bearing inserts, unlike its Chevrolet cousin. Below are specifications as per the model year and displacement, with output shown as horsepower (kilowatts). "Special"-8 At the General Motors Motorama for 1954, Pontiac debuted its all new Bonneville Special, a concept car envisioned by head designer Harley J. Earl. The concept was equipped with the "Special"-8, a high output engine that was painted bright red and detailed in chrome. This was a unique configuration for the "eight", installed in the only two Specials ever made. Similar in appearance only, this was a high compression variant, modified with a high-lift cam and fitted with four Carter YH side-draft one-barrel carburetors, the same used in the 1953 Corvette, under open-mesh breathers. Total output was the highest ever for the "eight", rated at , though some estimated it at over . Like the Special, only two were ever made. Note: Pontiac’s new V8 was being considered for use in the Special but was instead held back by GM marketing. They directed that the straight-eight be used to keep the V8 a secret from consumers for one more year until its debut the following year. Footnotes See also Pontiac Trophy 4 engine Pontiac straight-6 engine Pontiac V8 engine List of GM engines Straight-8 Straight-eight engines