Beechcraft Bonanza Aircraft 1950s

Pre-1980 piston singles are heritage airframes that have typically been rebuilt and refurbished multiple times — original avionics replaced with modern Garmin or Avidyne panels, engines on at least one mid-time overhaul cycle, interiors refreshed once or twice. Pre-buy focus: airframe corrosion (especially wing carry-through, tail, gear), AD compliance history, log-book continuity, engine cylinder borescope. Heritage value can be meaningful for original aircraft in restored condition.

The Beechcraft Bonanza (also called the Beech Bonanza) is the most successful piston single in aviation history — in continuous production since 1947, longer than any other aircraft ever built. It comes in three sub-families: the iconic V-tail Model 35, the conventional straight-tail Model 33 (first sold as the Debonair), and the stretched six-seat Model 36, which is still in production today as the Garmin-equipped G36. All share the Bonanza's hallmark combination of speed, build quality and ramp presence, and all are powered by Continental IO-470/520/550 engines depending on era. There are currently 40 used Bonanzas for sale, ranging from $44,500 for an early V-tail to over $250,000 for a late G36.

Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft for sale

40 used Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft for sale 1950s · 4-seat · Used median asking $82,500 · updated 5 hours ago

Beechcraft Bonanza Specifications

Model spec

The Beechcraft Bonanza is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 165–186 kt (306–344 km/h), a range of 680–1,060 nm (1,259–1,963 km), and a useful load of 1,031–1,245 lbs (468–565 kg).

Performance
Cruise165–186 kt (306–344 km/h)
Max Speed176–199 kt (326–369 km/h)
Range680–1,060 nm (1,259–1,963 km)
Service Ceiling17,500–25,000 ft (5,334–7,620 m)
Engine & Fuel
Horsepower285–300 HP
Fuel Capacity74.0–102.0 gal (280–386 L)
Fuel Burn10.0–17.0 GPH (38–64 L/h)
TBO1,400–2,000 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats4–6
Max Gross Weight2,650–3,850 lbs (1,202–1,746 kg)
Useful Load1,031–1,245 lbs (468–565 kg)

Beechcraft Bonanza for Sale

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Beechcraft Bonanza asking prices range from $44,500 to $250,000, with a median of $82,500.

1951 Beechcraft Bonanza C35

1951 Beechcraft Bonanza C35 for sale
$31,000
Project
Reg# N140UC US
Location Lexington Park, MD
Via Donald Jackson

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35 for sale
$44,500
For Sale
Reg# N8906A US
Location Ravenna, OH
Via Canton Aircraft Sales Corporation

1955 Beechcraft Bonanza F35

1955 Beechcraft Bonanza F35 for sale
$47,000
Project
Total Time 8,006
Reg# N4228B US
Location Conroe, TX
Via High Performance Aviation, LLC
Multiple sources

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35 for sale
$49,500
For Sale
Total Time 5,932
Reg# N8813A US
Location Anderson, IN
Via Indy Air Sales
Listed 1mo ago

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35

1950 Beechcraft Bonanza B35 for sale
$50,000
For Sale
Total Time 6,951
Reg# N369RB US
Location NV
Via Mackenzie Lewis

1953 Beechcraft Bonanza D35

1953 Beechcraft Bonanza D35 for sale
$54,900
For Sale
Location Fresno, CA
Via Sasha Tomaino
Listed 17d ago

1956 Beechcraft Bonanza 35

1956 Beechcraft Bonanza 35 for sale
$55,000
For Sale
Total Time 3,450
Reg# N4508D US
Location Fort Lauderdale, FL
Via JASON LEMIEUX
Multiple sources
Listed 1mo ago

1956 Beechcraft Bonanza G35

1956 Beechcraft Bonanza G35 for sale
$58,900
For Sale
Total Time 5,690
Reg# N4666D US
Location Maryville, TN
Via Joel Mayo
Multiple sources

1952 Beechcraft Bonanza C35

1952 Beechcraft Bonanza C35 for sale
$59,500
For Sale
Total Time 7,260
Reg# N1930D US
Location Port Lavaca, TX
Via Lou Svetlik
Multiple sources
Listed 1mo ago

1951 Beechcraft Bonanza C35

1951 Beechcraft Bonanza C35 for sale
$59,995
For Sale
Total Time 5,996
Reg# N636D US
Location Greenville, SC
Via Richard Seals
Multiple sources

Beechcraft Bonanza Models

Sub-family Seats Years Cruise Used price For sale
Beechcraft Bonanza 36 6 1968–1979 168 kts (311 km/h) $161K – $1.4M 261
Beechcraft Bonanza 35 4 1947–1966 168 kts (311 km/h) $29K – $365K 181
Beechcraft Bonanza 33 4 1960–1995 168 kts (311 km/h) $75K – $565K 101

Compare Beechcraft Bonanza

See how the Beechcraft Bonanza stacks up against similar aircraft in specs, price, and operating costs.

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Beechcraft Bonanza Price & Cost

How much does a Beechcraft Bonanza cost? Used Bonanza prices: $44K – $250K, average $96K (median $82K), across 33 priced of 40 active listings.

Beechcraft Bonanza Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Beechcraft Bonanza Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (14.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$8,680/yr
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Beechcraft Bonanza Value by Model Year

Median asking price by year of manufacture. Newer airframes command a premium; value falls with age then plateaus on older models.

$1372K $866K $360K
$382K
$360K
$420K
$565K
$397K
$414K
$399K
$485K
$495K
$489K
$520K
$610K
$495K
$659K
$787K
$680K
$704K
$744K
$830K
$796K
$799K
$840K
$907K
$1274K
$1372K
’90
’92
’94
’96
’98
’01
’05
’07
’09
’13
’15
’19
’26

Lowest around $359,917 (1991 models) · highest around $1,372,250 (2026). Bars scaled across the range to show the depreciation curve; hover for exact medians.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Beechcraft Bonanza

Buying a Beechcraft Bonanza comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Bonanza holds its value better than almost any other piston single, but the fleet spans more than seven decades — condition and modernisation vary enormously. The dominant value drivers are engine time since overhaul on the Continental IO-470/520/550, the avionics fit (modern Garmin glass vs legacy panels makes a five-figure difference), and on V-tail models the compliance status of the tail and wing-spar airworthiness directives. Older airframes need a corrosion inspection. Always use a Bonanza-experienced shop for the pre-buy — the American Bonanza Society (ABS) network is the standard reference for type-specific inspections. For families or six seats, choose the Model 36 or current G36. For the lowest-cost entry into a fast single and the classic ruddervator silhouette, choose a V-tail Model 35. For conventional straight-tail handling at a moderate price, choose a Model 33 — the early ones were sold as the Debonair and are often the cheapest way into a straight-tail Bonanza.

Frequently Asked Questions — Beechcraft Bonanza

What are the different Beechcraft Bonanza models?
Three sub-families: V-tail Model 35 (1947-1982), straight-tail Model 33 (1960-1995, originally Debonair), and stretched six-seat Model 36 (1968-now, currently the G36).
V-tail vs straight-tail?
The 35 has the V-shaped ruddervator; the 33/36 use a conventional tail. Performance is similar — the choice is about aesthetics, tail-specific ADs and seating.
How long has the Bonanza been in production?
Since 1947 — the longest continuous run of any aircraft in history.
How much does a used Bonanza cost?
From $44,500 for an early V-tail to over $250,000 for a late G36, median around $82,500 across 40 listings.
Is the Bonanza a good airplane?
One of the most respected piston singles ever built — fast, well-made and with strong resale.

Beechcraft Bonanza Inventory by Country

United States461
Australia17
Germany10
South Africa9
Canada8
Switzerland3

Beechcraft Bonanza Inventory by State

California52
Florida41
Texas40
North Carolina39
Ohio21
Arizona18
South Carolina17
Oklahoma17
Kentucky16
Colorado15
Illinois11
Arkansas11

Beechcraft Bonanza by Price

Under $100k49
Under $200k161
Under $300k267
Under $500k388

Recently Sold Beechcraft Bonanza

1973 Bonanza V35B$289,000
1980 Bonanza F33A$199,000
1974 Bonanza V35B$129,500
1977 Bonanza V35B$299,000
1979 Bonanza A36$285,000
1979 Bonanza F33A$180,000

Beechcraft Bonanza Safety Record

No NTSB events on record for the Beechcraft Bonanza. Individual aircraft safety records may be available on detail pages.

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed 5 hours ago · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data