Loop 820 S, Fort Worth, TX 76108.

[@michaelduttry182]

I bought a set of those Buffalo brand sockets. They sucked. Worse than anything from Harbor freight. I had 73 Catalina too. Two doors with a 400. Loved that car

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I figured that buffalo brand was kinda cheap

[@dave1956]

That Texas sun is unkind to cars.

[@tyrondawson7979]

hi ,i was at pick a parts this morning hot job !

[@Onteo1]

Great archeological dig in that trunk. Buffalo brand was a cheapie set that sold for $4.99 back in the 70s. I Still have one intact and a set of deep well sockets. Same price

[@googleusergp]

I think a lot of those basic cheapo sets came from the same manufacturers overseas and were just labeled depending on who sold them. Some had blue carry boxes, others green, some red, etc. When Sears Craftsman became reasonably priced, most kept a small set of those in the trunk. Sears Craftsman USA made was always the way to go and still is for me.

[@robertkuster6389]

Looks like a future Gambler 500 car

[@davidjames666]

@1:45 “surface rust vs. structural rust” is what you were trying to say i believe. knowing the difference is how we can get our cars at a good price

[@ClassicRideSociety]

👍

[@wallyfronzaglio372]

Grab the skirts thier worth a few bucks

[@werewulfmicah]

Dang I need the bizells.

[@rickarnold2671]

Those same headlight bezels were used on the 88 to 95 GMC/Nova new look Busses

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Interesting. 👍

[@alphonsolewis4063]

I need a driver side front fender

[@gt-37guy6]

Never understood why they needed a Grandville model....what did you get? better seats than the Bonne?

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

The Grandville in the earlier model years had the longer 126 inch wheelbase with the unique C pillar. The Bonnevilles of the same year had the shorter 123 inch wheelbase with a different C pillar.

[@gt-37guy6]

@@SpockvsMcCoy thank you for the then info!

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

@@gt-37guy6 The longer wheelbase Grand Ville was only sold in 1971 and 1972. Then the Grand Ville shrunk to the shorter wheelbase from 1973 to 1975 and just became a more upmarket Bonneville with the same body. There was a Grand Ville convertible every year from 1971 to 1975. The last Catalina convertible was sold in 1972. By this time, the sales of big Pontiacs were going down...their styling was not great as it had been in the 1960s and they were not focusing on sportiness but rather luxury. My aunt and uncle purchased a new 1975 Bonneville sedan with the same styling as this junker...white paint with Cranberry vinyl roof, Cranberry interior, and these sporty wheels...and it was beautiful.

[@gt-37guy6]

@@SpockvsMcCoy So 71-72 sounds like they used the same frame as Buick Electra Olds 98, then went back to the shorter frame...confusing! Leave it to Pontiac... they had a way of making weird submodels some would get lost in the mix...Like the T37 / GT37 Tempest...My 1970 is such an oddball, only a few people really know what it is... which I kind of prefer.

[@SpockvsMcCoy]

@@gt-37guy6 Yes, the Grand Ville competed with both the Olds 98 and Buick Electra at that time. The Catalina at that time was really declining in sales but it had been popular in the 1960s. The only really collectible big Pontiac of that era are the 1971 - 1975 Convertibles. My favorite big Pontiacs were the 1963 to 1966. You like the midsize Pontiacs...many years ago my neighbor had a 1967 Tempest coupe with the O.H.C. 6-cylinder.

[@CR7659]

Deck lid off this may be a good flip if you can find a shipping method. Probably have to primer it too. In the damp climates they rot out. Tilt column, same deal as others I've mentioned, should flip easy. Looks like an 8-track stereo, that's probably worth $100 or so too. I got $50 for a regular AM-FM not stereo out of one of these earlier in the year. Rectangular headlight setup might be something someone wants. Fits all 75-76 full size. I'd grab that red emergency light out of the trunk and the GI Joe figure too. Probably a flood car by the looks of the engine and interior. Carb and air cleaner worth taking. HEI distributor too. Heads maybe. But there you're probably better off yanking it all and parting it out than spending the time to pick it apart there in the heat.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I took the red light and gi Joe. The light still works. I was able to find out some info on that car. It sat for years in the owners back yard

[@CR7659]

@@ClassicRideSociety It sure sat somewhere. 455s are usually big money but I'd be afraid to see what it looks like with the heads off. I'd go a few bucks just on that dealer badge on the trunk -

[@Voiceinthewoods]

4 set too bad wan't full 5.i would love to have a 76 grandville grandfather had one.red with red interior black vinal top.just had plain rims with hubcaps.but plus when you got in it.would settle for a bonneville 76..i had a 78 had a 5 set of mags all 4 beauty rings.should have kept the rims may fit on my square body......damn

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I just found a 5th wheel for a spare!

[@Voiceinthewoods]

@@ClassicRideSociety awesome!!!!

[@dowen1511]

Grab them tail lights and corner caps. And get them back out there and grill if its good. They are so hard to find 100 bucks a side on the internet. And yes the wheels are gold !!

[@chevylandt.v]

Nice 2 door. Some people think that they know about cars maybe they do and maybe they don't. But then again some don't know what the difference between rust and surface rust.

[@badrobot4793]

Must live !

[@nvths50]

What’s up Benny?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Just here chillin. Needing to get to work

[@nvths50]

Classic Ride Society it’s 11pm here in china. I worked an 11hr day and ready to watch a few videos of yours then get some much needed rest

[@johnbasil7882]

As abused and rough and beaten by time as she is and I really mean to stress neglect is obvious it's amazing that the fender skirts are with

[@freddybanuelos2068]

Thats rite rock them bad boys on your slide slicket wick it sick rixe bring them back much props to u

[@erikturner8687]

There’s rust, which is what you are talking about, then there’s rot......

[@toddreeves6848]

Hey where’d you find this one? I’m looking for one.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Crain's in Ft Worth TX but they crushed it a good while back

[@toddreeves6848]

@@ClassicRideSociety are you selling any parts

[@DeathRowCrushing.]

It's been awhile sents I've crushed one of them. Crushing 3 of them togetha it's like pick up a 4 ford 150s....

[@darrellmcknight4320]

Been looking for a rear bumper

[@ClassicRideSociety]

This car has been crushed

[@robbleblanc]

Dude that drivers side rear wheel was tough looking lol 😆

[@groverlewis8522]

I'll fix surface rust any day over real rust .

[@cardtrix1970]

"Koebs" had one of these...back in the day!

[@clarencejones7916]

the vinyl covering gone I wouldn’t bother

[@briang4470]

That old ac delco spark plug package is awesome, I have never seen spark plugs packaged that way before.

[@googleusergp]

Yup, used to buy them up through the 1990s that way. Kmart was the cheapest, 99 cents a plug.

[@freddybanuelos2068]

Coo rims i would rock them in a heart beat

[@donameci7]

Which yard is this one in. I need the rear end.

[@ClassicRideSociety]

It was at Crain's in ft worth. But it's gone now. Been crushed

[@donameci7]

Ohhhhh no, I missed my chance. Thank you though.

[@49Pistol]

Is this vehicle still available?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

They crushed it

[@49Pistol]

Ooooo no

[@dowen1511]

That year has the 750 cfm Rochester Qjet I do believe .

[@googleusergp]

I think up to 1972 it's 750 CFM. The M4MC that this would have in 1976 should be 800 CFM if I recall right.

[@samthompson1080]

They would not allow me to pull parts off anything with the X on it, Because it has No Title.. You must be special!

[@ClassicRideSociety]

I wasnt the only one who got to pull parts off it. It sat out there for anyone to pull parts off it for almost weeks

[@ClassicRideSociety]

There are a couple of other vehicles out there with an X that anyone can pull parts off

[@D4x4Bronc]

Good tool digging.

[@nadz109]

i had same car

[@garymckee8857]

I would like to have one in good shape. I miss those big vehicles. Thanks and rust is rust not patina. I had a friend who had a 70 Executive 455 two door that ugly yellow color paid 150 dollars for it 1980 it would be nice to find them like that today.

[@googleusergp]

To this day I can tell the sound of GM divisional starters. The Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Chevy starters all have their own "tune". These were really nice cruisers. A Pontiac V8 doesn't need to rev to cook, and while these were strangled for power, they still made torque.

[@garymckee8857]

@@googleusergp Mopar starters had that distinct sound that you could distinguish from the other makes.

[@googleusergp]

@@garymckee8857 Sure thing.

[@terryweeks8660]

I have 1972 Pontiac convertible with a 400 in it & it only has 69800 miles on it 👍

[@garymckee8857]

@@terryweeks8660 nice

[@OrangeBoss-ww8eb]

was the carb a 4BBL?

[@ClassicRideSociety]

Yes it was

[@jbb8382]

Rust in Peace

[@googleusergp]

As Neil Young said, "Rust Never Sleeps"

[@RANGERIZZY]

Two door bonneville ,class & muscle.

[@1983jblack]

This one needs a mercy crush to put it out of its misery. I love old cars but this is in pretty bad shape