1957 Models and Body Styles
These are the models, identifying Body Style Numbers, and production numbers for Pontiacs that were offered in 1957. The Body Style Number can be found on the Fisher Body Data Plate.
The "27" and "28" model designation (first two digits of Body Style Number) refers to the series and identifies the frame for the car.. The 27 series are built on the shorter Chieftain/Super Chief frame and the 28 models on the longer Star Chief frame. The Custom Safari models (2762SDF and 2764DF) are somewhat of an anomaly because they are built on the shorter frame but use the more expensive Star Chief components and trim.
"Catalina" designation is used for cars with no post between front and rear side windows (usually called "hardtops"). Catalina Coupe is a two-door hardtop. "Catalina Sedan" is a four-door hardtop, it is not a sedan (no post between front and rear side windows).
This was the first year for the "Super Chief" model, it replaced the pervious "Chieftain 870" designation. This was the first year of the "Bonneville" designation -- they were all fuel injected Star Chief convertibles in 1957. The "Bonneville" did not become a separate model until 1958.
| Model | Body Style | Body Style No. | Factory Price | Shipping Weight* | Production Total | Comments |
| 27 Chieftain | Catalina Coupe | 2737 | 2,529 | 3,665 | 51,017 | 2-door hardtop |
| Catalina Sedan | 2739 | 2,614 | 3,745 | 40,074 | 4-door hardtop | |
| Two Door Sedan | 2711 | 2,643 | 3,625 | 21,343 | ||
| Four Door Sedan | 2719 | 2,527 | 3,670 | 35,671 | ||
| Four Door Sta. Wagon | 2762FC | 2,898 | 3,945 | 11,536 | 3 seat wagon | |
| Two Door Sta. Wagon | 2763F | 2,841 | 3,800 | 2,934 | 2 seat wagon | |
| 27 Super Chief | Catalina Coupe | 2737D | 2,735 | 3,680 | 15,494 | 2-door hardtop |
| Catalina Sedan | 2739D | 2,793 | 3,750 | 19,758 | 4-door hardtop | |
| Four Door Sedan | 2719D | 2,664 | 3.695 | 15,153 | ||
| Four Door Sta. Wagon | 2762DF | 3,021 | 3,875 | 14,095 | 2 seat wagon | |
| 27 Star Chief | Four Door Custom Safari | 2762SDF | 3,636 | 3,955 | 1,894 | 4-door wagon, called the "Transcontinental" |
| Two Door Custom Safari | 2764DF | 3,481 | 3,860 | 1,296 | 2 seat sporty wagon | |
| 28 Star Chief | Convertible Coupe | 2867DTX | 3,105 | 3,970 | 12,789 | |
| Convertible Coupe Custom (Bonneville) | 2867SDX | 5,782 | 4,285 | 630 | Convertible with fuel injection. Most expensive. | |
| Catalina Coupe Custom | 2837SD | 2,901 | 3,750 | 32,862 | 2-door hardtop | |
| Catalina Sedan Custom | 2839SD | 2,975 | 3,820 | 44,283 | 4-door hardtop | |
| Four Door Sedan | 2819D | 2,839 | 3,740 | 3,774 | ||
| Four Door Sedan Custom | 2819SD | 2,896 | 3,755 | 8,874 |
* Shipping Weight is with automatic transmission.
1957 model production began Oct 17, 1956. They were introduced to the public Nov 19, 1956
A 290 hp engine w/Tri-Power was released Dec 2, 1956,and was available in all models.
Rochester Fuel Injection was installed on all Bonneville engines and was available OTC for dealer installation on other models.
Pontiac continued to use the Buick synchromesh 3-speed transmission (6-bolt Top Cover) introduced in the 1956 model year.
A total of 12867 Chieftains were equipped with synchromesh transmission.
A total of 1063 Super Chiefs were equipped with synchromesh transmission.
A total of 309 Star Chiefs were equipped with synchromesh transmission.
Only 4 Star Chief "Custom Safaris" were equipped with the synchromesh transmission.
The new 1957-64 Olds-Pontiac 9.3" rear axle assemblies w/28-spline axles was released.
The 1956 controlled-coupling Oldsmobile Hydramatic automatic transmission, aka "Strato-Flight", was continued on all 1957 models.