After a “Deranged Chevy Guy” got a hold of this rare Pontiac Safari, the current seller appears to have saved this car from a terrible fate. Considered to be 99% complete, this sleek two door wagon is a great start to a unique restoration. With minimal rust and great features, this Pontiac is offered for $8,500. Take a look at it here on craigslist out of Palermo, California. Thanks to Pat L. for this dandy two door wagon submission!
Under the hood lies a stock 316 V8 mated to a 4 speed transmission. The condition of the engine is not described, but it seems clear that this engine hasn’t run in a while. There are missing coolant hoses, as well as serpentine belts off of the front of the engine. This Pontiac does feature power steering and power brakes offering good cruising potential upon its restoration.
Although the interior is very complete, it is burned up beyond all belief from the California sun. As the seller has put it, there is enough remaining to make patterns to rebuild the interior. The floors show some signs of surface rust, but no obvious evidence of rot. This Pontiac has gone through a color change where the seller mentions a “Deranged Chevy Owner” who repainted the car orange and white. That owner went to the trouble to paint the jambs, the dash, and the upper door trim to match.
While this Pontiac has a very clean and innocent appearance of being original, that same Chevy Owner went to town on the rear quarters and cut a round arch into each rear quarter. There is currently flat sheet metal installed with either screws or rivets filling those cut outs. Looking over the rest of the body there does not appears to be any other significant issues, and most if not all of the trim appears to be in place. The rear window is removed but included, and the only signs of rot I can see is in the cargo area floor and in the spare tire well. Both areas are quite small. Despite the mild rot, and the rear wheel arches, this Pontiac is still a sweet beginning to a restoration. Are you a fan of this stylish 2 door wagon?
To answer your question: Yes, and prefer them to the Nomads of the same era.
Absolutely agree, and on my top 20 list. Would love a project like this!
Minor nit: no serpentine belts on these, V-belts are missing.
Came here just to say that. Young ‘uns!
Nothing like a Safari. It’s in a class by itself.
” deranged chevy owner”………is that redundant? I resemble that remark! Always liked these Ponchos………
Perhaps the “Deranged Chevy Guy” is a self deprecating remark conjured up the following morning while looking at his handy work on the quarters. Oh yea, just blame it on the Chevy guy😎😅
An old neighbor of mine had one of these (maybe a ’57?) Parked next to his house in rancho cucamonga. He found it in a shed so it had a great interior also. I told him he better sell it before the insides rotted away. From a shed to parked in the sun with no carport, no cover, it’s probably shot by now.
A fairly easy but not simple redo of wheel arches but not cheap and yes a far more rare than Nomads, and IMO a better all around auto than Chevy, except in motors.
The Pontiac, Buick, and Olds of 50-57 years were better styled than Chevy and only now coming into their own as to values.
This would make an exceptional cruiser, and with newer big block a bruiser,
At $8,500 this seems well priced.
I take it that by “4 speed”, it’s carrying a 4 speed Hydro (HydraMatic).
Correct, ACZ…
1956- My dad’s best friend pulls into the driveway with a brand new blue/white Safari saying “Charlie, I need your help with a big problem.” Inadvertently he had ordered two Safari’s from Moody Pontiac. Dad agreed to buy one of them and it was his daily driver for 15 years. I learned to drive in it.
As rare as the car is, there was a matched pair driving around Ft. Lauderdale.
Now that looks like a worthwhile project! The NOT Chevrolet Nomad. These are rare in any condition, and the price seems appropriate to the condition.
Love this Poncho. Prefer to a nomad. Hope it goes to a good home where it can go back on the road. I kinda like the faded paint!!! Price seems good for this rare indian!!!
Good luck to the new owner.
Deranged?! If that’s his house, it’s fluorescent green!!!!