1957 Pontiac Bonneville Fuel-Injected Convertible
Chassis No. P857H35445
- One of the First High-Performance Pontiacs
- Astounding Concours Quality Restoration
- Fully Loaded Top-of-the-Line Example
- Only 630 Ever Built
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- 347 CID OHV V-8 Engine
- Rochester Mechanical Fuel-Injection
- 310 BHP at 4,800 RPM
- 3-Speed Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission
- 4-Wheel Hydraulic Drum Brakes
- Independent Front Suspension
- Live Rear Axle with Semi-Elliptical Leaf Springs
The Pontiac Bonneville
The 1957 Bonneville was the first Pontiac to reflect the influence of Bunkie Knudsen, an ambitious young executive determined to turn his brand around. At the time of Knudsen’s takeover, Pontiac was one of General Motors’ most stale and unexciting nameplates, so he decided that the entire line needed a healthy dose of performance and some dramatic styling. Less than a year later, Pontiac launched the fuel-injected Bonneville, a deluxe convertible with plenty of power and looks to match. Naming the car after the famous salt flats was sure to get some attention, but the stunning performance and jaw-dropping design was enough to earn the car a solid reputation on its own merits. The Bonneville utilized the famous Rochester fuel-injection unit, tuned and prepared by Harry Barr and Zora Arkus-Duntov, and was fully equipped with every luxury feature available. All told, only 630 of these fabulous Pontiacs were ever built; their shocking $5,782 sticker price undoubtedly helped contribute to their scarcity.
About This Car
The 1957 Bonneville presented here is a quintessential example of Pontiac’s high performance halo car. When new, the vast majority of the Bonnevilles were finished in the combination that this car wears today – Kenya Ivory with red trim and a Tartan Red interior. This fresh and dramatic color scheme highlights the many exciting details and flamboyant use of chrome. The Bonneville also features the famous tri-blade wheel covers and the correct chrome spears on each side ahead of the taillight bezels – two of the most memorable styling features. It is fully equipped with all the standard features: a Wonderbar AM radio, a deluxe steering wheel, a clock and period-correct whitewall tires. It also features an abundance of power options, including top, antenna, steering, brakes, windows, door locks and an eight-way power seat.
It is safe to say that the immaculate presentation of this car places it among the finest examples of these highly desirable Pontiacs. The level of restoration is staggering in its attention to detail. Everything has been restored to factory specifications and even the original inspection marks on the firewall have been carefully re-created. The car looks sensational and is reported to offer tremendous performance as the fuel-injected engine supplies this car with acceleration that would put many sports cars of the era to shame.
This beautifully presented Bonneville will certainly be a standout at Pontiac Club events and appears ready to win awards at a number of concours around the country. With so few surviving examples, this is a remarkable opportunity for collectors to acquire one of the most rare, exciting and desirable of all 1950s American convertibles.