GM really knocked it out of the park with this sporty two-door wagon. I think Nomad got most of the attention but the details on the Safari put it top of the class. A true beauty and collectible, just love it folks.
True; to me Pontiacs and other Tri 5 GM vehicles other than Chevy are criminally underrated and quite frankly forgotten by comparison to the tri five Chevy's, even though they share the same or similar lines and sheet metal, frame and such, and yet every manufacturer's powerplant made more power than the Chevy variant. I wish the community was in love with Tri Five GM cars and not just the '57 Bel Air.
@@josephg41 Actually, the Tri-5 body style sheet-metal shell of the Chevrolets and Pontiacs were not exactly similar to the Buicks and Oldsmobiles. And I THINK that Cadillac had its own unique body shell in ‘55 and ‘56, but shared the same shell with Buick and Oldsmobile in ‘57.
@@nonelost1 You could be right, I have no evidence to suggest one way or another, although it seems to me Chevy up through to Buick shared the same basic body, being most evident in the roof lines. I don't see it so much in Cadillac I think they were their own unit. Maybe just me, if someone knows for a fact how it was I'd love to know the history.
...a sister car to my Dad, Cliff's Star Chief Catalina Coupe...same colors of White Mist ( actually a cream color) and Firegold (bronze)...and Dad's was a late year with the light-up amber hood ornament... ...just an FYI, the stars on the fenders always designated Star Chief....the the top-of-the-line...and the Safari was a sub-model... ...there were 4-door wagons, as well for '55, including Star Chief, Chieftan and also a 2-door post wagon in the entry-level Chieftan 860 Series... ..I found it significant that Cathy was the "Car Gal" here, and that her hubby Roget was along st car shows "for the food"... ...these wagons were fitted with a 287cidV8...and mated with either the 3-speed manual or the standard automatic produced 173bhp, or 180bhp with the optional Hydra-Matic both using a Carter 2bbl.carb... ...performance nerds could upgrade to the "Power Pack", which featured a Rochester 4 bbl carb, boosting the bhp to a magic 200... ...I love the lavish use of chrome accents on these cars, from the ribbed chrome "straps" on the hood to the side mouldings to the vertical slats on the rear tailgate to the chromed skids on the rear cargo floor snd even the chromed "bows" supporting the headliner... ...Cathy's comments about wanting a Nomad were telling...EVERYONE wants the Nomad, and collectors also fancy the Oldsmobile Fiesta 2-door wagon which had extremely limited production...and the "in-between" Safaris ARE the most affordable (and overlooked) of these unusual GM wagons... ...nice one, Lou...thanks!! 🧐🤔👍🆒🤎🤍🎯🏆😉😎
Thanks for info, & comments.. I had “Forgotten”the Fiesta: thouhg seems likes a couple,fitted with a/ C, ??, & Power Pak.:with Rare Options..??.and did OLDS start 12 Volt in 1953???????? ( according to,Wikipedia: 1953 OLDSMOBILE), etc.
Beautiful and very rare car! I like the fact that the couple drives the car. She's no garage/trailer queen. And the car is well taken care of. Thanks for posting! Have a blessed and wonderful day.
Automotive Royalty! Never saw one with bronze and yellow color combo. They usually came bronze and white. God bless the lady for wanting and caring for this baby! SWOON...
Great car, Mr. Lou. My Dad had a 1973 Pontiac Safari Wagon; not the same league as this one, though. I appreciate how you’re always respectful of the Owners vehicles, you always ask before doing something.
Happy to read you enjoy this "Great car" Mr. Donald. Glad to read your Dad had a Safari Wagon too :-) Appreciate the kind words on me being respectful, Lou
Hi Richard, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Fathers car. Thank you for viewing, sharing, and I appreciate you love the Channel :-) Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What a beautiful example of mid-fifties GM styling!! I was particularly impressed with that "pin-stripe" hood detail that continued to the rear end just above the tail lights!! It really sets the car off ! And yes ...... this version of GM's 2 door station wagon was a notch above Chevy's Nomad ! I always appreciate your videos Lou! You seem to have an endless supply of classic and specialty vehicles and I really enjoy your interviews!😉
Very nice Safari! Great colour combination and impeccably presented. The boldness and confidence of US manufacturers in the 1950s is very impressive looking back on it all these decades later. Thanks Lou, Roger and Kathy!
thanks Lou for this Pontiac video. I'm a Pontiac fan since 1978 when I started working at the age of 18 in a GM garage in Holland. The thirst I bought in 1979 was a 1964 Pontiac Tempest station wagon(old deadcar). Had a lot of fun with it. Cheers from France again!
Chief Pontiac is smiling when this Safari goes down the road! Killer color combo, and that swirl beyond the B pillar is a really nice touch. Nomads and Safaris are cool, but IMHO the Buick Caballero is by far the coolest.
Hi Carl, Happy to read you learned something today. I'm learning from the Care Takers all the time, and I find that to be so much fun learning. Glad you read you drove a Safari for 10 years, Lou
2-door split bumper Pontiac Safari with a two tone paint job is a pretty rad ride. The airplane ornament with the Pontiac indian head is probably even more fascinating now than back in the '50s. Modern cars don't come even close to have something like that. I know, pedestrians protection, but is it worthy to sacrifice ornaments like this one? Modern station wagons are boring, but look at this Safari. It's stylish with many decorations, it's got nice engine note rumble and it's not just another car you "filter out" when it goes by. This just makes me smile seeing a Pontiac Safari like this one. Such a car makes my mood better and it's the perfect proof, that even station wagons can be more than just a form of transportation. I really like the bumpers and the steering wheel plus the epic ornament on the hood obviously!! Kathy and Roger picked a country road for a trip and it fits this Safari perfectly ✌️
I love station wagons. Big ones. This car is amazing. I haven't seen one of these if ever since I was very little. I bet this car could fetch some serious cash at an auction. You really find the rare ones Lou! 😱
My mom was pregnant with me in 1955. I was born in January 1956. What a charming couple the owners are. Just fine people. The Salt of the Earth. And thank you Lou for pointing out this car review. How much fun! Thanks to the owners and to you, Lou. Regards from Ma.
Love this Safari and it has a great color combo also. My parents first car that I remember was a red and white 4 door Pontiac wagon and I think it was a Chieftain. I remember we took it on vacation to Florida from Ohio and going through the great Smoky Mountains with no guard rails back then. Very scary, but the Chieftain made it there and back with ease. Old Pontiac’s are pretty neat. Nice video Lou.
Hi Randy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou
Another stunning poncho Lou, Love this Pontiac safari wagon in the bronze and cream color! And it's got to be rare because I usually see more of it's Chevy Nomad sister car! High praise Lou, another wonderful video! 👍
Hi CudaRebels Diecasts and Cars, Happy to read you "Love" this one :-) My pleasure sharing this rare treat with you, and appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou
Lou, you do a great job documenting these cars. I'm 20 years old and lived my whole life in Washington state. My first car was/is a 1973 Land Cruiser, and my dad always had cars from the 70s and up, but I am constantly shocked at some of the things you share on this channel! It blows me away to see cars like this. There's so much chrome. So much detail and character. They're really works of art. Sometimes I wish I grew up in the era of 50s and 60s cars... They are seemingly from another planet. It blows my mind how we wandered so far from perfection.
Hi Jordan, You're the EXACT Guy I'm hoping to reach. Happy to read your Dad kept you connected to great cars. My Editor / Son is 16 and I'm keeping him involved by watching and learning about the stylish cars we both enjoy. Every once in awhile I'll get in a new fun one too :-) Glad you're along for the ride. Did you Subscribe and hit the bell yet? Lou
Hi, Lou! You knew I'd enjoy this one being the avid wagon fan! While the Nomad and Safari shared many of the same styling cues, including the basic body with the stampings in the roof, the seven chrome tailgate pieces on the sloping tailgate, and the overhead chrome ribs inside, there were also significant differences. The Safari's wheelbase was seven inches longer (122 versus 115), it packed a standard versus optional V-8, and came with a more luxurious interior with leather instead of vinyl upholstery. The stripes on the hood were the latest iteration of Pontiac's long established Silver Streak theme. They were used again in 1956 but were gone for good in 1957. That move was part of an image makeover the division was beginning to undergo in order to make it more appealing to younger buyers. Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen took charge as Pontiac's general manager in the summer of 1956 and he ordered the Silver Streaks be removed. You like them and I like them, but he thought they looked like a pair of suspenders! Ironically, his father had a hand in introducing the theme when it was first brought out for 1935! The new styling and that first V-8 were steps in the right direction. Anyway, Roger and Kathy are very fortunate to have won that auction! Thanks to all of you for taking us all on Safari! I hope to see lots more episodes with wagons in the future!
Hi iswc27, I new you're going to like this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. My pleasure taking you on a Safari ride with me and you're welcome, Lou
They dropped in a standard V-8, only because Pontiac seized production of their 6-banger in '54. They didn't start dropping-in Chevy 6-Bangers into Canadian Pontiacs until the '60s and there was no point in carrying over their flat-head 6 into the following model year, like Dodge, Plymouth and Studebaker were in the habit of doing. In fact, Pontiac had their V-8s ready for the '53 model year. The frames were designed to accomodate them. But GM higher ups decided to get in Pontiac Division's way. The advantage Pontiac had over Chevrolet, concerning dropping larger V-8s into these earlier models was that this tiny 287 c.i.d. block was identically externally dimensioned with every other Pontiac V-8, including the 455. In other words, it would have been possible to update this Safari with a 389, already in 1959, while an easy swap on a Nomad was only possible, using nothing larger than a 283
Lou, since you asked, the other Pontiac wagons for 1955 were the Chieftain 870 and Chieftain 860 and the only Star Chief wagon was the Safari. The 1955 Pontiac wagon brochure shows the Safari in this color combo of Firegold and White Mist. Quite a beautiful and rare wagon. Thanks for showing it to us.
Hi Jonathan NC, Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Pontiac Wagon line up in 1955. My pleasure sharing this rare treat with you, and you're welcome, Lou
Hi touraneindanke, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What beautiful colors, attention to detail and, tasteful styling. Art can help to improve a person's outlook. Seeing this car lifts the spirits, because it's evidence of what people are capable of creating.
Hi pkramerable, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Love that " 2 Piece" rear bumper. Not many cars were ever made with that feature. The doors have "Hidden Hinges." These are torture for a person to replace the door pins. Trust me. The battery ground STRAP is rare, it looked original. I liked what the lady said about how hard it is to get into the back seat. But the look was more important than getting the kids in the back? GREAT CAR PEOPLE!!
Yeah man, this thing is beautiful and so are the nice folks for sharing with you and us! Just LOVE it, Remember I got that vid full of old Pontiac's and other wagons at the abandoned dealership? The grill and those fender scoop things and taillights and fine details on Pontiac has always been my favorite.
What a gorgeous car, IMHO even a little more attractive than the Nomad. I`m dreaming of GM bringing these back, with modern drivetrain & suspension. That would be a home run for sure :-) In the late `60s, I had a `55 Chevy Sedan Delivery (like a Nomad with no side glass behind the B pillars) with an L78 396 425 HP engine, 4 speed, and 4.11 Posi, it was a real sleeper. It embarrassed quite a few muscle cars :-)
Hi Chuck, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I'm no authority on art or fashion, but this car is a rolling tribute to art deco styling in its detailing. As an engineer, it always amazes me how some of the details were magically conceived and produced in the age of slide rules, drafting tables, without the fancy CNC machinery and robotics of industry today. Great car, nice owners, and a wonderful presentation.
the split front bumper treatment almost looks Exner-ish: a little bit like a Chrysler product from then. can't say i ever knew these existed. remarkable example and rare survivor. more than neato, a safari in time.
Great car!!! The Safari was basically a Pontiac Nomad. The details like those hood stripes/strips and chrome everywhere really set this one off. The rear of the vehicle is really special with the tailgate trim and that split rear bumper. Super cool car Lou!!!
Hi Wayne, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Hi Lou, As usual you knocked it out of the park again with this video! You probably didn't notice when you did my Marlin and Willys Wagon but I have one of these up on the storage lift. This video is inspiring me to get to work on my Safari again soon. Keep up the good work!
What a cool, classy ride, yes on the white walls. In the mid 1960s as a little kid I lived in Winnemucca Nevada. My parents were returning from Reno ( I was home) in their bright red, mint 1951 Pontiac Chieftain convertible, bought new which replaced a dark Blue 1941 Mercury Convertible. About midnight, near Lovelock, they smacked into a cow at an estimated 65 MPH. They were injured slightly, broken bones, crushed chest,.. but the cow (steer) became potential hamburger. As this was "open range" the motorist is at fault. It happened that the rancher's home was nearby and heard the crash. He arrived in his pickup.. got my parents to the side of the road and returned with a tractor and chain and dragged the Pontiac to a pull out. . He then got the hapless beast off the road. He waived any compensation for the dead cow. Good guy. When the Pontiac was brought back to Winnemucca we examined the damage to the car.. Doors were set back 12 inches and became part of the rear quarter panels but did not fling open, The front end was set back into the windshield, the bumper was undamaged. Radiator busted open and the block was in and under the firewall. The insurance company totaled the car. A local garage bought it and 6 months later it was back on the road with a new owner. Point of the story, my parents drove to Reno and bought a new 1956 Pontiac Safari Wagon.. Though not a convertible, it was a classy, magnificent ride where all three of my brothers and I could sit 4 across. . PS Three years later we moved to Pacific Grove, Calif. Within a year the Safari was traded in to Butts Pontiac for a new 1959 Silver Pontiac Bonneville Convertible.
When a senior in high school, my best friends father had an old Chevy Nomad parked on the side of his house. Being young and stupid, I use to ask his father why he kept the piece of junk around. Boy was I wrong! Cool car Lou, bet we won’t see another on your channel. Another very rare car (not many left).
Another great video Lou my grandpa had a turquoise and white 1956 Pontiac Safari wagon in the 1960s. He bought pretty much all his cars used. I can't remember why my dad said that grandpa parked it. Something messed up on it. And someone came by and wanted to buy the motor and transmission and the frame and front clip. So after that the body just sat in the pasture. I guess it was eventually scrapped.
What a beautiful station wagon! What an interesting place for the blower switch, I've never seen that before! Sunday Drives are no doubt spectacular in this car! Thanks Lou!! 👀🏳️🌈
The optional 1949-56 Pontiac hood ornaments were illuminated with the 1949-early 55 light up Indian being amber. The later 55 light up Indian was clear as shown on this car. The optional 1956 Pontiac illuminated hood ornament was also clear but in 1956 the light was part of the jet, no longer the face of Chief Pontiac. You could replace the standard all chrome hood ornament on these cars with the optional one later but you would also need to install the light kit to make it light up when you turned your headlights on.. This is one of the many reasons that Pontiac is my favorite car because of all the many uses of the Chief Pontiac image throughout the years. Always great to see Pontiacs on My Car Story.
Pontiac was very underrated until 55 when they and Chevrolet introduced their V-8 . I remember as a youngster riding in my Grandpa’s 37 Pontiac. It’s such a blessing to still be a “ car guy” from way back when.
Thanks alot Lou..love your videos! For some reason i thought you resided in Cali. Illinois is OK also. Thanks for putting out the message Re: Cali. to other state vehicle registration!
Looked for a Nomad...went on a Safari....gobs of class and vehicular art. These Pontiacs got overlooked all the time. As a kid I remember we had a 4 door with a very similar two tone look. Lou you should have had a two for one with that , what looked like a 56 Chevy in the background. This was a great show. Glad I married a car girl too. We have two oldies to match our being oldies!
I think they actually got pretty close to the look of a Nomad with the roof and back end! I've only ever come across a well worn 1970s version of this model wagon while out walking and it lost a great deal of its charm in the few decades since this one, unfortunately.
I've seen so few of these that I forgot Pontiac had their version of the Nomad. Beautiful car. Kathy is lovely. There's one thing I really hate about the '55 Pontiac's, it's the shiny foil looking stuff they adorned on the interior of the doors, and rear side panels in this car. What ever that material is it always looks cheap, and it's always rippled.
GM really knocked it out of the park with this sporty two-door wagon. I think Nomad got most of the attention but the details on the Safari put it top of the class. A true beauty and collectible, just love it folks.
Hi Bruce H., Happy to read you "love it" :-) Lou
True; to me Pontiacs and other Tri 5 GM vehicles other than Chevy are criminally underrated and quite frankly forgotten by comparison to the tri five Chevy's, even though they share the same or similar lines and sheet metal, frame and such, and yet every manufacturer's powerplant made more power than the Chevy variant. I wish the community was in love with Tri Five GM cars and not just the '57 Bel Air.
@@josephg41 Actually, the Tri-5 body style sheet-metal shell of the Chevrolets and Pontiacs were not exactly similar to the Buicks and Oldsmobiles. And I THINK that Cadillac had its own unique body shell in ‘55 and ‘56, but shared the same shell with Buick and Oldsmobile in ‘57.
@@nonelost1 You could be right, I have no evidence to suggest one way or another, although it seems to me Chevy up through to Buick shared the same basic body, being most evident in the roof lines. I don't see it so much in Cadillac I think they were their own unit. Maybe just me, if someone knows for a fact how it was I'd love to know the history.
What a car !! Chrome bars supporting the roof is unique . V8 engine sound so pleasant to hear
Hi Manmohan Kelkar, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing the details you enjoy, Lou
Stunning color combo and gorgeous design.
Happy to read you enjoy the colors and design of this car :-)
...a sister car to my Dad, Cliff's Star Chief Catalina Coupe...same colors of White Mist ( actually a cream color) and Firegold (bronze)...and Dad's was a late year with the light-up amber hood ornament...
...just an FYI, the stars on the fenders always designated Star Chief....the the top-of-the-line...and the Safari was a sub-model...
...there were 4-door wagons, as well for '55, including Star Chief, Chieftan and also a 2-door post wagon in the entry-level Chieftan 860 Series...
..I found it significant that Cathy was the "Car Gal" here, and that her hubby Roget was along st car shows "for the food"...
...these wagons were fitted with a 287cidV8...and mated with either the 3-speed manual or the standard automatic produced 173bhp, or 180bhp with the optional Hydra-Matic both using a Carter 2bbl.carb...
...performance nerds could upgrade to the "Power Pack", which featured a Rochester 4 bbl carb, boosting the bhp to a magic 200...
...I love the lavish use of chrome accents on these cars, from the ribbed chrome "straps"
on the hood to the side mouldings to the vertical slats on the rear tailgate to the chromed skids on the rear cargo floor snd even the chromed "bows" supporting the headliner...
...Cathy's comments about wanting a Nomad were telling...EVERYONE wants the Nomad, and collectors also fancy the Oldsmobile Fiesta 2-door wagon which had extremely limited production...and the "in-between" Safaris ARE the most affordable (and overlooked) of these unusual GM wagons...
...nice one, Lou...thanks!!
🧐🤔👍🆒🤎🤍🎯🏆😉😎
Hi G Clark, Happy to read your Dad had a fun Pontiac :-) Thank you for sharing your knowledge, and you're welcome, Lou
@G Clark Bloomfield Great info. Thanks, man!
Thanks for info, & comments.. I had “Forgotten”the Fiesta: thouhg seems likes a couple,fitted with a/ C, ??, & Power Pak.:with Rare Options..??.and did OLDS start 12 Volt in 1953???????? ( according to,Wikipedia: 1953 OLDSMOBILE), etc.
Beautiful and very rare car! I like the fact that the couple drives the car. She's no garage/trailer queen. And the car is well taken care of. Thanks for posting! Have a blessed and wonderful day.
Hi Gerry, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of this car :-) Blessings received, and wishing you a blessed and wonderful day too, Lou
Automotive Royalty! Never saw one with bronze and yellow color combo. They usually came bronze and white. God bless the lady for wanting and caring for this baby! SWOON...
Hi Rob, Happy to read you appreciate this "Automotive Royalty!" :-) My pleasure sharing this one with you, Lou
ALOT OF BEAUTIFUL CROME ON THIS WAGON. ASSEMBLY NIGHTMARE. BUT BEAUTIFUL THANKS LOU
Hi Robert, You're right. Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
How sweet she is, thank you for taking us along for the ride.
Hi Chris, Happy to read you enjoy this "Sweet" car :-) My pleasure sharing the ride in this one, and you're welcome, Lou
Great car, Mr. Lou. My Dad had a 1973 Pontiac Safari Wagon; not the same league as this one, though. I appreciate how you’re always respectful of the Owners vehicles, you always ask before doing something.
Happy to read you enjoy this "Great car" Mr. Donald. Glad to read your Dad had a Safari Wagon too :-) Appreciate the kind words on me being respectful, Lou
Oh yeah, that’s a fave. Great colors too. Saw one with these colors at a HB show and it stole the show.
Hi zinc orbie, Happy to read one like this "stole the show" :-) Lou
Your Pontiac features always draw A LOT of views and comments. I'm sure Kathy and Roger's beautiful Safari Wagon will continue that trend. Thanks Lou!
Hi Brian SD, Happy to read the views should be high on this Pontiac :-) You're welcome, Lou
When I was 7 my father bought a new 4 door in this exact color. Thanks for bringing back a great memory of this car. Love you channel!
Hi Richard, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Fathers car. Thank you for viewing, sharing, and I appreciate you love the Channel :-) Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What a beautiful example of mid-fifties GM styling!! I was particularly impressed with that "pin-stripe" hood detail that continued to the rear end just above the tail lights!! It really sets the car off ! And yes ...... this version of GM's 2 door station wagon was a notch above Chevy's Nomad ! I always appreciate your videos Lou! You seem to have an endless supply of classic and specialty vehicles and I really enjoy your interviews!😉
Hi George S, Happy to read you enjoy this "beautiful example". My pleasure finding them and sharing them with you :-) Lou
Very nice Safari! Great colour combination and impeccably presented. The boldness and confidence of US manufacturers in the 1950s is very impressive looking back on it all these decades later.
Thanks Lou, Roger and Kathy!
Hi Jeff, Happy to take you on this Safari adventure :-) My pleasure sharing with you, and you're welcome, Lou
Great Looking Safari ! Love the colors too ! Thanks Lou !
Hi Rudy, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
thanks Lou for this Pontiac video. I'm a Pontiac fan since 1978 when I started working at the age of 18 in a GM garage in Holland. The thirst I bought in 1979 was a 1964 Pontiac Tempest station wagon(old deadcar). Had a lot of fun with it. Cheers from France again!
Hi Cas Par from France, Ahhhh the 1964 Pontiac Wagon...NICE! Glad to read you had fun with that car. Cheers, Lou
Nice to hear from a Lady car enthusiast for a change. Another really magical trip back in time. I love this car. Good job Lou!
Hi Peter, Glad to take you back to 1955 :-) Thank you for the kind words on this episode, Lou
Chief Pontiac is smiling when this Safari goes down the road! Killer color combo, and that swirl beyond the B pillar is a really nice touch. Nomads and Safaris are cool, but IMHO the Buick Caballero is by far the coolest.
Hi Dr. Akbar, Happy to read the Chief Pontiac smiles when this one goes down the road :-) Lou
Learn something new every day! I had not heard of the Pontiac Safari until now! I drove a '92 GMC Safari for over ten years!
Hi Carl, Happy to read you learned something today. I'm learning from the Care Takers all the time, and I find that to be so much fun learning. Glad you read you drove a Safari for 10 years, Lou
It does have a great rumble! I've always admired the styling on the Safaris & this 2 door one looks fantastic! Thanks, Lou!
Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Happy to read you enjoy the rumble and style of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
2-door split bumper Pontiac Safari with a two tone paint job is a pretty rad ride. The airplane ornament with the Pontiac indian head is probably even more fascinating now than back in the '50s. Modern cars don't come even close to have something like that. I know, pedestrians protection, but is it worthy to sacrifice ornaments like this one? Modern station wagons are boring, but look at this Safari. It's stylish with many decorations, it's got nice engine note rumble and it's not just another car you "filter out" when it goes by. This just makes me smile seeing a Pontiac Safari like this one. Such a car makes my mood better and it's the perfect proof, that even station wagons can be more than just a form of transportation. I really like the bumpers and the steering wheel plus the epic ornament on the hood obviously!!
Kathy and Roger picked a country road for a trip and it fits this Safari perfectly ✌️
Hi Cheeky Demon, Happy to read you enjoy this "pretty rad ride" :-) Glad to take you on this Safari ride with me, Lou
I love station wagons. Big ones. This car is amazing. I haven't seen one of these if ever since I was very little. I bet this car could fetch some serious cash at an auction. You really find the rare ones Lou! 😱
Hi Simon, Happy to read you "love station wagons" :-) Glad to be able to share this rare one with you, Lou
Great car Lou. Love the " eye brows" and everything about this one!!!
Happy to read you enjoy this car Dan :-)
Better than a nomad 👍👍👍
Nice :-)
I like everything about this car over the Nomad. Very deluxe.
Beautiful old car, I'm sure not many like this. Good video, thanks Lou!
Hi Gary, Happy to share this "Beautiful old car" with you :-) You're welcome, Lou
My mom was pregnant with me in 1955. I was born in January 1956. What a charming couple the owners are. Just fine people. The Salt of the Earth. And thank you Lou for pointing out this car review. How much fun! Thanks to the owners and to you, Lou. Regards from Ma.
Hi elgustoesmio, Glad to read you enjoy this car, and thanks for sharing your story too. You're welcome, Lou
Love this Safari and it has a great color combo also. My parents first car that I remember was a red and white 4 door Pontiac wagon and I think it was a Chieftain. I remember we took it on vacation to Florida from Ohio and going through the great Smoky Mountains with no guard rails back then. Very scary, but the Chieftain made it there and back with ease. Old Pontiac’s are pretty neat. Nice video Lou.
Hi Randy, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents 1st car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou
What a presence ‼️®™️ 👏👏👏
:-)
wow, lou, this is an awesome "rare" classic wagon, beautiful too! love those whitewalls!
Hi Mouse, Happy to read you appreciate the rarity of this Wagon :-) Glad to receive a "wow" from you, Lou
Cool, I do not remember seeing Pontiac wagons only a lot of Chevy wagons.
Hi Jeeper, Happy to read you enjoy this car and think it's "Cool" :-) Real treat to share this rarely seen Wagon with you, Lou
Another stunning poncho Lou, Love this Pontiac safari wagon in the bronze and cream color! And it's got to be rare because I usually see more of it's Chevy Nomad sister car! High praise Lou, another wonderful video! 👍
Hi CudaRebels Diecasts and Cars, Happy to read you "Love" this one :-) My pleasure sharing this rare treat with you, and appreciate the kind words on this video, Lou
What a beautiful car Lou! I very much appreciate you showing us this one!
Hi Jeffery, My pleasure sharing this car with you :-) Lou
BOY!! WHAT A FAMILY CAR THESE WERE!! I USE TO SEE FAMILY'S IN THESE CARS ALL THE TIME AS MY DAD WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN I WAS ONLY 9....
Hi Raymond, Happy to read you remember these Wagons :-) Lou
Lou, you do a great job documenting these cars. I'm 20 years old and lived my whole life in Washington state. My first car was/is a 1973 Land Cruiser, and my dad always had cars from the 70s and up, but I am constantly shocked at some of the things you share on this channel! It blows me away to see cars like this. There's so much chrome. So much detail and character. They're really works of art. Sometimes I wish I grew up in the era of 50s and 60s cars... They are seemingly from another planet. It blows my mind how we wandered so far from perfection.
Hi Jordan, You're the EXACT Guy I'm hoping to reach. Happy to read your Dad kept you connected to great cars. My Editor / Son is 16 and I'm keeping him involved by watching and learning about the stylish cars we both enjoy. Every once in awhile I'll get in a new fun one too :-) Glad you're along for the ride. Did you Subscribe and hit the bell yet? Lou
Hi, Lou! You knew I'd enjoy this one being the avid wagon fan!
While the Nomad and Safari shared many of the same styling cues, including the basic body with the stampings in the roof, the seven chrome tailgate pieces on the sloping tailgate, and the overhead chrome ribs inside, there were also significant differences. The Safari's wheelbase was seven inches longer (122 versus 115), it packed a standard versus optional V-8, and came with a more luxurious interior with leather instead of vinyl upholstery.
The stripes on the hood were the latest iteration of Pontiac's long established Silver Streak theme. They were used again in 1956 but were gone for good in 1957. That move was part of an image makeover the division was beginning to undergo in order to make it more appealing to younger buyers. Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen took charge as Pontiac's general manager in the summer of 1956 and he ordered the Silver Streaks be removed. You like them and I like them, but he thought they looked like a pair of suspenders! Ironically, his father had a hand in introducing the theme when it was first brought out for 1935! The new styling and that first V-8 were steps in the right direction.
Anyway, Roger and Kathy are very fortunate to have won that auction! Thanks to all of you for taking us all on Safari! I hope to see lots more episodes with wagons in the future!
Hi iswc27, I new you're going to like this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. My pleasure taking you on a Safari ride with me and you're welcome, Lou
They dropped in a standard V-8, only because Pontiac seized production of their 6-banger in '54. They didn't start dropping-in Chevy 6-Bangers into Canadian Pontiacs until the '60s and there was no point in carrying over their flat-head 6 into the following model year, like Dodge, Plymouth and Studebaker were in the habit of doing.
In fact, Pontiac had their V-8s ready for the '53 model year. The frames were designed to accomodate them. But GM higher ups decided to get in Pontiac Division's way.
The advantage Pontiac had over Chevrolet, concerning dropping larger V-8s into these earlier models was that this tiny 287 c.i.d. block was identically externally dimensioned with every other Pontiac V-8, including the 455. In other words, it would have been possible to update this Safari with a 389, already in 1959, while an easy swap on a Nomad was only possible, using nothing larger than a 283
B E A U T I F U L!!!!
N I C E !!!!
Lou, since you asked, the other Pontiac wagons for 1955 were the Chieftain 870 and Chieftain 860 and the only Star Chief wagon was the Safari. The 1955 Pontiac wagon brochure shows the Safari in this color combo of Firegold and White Mist. Quite a beautiful and rare wagon. Thanks for showing it to us.
Hi Jonathan NC, Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Pontiac Wagon line up in 1955. My pleasure sharing this rare treat with you, and you're welcome, Lou
Very tasty looking car.
I have not seen headliner like that before.
Hi touraneindanke, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What beautiful colors, attention to detail and, tasteful styling. Art can help to improve a person's outlook. Seeing this car lifts the spirits, because it's evidence of what people are capable of creating.
Hi pkramerable, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Love that " 2 Piece" rear bumper. Not many cars were ever made with that feature. The doors have "Hidden Hinges." These are torture for a person to replace the door pins. Trust me. The battery ground STRAP is rare, it looked original. I liked what the lady said about how hard it is to get into the back seat. But the look was more important than getting the kids in the back? GREAT CAR PEOPLE!!
Hi Simon, High praise :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
This is a well-preserved original model. They must be getting harder and harder for you to find! Thank you for showing.
Hi Jed, Happy to read you appreciate the condition of this car :-) I'll keep searching to find cars I hope you enjoy, and you're welcome, Lou
What a moment to take in LOU
Thank you ...
You're welcome Samuela :-)
Love the K-H wheels. I think it's fine to put aftermarket wheels on a restoration as long as they are period-correct.
Hi JackF, Happy to read you enjoy the wheels on this one :-) I think they look good too, Lou
A terrific find Lou. Quite rare!
Hi Audie, Happy to share this rare find with you :-) Lou
Yeah man, this thing is beautiful and so are the nice folks for sharing with you and us!
Just LOVE it, Remember I got that vid full of old Pontiac's and other wagons at the abandoned dealership?
The grill and those fender scoop things and taillights and fine details on Pontiac has always been my favorite.
Happy to read you "Just LOVE it" :-)
What a gorgeous car, IMHO even a little more attractive than the Nomad. I`m dreaming of GM bringing these back, with modern drivetrain & suspension. That would be a home run for sure :-) In the late `60s, I had a `55 Chevy Sedan Delivery (like a Nomad with no side glass behind the B pillars) with an L78 396 425 HP engine, 4 speed, and 4.11 Posi, it was a real sleeper. It embarrassed quite a few muscle cars :-)
Hi Black Waterdogs, High praise for the looks of this one :-) Thanks for viewing and sharing the 55 Nomad Delivery story too, Lou
Partiac did such a great job with that engine. It is the same basic block as the 455. In other words, no bigger or smaller.
Hi barcrrt, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou
Great looking sport wagon !!! No annoying ding ding ding when you open the door, love it !!👍👍
Hi Gary, Happy to read you "love it !!" :-) Lou
A great car
Hi Chuck, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
These wagons are best design, why they were not made in larger numbers baffles me. Thanks Lou!
Hi gnewb e, Happy to read you enjoy the design of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
What an awesome grocery getter! Gorgeous Safari wagon!
You're right :-)
I'm no authority on art or fashion, but this car is a rolling tribute to art deco styling in its detailing.
As an engineer, it always amazes me how some of the details were magically conceived and produced in the age of slide rules, drafting tables, without the fancy CNC machinery and robotics of industry today.
Great car, nice owners, and a wonderful presentation.
Hi Martin, High praise to the design of this car :-) Appreciate the kind words on this presentation, Lou
the split front bumper treatment almost looks Exner-ish: a little bit like a Chrysler product from then. can't say i ever knew these existed. remarkable example and rare survivor. more than neato, a safari in time.
Hi Scott, Happy to read this rare Wagon with you :-) Lou
Well said Scott.
Great car!!! The Safari was basically a Pontiac Nomad. The details like those hood stripes/strips and chrome everywhere really set this one off. The rear of the vehicle is really special with the tailgate trim and that split rear bumper. Super cool car Lou!!!
Hi Hobiemarty, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great car!!!" :-) Lou
Incredible rare car never knew about this one such a professor of caroligy! Thanks Lou again
Hi David, Happy to read you enjoy this rare treat with me :-) You're welcome, Lou
Cool 😀
Hi Michael, Happy to read you think this Wagon is "Cool" :-) Lou
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL CAR!!!!!!!
Hi Wayne, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
55' Safari😁👍
Happy to see you enjoy this one Wesley :-)
Hi Lou, As usual you knocked it out of the park again with this video! You probably didn't notice when you did my Marlin and Willys Wagon but I have one of these up on the storage lift. This video is inspiring me to get to work on my Safari again soon. Keep up the good work!
Hi Rev, Happy to read this one is a Home Run! :-) Let's get that Safari going! Lou
Another one of my Favorite Year Pontiacs. I think it has so much Style and CLass. I am so glad Rogers wife caught the Car Bug. Makes it so nice
Hi gene978, Happy to read this is a favorite year Pontiac of yours . You're right, fun Kathy's a Car Gal :-) Lou
What a cool, classy ride, yes on the white walls.
In the mid 1960s as a little kid I lived in Winnemucca Nevada.
My parents were returning from Reno ( I was home) in their bright red, mint 1951 Pontiac Chieftain convertible, bought new which replaced a dark Blue 1941 Mercury Convertible. About midnight, near Lovelock, they smacked into a cow at an estimated 65 MPH. They were injured slightly, broken bones, crushed chest,.. but the cow (steer) became potential hamburger. As this was "open range" the motorist is at fault.
It happened that the rancher's home was nearby and heard the crash. He arrived in his pickup.. got my parents to the side of the road and returned with a tractor and chain and dragged the Pontiac to a pull out. . He then got the hapless beast off the road. He waived any compensation for the dead cow. Good guy.
When the Pontiac was brought back to Winnemucca we examined the damage to the car.. Doors were set back 12 inches and became part of the rear quarter panels but did not fling open, The front end was set back into the windshield, the bumper was undamaged. Radiator busted open and the block was in and under the firewall. The insurance company totaled the car. A local garage bought it and 6 months later it was back on the road with a new owner.
Point of the story, my parents drove to Reno and bought a new 1956 Pontiac Safari Wagon.. Though not a convertible, it was a classy, magnificent ride where all three of my brothers and I could sit 4 across. .
PS Three years later we moved to Pacific Grove, Calif. Within a year the Safari was traded in to Butts Pontiac for a new 1959 Silver Pontiac Bonneville Convertible.
Hi Jeff, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Parents car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
I've never seen one of these before Lou. Beautiful car! They really dolled up those cars in that era. It's too bad more of them haven't survived....
Hi Deacon Blue, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this Wagon :-) Glad to share this rare treat with you :-) Lou
Likely the only one at shows . Which adds to the cool factor IMO!!
Happy to read you enjoy the uniqueness of this one :-)
When a senior in high school, my best friends father had an old Chevy Nomad parked on the side of his house. Being young and stupid, I use to ask his father why he kept the piece of junk around. Boy was I wrong! Cool car Lou, bet we won’t see another on your channel. Another very rare car (not many left).
Hi Dave, Thanks for sharing your Nomad memories :-) Not sure if / when I'll see another one, however happy to share this one with you, Lou
Another great video Lou my grandpa had a turquoise and white 1956 Pontiac Safari wagon in the 1960s. He bought pretty much all his cars used. I can't remember why my dad said that grandpa parked it. Something messed up on it. And someone came by and wanted to buy the motor and transmission and the frame and front clip. So after that the body just sat in the pasture. I guess it was eventually scrapped.
Hi PlymouthDuster225, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Grandpa's car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Super like Lou! Kathy and Rodger's wagon is beautiful!
Hi Floyd T, Happy to read you "Super like" this one :-) Lou
Now that's a unique oldie! Happy 4th year on your platform, John.
Hi John, Happy to read you appreciate the uniqueness of this car :-) Lou
Nice old wgn don't see as many Pontiac survivors.
Happy to share this one with you :-)
Love the 2 door GM wagons, great sounding engine, super review Lou!
Hi Andy, Happy to read you "Love the 2 door GM wagons" :-) Appreciate the kind words on the review, Lou
A rare beauty 😍 Thanks Lou!
Hi motorTranz, Happy to read you appreciate the looks and rarity of this Wagon :-) You're welcome, Lou
What a beautiful station wagon! What an interesting place for the blower switch, I've never seen that before! Sunday Drives are no doubt spectacular in this car! Thanks Lou!! 👀🏳️🌈
Hi Bryan, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this Wagon :-) You're welcome, Lou
Beautiful car! Love that color!
Happy to read you enjoy the looks and color of this car :-)
The optional 1949-56 Pontiac hood ornaments were illuminated with the 1949-early 55 light up Indian being amber. The later 55 light up Indian was clear as shown on this car. The optional 1956 Pontiac illuminated hood ornament was also clear but in 1956 the light was part of the jet, no longer the face of Chief Pontiac. You could replace the standard all chrome hood ornament on these cars with the optional one later but you would also need to install the light kit to make it light up when you turned your headlights on.. This is one of the many reasons that Pontiac is my favorite car because of all the many uses of the Chief Pontiac image throughout the years. Always great to see Pontiacs on My Car Story.
Hi Allen, Thank you for sharing your knowledge on the hood ornaments, Lou
Pontiac was very underrated until 55 when they and Chevrolet introduced their V-8 .
I remember as a youngster riding in my Grandpa’s 37 Pontiac. It’s such a blessing to still be a “ car guy” from way back when.
Beautiful interior!! My dad had a 56 Buick century. This is similar.....
Nice :-)
Though I had previously known about the Chevrolet Nomad wagons for years, I did not even know that Pontiac Safari wagons existed until the 1980s.
Hi Marshall, Happy to share this Safari Wagon with you :-) Lou
🤙. Thank you. Exceptional vehicle and condition
Hi George, Happy to read you appreciate the condition of this vehicle :-) Lou
Thanks alot Lou..love your videos! For some reason i thought you resided in Cali. Illinois is OK also. Thanks for putting out the message Re: Cali. to other state vehicle registration!
Hi David, I sure which I was in CA more often because there are so MANY nice cars there :-) Lou
Great, classic, low rpm idle of the Pontiac V8!
Happy to read you enjoy this classic :-)
AWESOME car! Love the 50 cars.
Hi Bob, Happy to read you enjoy this "AWESOME car!" :-) Lou
Beautiful rare Safari, you sure can find them Lou. And just for the record, I thought It said "SLOWER" too.
Hi MrFandex, Happy to read you enjoy the looks and appreciate the rarity of this one :-) Lou
Verrrry Nice Car!!
:-)
Great couple.
:-)
Wow!, a real american hero!
Happy to receive a "Wow!" from you :-)
Looked for a Nomad...went on a Safari....gobs of class and vehicular art. These Pontiacs got overlooked all the time. As a kid I remember we had a 4 door with a very similar two tone look. Lou you should have had a two for one with that , what looked like a 56 Chevy in the background. This was a great show. Glad I married a car girl too. We have two oldies to match our being oldies!
Hi Theo Philhist, "Looked for a Nomad...went on a Safari" NICE :-) Here is that 1956 Chevy, Lou ruclips.net/video/gv3gwne2zqU/видео.html
@@loucostabile BTW Lou...I do not believe any youTube channel host responds to their viewers quicker than you !
A Sharp Sporty Wagon!!
Hi Thomas, Happy to read you think this one is "Sharp" :-) Lou
Sounds nice!!.. Just when Pontiac began emphasizing performance...
Glad to read you enjoy the sounds from this one :-)
Sharp looking trim pieces!!
Nice :-)
I think they actually got pretty close to the look of a Nomad with the roof and back end! I've only ever come across a well worn 1970s version of this model wagon while out walking and it lost a great deal of its charm in the few decades since this one, unfortunately.
Hi Jon, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou
I had a 55 superchief. Snapped off 2 studs before my dad told me the lug nuts where reverse threaded.
Hi David, Happy to read you had a 55 Super Chief :-) Opps on the studs, Lou
A great 1950’s Pontiac Station Wagon a car that appears to be used every day. I prefer the original style wheels, rather than the later edition.
Hi Derek, Happy to read you're enjoying this Wagon :-) Original wheels are nice to have, Lou
I imagine many of these Safari's cruised on old ROUTE 66 back in the day.
I believe you're right :-)
Yep this is Pontiacs version of the Chevy Nomad. Same body basically. Just a absolutely beautiful car. What's not to like?
Hi Dan, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this "absolutely beautiful" car :-) Lou
Great car. Nice couple.
Win / Win
Tenia un amigo Fallecido hace tiempo Siempre tenia estos PONTIAC segun El era el mejor auto del MUNDO!
Hi Juan, Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
It was part of the Starchier custom series 27 and 3,760 were built for 1955, Factory price was $2,962
Hi musclecarfan74, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
I've seen so few of these that I forgot Pontiac had their version of the Nomad. Beautiful car. Kathy is lovely.
There's one thing I really hate about the '55 Pontiac's, it's the shiny foil looking stuff they adorned on the interior of the doors, and rear side panels in this car. What ever that material is it always looks cheap, and it's always rippled.
Hi discerningmind, Happy to bring this one back to your memory :-) Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou
Fabulous
:-)
You do have good taste in cars I ll say that much
Happy to read you enjoy the selection of cars I share with you.
Shades of I Love Lucy
:-)
Another good find Lou
Exactly , THIS is what the Ricardo's and Mertz's should have taken to Hollywood.
Excellent
Happy to read "Excellent" :-)