1957 Pontiac Models Described in Detail
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General Year Information
1957 Pontiac – General
Pontiac introduced new “Star Flight” styling for 1957. General features included missile-shaped side trim, flatter, more rocket-like tail fins, extended rear fenders with V-shaped tips, lower hoods, an even more massive bumper and grille, longer horizontal taillights and, in a GM-wide switch, 14-inch wheels.
Their were only two series chassis designations – “27” and “28”, with the former on the 122.0″ wheelbase and the latter on the 124.0″ wheelbase. The Star Chief line sat on the longer of the two.
The budget-priced line was now called the Chieftain series. The “Super Chief” name now replaced the previous Chieftain 870 designation. A unique, limited-edition model called “Custom Bonneville Convertible” was announced in early December 1956, released on January 11, 1957, and was added to the Custom Star Chief line. Production was limited to 630 examples and two prototypes, the latter with four bucket seats. A fuel-injected, 347 CID V-8 was standard and fitted only to Bonnevilles. This new Bonneville, body Style 2867SDX, came standard with all top-line options and accessories except air-conditioning.
All Pontiac station wagons were called “Safari” this year, but only those in the Star Chief Custom line had Star Chief Super DeLuxe appointments. The two-door Star Chief Custom Safari remained on the Series 27 122″ wheelbase platform and continued with the four-barrel V-8 as its base engine.
The two-door Star Chief Custom Safari, body Style 2764DF, had special styling and appointments. The four-door Star Chief Custom Safari, body Style 2762SDF, had special exterior and interior trim and was called “Transcontinental.” This Custom Safari Transcontinental station wagon was announced in late December 1956.
1957 was the beginning of a deep recession, and all auto manufacturers suffered as a result. Thus, model year production peaked at 333,473 units, a decrease of 71,956 over 1956.
Historical Footnotes:
In December 1956, three different triple two-barrel engines were released. The first was an option for the standard Hydra-Matic V-8. The other two were options for the “extra horsepower,” NASCAR-certified V-8s with either Synchromesh or Hydra-Matic transmissions.
Chassis Information
- Wheelbase: Series 27 – 122″, Series 28 – 124″.
- Overall length: Series 27 passenger cars – 206.8″, Series 27 station wagons – 207.7″, Series 28 – 213.8″.
- Front tread: (All) 59.0″.
- Rear tread: (All) 59.4″.
- Tires: Chieftain with Synchromesh 7.50 x 14 station wagons and Bonneville 8.50 x 14; all others 8.00 x 14.Coupes and Sedans 8.00 x 14 Station wagons and all w/Air conditioning 8.50 x 14.
Models Offered
Series 57-27
Chieftains had small hub caps, three stars on rear fenders and “Chieftain” on the front fenders in script. Though the small hub caps were standard on all Chieftains, many buyers opted for the optional full-wheel discs. Interiors were nylon-face upholtery with an option of a combination of nylon fabric and Morrokide.
There was a full line of cars in the Chieftain line, except fo the convertible, 2-door and 4- door hardtop, and 2-door and 4-door sedan. Two wagons were also available as 2- and 4-door sedans, only.
Series 57-27
Series 57-27#
All Pontiac wagons were called “Safari”. Initially there were a Star Chief Custom Safari 2-door, a Super Chief 4-door Safari, and a 2- and a 4-door Chieftain Safari wagon. Later, a Star Chief Custom 4-door wagon was added, trimmed like the two-door. All Safaris sat on the 122.0″ wheelbase.
Star Chief Customs were trimmed in “off the shoulder” leather just like a Star Chief sedan. Super Chief Safaris were trimmed in two-tone Morrokide; Chieftans in two-tone vinyl-coated fabric.
Series 57-28
Star Chiefs were identified by “Star Chief” on the front fenders in script, four stars on rear fenders, chrome semi-cylindrical trim at the back of missile-shaped inserts, and full wheel discs. The Custom (Super DeLuxe) sedan was reinstated and utilized the “off-the-shoulder” interior styling patterns, similar to the other Star Chief vehicles. The Catalina models were finished in leather. The standard 4-doorStar Chief sedan interior was finished in a Morrokide and nylon, the convertible in two-tone Morrokide.
Series 57-28
The Bonneville was added to the Custom Star Chief sub-series, beginning January 1957. Production was limited to 630 examples and two (2) prototypes, the latter with four bucket seats. Disguishing features were a rocket-like insert rather than the Star Chief four stars, “Bonneville” on the tail of the rear fenders, and “Fuel Injection” on the front fenders near the headlights. The Bonneville was issued only as a convertible and only in Kenya Ivory with Bonneville Red inserts.
A fuel-injected 300 HP 347 CID V-8 was used in all of these cars.
Engines
Chieftain with Manual Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast-iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 227 @ 4600. Torque: 333 @ 2300 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7009832.
Chieftain with Hydramatic Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast-iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 252 @ 4600. Torque: 354 @ 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake – 269°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetor: Rochester 2GC two-barrel Model 7009831.
Super Chief, Star Chief and Safari with Standard Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast-iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Horsepower: 244 @ 4800. Torque: 338 @ 2700 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap 49°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetor: Rochester four-barrel Model 7009829.
Super Chief, Star Chief & Safari with Hydramatic Transmission. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 270 @ 4800. Torque: 359 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.400″. Carburetor: Carter AFB four-barrel Model 2506S or Rochester Model 7009830.
Optional “Extra Horsepower” V-8 – Available All Models. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 356 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.370″. Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors Models: Front 7011351 Center 7011350 Rear 7011352. Single-breaker ignition.
“Extra Horsepower” Fuel Injection – Available All Models. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 10.25:1. Horsepower: 300 @ 5200 RPM. Torque: 375 @ 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 269°, Exhaust 280°, Overlap 55°, Lift 0.370″. Induction: Rochester mechanical fuel-injection Model 7014880.
Optional “Extra Horsepower” V-8 – Available All Models. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 356 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 283°, Exhaust 293°, Overlap 60°, Lift 0.411″. Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors Models: (Hydramatic) Front 7011351 Center 7011350 Rear 7011352. (Synchromesh) Front 7011902 Center 7011903 Rear 7011904. Single-breaker ignition.
Optional “Extra Horsepower” V-8 – Available All Models. Overhead valves. Cast iron block. Displacement: 347 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.9375″ x 3.5625″. Compression ratio: 10.0:1. Horsepower: 290 @ 5000 RPM. Torque: 356 @ 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Mechanical valve lifters. Camshaft Duration: Intake 270°, Exhaust 270°, Overlap unk°, Lift 0.435″. Tappet Clearance 0.023″. Carburetors: three 2-barrel Rochester carburetors Models: (Hydramatic) Front 7011351 Center 7011350 Rear 7011352. (Synchromesh) Front 7011902 Center 7011903 Rear 7011904. Dual-breaker ignition.
More detailed information on the 1957 347 CID V8 engines may be found in the 1957 AMA Specifications Sheets. You may access the sheets HERE or use the navigation on the main page.
Engine Options and Availability
- Options and availability listed in the “Engines” tabs above
Power Train Options
- Hydra-Matic transmission was again considered “standard”, but cost extra.
- Strato-Flight Hydra-Matic ($231) was used in all lines.
- A three-speed Synchromesh gear box with column shift was the base price transmission.
- Four-barrel carburetion was optional in Chieftains (Star Chief V-8s fitted)
- Dual exhausts were $24 extra.
- Rear axle ratios: Synchromesh 3.42:1, Hydra-Matic 3.08:1. In Decemeber 1956, a 3.23:1 axle was made standard for all Hydra-Matic equipped cars a 3.08:1 axle was made a “Plains Ratio” option for all cars except Safari models.
Body Paint Color Codes
Click the Paint Name for Paint Mix Codes
Other Significant Options
- Air-conditioning ($431).
- Cowl vent chrome trim and Custom wheel discs ($21.80).
- DeLuxe basic group ($255.50).
- DeLuxe carpet floor mat ($11).
- DeLuxe steering wheel and padded dash ($31.70).
- Eight-way power seat ($97).
- Electric clock ($10.50).
- Heater and defroster ($91).
- Lamp group ($23.10).
- Mirror group ($12.35).
- Power brakes ($39).
- Power steering ($108).
- Power Sweep Contour electric wiper/washer ($25.25).
- Power windows ($102).
- Radio, deluxe ($125).
- Radio, standard ($99)
- Six-way manual seat ($41).
- Tinted glass ($34)
- Whitewalls ($58.70).
1957 Pontiac Chieftain Black
1957 Chieftain 2 Door Hardtop
1957 Pontiac Catalina
1957 Pontiac Super Chief Sedan
1957 Pontiac Super Chief 2 Door
1957 Pontiac Super Chief
1957 Pontiac La Parisienne
1957 Pontiac Catalina 4 Door
1957 Pontiac Star Chief 2 Door
1957 Pontiac Star Chief Custom
1957 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
1957 Pontiac Safari
1957 Pontiac Star Chief 4-door sedan
