Everyone remembers the Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad, the “sport wagon” in production from 1955 to 1957. And some will recall that Pontiac offered a similar product called the Star Chief Custom Safari. But who remembers that Pontiac also sold a 4-door Safari – only in 1957? Here’s a 20-year garage find that’s one of only 1,894 to be assembled. To differentiate it from the sport wagon, this version had the Transcontinental name tacked on to the end. Another cool tip from T.J.!
Neither Nomad nor Safari was popular when new, which is surprising given their demand status today. Only 23,000 of the Chevies were built, while the Pontiac was even less in demand at 9,000 units. For some reason – and to squeeze more sales – Pontiac decided to add two extra doors in 1957 using the Chieftain wagon body. It had the Star Chief name and trim and Safari chrome and identification. Sales were still scarce at just 46% over the paltry 1,296 2-doors. That makes the ’57 Transcontinental the second lowest in production numbers of all the Safari’s.
We don’t know the story of this wagon other than it was parked in a cluttered garage 20 years ago with 84,000 miles on the odometer. Did something break or was it just another old car that nobody wanted and started to bury stuff around? It should have a 347 cubic inch V8 under the hood with an automatic transmission. We’re told it’s an original car, so that implies the paint and interior are as-built in 1957. It originated in California and eventually found its way to Arizona.
If you like vintage station wagons and ones seldom seen when new, this could be the one. The interior looks nice enough and do we see a custom headrest on the passenger seatback? When you get into the Nomad vs. Safari storyline with someone and throw the Transcontinental into the mix, the conversation should get interesting. From its dusty surroundings in Tucson, this old Poncho is available here on craigslist for $29,999. Is this 2-door Safari kind of money?
A little work and this will be a primo and unique cruiser. GLWTS
Kinda wonder if the reason for the later appreciation of the Nomads/Safari’s was for the exclusivity of them l affordable later and as a 2 door when having more than 2 doors were uncool.
A very popular girl at another HS suddenly faded into the woodwork when her dad bought here a very nice ‘69 Chevelle-FOUR door…
Or maybe it was the surfboard craze, when we saw surfin’ Safari’s around the little towns even in the desert?
Very interesting find, but good gravy, as is too common, why does the owner or listing agent make such a poor attempt of presentation of something you’re asking someone to fork out 30k to buy? I guess it is fine as a craigslist listing to invite local folks to come see and it is always great to have a few pics of the original ‘barn find’ situation, but a more specialty item like this has a pretty narrow market, the “right” buyer could be very far away. At least take the time to drag it out, wash it, tidy up the interior, and take tons of well focused pics in great lighting. Then offer whatever kind of information/history you can dig up on it. Not saying you’ll get that kind of money you are asking, but wouldn’t you think that you’d get many more eyeballs on what you are selling with the potential to get the right buyer and maybe less chance of those who are going to really lowball you?
Agreed. It still amazes me that sellers can’t (at least) pull a car out and wash it before taking pictures. As my mother used to say, “Can’t usually means won’t.”
All Pontiac wagons were called Safaris in 1957, so the nameplate only means “wagon” not “limited-production, hardtop-styled, sport wagon” like it did in ’55 and ’56. What sets the ’57 Transcontinental apart is that it was the first 4-door Star Chief wagon. Unique trim, low production (it was introduced partway through the model year), luggage rack, reclining seat, etc. make it collectible in its own right, not simply the Safari name.
Rare is the day you’ll see one of these. I wouldn’t necessarily say the price is “too high,” try to find another one!
Right now, it’s overpriced by $29K.
“But….I’m trying to sell it, Honey”
That interior looks too good to be original equipment? Will be a nice car with a little work.
I feel that all of your concerns regarding vehicle odometer readings are meaningless. Prior to any odometer rollback laws and even afterwards very few vehicles had not suffered that fate. I worked in the used car business for many years and saw this firsthand.
Cool car – Pontiac V8 power Swept NASCAR at Daytona in 1957 – Cotton Owens Driving :)
They try to connect it to the Nomad and the Safari that were 2 door station wagons with hard top doors.
This is just an ordinary 4 door station wagon.
Guess that is why they show no pictures of the greenhouse as that would show that there is nothing special with this station wagon.
A few years later Chrysler made 4 door hardtop station wagons.
Pontiac just bailed on the snazzy 2 door wagon a year earlier than Chevy. I believe the Safari wagon sales in ‘55 and ‘56 were even more dismal than the Nomad- which became a 4 door in ‘58. I remember a local garden nursery owner owning a very nice gold and white 4 door Nomad wagon back in the day. He was very proud of his Nomad- nobody else cared. The ‘57 Safari wagon featured is a cool car- seems optimistically priced to me- time, and the market, will tell.
So get it right, is it a 2 door or
a 4 door?
The interior looks so good because it’s got plastic protectors over it. I don’t know enough about Pontiacs to know if that strange headrest on the passenger side is factory or not, but if it is OEM, it has to rare, (I would think)
Headrest is factory. The Transcontinental wagon is a very rare find even years ago. This is one of the best ones I have seen in years. The brochure color with Ivory top and luggage rack. The lower read ribbed rocker trip is identical to that on the ’57 fuel injected Bonneville convertible. For someone restoring one of the 630 Bonneville convertibles, those pieces are worth the price of this car. Do the research and you will find what what a rare specimen this is. Factory air conditioning would be the kicker. I hope someone who can, and WILL, restore it makes a deal both seller and buyer can live with. I’m too old to adopt another project I’ll never see completed. This one looks to be a straight forward restoration project. Ones I looked at over the years…very sad. Wasn’t on featured in Hemmings Classic Car?
Without disagreeing with any of the critics, some barn find cars are in barns beause owners have suffered medical issues that have cut short good intentions. I can speak from personal experience and I’m sure as he’ll not happy about it.