Pontiac’s Bonneville first appeared as a pair of show cars at the 1954 Motorama, bubble-top two-seat sports models that did not see production. The name, which derives from Utah’s Bonneville salt flats, site of many land speed record runs, was retrieved for a specialty convertible in the 1957 Custom Star Chief line. Just 630 were built, allocated one to a dealer. Equipped with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, the engine was estimated to make 315 bhp. For 1958, Bonneville became a full-fledged series, comprising a hardtop coupe and a convertible. Both were built on the 122-inch Chieftain wheelbase. With distinctive trim and appointments, and the Star Chief’s 255 bhp V8, the Bonnevilles were the most expensive Pontiacs. Triple carburetion “Tri-Power,” using three Rochester two-barrel carbs, became available, and its lower cost resulted in few orders for the still-available fuel injection. All General Motors cars were redesigned for 1959, Pontiac having the sole distinction of a “Wide Track” chassis. Now called “Bonneville Custom,” the series gained a four-door Vista hardtop and the new 389 cubic inch engine with four-barrel carburetor. Hydra-Matic-equipped Bonnevilles had 10.0 to 1 compression, which resulted in 300 bhp with four-barrel carburetion. Bonnevilles were now on the 124-inch Star Chief wheelbase. For 1960 a well-outfitted four-door station wagon was added to the Bonneville line, but few were ordered. The convertible, with 17,062 built, was popular but much less common than the 39,000 Vista hardtops produced in the series. The subject of a meticulous rotisserie restoration several years ago, this 1960 Bonneville convertible has the 318 bhp Tri-Power version of Pontiac’s 389 cubic inch V8. Painted brilliant white, the car has a matching white top. Interior is in three-tone blue with matching top cover. Dark blue carpets carry the Pontiac logo. The interior of the trunk is done in contrasting red. The car is equipped with four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, factory air conditioning, tinted glass, radio with rear seat speaker, power steering, marble steering wheel, power brakes, and dual exhausts. It has the desirable 8-lug wheels with trim rings. Offered in various forms from 1960 to 1968, these wheels mounted to exposed aluminum brake drums and are very much sought-after by Pontiac collectors. The recipient of a Grand National Award from AACA in 2003, it also received top awards from the Pontiac Oakland Club International. This is one of the nicest Bonneville convertibles extant, and is sure to reward a new owner with many satisfactions, both on the concours field and on the road.
Pontiac’s Bonneville first appeared as a pair of show cars at the 1954 Motorama, bubble-top two-seat sports models that did not see production. The name, which derives from Utah’s Bonneville salt flats, site of many land speed record runs, was retrieved for a specialty convertible in the 1957 Custom Star Chief line. Just 630 were built, allocated one to a dealer. Equipped with Rochester mechanical fuel injection, the engine was estimated to make 315 bhp. For 1958, Bonneville became a full-fledged series, comprising a hardtop coupe and a convertible. Both were built on the 122-inch Chieftain wheelbase. With distinctive trim and appointments, and the Star Chief’s 255 bhp V8, the Bonnevilles were the most expensive Pontiacs. Triple carburetion “Tri-Power,” using three Rochester two-barrel carbs, became available, and its lower cost resulted in few orders for the still-available fuel injection. All General Motors cars were redesigned for 1959, Pontiac having the sole distinction of a “Wide Track” chassis. Now called “Bonneville Custom,” the series gained a four-door Vista hardtop and the new 389 cubic inch engine with four-barrel carburetor. Hydra-Matic-equipped Bonnevilles had 10.0 to 1 compression, which resulted in 300 bhp with four-barrel carburetion. Bonnevilles were now on the 124-inch Star Chief wheelbase. For 1960 a well-outfitted four-door station wagon was added to the Bonneville line, but few were ordered. The convertible, with 17,062 built, was popular but much less common than the 39,000 Vista hardtops produced in the series. The subject of a meticulous rotisserie restoration several years ago, this 1960 Bonneville convertible has the 318 bhp Tri-Power version of Pontiac’s 389 cubic inch V8. Painted brilliant white, the car has a matching white top. Interior is in three-tone blue with matching top cover. Dark blue carpets carry the Pontiac logo. The interior of the trunk is done in contrasting red. The car is equipped with four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission, factory air conditioning, tinted glass, radio with rear seat speaker, power steering, marble steering wheel, power brakes, and dual exhausts. It has the desirable 8-lug wheels with trim rings. Offered in various forms from 1960 to 1968, these wheels mounted to exposed aluminum brake drums and are very much sought-after by Pontiac collectors. The recipient of a Grand National Award from AACA in 2003, it also received top awards from the Pontiac Oakland Club International. This is one of the nicest Bonneville convertibles extant, and is sure to reward a new owner with many satisfactions, both on the concours field and on the road.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
