Early on I knew what a Chevrolet Nomad was – and I had “heard” that there was a Pontiac version too though I didn’t actually encounter one until a few years later. As rare as the Nomad is, the Pontiac Safari is considerably rarer so finding one is a treat. This 1956 example is located in Salem, Oregon and is available, here on craigslist for $17,900. Thanks to Gunter K for this nice discovery!
My first experience was a Safari was in 1973. I worked for the body and paint department of a Chevrolet dealership and the best painter in the shop, a fellow known as “Rabbit” (I never did learn his real name), had a primer coated ’56 Safari such as our subject car. The thing that I remember most about it was its “pipe” front bumper which was exactly that, a piece of pipe, about an inch and a half in diameter affixed to homemade brackets. Along with the original bumper, the heavy ornate grille was gone too. The interior was mostly original but very, very worn, especially the way-back cargo area. As I recall, the distinctive stainless steel tailgate strips were MIA as well. That Safari was just a seventeen-year-old used car with a slight hot-rod vibe. From that point, I tried to learn a bit about the Safari and must have used the “Encyclopedia of Cars” or some other publication for my education – no internet in those days! As it turns out, the ’55-’57 Safari, based on the Pontiac Chieftain and the Nomad’s roofline, was a bit of a “me-too” in that it glammed on to the Nomad’s recipe for what was supposed to be a successful, stylish and profitable take on the lowly station wagon. It didn’t really take. While total Nomad production was around 20K units, the Safari managed less than half of that over the same three-year run. And ’56 was its most successful year with about 4K copies finding owners.
The seller suggests that his Safari is one of only 300 still in existence but I don’t know how that can be verified. Wearing what is probably a non-original color, the body of this Safari is in fair shape. It’s mostly straight but the driver’s side quarter (there are no images of the passenger side!) is afflicted with rust. The seller states that he has replacement ’55 Nomad quarter panels that he’ll sell for $1,500 but the wheel openings are definitely different. Further stated is “Gonna need tailgate and lift gate fixed, most of the expensive stainless is in really nice condition” It’s hard to say what the tailgate/liftgate issues are other than the fact that the tailgate is not attached. Apparently, the floors will need some help too.
The 216 HP, 317 CI V8 engine has been plucked from this Safari’s engine room. Why? Who knows but it comes with the car – the safe assumption is that it has a problem, otherwise it probably wouldn’t have been removed. Attached to the engine is a Hydramatic automatic transmission.
Inside, we find no front seat and what looks like an Oldsmobile Cutlass steering wheel (but it does have a new tinted windshield!) The door and side panels are going to need help but the back seat, typically, looks OK. The instrument panel is intact but the image included is not very clear.
This is a rare automobile, and as stated before, a body style that won’t grace the U.S. automotive scene again. The good news is that it looks to be salvageable but the question will be at what cost on top of the price of entry. I am going with the assumption that our learned BF readership has familiarity with this seldomly seen model from Pontiac’s esteemed past, but if not, is this your first time spying one?
If anyone knows of someone or needs parts themselves, I know where five Safaris lie in a 15,000 car salvage yard. They have been picked over, but thinking 2 cars can yet be made from the 5…. maybe 3 including this one.
Send me a message here, but I must state, I have NO vested interest in them myself other than to see them saved.
Rare cars NEED to find a better place than rotting into the ground !
I would like to know where those Safaris are. I am rebuilding a 55 right now and parts are hard to find. Thanks
cfb0705@aol.com
sent you a personal message …..
Nice write up. Obviously more rare but easily understandable as these just weren’t as nice looking as their Chevy counterparts. Did these cost more?
GLWTS.
The reference material I use list the 1956 Chevy Nomad as listing at $2360 with 8103 being produced and weight listed as 3425 lb.
It list this model as listing for $2311 with 6099 being produced and weight listed as 3596 lb.
I would never claim this info is exact because I don’t know where they got the information and have noted several instances where there are differences with other listings…
The weight difference is from the Pontiac V8 weighing a bit more than the Chevy 265 and the same for the hydramatic and a powerglide
Cool car, but priced like a Nonad that’s in better condition.
Steve R
Steve, did you mean to type Nomad, rather than nonad?
Cause “nonad” was my little sister’s nickname when we were kids…(just asking?)
Now to the Safari: sometimes it’s best to just say no.
(Nancy Reagan)
YMMV.
Did Buick or Oldsmobile have similar models?
I only ask, as I barely remember the Safari.
No to Buick or Oldsmobile. But see Buick Cabalero for a really cool hardtop wagon. Olds had one too but I cannot recall the name.
The Oldsmobile Fiesta could be had as a two or four door station wagon.
Of all the “Nomad/Safari” models my favorite is the 1957 Safari. I acknowledge the Nomads are more popular but, in the end… we like what we like.
This looks to be very saveable for the right person. Too bad that person is no longer me.
I swear my brother’s 55 Chieftain had a 326 cu in engine. 317 ? Don’t think so.
I *think* the 326 made it’s debut in 1963.
The 326 was first offered in the Tempest in 1963. It replaced the aluminum Buick 215 V8 that Pontiac had offered in the Tempest in ’61 and ’62.
I once owned a ’63 Tempest. It was the car that made me realize lousy cars offer great opportunities to hone your diagnosis and repair skills.
Great find. But why would anyone want to pay that entry price for an abandoned,non running project? I’ve seen a few of these listed here that at least still had its engine in and not out of the car. Hard pass for a rolling chassis.
One of the reasons these Safari’s didn’t have the same survival rate as the Nomads’ is that some of the parts interchange resulting in Safaris’ being stripped of those parts through the years. :-) Terry J
When I look at this car all I see are dollar signs$$$$$$ passing through someone’s hand. Glad it’s not me.
God bless America
The 55 had a 287 engine unless someone replaced it. I also think the price is too high for this car. I like the Safari better. They had much nicer interior than the Nomad.
Rare but not worth a fortune. Will take a fortune to restore. He priced it like it was the only one. Pretty rough in all areas. Product of the times.
The weight difference is from the Pontiac V8 weighing a bit more than the Chevy 265 and the same for the hydramatic and a powerglide
On the weight, the Pontiac had bigger brakes all around, a heavier frame since wheelbase was longer and a bigger rear end with a even heavier rear end coming on the ’57 model.
On the ’57 Safari their was also a four door which was a more dressed up version of the regular station wagon. It had vertical chrome strips on the tailgate but were nowhere as nice as the 2 door Safari. The ’57 Safari was the rarest of the 2 door Safari wagons. I was the proud owner of one of the ’57 models and 2 ’55 Nomads and a ’56 Nomad. Sure wish i had them back.
“The Oldsmobile Fiesta could be had as a two or four door station wagon.”
When did Oldsmobile make a two-door station wagon?
They didn’t. Bad info.
led sled,, not 4 me.
Worse? in bad shape.
I Like all years for the Pontiac powered Safari – 57 Best looking – Pontiac engines are great with better Torque than the Chevy – even later 50’s GMC Trucks were Pontiac V8 powered :)
I have a 55 Safari that I have been working on for the last year. I have restored a 57 Nomad and thought they were alike. Found out I was way off track. The chassis is an X frame on the Pontiac, it still had a king pin front suspension, and the parts are very hard to come by. So with that being said I decided to build a resto mod vice resto car. Replaced the driver and pass floor pans, Installed a Fatman subframe adding rack and pinion, Disc brakes, new upper and lower tube A arms, springs , shocks. Added a 454 Chevy engine a 700R trans and a 9″ ford rear with 3.55 gears. Much more. Car May be for sale soon. I have not driven it yet here in Az.
Needs a Pontiac engine – now will be just another Chevy
I believe if you check your references you will see that the Tempest for ’61 and ’62 both had a four cylinder ( that was known for how bad it vibrated). This four was half of a 389 V8. Small Buicks and Oldsmobile’s had the aluminum 215 V8 and they did not share the same head.
Well, I’ve said it before, when we stop paying crazy, stupid money for these relics, no matter how “rare” they are the sooner folks will get the message that because its old/antique it doesn’t command “running prices”. This one can sit till dooms day if they are waiting on me!!
……oh well, maybe he’s waiting on the ONE who has deeper pockets than he has sense!