1959 Pontiac Bonneville
The 1959 Pontiac Bonnevilles became "Wide-Tracks" for 1959 -- big but uncommonly handsome all-new cars that could fly like scalded bats and cornered better than anything else in the medium-price field. It was the start of what would be a dramatic upturn for a traditionally dowdy brand, which moved from sixth to fifth in the sales race.Classic Convertibles Image Gallery
The 1959 Pontiac Bonneville was Pontiac's first step in a sportier new direction.
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Leading this charge was the glamorous '59 Bonneville convertible. Though not a limited edition like the 1957 original, it was still a formidable performer with a newly enlarged 389 V-8 making 260 standard horsepower with stickshift or 300 with optional Hydra-Matic. Not enough? Order Tri-Power, with triple two-barrel carbs and up to 345 bhp.
The 1959 Pontiac Bonneville offered Hydra-Matic transmission and
Morrokide seats.
At $3478, the ragtop Bonneville sold a healthy 11,426 units. All came with Pontiac's top-grade "Morrokide" vinyl upholstery. Even "bucket" front seats were available. Pontiac was starting to go sporty in no uncertain terms.
For more classic convertibles of the 1950s, see:
1950 Oldsmobile 88
1955 Cadillac Series 62
1957 Ford Fairlane 500 Skyliner
1951 Chrysler New Yorker
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air
1957 Lincoln Premiere
1951 Lincoln Cosmopolitan
1955 Mercury Montclair
1957 Oldsmobile Super 88
1951 Rambler Custom Landau
1956 Ford Thunderbird
1958 Continental Mark III
1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta
1956 Lincoln Premiere
1958 Edsel Citation
1954 Hudson Hornet Brougham
1956 Packard Caribbean
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1954 Packard Caribbean
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
1959 Dodge Custom Royal
1955 Buick Century
1957 Chrysler New Yorker
1959 Ford Thunderbird
For more information on all kinds of cars, try these:
- Classic Convertible Cars: See profiles on more than 70 classic convertibles.
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