Old station wagons continue to grace the webpages of Barn Finds but today’s discovery of a 1959 Pontiac Safari is the first that I have encountered that isn’t a two-door Nomadesque version. It’s pretty outstanding if for no other reason than all of the typical late fifties GM Motorama style chrome and stainless trim. Found by Pat L. in Portland, Oregon, this Safari is available, here on craigslist for $27,500 “or close to it”.
The Safari came in both Bonneville and Catalina trim in ’59 and this example is the lower level Catalina but from its exterior presentation, it doesn’t look like lower-level anything. The chrome and that previously mentioned trim still look strong – it’s all intact and still has some shine. Unfortunately, the finish, at least on the hood and front clip, is starting to fail – no surprise if it’s original. The color, which looks like Berkshire Green, was a big hit on ’59 Pontiacs and I have seen many finished in that shade including on a high school friend’s ’59 four-door sedan from many years ago. Beyond the fade, and a few scratches, the body of this Safari is solid, there is no sign of rust which is a common affliction with GM cars (practically every manufacturer’s cars) of this era. Gotta love those curb-feelers, I don’t think I have encountered one of those in a very long time.
The seller states that the engine in this Safari wagon has a four-barrel carburetor so I’ll go with the assumptions that it’s a 300 gross HP, 389 CI V8. That non-stock, dual inlet air cleaner is impressive looking and if it is genuine, it’s valuable. An automatic transmission means a Hydramatic but unfortunately, there is no word regarding this Safari’s operational capabilities. This one still runs on generator power and that piece appears to be a recent swap.
The interior is listed as “new” and it is spectacular appearing. And I mean all of, the seats, dash, instrument panel, side panels, and the cargo area, nothing is out of place. To redo that much interior, in what is today a fairly obscure car, must have consumed a significant investment. Also mentioned is the existence of a power rear window, a nice option. Most of our family wagons’ rear glass had to be manually cranked from outside – lots of fun in the rain. Note the new center console with drink holders!
Taken in the entire context of this Safari station wagon, it looks as if it needs nothing. It could technically use a paint job, but that’s really not necessary and the exterior look may be intentional. This is a car that we would have ignored years ago, and maybe even regretted being seen in it if it were our family hauler; my, how times have changed. I thought, initially, that the price was outsized, but then I got a look at that fabulous interior and that’s probably driving some of the ask. What do you think, priced right or not quite?
While I can’t be the judge on the asking price one has to ask what the market is willing to pay for what I consider a special piece of automotive history. I have really grown to appreciate the bold and outrageous lines of the late 50’s classics. This is definitely one of my favorites and another car that really caught my attention is the 58 Rambler cross country wagon. Back in the 50’s Pontiac’s image was a boring car for old people and GM brought in Bunkie Knudsen to put life back into the brand. This car definitely benefits from his vision. Realistically you are 8-10K away from a refurbished driver with paint being a large portion of that. Beyond that this one is going to make someone a happy camper to own.
Ha
My parents had a 1959 Rambler Cross Country Wagon. When with my dad to an “estate sale”. There were two wagons there. A fancy Buick with a big V8 and lots of options and this plain Jane white Rambler with a straight six. My dad would never spring for that fancy of car so the Rambler was purchased. It was the car I learned to drive in. Push button automatic. I could rev it up in neutral then push drive and I could get a little squeal from the tires. It was bulletproof and survived my abuse. We had that car forever. First car we had with A/C, which was a blessing living in the Arizona Desert
A Rambler wagon in the Arizona desert? Hey, Joe Dirt! Is that you?
Happy New Year!
My Dad Was An AMC Man Til They Went Out Of Business , He Also Owned A 60,s White Or Cream Colored Rambler Wagon , He Worked For The Hartford Courant News Company Delivering Papers He Would Take Us With Him On Sunday Mornings To Deliver Papers , Pretty Sure AMC Going Out Of Business Brought An Tear To His Eye , Always Drove,em Til They Became Fred Flintstone Mobiles , Would Run For Ever But Rusted Pre-Maturely
Reminds me of the ’60 Safari wagon we had,
complete with those air deflectors on the back.
It is a1960
No it’s not! A ’59!
Too pretty not to paint, show, and most importantly cruise the wheels off it.
Very unique, very cool, and unusual. I can’t remember the last time I saw one of these, if I ever did. Certainly would be the talk of the car shows.
It’s definitely a cool piece. If you look closely at the CL pics, each body panel/door looks like a slightly different shade of green. I would be wary of that and investigate further.
The front clip is definitely a different shade from the rest of the car. The images are awfully selective as if to avoid. To avoid what? Looking closely at the last image in the ad shows a lot of corrosion below the lower driver’s door hinge. Also I would expect an upscale model like the Bonneville or Catalina to be carpeted. There are always reasons to be skeptical about used vehicles.
The asking price of $27.5k is beyond what Hagerty suggests is the value for a ‘concours’ vehicle.
You are right, the pictures selection looks intentional.
As for the air cleaner, it’s been available as a reproduction from every Chevelle parts supplier for a couple of decades, there is almost no chance it’s original.
Steve R
Way overpriced for me with the poor paint & new interior. Looks like a quick flip.
I recall seeing this recently for sale in the last 60 days @$20k. I didn’t save the ad or source but as others have noted, this is definitely a flip
Back in the day I wouldn’t have given $5.00 for this. Today? Damn they’re beautiful!
My ’56 Chevy, bought new by my father, was turquoise and white. The doors were painted turquoise first, and the white part was painted over the turquoise. In my teenaged fervor to keep it looking fine, my polishing wore right through the white over paint on one of the doors. And so, one might be suspicious of different shades of color on different body panels, one might also be aware that GM did not always do it right in the first place.
And just like that…. SOLD
1st to go? that aftr mrkt console.
The rest? a nice low budget rest0.
Lub me my waggys…(but not many w/fins).
You Could Fit Two Caskets Side By Side , Damn Backseat Drivers , LoL