Editing Pontiac (automobile) (section)

=== 1955–1960 ===
[[File:56Starchief.jpg|thumb|1956 Pontiac Star Chief Convertible in Glendale and Hialeah green two-tone]]
[[File:1956 Canadian Pontiac Pathfinder Sedan Delivery.jpg|thumb|1956 Canadian [[Pontiac Pathfinder]] [[sedan delivery]], 1,383 built, not available in the U.S.]]

Completely new bodies and chassis were introduced for the 1955 model year and sales increased. A new {{convert|173|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on|adj=on}} overhead-valve [[Pontiac V8 engine|Strato Streak V8 engine]] was introduced. With the introduction of this V8, the six-cylinder engines were discontinued; a six-cylinder would not return to the full-size Pontiac line until the GM corporate [[Downsize (automobile)|downsizing]] of 1977.

In 1956, when [[Semon Knudsen|Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen]] became general manager of Pontiac, alongside new heads of engineering, [[Pete Estes|E. M. Estes]] and [[John DeLorean]], Knudsen began reworking the brand's image. One of the first steps involved the removal of the "silver streaks" from the hood and deck lid which were a traditional styling feature beginning in 1933. These were eliminated from the 1957 models just weeks before they were introduced. The first [[Pontiac Bonneville|Bonneville]] was also introduced. This was a version of the Star Chief convertible to showcase Pontiac's first fuel-injected engine. About 630 Bonnevilles were built in 1957. Pontiac marketing described it as "America's No. 1 Road Car".

[[File:Bonneville taillights.jpg|thumb|right|1959 [[Pontiac Bonneville|Bonneville]] from the rear, showing double rear fins]]

The following year, the Bonneville became its own line, built on the {{convert|122|in|mm|adj=on}} wheelbase of the A-body platform. A 1958 [[Tri power]] Bonneville was the [[pace car]] for that year's [[Indianapolis 500]]. The 1958 model year was final use of the "Indian" motif throughout the vehicle. The only exception would be the Indian head high-beam indicator light in the instrument cluster. All 1958 models featured [[ball joint]] front suspension replacing the previous [[Kingpin (automotive part)|kingpin]] design.

With the 1959 model year, Pontiac came out with its "Arrowhead" emblem, with the star design in the middle. The "Arrowhead" design ran all the way up the hood from between the split grille, and on Star Chief models, had eight chrome stars from the emblem design on the body sides as chrome trim. Knudsen directed that the Pontiacs received a completely reworked chassis, body, and interior styling. Quad headlamps, as well as a longer, lower body, were some of the styling changes.

The Chieftain line was renamed Catalina; the Star Chief was downgraded to replace the discontinued Super Chief series and for the first time did not have a two-door [[hardtop]], only a two-door sedan along with a four-door hardtop and four-door sedan; in addition, there was no Star Chief wagon. The Bonneville was now the top of the line, coming in three body styles: a two-door hardtop, a four-door hardtop, and a four-door station wagon. The Star Chief's four-door "Vista" hardtop was also shared by the Bonneville. Catalina models included a two-door hardtop, two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and four-door hardtop as well as two station wagons, a six-passenger with two rows of seats, and a nine-passenger version with a rear-facing third row. Bonneville and Star Chief were built on a {{convert|124|in|mm|adj=on}} wheelbase with the exception of the Bonneville wagon, and all Catalina models and the Bonneville wagon rode on a {{convert|122|in|mm|adj=on}} wheelbase. Catalina was also {{convert|7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} shorter than Bonneville and Star Chief and weighed {{convert|100-200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} less than its long-wheelbase counterparts. All 1959 Pontiacs were equipped with a {{convert|389|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} V8 engine with horsepower ratings from {{convert|215|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} to a {{convert|345|hp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} "Tri-power" carbureted version. All automatics were four-speed Super-Hydra-Matics or, as the Hydramatic Division that designed and built them called them, "Controlled coupling HydraMatic". Oldsmobile used this same transmission and called it Jetaway Hydramatic; Cadillac also used it and called it 315 or P 315 Hydramatic.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://ateupwithmotor.com/terms-technology-definitions/hydramatic-history-part-2/view-all/ |title=Dynaflow, Turboglide, Roto Hydra-Matic, and Other Early GM Automatics |last=Severson |first=Aaron |date=5 June 2010 |work=Ate Up With Motor |access-date=7 March 2022}}</ref> A three-speed, column-mounted stick shift was standard on all Pontiacs. This coincided with major body styling changes across all models that introduced increased glass area, twin V-shaped fins, and lower hood profiles. ''[[Motor Trend]]'' magazine selected the Pontiac line as the 1959 Car of the Year. The 1959s featured a {{convert|5|in|mm|0|adj=on}} wider track.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://oldcarbrochures.org/North%20America/Pontiac/1959%20Pontiac/1959_Pontiac_Prestige_Brochure/slides/1959_Pontiac_Prestige-04-05.html |title=1959 Pontiac prestige brochure Collection |website=Oldcarbrochures.org|access-date=October 22, 2019}}</ref> The increase to {{convert|64|in|mm|0|adj=on}} was because Knudsen noticed the new, wider bodies looked awkward on the carried-over 1958 frames. The new "Wide-Track" Pontiacs improved styling, handled better, and contributed to Pontiac's resurgence in the marketplace.

The 1960 models had a complete reskinning with the exception of the body's canopies, which remained identical to the 1959s, but removed the [[Car tail fin|tail fins]] and the distinctive split grille. The 1960 models' standard engine had a power gain of 3&nbsp;hp due to a compression increase of .25. The Ventura was introduced, and a more luxurious hardtop coupe with the four-door hardtop built on the shorter {{convert|122|in|mm|adj=on}} wheelbase platform, thus positioned between the Catalina and Star Chief models. The Ventura featured the luxury features of the Bonneville in the shorter, lighter Catalina body.