The 1955-57 Chevrolet Nomad is iconic, perhaps for the styling and also because of its low production numbers. But many will forget that Pontiac also offered a “sport wagon” at the same time, using the same body, the Safari. Trimmed like the upper-end Star Chief, the Safari didn’t catch on with buyers, either, and the concept was dropped after 1957. The seller has a newly restored 1955 Safari that also has a few modern touches (like front disc brakes). Located in Langley, British Columbia, this rare find is available here on craigslist for $45,500 (CDN) or $35,000 (USD). Kudos to Tony Primo for this Poncho tip!
Both the Nomad and Safari were based on a 1954 concept car that looked like a 1953 Chevy Corvette. When it went into production, the Sport Wagon had its own body from the cowl back when compared to a “regular” Chevy or Pontiac station wagon. Plus, it carried a higher level of trim like the Bel Air and Star Chief. So, perhaps the pair was too fancy for most buyers of 2-door wagons, and the concept died after just 22,000 Nomads and 9,000 Safaris were sold.
We’re told this ’55 Safari has had a frame-off restoration and that only a few emblems need to be reinstalled. It also comes with fender skirts, which the buyer can put on or leave off (I vote for the latter). Everything you see in the photos appears to be new, rebuilt, or refreshed. That includes the factory 287 cubic inch V8 and automatic transmission. The odometer reads 5,000 miles, so is that since the restoration or just a placeholder?
The seller has $20,800 in receipts, but surely that includes only part of the work that was done. One unfortunate twist for those who prefer originality, the paint colors were changed when the wagon was refinished. So, you have teal and white now instead of bronze and beige. The interior is new, but the upper rear gate needs to be replated. When the mechanicals were gone through, the electrical system was changed as an alternator is present now instead of a generator. Pontiac only produced 3,760 Safaris in 1955 compared to Chevy’s 8,530 Nomads, so they’re harder to find today in any condition.
Beautifully done. I like the color change too. It looks like they did a top notch job on the restoration too.
Agreed. Popping the hood and being blasted with original bronze and beige would be a rude awakening. It’s good that everything was repainted. It’s a new car from a 1955 showroom
Has a Cadillac/Olds air cleaner which are really cool.Take this over a Nomad any day..beautiful car.
Take this over a Nomad any day of the week. The paint change is just stunning!
Me too. If this Pontiac was parked next to a Nomad and both were for sale at the same price, I wouldn’t even go to look at the Nomad! This Pontiac has a lot going for it whereas the Chev is just that, another Chev!
Beautiful car. Ozzie and Harriet vintage.GLWTS.
Didn’t the face of the original hood ornament light up?
great looking wagon and rarer than the chevy. could not restore for the ask price. looks like a good deal. love the hood ornament at nite when it’s lit up. you will never see anything like that again
Thirty five thousand US! Why is it still listed? It should be gone in a HEART BEAT.
Beautiful! Two years older than yours truly.
Beautiful! I think I’ve only seen one of these before. The front discs are nice, but I wonder if Pontiac 8 lug wheels and aluminum brake drums would fit?
A Pontiac Nomad!! Very cool Pontiac wagon that has had a great restoration!!
I think the roof, doors and tailgate are the same on the Nomad and the Safari but the hood, fenders and quarters are different, so not really a shared body. More correctly shared platform between the two.
There are 2 MAJOR things missing from the hood!!!
All the Safaris I’ve seen over the years I could count on one hand and have fingers left over. But then, I shouldn’t get ahead of myself; all the Nomads of this era, I could count on one hand and have fingers left over. They’re cool cars, no matter which side of the GM clan they come from. Funny thing about this, I saw a ’55 Chevy Nomad, and then a ’57 back when I was still in high school. I saw my first Safari, a ’57, sitting out behind an abandoned gas station, just off the freeway, when I was in my 20’s.
Anyways, I’ve always been enamored with this body style. You could park this at my place and I would be happy.
That 287 engine, some call it a boat anchor, while I prefer “Door stop.” Actually, I’ve seen them pull pretty hard, and they are good engines. Of course the main user of that motor, as far as I’m concerned, was GMC trucks. Lots of them out west. They had a nasty habit of rocker studs that liked to withdraw themselves out of the heads. The guy who invented Loctite 271 robbed me of some work…
IMO the rear wheel arch shape is much nicer than the open look of the Nomad. I’d put the spats on it. It’s also missing the two wide chrome mouldings on the bonnet. (hood). Love the car