Nineteen fifty-seven is most famous as the year that Pontiac gave up some of its most sacred traditions in favor of performance excitement. Most notably, the “Silver Streaks” on the hood, which had been a Pontiac trademark since 1935, disappeared. In keeping with industry trends, chrome and flash expanded throughout, with an oversized grille and a body-side “sweepspear” that held a contrasting color molding. Suspension was improved, and the V-8 engine was enlarged to 347 cubic inches and could produce, in its hottest standard form, 290 horsepower.

Aside from the limited-production Bonneville, the most prominent 1957 Pontiac was the Star Chief, with its lush convertible accounting for 12,789 sales.

The Star Chief Convertible offered here has been the subject of an excellent ground-up restoration, in which it was finished in its present colors of Carib Coral, with a matching, correct two-tone black and coral vinyl interior. It was recently inspected by an RM Auctions specialist, who noted it to be in outstanding overall condition, with a nicely detailed engine bay that shows only minor signs of wear and a laser-straight body with excellent trim and chrome. Both the interior and vinyl top are in fine condition, with the seats, in particular, remaining like-new.

The car is equipped with power steering, brakes, windows, seat, and top, as well as an AM radio with a power antenna, a dashboard-mounted compass, and a rear-mounted Continental kit spare. It rides on correct bias-ply whitewall tires.

This beautifully maintained Pontiac, reportedly a former AACA National award winner, is certainly one of the nicest Star Chief Convertibles available today.