The Pontiac Bonneville began as a special edition of the Star Chief in 1957, then it became a series of its own in 1958, and finally expanded its offering to all body styles in 1959. All are riding on different platforms because of competitive pressures. The Bonneville was a big, heavy car in ’58, only sold as a hardtop or convertible, with separate sheet metal from the windshield back. This Bonneville looks to have been sitting for a long time in a barn in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and it has the desirable “Tri-Power” V8 engine. It’s available for $21,000 here on Facebook Marketplace, though the seller will consider serious offers. Here’s another cool tip from “Zappenduster.”
General Motors went all out in 1958 to celebrate its 50th year in the car business, with each division offering a “special” model. Those included the Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Buick Limited Riviera, Oldsmobile Starfire 98, Chevrolet Bel Air Impala, and the Pontiac Bonneville Catalina (its full name). Like the Impala, the Bonneville had an extended rear deck. And it offered a 370 cubic inch V8 that produced 255 hp with a 4-barrel carburetor. Optional was the expensive fuel-injection package (310 horses) or the cheaper Tri-Power with triple deuces at 300 hp.
Bonneville production in 1958 was limited to 9,144 coupes and 3,096 drop-tops for 12,240 units in total. Sales figures for the Tri-Power aren’t known, but probably not as rare as the roughly 400 fuel-injected 370s thought to have been built. We assume this big Poncho has a story, but the seller either doesn’t know it or shares it. It seems to be in original condition with perhaps 100,000 miles to its credit. An automatic transmission is part of the package. With the Tri-Power being a big selling point, the seller neglects to pop the hood for a pic or two.
The exterior color may be Reefshell Pink, but the lighting isn’t so good (the paint seems darker than that). We don’t see any obvious rust, but given the surroundings, it could be there. The grey interior is intact but in rough shape. Yet, the drivetrain is said to be original to the car, which adds up to a pretty rare machine that’s likely worthy of a costly restoration. How many could be left?
Hagerty shows a #4 car at $17,000. Their definition of a #4 car is “Has visible flaws to the naked eye. Runs fine, but could use mechanical or cosmetic attention”.
I wonder how much time and money it would take to get the subject car to that #4 threshold.
Great history lesson on Pontiacs in 1958 Russ. One of the things that caught my eye is that close up of the “Tripower ” badge. I like that. We talk about Tripower GTOs and 2+2’s etc, but here we see the term going back to at least 1958. This one definitely would need a lot just to get it to #4 Condition like Rex said above. But can you just imagine what a sight this Bonneville was when it was brand new in ’58? I don’t know if this one will get restored, but I sure hope it does. I enjoyed your write up Russ, thank you.
Looking at the picture and thinking of what it could be, I find that I prefer the look of the left side w/. the fender skirts. I found an example of what it would have looked liked new…GLWTS!! :-)
Wow. That is even nicer than I imagined. Great picture Moparman. And I like the skirts too. On a car thats long like this it just works.
I know, it’s frustrating, but I’m trying to be more tolerant a), because it’s winter, b) I probably am a buzz kill for those that actually accept our society today as normal, and c) the site and it’s eclectic followers are still fun to “kibbitz” with.
You can’t blame “Isaac”, doesn’t know much about the car, and that’s okay, he’s willing to present it to someone that might be interested. This car hits home, in that, the guy across the street from my folks when I was a kid, had this car, only blue, and “Fuel Injection” script on the fender where the Tri-Power is. He was an older fella, never drove it, but washed it constantly. When he did have it out of the garage, word got out fast, “Louie has the Pontiac out”, and we’d ride past it on our bikes, gazing at it’s beauty, and not a clue what the Fuel Injection meant, but we knew it was rarely seen. He passed away in the 70s, and somebody got his sweetheart.
I think tri-power was more popular than you’d think. Not many cars had tri-power in the 50s, everything was dual quad. If you wanted a bit more than a single quad, but not a dual , the tri-power was just right. I look at Moparmans picture, and, and,,like looking at your favorite actress of the 60s, and seeing her now. How does that, turn into this? Regardless, I hope someone saves it,,,not bloody likely,, that’s right, since money is no object, just go get the one above,,Harwood Motors I’m sure is struggling,,
That’s a great memory Howard. I firmly believe for many of us here, different old cars just bring us back to a better time for us when we were young. As far as excepting how society is today, I don’t either. I think more or less I’m just numb at this point. Thats why I come on here, when I can, I just need to wrap my brain around something different to get it off of what I’m dealing with. And I definitely enjoy the comments too. And like being part of the “Peanut Gallery “.
-Dave
Howard, count me among those who do NOT accept our society today as normal!
Neat older car, nice info. I have a Pontiac tri power set up manifold and carbs. I was hoping to throw it on a 78 Trans Am… But it didn’t want to fit.