Of all the great American cars produced during the 1950s, it would be difficult to find a more exclusive and desirable model from the “Big Three’s” standard lineup than the 1957 Pontiac Star Chief Custom Bonneville—better known simply as the Bonneville. Just 630 were made, one per dealer in the United States, plus two prototypes.

The Bonneville was only offered as a convertible for 1957, which underscored its exclusive-by-design intentions. Further, the sole engine option was the Rochester fuel-injected 347-cubic-inch V-8. With a 10.25:1 compression ratio, it yielded an astonishing 315 horsepower. This amazing engine was mated to a Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic three-speed automatic transmission. Even without peering under the hood, these cars can be identified by the Bonneville name on the rear fenders, special trim on the lower quarter panels, and the “Fuel Injection” badges on the front fenders and center of the trunk lid.

Bonnevilles featured a long list of amenities, most of which were standard, and they sold at a price up in the Cadillac range—$5,782 in 1957, compared to $3,105 for an ordinary Star Chief convertible. Bonnevilles included power everything: steering, brakes, windows, top, antenna, and seats. Buyers also got Pontiac’s best Wonderbar radio, leather upholstery, a padded dash, automatic headlight dimmers, and special wheel covers. Seizing on the nameplate’s cachet, Pontiac would make the Bonneville into its own model line starting in 1958 and produce almost five times as many convertibles that year, further elevating the exclusivity of the 1957 model.

This stunning 1957 Bonneville is finished with a handsome two-tone scheme featuring Fontaine Blue and Kenya Ivory paint over a Blue Metallic and Ivory leather interior. Beyond the inherent rarity, this convertible is said to benefit from a prior professional frame-off restoration. An accompanying placard from the 1999 Lake Placid Automobile Show in Lakeland, Florida indicates that this Pontiac was previously part of the extensive Al Wiseman Collection prior to entering Sonny Schwartz’s Suzy Q Collection.

One of Pontiac’s most exclusive offerings of the late fifties, the Bonneville offers stout fuel-injected performance and impressive luxury thanks to its generous list of standard equipment, making this exclusive machine perfect for the both boulevard and car meet.