1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible

Pontiac's trademark 'Silver Streak' hood trim, used since the 1930s, no longer adorned the Pontiac models, resulting in a much cleaner and modern appearance. Semon E. 'Bunkie' Knudsen felt they were like 'suspenders' and had them immediately removed after he took over the Pontiac division of General Motors. He was also the individual who coined the phrase 'You can sell an old man a young man's car, but you can't sell a young man an old man's car.' During his tenure at Pontiac, sales soared considerably and the brand image was transformed from mundane to performance.

The Bonneville, introduced in January of 1957, became Knudsen's flagship model and came with ever power-operated features available at the time. The base price of $5,782 was $1,000 more than a fuel-injected Corvette and more than double the price of a Star Chief convertible. The engine was a 347 cubic-inch V8 fitted with a Rochester mechanical fuel injection system developing 315 horsepower and making a zero-to-sixty mph achievable in 8.1 seconds. Total production was a mere 630 units guaranteeing its collectability and exclusivity.

This particular example is finished in Kenya Ivory and Bonneville Red. It is fully optioned with power steering, brakes, windows, seat, antenna, signal-seeking radio, and Hydramatic transmission. It has a white convertible roof and charcoal-and-ivory leather interior as per the trim tag. Accessories include a tissue dispenser, nail guards, dual spotlights, fender skirts, and continental kit.

This Bonneville has been in the care of its current owner for eight years. It was restored in the late 1970s/early 1970s by the previous owner who secured the services of a marque expert. While in the possession of the former owner, Jack Denlinger of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Bonneville received its AACA First Junior and Senior awards in 1994, along with the Bomgardner Award for the most outstanding restoration at the Hershey Fall Meet.

The car remains in excellent condition and is regularly exercised.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2020