Wagons had many phases of popularity, and the 1950s was definitely one of the biggest.Today I bring you the first car from the Retro Collection: a 1955 Pontiac Safari.This wagon looks like it has been on one too many safari adventures.It’s rusted inside and out.The tires, seats, and headliner all share the same characteristic: ripped and rotted.However, there is something about it that is just awesome.
Imagine the exterior as is, but with a matte clear coat over it to seal in the grunge?Now that would look awesome.
The interior is pretty basic, but has that cool 50s jet-age look.I love the giant lever for controlling the temperature.I can’t tell how many miles were on it, as the odometer was pretty cloudy.The floor is the worst part however.There are so many holes in the bottom that the partially melted looking gas pedal is falling through one of them.
The guys at Retro gave me complete access to all the cars, but I couldn’t figure out how to get the hood open.However, based on the V8 badge, some research, and sticking the camera through the gaps in the grill, this car probably has the 287 cubic inch V8 and makes somewhere between 180 and 200 horsepower.That’s laughable by today’s standards with cars like the CTS-V Wagon, but this was 1955.
As for 1955, this was the first year of this car.Only 3,760 were produced which made this the lowest produced Pontiac of 1955.
Regardless of all that, I don’t think this car will be doing any more safari cruises, or even just driving down some paved streets.It looks like it will remain sitting here, Rotting in Style.(Until the guys at Retro make it awesome).
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