While we were in Madison in October, we came upon this 1966 Pontiac Bonneville convertible parked on Main Street. I was shooting my Pentax KM with a 35-70mm f/4 SMC Pentax-A lens attached and Fujicolor 200 inside.
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Not many of those dinosaur convertibles still stalking the earth!
We know of one, at least!
So do I that an acquaintance owns. His mother’s that she bought used in 1969.
Beautiful car in a beautiful colour.
Yes! Somewhere in the film, developing, and scanning the red turned out a little less deep than in real life. But the images still look good.
Great details, Pontiac really was at the top of their game early to mid 60’s.
Not the wheels I would have chosen for that car, but a very nice example
At least they are a wheel that would commonly have been chosen then.
Nice work with that outfit. I always like a 35mm lens for car shots. I especially like that last shot for its slice-of-life quality, documenting the precise time and place of a story in progress.
I was lucky to make that final image. Margaret had received an urgent phone call, so we were standing there while she spoke. I turned around and noticed the family in the car, and heard the motor fire up. I shot from the hip, as I had only a moment. They pulled away a few seconds later.
What a beautiful car!
Long and low!
Jim, Dad had this Pontiac Bonneville, not a convertible. The trunk was big enough to sleep in, and the back seat could hold 4 people, good for triple dating! Thanks for your interesting articles, especially Christian experiences. Not sure if I told you, but we were members of the Church of Christ downtown, but we attended some at Traders Point when it was still in the center of the village. This would have been in the 50s and 60s. Also, we share and interest in photography, although I still have a problem with phone cameras. (Mainly not computer savvy.) Used to be school photographer in college, before digital. I have cameras and equipment, Pentax K1000 and H1a, plus lenses and other stuff. Any ideas on how to sell them? Blessings, LaRue Bennett
These were very large cars, for sure!
It’s been a long time since my time in the Church of Christ but I’ll bet we know some families in common.
Roberts Camera will buy your Pentax gear. Just take it down there to their store. You’ll make more money if you sell them on eBay, but at the cost of a lot of hassle.
I love the trash bag hanging from the glove box
Very practical. However, it and whatever that thing is on the dashboard that reflects up into the windshield marred what is otherwise a terrific interior image.
Some car!
Hard to believe they used to make them like this!
My husband brought home a ’72 Bonneville several years ago. Our daughter posted a photo of it on Facebook with the caption, “This is Dad’s new ride. It is approximately 730 feet long!”
That’s a terrific description!
Great shots. That Fuji really pops in the sunlight!
That’s the film’s mission!
The 66 Bonnie is a favorite of mine. When I was a kid some neighbors bought a new one, a silver-blue 4 door hardtop with a black vinyl roof. It was gorgeous! Great shots!
I’m sure that was one beautiful Bonne!
