The Bonneville (marketed 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.

[4] Pontiac did not release official power ratings for this engine, which had only been introduced earlier in 1955 replacing the flathead straight eight, saying only that it had more than 300 hp (224 kW).

As a separate model, Bonneville had a significantly lower price tag of $3,586 ($37,870 in 2023 dollars [5]) for the convertible, thanks to the removal of most of the luxury items found on the 1957 Star Chief bodystyle from standard equipment to the option list.

The retail price dropped from the previous year to US$3,481 ($36,761 in 2023 dollars [5]) for the coupe, adding leather interior and a power operated convertible top.

For 1958, GM was promoting their fiftieth year of production, and introduced Anniversary models for each brand; Cadillac, Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Chevrolet.

The Wide Track slogan was not just ad copy, either, as Pontiac pushed its wheels further out toward the fenders than anyone else and created what were considered to be the best-cornering full-size cars in the industry.

[14] In 1965, B-Body Pontiacs received a dramatic restyle, featuring fastback rooflines on coupes, rakish fender lines, and even more pronounced "Coke bottle styling".

[14] This generation also introduced fender skirts over the rear wheels for an upscale look, shared with Cadillac, Buick and Oldsmobile senior models.

Engine options remained unchanged from the 1964 model year, with a 389 cu in (6.4 L), 333 hp unit being standard, equipped with a Carter AFB 4-barrel carburetor.

As per GM's internal edict, the multi-carburation setups found on earlier cars were replaced with the new Quadra Jet "spread bore" carburetor.

1971 was also the first year for Pontiac and other GM divisions to reduce compression ratios on all engines across the board to operate on lower-octane regular leaded, low-lead or unleaded gasoline, reflecting a corporate edict anticipating the introduction of catalytic converters in 1975 to help meet increasingly stringent federal (and California) emission requirements.

1975 saw the end of the pillarless two-door hardtop model, replaced by a coupe with frameless door glass but with a thick "B" pillar and fixed rear "opera" window.

The Bonneville and Catalina, already the smallest-selling of GM's B-body line, suffered a serious drop in demand following the economic recession that began in the spring of 1979.

In 1987, the Parisienne was discontinued and the Bonneville was completely redesigned as a front-wheel drive car, rejoining its pre-1982 platform mates: the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile Delta 88 and it regained its status as the senior Pontiac.

[22] For 1987, Pontiac migrated the Bonneville from the rear-drive G-body with a V8 to the GM's one year old front-drive H Body platform, shared with the Buick LeSabre and Oldsmobile 88.

Initially, a 150 hp (112 kW) 3.8 L V6 was the sole engine, mated to a four-speed Hydramatic 4T60 automatic — in base and LE trim levels.

[22] The SSE features an extra deep rear valence, a spoiler, lower body cladding, a digital compass/trip computer, an eight speaker premium sound system and much more.

For 1990 models, a facelift was introduced for the Bonneville, with revisions to the grille, headlights, and taillights, which included amber rear turn signal indicators.

[22] The ninth generation Bonneville debuted on February 8, 1991, at the 1991 Chicago International Auto Show, with sales launching in July 1991 for the 1992 model year.

[22] Developed over a 4½-year period from 1986 to early 1991 under program director Dave Mitchell, styling work took place from 1987 to 1988, with a final design by John Folden chosen in 1988 and frozen for production that same year.

The newly revised N/A L27, for the 1992 model year only, was not equipped with an EGR Valve, and can be distinguished by its white intake manifold, as opposed to black from 1993 and on.

[22] Abridged safety options list: Model Year (MY) 1993: Beginning with MY 1993, the Bonneville SE could be optioned with a Sport Luxury Edition (SLE RPO: H4U) package, which included leather seats, electronic climate control, automatic headlights, premium sound, "crosslace" alloy wheels, a small console in the headliner, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension.

MY 1994: For 1994, SSEi trims used a new Generation III Eaton M62 supercharger with integral OBD-1.5 capabilities, raising the horsepower to 225 hp (168 kW) and torque to 275 lbf⋅ft (373 N⋅m).

MY 1994 introduced the new five-spoke "Torque Star" wheels; and exhaust resonator to lower the engine's tone; and front passenger airbag.

MY 1995: For 1995, SE and SSE trims received the naturally aspirated Series II 3800 engine (RPO: L36) making 205 hp (153 kW) and 230 lbf⋅ft (310 N⋅m).

MY 1996: In September 1995, styling changes were introduced for the 1996 model year facelift, with revised tail lights, headlights, grille, and lower body cladding.

Trim levels largely shared common lower cladding approaches, with the SSEi again receiving a unique front bumper and grille.

SE trim variants could be ordered with the L67 engine, which in turn required the Luxury Edition (SLE)(RPO H4U) package, which included a small console in the headliner, cobra head shifter, performance/normal shift selection buttons, leather interior, chrome delete side and bumper moldings, center shift console, and touring suspension.

The SSEi adds a 3.8L supercharged V6 engine, front-side air bags, leather upholstery, 12-way power driver seat and Monsoon AM/FM stereo with cassette and CD player.

As Pontiac's website said, "With GXP, V8 power gets reintroduced into the Bonneville line in the form of the world-renowned 4.6 L (279 in³) Northstar V8 engine, giving 0 to 60 mph (0–97 km/h) in 6.5 seconds demonstrates better performance than BMW 330i and 530i, and Lexus ES.