1959 Pontiac Bonneville Sport Coupe

Pontiac really jumped ahead of the competition in the late 1950s when it came to dramatic styling, as evidenced by this big, beautiful, blue 1959 Pontiac Bonneville Sport Coupe. Already, Pontiac had restyled its lineup for 1958, so when the 1959 models put on display this Strato-Star design language, it understandably caused a huge stir.

The space-age design era was already there, and the American car designers tried hard to put rocket-like taillights and big (bigger) fins at the back of the car. While doing this, the engineers tried harder to make the cars lighter, and, somehow, the Bonneville Coupe was the winner in its class. And it held its hero-car status until the mid-’60s.

Under the hood, Pontiac installed a 6.4-liter V8 available in two power options, depending on the carburetor system. The wide-track design gave the car an edge over its competitors in the handling department. Moreover, an LSD differential was available on the options list.

Inside, Pontiac made a long list of standard features and even a longer one for the options. It included a three-speed automatic gearbox, an air-conditioning system, and even bucket-seats instead of the front occupants’ standard bench. A wood-trim on the dash and door-panels gave the idea of a luxury vehicle, while the leather-wrapped seats were available as an option.

Pontiac introduced the Bonneville as a sport-coupe vehicle in its lineup, and that’s why the designers tried to make the car look sleeker than its predecessor. They imagined straight lines that stretched along with the bodywork and a tilted-forward design for the greenhouse. At the front, the double-rounded headlights were separated by a wide, pined-out, chromed grille. The sculptured side panels featured chromed slats emphasizing the sporty look of the car.

Just as distinct as the outside, the interior of this Pontiac shoots for the moon. Two-tone seats and door panels take you back to a time when the horrors of WWII were fading into the rearview mirror and America’s economy was absolutely booming. Brightwork on the door panels, dash, steering wheel, window frames, and more make it a cheerful place. All the factory switchgear and gauges are still in place, perfectly preserving the entire look and feel of this amazing vehicle.

This Bonneville is a tremendous representation of what America started cranking out in the age of optimism.