1959 Pontiac Models Described in Detail
Pontiac Brand Home
The “Super Chief” name disappeared and was replaced with “Custom Star Chief”. The Bonneville name remained in place for the large, luxury line. “Catalina” was no longer a body style designation. Bonneville now rode on the long 124 inch wheelbase. “Vista” became Pontiac’s nomenclature for pillarless 4-door hardtop styling. The “Sport Coupe” was any two-door hardtop, and “Sport Sedan” designated any two-door pillared sedan.
Nine-passenger station wagons now used a rear-facing third seat of fold-away design. Taillamps used on all station wagons and Catalinas were short, horizontal ovals without trim rings. Taillamps used on Custom Star Chiefs and Bonneville Customs were long, horizontal-types with dual trim rings. “Wide-Track Pontiacs” first appeared as a marketing theme.
Engine displacement rose again, this time to 389 CID – by increasing the stroke to 3.75.” Extra-horsepower options included four-barrel and Tri-Power induction on the special heavy-duty “420-A” NASCAR-certified block, both with 10.5:1 compression ratio.
Production increased dramatically from the 1958 disaster of 216,982 to a healthy 382,940 attributed both to an easing of the recession and the striking new designs.
Historical Footnotes
The entire Pontiac line was picked as “Car of the Year” by Motor Trend magazine. Bonneville Custom was picked as “Best Buy in the $2,000-$3,000 Class” by Car Life magazine. A prototype pickup truck with styling like the Chevrolet El Camino was built on a 1959 Catalina platform, but it never became a model line.
Chassis Information
- Wheelbase: Series 21 and 27 – 122″, Series 24 and 28 – 124″.
- Overall length: Series 21 – 213.7″, Series 24 and 28 – 220.7″, Series 21 Station Wagons and 27 Safari – 214.3″.
- Front tread: (All) 63.7″.
- Rear tread: (All) 64.0″.
- Tires: Coupes and Sedans 8.00 x 14 Station wagons & all w/Air conditioning 8.50 x 14.
Models Offered
SERIES 21
The 1959 Catalina was the short 121″ wheelbase car. Identification features for the new Catalina included “Catalina” in script on rear fins, plain deck lids, and body sides trimmed by single “Sweepspear” moldings with non-decorated projectile flares.
Standard equipment included directional signals, electric wipers, dual sun visors, dome lamps, cigarette lighter, dual headlamps, front and rear ash trays, coat hooks,instrument panel “Snak Bar”, dual horns, tubeless tires, bumper jack, and wheel lug wrench.
The Super Chief nameplate was replaced by “Custom Star Chief.” This line consisted of 124″ wheelbase Pontiacs utilizing the base Catalina engines. There were “Star Chief” emblems on the fins and four stylized stars on the projectile flares. “Sweepspear” body side moldings and a narrow deck lid ornament added to the model identification.
Regular equipment included all standard Catalina features plus two-speed electric wipers, DeLuxe steering wheel, electric clock, DeLuxe chrome wheel covers, and loop-pile Lurex-flexed carpeting.
The Bonneville Custom was Pontiac’s prestige offering with the highest level trim and appointments. Bonnevilles were set apart by golden “Bonneville” in script on the right-hand grille, rear fins, and deck lid. There were four groups of short, horizontal louvers on the projectile-shaped rear fender flares and crest medallions on the deck lid and doors.
Regular equipment included all Star Chief features plus padded dashboard, inside door safety reflectors, rear seat foam cushions, dash courtesy lights, and padded assist rails for passengers.
Engines
- Options and availability listed in the “Engines” tabs above
Power Train Options
- A three-speed manual gear box with column mounted gear shift was standard on all models.
- Four-speed Super Hydra-Matic (Strato-Flight) transmission was $180 extra.
- Rear axle ratios: (Hydra¬Matic) 3.23:1 ; (Optional Hydra-Matic) 3.08:1 ; (Synchromesh) 3.42:1 ; (Optional Synchromesh) 3.64:1 ; (dealer installed) 3.90:1 and 4.10:1.
- Safe-T-Track non-slip differential was $42 extra.
Body Paint Color Codes
Significant Options
- Air-conditioning ($355).
- Anti-freeze ($7).
- Back-up lights ($9).
- Bucket seats, Bonneville Convertible ($84).
- Catalina décor trim ($45).
- Clear plastic seat covers ($30).
- Custom wheel covers ($26).
- DeLuxe steering wheel in Catalina ($12).
- Electric antenna ($20).
- Ever-Level air ride ($155).
- Fresh air heater and defroster ($74).
- Front foam seat cushion ($9).
- Full wheel discs on Catalina ($14).
- Heavy-duty air cleaner ($6).
- Lamp group ($23).
- Mirror group ($10).
- Oil filter ($8).
- Outside rearview mirror ($5).
- Padded dash ($16).
- Parking brake signal ($4).
- Power tailgate window ($27).
- Power windows (4-dr) $85; (2-dr) $48.
- Radio Sportable ($104).
- Radio, pushbutton ($74).
- Radio, Wonderbar ($100).
- Rear seat speaker ($11).
- Safety belts ($12).
- Safety group ($34).
- Six-way power seat ($81).
- Tilt mirror ($4).
- Tinted glass ($35).
- Tissue dispenser ($6).
- Two-speed power brakes ($35).
- Two-tone paint ($11).
- Undercoating ($15).
- Whitewall 8.00 x 14 tires ($34).
- Whitewall 8.50 x 14 tires ($37).
- Windshield washers ($11).
