By the end of 1955, Pontiac introduced a long overdue, new V-8 engine. A new era for Pontiac began in 1956 when Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen took over the reins as Pontiac’s general manager. A new engineering group was assembled headed by Pete Estes and John Z. DeLorean who were tasked with developing new line of cars with an emphasis on performance. To promote the new line of performance Pontiacs, a racing program was developed and a new, optional extra horsepower engine, like those used on the team’s racing cars, was made available to potential Pontiac buyers. The new engine was equipped with dual four-barrel carburetors and a full-race camshaft. In 1957, another new engine was offered that was fuel-injected and this engine was only available on the Bonneville series convertibles.

By 1957, Pontiac was offering vehicles in four different models. The least expensive model was the Chieftain line which was followed by the Super Chief line, the Star Chief line, and the Star Chief Custom line which was the most expensive of Pontiac’s offerings that year. The Star Chief Custom line differed from its lower priced siblings with deluxe two-toned interiors and extra exterior trim features. There were four vehicles offered in the Custom line: a four-door sedan, a four-door hardtop, a two-door hardtop, and the top-of-the-line vehicle a Bonneville convertible. In 1958, the name Bonneville would now represent the top of the line Pontiac models.

Starting with the 1959 models, a new marketing strategy was adopted to make Pontiac into a “sporty and youthful car” that would appeal to younger buyers. During the next couple of years, the cars would become wider and lower and have available high performance engines. Pontiac’s continued success in the NASCAR racing program helped to promote this new strategy and increase sales.

Pontiac would continue to build and sell low to medium priced cars with a variety of trim and mechanical options throughout 1960s.

For the 1960 model year, the Pontiac Bonneville line consisted of the Series 27 and the Series 28. The Series 27 was designated only for the station wagon body style while the Series 28 contained three body styles: a four-door Vista hardtop sedan, a two-door hardtop and a convertible. The four-door Vista hardtop sedan had a base price of $3,333 and approximately 39,000 were built and sold.

This example was restored during the 1980s. After restoration, this Pontiac was awarded a Senior National First Place Award by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) in 1987. The vehicle retains this badge on the front bumper.

This vehicle is an older restoration done to high point standards and today remains in excellent condition throughout. The body panels are excellent and fit well to each other. The four doors, decklid, and hood all align well and show no signs of damage, repair or neglect. The exterior black finish remains in excellent condition, as does the stainless steel and chrome trim. The interior has been restored in the proper tri-toned russet color combination and is in excellent condition. The dashboard and all of its instruments have been properly restored and today are in excellent condition.

The chassis is clean and shows little signs of use. Most of the chassis components have been undercoated. All of the chassis fittings are correct and the chassis and suspension components show no signs of neglect or abuse, indicating that this vehicle was likely very well-preserved prior to its restoration. The engine bay shows extremely well and the correct, V-8 engine is clean and well-detailed.

This vehicle has all of the desirable factory options including automatic transmission, power steering, power brakes, power seats, power windows, Wonder Bar radio, clock, dual antennas, fender skirts, factory wheel covers, whitewall tires, dual rearview mirrors and heater. This example also has its correct Fisher Body number tag affixed to its cowl.

Overall, this is a superb example of one of the most desirable enclosed Pontiac models built during the 1960s. It is has been properly restored, maintained and today remains in excellent condition.