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Topic starter
29/07/2026 10:24 am
For 1958, about every other commercial on TV was touting Pontiac's new "Wide Track" automobiles. Semon "Bunky" Knudson was the man behind this all new design, and looking at the first mockup, he said it looked like "a football player in ballerina shoes". The frame was very narrow compared to the width of the body, so he had the 4 wheels extended about 5" each. This not only changed what was called the "tippy look" of the car but gave the car a lower center of gravity, better cornering stability and road grip. For this model, the iconic split grill was introduced and looking at Chrysler's "Forward Look", small twin tail fins were put over the tail lamps for that year only. The Wide Track design turned out to be a marketing success so it was continued for a few more model years until the chassis was redesigned.
This Danbury Mint model of the fully optioned Bonneville convertible is outstanding.
29/07/2026 2:28 pm
Yes! The '59 Bonneville is my all-time favorite Pontiac. My preference is sans skirts.
This post was modified 3 months ago by Moe Parr
Barry Levittan
Long Island, NY
29/07/2026 6:25 pm
As has been said before, it's too bad the Hardtop didn't made it into production by DM. I have both convertibles and hardtops in 1/64, 1/43 and 1/18 scale. As always Rich thanks for the writeup and pictures.
29/07/2026 6:59 pm
Your pics make it look like a 1:1 Rich. Excellent history as well.💯😎
29/07/2026 8:48 pm
@rich-sufficool Well, I think you photography work is exceptional. 💯👍
Rich Sufficool and GDH reacted
29/07/2026 9:23 pm
@moe-parr I’m 99.9% anti skirts on contemporary cars Moe, but somehow they look right to on the ‘59 Poncho. To me they kind of flow into the rear ends curved chrome strip. The ‘59 Pontiac as a true automotive masterpiece to my eye, and the DM replica is nothing less than supernatural! Definitely one that I couldn’t be without, and Rich, your photos are also supernatural, viewing them is the next best thing to holding the actual model in one’s hand. Great post!
P.S. This reminds me, my model is missing the hoods arrowhead emblem. I’ve noticed this on a lot of models I see online. Any advice?
This post was modified 3 months ago by kevins
29/07/2026 11:11 pm
A beautiful car and a beautiful diecast replica of it.
30/07/2026 8:24 am
I passed one the white Bonneville...I was waiting for DM to issue a re-paint. We all know how that went. 
John Bono
North Jersey
Geno and Rich Sufficool reacted
30/07/2026 10:06 am
Mine came up missing also, I made my own using BMF and some white paint. I don't know how well you can see it in this pic though.😊
