America was slowly giving itself permission to have fun in the 1950s. The ’30s were economically devastating, and World War II and the recovery from the depression shaped the 1940s. The ’50s were different. Even though they became a period known for Ozzie and Harriet, Father-Knows-Best conformity, there was a groundswell of alternative popular culture growing. The faces of nonconformity were those of James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and Marlon Brando in The Wild One. Elvis provided the soundtrack.

One only need look at the styling progression of ’50s Pontiacs to see the crescendo build. From the warmed-over postwar styling of the late ’40s, the volume was turned up a notch every year. However, although Pontiac had a V8 from 1955 on, its image as an upgraded Chevrolet was a tough one to shake.

Semon “Bunkie” Knudsen, who came on as Pontiac Division General Manager in 1955, knew which direction to take. Knudsen, who had said, “You can sell a young car to old people, but you can’t sell an old car to young people,” set about making Pontiac’s image that of a car for younger people, starting Pontiac down a path toward performance that it kept, and used successfully for decades.

In September 1956, two young men came aboard: Elliot “Pete” Estes, who later became GM President, and John DeLorean. DeLorean became famous as the father of the GTO and the executive who engineered the “Wide Track” Pontiacs of the 1960s. Three months later, on December 2, 1956, Pontiac introduced the 1957 Pontiac Bonneville convertible.

A late-in-the-year introduction for a 1957 model, the Bonneville was built on the 124-inch Star Chief frame. Officially known as style #2867SDX, the 1957 Star Chief Custom Bonneville convertible coupe was a special, one-to-a-dealer car, with a total of just 630 units produced. Most of them were painted from the factory in the same color—Kenya Ivory, a shade of white—with Fountain Blue or Bonneville Red Missile shaped side spears.

The real story, however, is their standard equipment. The 1957 Bonneville came from the factory loaded, powered by a 347-cubic inch motor, with a bore and stroke of 3.94 x 3.56 and a 10.5:1 compression ratio. Additionally, all cars came with Rochester fuel injection, Hydramatic transmission, power brakes, eight-way power seat, electric wipers with windshield washers, oil bath air cleaner, full-flow oil filter, dual exhausts, full wheel covers and four-ply whitewall tires. That was well equipped for the time, but add in a Wonderbar radio with electric antenna, underseat heater and defroster, rearview tilting mirror, outside rearview mirror and a leather interior, and this was a level of equipment rarely seen in cars at any price level. Only nine cars were equipped with air conditioning, the only available factory option.

The price new was a staggering $5,782; for comparison, the next-most expensive model topped out at a base price of $3,636. This particular Bonneville has been fully restored to the highest standards, and represents an opportunity for a discerning collector to acquire a car that will always be a significant part of motoring history of the ’50s.

This 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible Review and Buyer's Guide appeared in the June, 2003 Issue of Sports Car Market Magazine.