The Very Model: 1958 Pontiac Bonneville

The Pontiac Bonneville Special was introduced at the General Motors Motorama on January 26, 1954. Two prototypes were hand built by Homer C. LaGassey Jr. and Paul Gilland for their very special debut, and painted distinct colors: one was metallic bronze and one was emerald green. The prototypes were the first GM vehicles to carry the name, and the first 2-seater sports car Pontiac had ever produced. Their grand debut was made at simultaneous unveilings in the Grand Ballroom of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City and the Pan Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles.

The Bonneville was created by the distinguished designer Harley J. Earl. The name "Bonneville" was inspired by a trip Earl had taken to observe time trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, the site of a considerable amount of early auto racing and host of most of the world's land speed record runs. The car entered the production lineup as a high-performance, fuel-injected luxury convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957. Every available option was standard equipment on the Bonneville, the only extra options being air conditioning and the Continental tire kit. The 1957 Bonneville is one of the rarest collectible Pontiacs because only 630 units were produced.

For the 1958 model year, the Bonneville became a separate model. It was GM’s fiftieth year of production and so in addition to its original model, the Pontiac Bonneville had an Anniversary Edition model built. General Motors was so proud of the newly redesigned model that the car’s advertising slogan was “The Boldest Advance in Fifty Years.” The 1958 Bonneville was available as a two-door hardtop or a convertible. As a separate model, the 1958 Bonneville lost most of the standard options found on the 1957 model. The luxury items were moved from the standard equipment list to the optional equipment list.

The 370-cubic-inch, 300 horsepower V8 engine, equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and dual exhausts, was standard for the model and the fuel-injection system offered with the standard engine on the 1957 Bonneville was now listed as an extra cost option. Fuel injection increased the power of the 370-cubic-inch engine to 310 horsepower, but would cost a buyer over $500 extra, which was almost 15% of the base price. Only 400 cars were equipped with this extremely rare option before the option was quietly discontinued. For about $100 a Tri-Power option was available with three two-barrel carburetors, rated at 330 horsepower. The Tri-Power engine was used in the NASCAR circuits, as the Bonneville in its first year was chosen as the Official Pace Car of the Indianapolis 500.

Bonneville was given to Pontiac’s full-size performance division for the 1957 model and was produced for 47 years. It is a testament to the Pontiac Bonneville’s build and performance that both of its prototype Bonneville Specials are still in existence today.

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