Goodguys 2024 Chevrolet Performance GM Iron Builder of the Year!
Congratulations to Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop for winning the Goodguys 2024 Chevrolet Performance GM Iron Builder of the Year title with Doug and Debbie Kenny’s 1957 Pontiac Safari! We’ll see you and the vehicle in Scottsdale, Arizona November 22-24, 2024 at the 27th Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals!
Don’t call it a Nomad! Though the Pontiac two-door wagon shares many elements with Chevrolet’s more familiar sport station wagon, the Star Chief Safari was arguably more stylish than its bow-tie brethren, while also being more expensive and scarcer.
Rare vehicles are one thing that Doug and Debbie Kenny enjoy when it comes to hot rods and racecars. They’ve had their share of different and unique cars over the years and when Doug found a complete and solid ’57 Safari, he knew it would make an incredible cruiser – and knew exactly who he wanted to build it: Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop.
The Kennys enjoy driving their cars, so while the plan for the project was to retain the factory exterior appearance, the drivetrain and suspension were open to serious upgrades. The original frame was rolled away from the body, along with its original 347c.i. V8, in favor of a new Roadster Shop chassis. As for an engine, it would have been easy to go with a GM LS or LT, but the Doug and Debbie opted to keep their wagon all Pontiac!
A Pontiac 455 block was sent to Keith Dorton at Automotive Specialists, Inc., and came back as a torquey 461c.i. brute topped with Edelbrock aluminum heads and a vintage Tri-power intake topped with a trio of Rochester-style throttle bodies from AutoTrend EFI. The JHRS crew formed a set of headers and crafted classic-style valve covers and a unique air cleaner assembly, while also bolting up a Bowler-built 4L80E transmission.
All that pure Pontiac power is transferred to a custom set of 17- and 18-inch wheels machined at JHRS and based on the distinctive Pontiac eight-lug wheels offered on full-size models of the ’60s. The wheels are tucked nicely under the massaged fenders and quarters that JHRS reworked for hours to get just right. All the panels and gaps were refined and tightened but the body and trim pieces, even the bumpers for the most part, were left pretty much stock before being covered in a deep, mirror-like black finish using Axalta materials.
Packed under the dash is an American Autowire harness that powers components throughout the classically styled interior. Johnson’s team reshaped a set of vintage GM bucket seats before covering them in supple green Garrett leather. The stock steering wheel was modified and bolted to an ididit column, while Classic Instruments was called on to restore the original gauges.
The Safari debuted at the Summit Racing Nationals in Columbus where it became a finalist for the Chevrolet Performance GM Iron Builder of the Year running! Congrats to the crew at Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop on this outstanding build.
Photos by John Jackson
