Safari Survivor – This ’57 Pontiac Safari Star Chief packs a Supercharged Surprise Under the Hood
Before the rise of SUVs, station wagons were the go-to vehicle choice for family haulers. Wagons offered multiple seats (some of which faced backward), plenty of space for everyone to be comfortable, plus room for groceries or luggage in case of a weekend journey. They were utilitarian vehicles long before there was an acronym for them.
Many of us likely have fond memories of watching the scenery zip by those large rear side windows during family road trips. No screens, no charging ports, and in most cases, no A/C! In the early days, those miles were experienced in base-model wagons that were quite basic – dare we say utilitarian? But beginning in the mid-’50s, there were a few station wagons that began to be built with luxury and style to stand out from the pack. The most recognized sporty wagon that comes to mind is usually the Chevrolet Nomad, but there was another stylish GM two-door wagon, the Pontiac Safari, that upped the GM ante even more.
Like the Nomad, the Pontiac Safari was launched in 1955 after being shown at the 1954 Motorama as a concept car. The sporty two-door wagon ended up as the highest-priced Pontiac of the year, and also the lowest-selling model. In 1956 and 1957, the two-doo Safari wagon continued to hold the position for least models sold (and the highest priced again in ’56). At the end of its three-year span, just over 9,000 two-door Safari wagons were produced. It seems the world wasn’t yet ready for a sporty, high-optioned SUV.
Harold Chapman, owner of Customs and Hot Rods of Andice, always had a soft spot for the Safari. And as a seasoned veteran of road trips in classic cars, he had a solid idea of what it would take to assemble his ultimate long-haul wagon. He finally got his chance when he found an all-original ’57 Safari Star Chief in Nebraska showing just 25,000 miles! The seller had owned the car more than 30 years, had scarcely driven it, and knew it had been repainted once in the ‘80s. Harold wasted no time and scooped up the Safari knowing it would someday be made into a road tripping cruiser.
It took a few years, but the day was finally at hand when he decided it was time to make the Pontiac Safari into the smooth, reliable driver he wanted. To attain the desired level of cruising comfort and performance, a chassis and modern driveline were going to be required. The solution was to ship the wagon up to Illinois for the crew at Roadster Shop to design and install a new chassis and other upgrades.
With the body off and the new chassis in the works, the stock 347c.i. engine was pulled in favor of a modern GM LT4 topped with a Harrop TVS2650 supercharger with Wegner valve covers, Ultimate headers, and a Holley front drive system. Knowing the Star Chief was going to see some road miles, Harold chose a 10L90 transmission that is shifted through an Ididit column that will soon be topped with the original steering wheel that’s being modified by CHRA.
As for the rest of the interior, the original springy seats were not going to cut it on long drives, so the upholstery team at Roadster Shop modified the factory power bench for more support and comfort before wrapping the seats in a combination of burgundy and white leather to mimic the originals. The door and side panels received similar treatment, and electronics were updated with an American Autowire harness, Dakota Digital gauges, and a Vintage Air system for modern climate control.
As the drivetrain and chassis were coming together, Harold got with Evod Wheels to design an 18-inch wheel inspired by the distinctive Pontiac eight-lug wheels of the 1960s. They nailed the look, and the fresh wheels make a great finishing touch wrapped in a set of whitewall Michelins.
What to do with the lackluster mystery repaint from decades ago? Get busy cutting and buffing to see if it comes back to life. And in this case, the results speak for themselves. Perfect, no, but more than shiny and attractive enough for a long-distance driver. Besides, all that chrome and extra bling that Pontiac bolted to the Star Chief Safari really adds an extra visual zing to this wagon.
Even after owning the Ponatiac Safari for five years, deadlines still loomed and, in this case, it was the Goodguys Hall of Fame Road Tour that was sneaking up. Harold wanted to have the wagon on the trip. When it left Illinois to join the tour kickoff in Rapid City, South Dakota, it had less than 50 miles on it. Harold and his wife Tracy had decided to cruise their ’69 Camaro on the tour, so close friends Chris and Lynda Jacobs were tasked with breaking in the ’57 for the next 1,600-plus miles. Not a bad gig!
Along the way there were a few minor new-car concerns but no big surprises or setbacks. The Pontiac Safari cruised as planned (and expected) with a smooth ride thanks to the IRS and modern front suspension, not to mention power to spare. Since arriving back at Harold’s shop in Texas, he’s added even more miles to the wagon, along with plenty of waves and thumbs up from kids (and parents alike) riding in oversized SUVs. Long live the long roofs!
Photos: Damon Lee