While this might not wear a Chevy Nomad badge, this 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari is for all intents and purposes a Nomad wagon. It actually is based on the same two door wagon platform as the Nomad, but with different badges, side trim, and grille. This Safari is complete, but is looking a bit rough. It has surface rust throughout and some serious looking rust underneath. The 316 cui V8 currently runs, but only off of a gas can. I know this isn’t the more desirable ’57 body, but is still well worth saving. The question is what is it worth in its current condition? Have a look at this Safari wagon here on eBay in Concord, New Hampshire with bidding almost to $8,000.
Rougher than I would take on but I would take a Safari over a Nomad any day!
I’d take either one… Chevy or Poncho…. Wouldn’t matter.
I agree with Wayne, I wonder if a nomad tailgate is the same? It’s rusting as I type this!
This one will take some deep pockets to afford to restore it correctly, however it is a desirable car. Does anyone know the production numbers off of the top to thier head?
Here is all of the info for the 56 model Pontiac- http://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1EarlyV8Pontiacs/ModelStyleNumbers/1956_models.htm
Love it! I had a ’57 Chevy four door wagon for four years. Lots of fun and instant recognition from anyone who saw it. Not sure the Pontiac would get the same reaction but that’s not really the point anyway. My memory isn’t great, but I’m pretty sure the Safari and Nomad shared tailgate and rear window. Even the Nomad tailgates and windows are hard to find. There’s one guy who’s the recognized expert on those two parts, although I can’t remember his name off hand.
I like to be different, so I’d opt for a Safari over a Nomad. But this one is going to need a lot of metal repair. Big project, and I swore off doing that amount of metal work ever again.
– John
I would rather have this than a Nomad. I am too old to take it on. Somebody should save it.
Definitely not as common as the Nomad but the wagon body parts are common to both so it shouldn’t be that difficult a restoration. I’d be willing to take something like this on but too many projects already. I’m sure that someone is going to have a good time with this one.
Its a shame it’s been allowed to rust out as far as it has.