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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 73-87 Chevy & GMC Trucks => Topic started by: 79chevykid on May 01, 2011, 03:50:14 PM

Title: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79chevykid on May 01, 2011, 03:50:14 PM
so i was at carlisle, PA swap meet this weekend and got a bunch of parts, one of which is a dash pad that has wood grain and says "bonanza" never really heard of this befor and was wondering what it was also the hole for the vin tag isnt there? other than that i got 2 brand new rockers, set of inner fenders, original pass. side fender, a door skin, 2 grills, 4 gauge clusters one has the clock and one has a tach so i think i can make a pretty sick cluster for my truck ;) also a sweet wood grain dash bezel and the valence like piece under the grill. only spent $200 on parts all weekend
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110501-00616.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110501-00615.jpg)
(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110501-00610.jpg)
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: bake74 on May 01, 2011, 04:58:29 PM
     Look through this thread, it will explain the differences in years and models.
http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79 chevy on May 01, 2011, 08:11:28 PM
i like that dash it is in really nice shape!! i have a 79 bonanza but i  dont really know the difference.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Grim 82 on May 01, 2011, 08:19:10 PM
That's a pretty good parts score. As far as the hole for the vin not being in the dashpad, some of the older trucks had the vin plate in the door jamb.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: bake74 on May 01, 2011, 08:25:46 PM
     1981 was the first year with the Vin # in the dash, 1980 and previous was all in drivers door jam.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: VileZambonie on May 01, 2011, 08:45:29 PM
Don't quote me on this but I believe the Bonanza was a sales promotion badging they did which included "free" extra options. Maybe they used up extra parts at no extra charge but I've never heard of a good reason for the bonanza.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79chevykid on May 01, 2011, 09:01:15 PM
its weird that you say about it being in the door jam, i was arguing with my uncle about where it was cause he was saying it was on the jam on the 79 and 80 trucks but on my original 79 cab its on the dash. on my old dash pad off my truck had no hole so it covered the vin?? i have read alittle about the bonanza being a sales promotion thing.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Cheyenne on May 02, 2011, 01:03:38 AM
I have a 1980 and the vin is in the dash I thought it be in the door etc it's right there on the dash..

Nice parts for 200
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: beastie_3 on May 02, 2011, 01:29:50 AM
around 78 they started putting VINs in the dash
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79 chevy on May 02, 2011, 02:59:43 PM
ya my 79 has the vin in the dash
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Cheyenne on May 02, 2011, 06:33:16 PM
I had 79 and a 77 ford f150s before they were in the door indiana you have to pay 5 dollars to verify the vin if it's not in dash. So luckily chevy put it in the dash on my 80 the bmv had no fee. I'm from Chicago they never check vins there it's weird here lake county ind by Chicago is strict car emissions 76 and up..


I've heard of Cheyenne silverado Scottsdale etc no bonazana package
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79 chevy on May 02, 2011, 07:03:52 PM
im not real sure but i heard it was just a different trim package.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 78 Chevyrado on May 02, 2011, 08:19:35 PM
My 78 has the VIN in the door frame.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Cheyenne on May 03, 2011, 12:07:14 AM
So it's a package like silverado etc?
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: bake74 on May 03, 2011, 09:58:10 AM
     If memory seves me right, some where in the 78'ish year they came out with a Bonanza was a package that they offered for a couple of years.   
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Cheyenne on May 03, 2011, 03:21:37 PM
Thanks for the info was the package trim only or was it performance and paint to? Was there a badge on the outside of the truck saying that to I like to learn history..
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: bobcooter on May 03, 2011, 03:39:17 PM
My 78 has the VIN in the door frame.
Yeah 79 was when they switched the VIN to the dash. I see a good looking 73-73 grill in that pile of parts. Nice.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: 79chevykid on May 03, 2011, 07:02:41 PM
so iv been looking and looking and i havent found much about it, i found this page http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/models.html (http://www.chuckschevytruckpages.com/models.html) if you go to the bottom it just says "The Bonanza had Bonanza emblems on the front fenders. It was a sales incentive program of some sort." it would be nice to find an original one to compare a plain custom deluxe with.

that 73-74 grill i got was probably the best deal i got all weekend, theres absolutely no cracks or fading, even the emblem is nice. i saw a couple other ones there that were going for big money. the other grill i got was free, the guy said he likes to see the kids getting into it (i was told that alot all weekend) but, its got alittle crack on top also has the 400 emblem that i thought was pretty cool.

(http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc370/kyler1111/IMG-20110503-00617.jpg)
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: bake74 on May 03, 2011, 07:11:55 PM
     It's getting harder to find the 73 - 74 grills with the 350/400 emblem in them.  I snatched a 350 out of a grill last week from pick-n-pull just because it was the first one I have seen around here.
     I am glad chris is selling them now, I will need one when I get that part on my build.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Captkaos on June 30, 2011, 01:09:16 PM
you apparently didn't search the site for Bonanza.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=18802.msg150630#msg150630
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10579.0
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=8331.msg53491#msg53491
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: PromiseKeeper on June 30, 2011, 01:43:58 PM
     If memory seves me right, some where in the 78'ish year they came out with a Bonanza was a package that they offered for a couple of years.   

Yep, there were even Bonanza fender emblems. My 80 VIN is on the dash too.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: RaymondPOwens on December 13, 2012, 08:10:18 PM
the chevy bonanza was a trim package, much similar to the silverado or chyenne. the bonanza features wood and chrome trim packages, but was based from the existing trucks and SUV's of each decade. a lot of the bonanzas had the clock in the dash.
Title: Re: what is the bonanza package?
Post by: Captkaos on December 16, 2012, 01:37:06 PM
This post is over a year old...  the links I provided explained it all.. 

It was a year end promotional sales incentive.  It was NOT a trim package.  It was based on the Z62 Trim package from 73-80 and on any trim level after that.

To keep it all together...
Quote
Bonanza special promotional grouping of options.  It was offered during the 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 model years, and was typically offered during the final months of those model runs.  There were several packages (typically designated "A", "B", "C", etc., and respectively carrying increasing levels of included equipment) offered on a variety of truck models.  Equivalent packages were offered for GMC vehicles under the "Royal Sierra" designation.

With the exception of the 1980 model year, the packages for the pickups were based upon the Scottsdale trim package, and with the exception of carpeting and nameplates and discounted option prices, resembled other similarly optioned non-Bonanza Scottsdales offered during those years.

The specific packages for 1979 Chevy Big 10 pickups were as follows...

Package A (code YG6) included Scottsdale trim, Bonanza nameplates, color keyed carpets, striped vinyl bench seat, deluxe wheel covers, chrome grille, upper and lower bodyside moldings, clock and gauges, AM radio, inside hood release, automatic transmission, comfortilt steering wheel, intermittent windshield wipers.  The total savings for package A was $200.

Package B (code YG7) included all items for package A plus tinted glass, air conditioning, cargo lamp; package savings was $300.

Package C (code YG8)  included all items in packages A and B plus operating convenience group (power windows and door locks), speed and cruise control; package savings was $400.

Interestingly, the Scottsdale offered three different upholstery choices.  They were Custom Cloth, Custom Vinyl, and Striped Vinyl.  The Custom Cloth and Custom Vinyl options for non-Bonanza Scottsdales included a color-keyed rubber floor mat while the extra cost Striped Vinyl selection replaced the mat with carpeting.  The Bonanza default upholstery was the striped vinyl, but I believe the Custom Cloth and Custom Vinyl could also be specified for the Bonanza without forteiting the carpet.