The 1953 General Motors Motorama car show held at New York City’s Waldorf-Astoria hotel featured a number of new models and concepts, but few created the stir the Chevy Corvette concept did. The Corvette was such a hit Chevy immediately put the car into production. The other thing GM did was create a couple of concepts based on the Corvette. One of those was the Pontiac Bonneville Special to be featured at the 1954 GM Motorama.
The Pontiac Bonneville Special took its name from Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats. The Bonneville had a number of features that distinguished it from the Corvette. It was also a two-seat coupe, but was a high-performance luxury concept featuring frameless doors with split upper and lower halves, as the upper portion was formed into the Plexiglas roof and opened in a gullwing fashion, not unlike the 1954-1957 Mercedes 300SL coupe. Two Bonneville Specials were built for the Motorama, one in Metallic Bronze, the other in Emerald Green. Both were powered by a 268 cubic-inch inline-eight cylinder producing 230 horsepower and backed by a four-speed automatic transmission.
For the 1957 model year, the Pontiac Bonneville moniker would return, but not as the two-seat luxury performance coupe of the ’54 Motorama. The new Bonneville was the top trim level for the Pontiac Star Chief convertible. The Bonneville was powered by the new fuel-injected Strato Streak V8, and came standard with every available option save for air conditioning and the continental kit.
For the 1958 model year, the Pontiac Bonneville became a model unto itself, available as either a convertible or two-door hardtop. The ’58 didn’t have quite the standard equipment list at it had as part of the Star Chief line, but it was far more affordable. Power came from a 370 cubic-inch V8 fed by a four-barrel carb, yielding 255 horsepower. Optional mechanical fuel injection was available, but at a $500 premium, few elected to add it. Triple Rochester two-barrel carbs, known as Tri Power, were available for $93.50, bumping power to 300 horses. True dual exhaust handled the spent gasses.
1959 brought a complete redesign for GM’s B-Body platform, including the Pontiac Bonneville. Styling featured sharper lines and creases. Pontiac introduced two of their iconic styling features with the split grille and Wide Track design. The platform included convertibles, two-door coupes, sedans, and station wagons. Power came from the 389 cubic-inch V8, and the Super Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic moved power to the rear wheels.
Our feature 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Safari Sport Wagon is one of just 4,673 built for the year. Finished in Cameo Ivory and Sunrise Coral, it is powered by a Tri Power 389 V8 backed by the Super Hydra-Matic transmission. The Bonneville Safari Sport Wagon is equipped with power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power antenna, Wonderbar signal-seeking AM radio, power tailgate window, a tri-tone Morrokide vinyl interior, Autronic Eye automatic headlight dimmer, padded dash, aftermarket air conditioning, and rare bucket seats.
Comments
I was a wee tot then but I do remember the 50s styling excesses and this is one of those. I’m sure 20-somethings will be shocked and awed. But the side rear end is pretty bad. Still, a nice example, if that’s your thing. Talk about land yacht!
Ghost Busters or Ambulance… but at least am happy there is no use of wood and interior is elegant
Yes it is rare but that alone should not make it valuable. The ’59 body style was the least appealing until the Aztec. Once inside it was very nice.
I believe the hydramatic was still the old 4 speed unit that came out around 1937.
Oh my is that a single-circuit brake system? Drums all the way around too?
Nice ride to look at, but I wouldn’t want to drive it without some upgrades.
Beautiful car. With the complete lack of identity in any vehicle today, I’m a HUGE fan of the “excesses” of that era. I love most of the ’59 models of just about every manufacturer and a wagon to boot. My guess, 50k all day long. I’m pretty sure this car has a single 4 barrel carb, not a triple deuce. Wrong air cleaner. Nice regardless. Front disc brake conversion is quite simple.
Sport, lol