To put Pontiac on the same page as Cadillac, the design staff at GM made the 1957 Bonneville. It was a fully-loaded convertible or coupe that came with the fuel-injected V8 engine. Production of the Convertible was limited to one per dealer so it also became the most exclusive model in the 1957 range.

The first production Bonneville was released to the public in January of 1957. This followed a Motorama dream car of the same name which was first shown in 1953. Priced at more then double Pontiac’s previous Star Chief Convertible, the Bonneville was very highly optioned. The list included, but is not limited to a power top, power antenna, power steering, power brakes, power windows, eight-way power seats, leather upholstery and a Wonder Bar radio. The only two options were the factory air and continental tire kit.

Despite all the grandiose appointments, the Bonneville was no slouch on the road. It was one of the first cars to use Rochester mechanical fuel injection which was rated as ‘347/310 HP’. This meant 0 to 60mph in 8.1 seconds and a top speed of 101.6 mph.

Before the redesigned Bonneville hit in 1958 Pontiac produced 630 units.

Story by Supercars.net

In Detail

type	Series Production Car
built at	USA
production	630
price $	$ 5,782
engine	V8
fuel feed	Rochester Mechanical Fuel Injection
displacement	5686 cc / 347 in³
power	234.9 kw / 315 bhp
specific output	55.4 bhp per litre
front brakes	Drums
rear brakes	Drums
f suspension	Independent
r suspension	Live Axle w/Semi-Elliptic Leaf Springs
top speed	~163.47 kph / 101.6 mph
0 – 60 mph	~8.1 seconds

Auction Sales History

1957 Pontiac Bonneville P857H33383 – sold for $209,000. The example presented here is even rarer yet. It is the only fuel-injected example finished in Raven Black, with a matching Black and Ivory interior and white convertible top. Following a full frame-off restoration to concours standards, it is truly one of the finest examples in existence. This Bonneville shows a high degree of factory correctness, down to the appropriate inspection markings and tags in the engine bay. A correct original spare tire, complete with an original sticker, tonneau cover, and jack, reside in the trunk.

This Bonneville is near flawless throughout, showing few signs of use despite having been restored over 10 years ago. It was previously owned by noted collector Brent Merrill, and it has continued to be preserved in wonderful condition within the Andrews Collection. It is one of the finest examples of its kind in existence. Auction Source: Paul & Chris Andrews Collection by RM Sotheby’s

1957 Pontiac Bonneville Fuel-Injected Convertible – did not sell for $120,000. 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. Auction Source: 2010 Gooding & Company Pebble Beach Auction