The new A-Body platform Pontiac Safari wagon debuted January 31st, 1955, for the 1955 model year. It had evolved from a 1954 GM Motorama concept car that utilized Chevy Corvette underpinnings. To become a full-fledged production car, the Safari used the A-Body wagon platform like its corporate cousin, the Chevy Nomad.
The 1955 Pontiac Safari bowed as Pontiac’s range-topping wagon, and carried a base price of $2,962. The Safari was part of the Star Chief line, and as such had the line’s upscale interior, Pontiac Chieftain Silver Streak hood trim, supersonic hood emblem, and its own unique taillights. The two-door sport wagon featured longer doors, forward-slanting B-pillars, vertical chrome tailgate trim, and sliding rear windows. 1950s enthusiasm was present in the form of a brilliant color palette and lots of chrome.
The standard Pontiac Safari powerplant was a 287 cubic-inch Strato Streak OHV V8 with a Carter two-barrel carburetor. The Strato Streak made 180 horsepower with the two-barrel, and 200 horsepower when ordered with the optional four-barrel carb. A three-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission backed the 287. The lengthy options list had more available power amenities courtesy of the new twelve-volt electrical system. The radio, heater/defroster, headlights, and taillights all worked better than with the previous six-volt system.
1956 brought some mild styling changes to the Pontiac Safari including restyled front and rear bumpers, side trim, standard two-tone paint with accent color roofs, and fender reflectors. The standard engine increased in displacement to 317 cubic inches with 216 horsepower when equipped with a two-barrel carburetor, 227 with the four-barrel, and a 285-horsepower, dual four-barrel configuration. The standard transmission was a four-speed automatic, but ten Safaris left the factory with manual gearboxes. Sales totaled 4,042 units, making the Safari the lowest production model for 1956.
Our feature 1956 Pontiac Safari wagon is a full custom. Finished in glossy black over custom black interior, it rides on an air ride suspension. The Safari is powered by a 389 cubic-inch V8 backed by a four-speed overdrive automatic transmission. It is equipped with power steering, Wilwood four-wheel power disc brakes, air conditioning, the aforementioned air ride suspension (air conditioning and air ride controls are both hidden in the glovebox), LED lighting throughout, a custom split bench interior with Pontiac Indian logos embroidered in the backrests, power windows, a custom sound system, tinted glass, and custom wheels with low-profile redline tires.
This 1955 Pontiac Safari custom will cross the Mecum Auctions block at its Dallas, Texas event taking place September 4th through the 7th.
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Comments
Beautiful build on a wagon that was already cool from the factory. Let’s roll!!
NIce car…
“Works better with the 12 volt electrical system….”
This car works better with the new alternator, although the original Delco-Remy Generator and Regulator probably lasted longer than modern day Alternators will.
I question the ‘Works Better” statement…. 6 volt cars worked well, and started in all kinds of weather, provided someone didn’t replace the wiring with undersized replacements. This kept the “Tail lights” working well, haha.
Both 6 volt and 12 volt systems in 1955 in GM Radios used Vibrator (250 volt) power supplies, so there would be no change in performance there… I believe FORD didn’t go to 12 volts until 1956, so I doubt there was any Audio difference between the 12 volt GM radios and 6 volt FORD radios. Single PAR headlights were 50 watts a piece, whether 6 or 12 volts, so no change there.
The 6 volt BlauPunkt Radio (German Made Blue Point), as well as American added BENDIX radios worked just fine in my 1964 VW Beetle. The Heater/Defroster in the Porsche Designed system ran off the engine cooling fan, and thus was totally mechanical. The windshield washer ran off of Spare TIRE air pressure, but the electric tail lights and license plate light worked just ducky.
Ghetto wheels and on the ground. No thanks.
Yeah I don’t like Wagon Wheels either.
You hit a pot hole and you need a new tire to pass inspection and a new rim to replace the bent one.
I love those old wagons, but not dragging the ground.
ahh c’mon we’re not still living in wagon wheels times! So get out of your horse and buggies and step into the 21st century! The car looks a+ with its wheels and its stance! And its stated that the car rides on its airride suspention so know that it was only lowered to the ground for the purpose of the photographs, so have an open mind, unless your Amish of course!
You’ve never driven a car with LOW PROFILE tires then. I’ve had them in my 2014 Caddy ELR since there was absolutely no choice of tire for that car, and the number of damaged tires I had and new wheels ordered I only survived by getting the wheels from a Texas GM dealer wholesale that had them much cheaper than the local Caddy dealer here.
I also for a while put on crappier tires (technical term) since the sidewalls would get ruined on a regular basis..
AS far as being ‘Modern’, I saw a Nissan Armada with totally ridiculous Wagon Wheels that seemed to have almost no rubber between the wheel and the road.
That guy should not drive around here unless he’s flooded with Currency; – our roads are not pristine.
ahh c’mon we’re not still living in wagon wheels times! So get out of your horse and buggies and step into the 21st century! The car looks a+ with its wheels and its stance! And its stated that the car rides on its airride suspention so know that it was only lowered to the ground for the purpose of the photographs, so have an open mind, unless your Amish of course!