1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Well I had been longingly looking at one photo of this car on a lift in the back of a shop for 8 or 9 years until I had a chance to buy it this summer. Fortunately it doesn't need much but there are plenty of small projects to make it mine. In 1955 Chevrolet Nomad wagons outnumbered Pontiac Safari wagons by 2.2 to 1. There aren't many left and they sported the unique first year v8 for pontiac, the 287.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

The previous owner replaced a 350/350 combo with a correct original 287 and hydramatic four speed and probably didn't put 100 miles on the drivetrain. I had to finish a couple of temp linkages and adjustments and address leaks etc. After it was road worthy I started a disc brake conversion, man what a fiasco that was thanks to a unique power booster and master cylinder design and some custom parts issues. Was able to get a little late season cruising in before putting her up for the winter.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

During the disc brake conversion I updated from LH to RH thread wheel studs and took the opportunity to upgrade wheels and tires. The old Cragars didn't look bad but the tires were ancient and staggered sizes, not to mention universal lug pattern which I am not a fan of. I opted for some correctly sized chrome reverse with thin white walls, bullet lugs and bullet cones.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

The hood ornaments on the '55s actually light up. Mine was cracked and crazed but I was able to find a new one which arrived several months after I ordered it....so worth the wait though!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

I wanted to add the optional front bumper "overrider" kit and amazingly found an NOS one in the box on Ebay. That will be my next project.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

That's a nice car!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

That is a very, very nice rare bird right there. The four smiles says it all.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

My mom's first car was a triple white 55 Star Chief Convertible. Never seen one in person.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Wow...that's one sweet ride..!!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Super rare poncho. Love it!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Beautiful unique car!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Great looking Poncho and a very rare ride for sure, the hood ornament is just too cool. Glad you were able to snag it finally. Looks like the ''crew'' are enjoying the cruising time. Good times there for sure.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Beautiful ride, your family seems to like it. Your wheel and tire upgrade is a good improvement.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Thanks ya'll, will keep you posted on it's journey!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Nice looking car, I'm an old Pontiac guy. I had a 58 Chieftain for a while.
The pic of your happy family cruising makes it all worth while!!

Greg

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

THAT is a beautiful Poncho! I love everything about it!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

I liked the old Cragar wheels but you really nailed it with the new tire/wheel combo, great look!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

In your 2nd post you mentioned a ''4 speed Hydra/matic" trans. Can you post a pic of the column gear selector? Is it actually 4 forward speeds? Never knew such existed back then.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Thanks! I am going for the mild custom look with those. I think the car has a classy look, no so much "hot rod". Bullet lug nuts and cones are my go-to with the chrome reverse. Plus I can get quality thin whites for like $65/tire.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Here is some data on the hydra-matic. I can tell you functionally that it drives very well and it's nice to have a fourth gear, 65mph no problem more than that is pushing a little. It's like a manual/auto shift so the feel takes a little getting used to. And you park the car and shut it off in reverse, then start it in neutral. The dual-range drive mode is for kickdown or kickdown lock-out.

This was a flagship trans for GM starting in 48? I'm not very familiar with this era or knowledgeable about internal transmission workings in general but fortunately I got a factory 1955 hydra-matic manual with the car. That saved my bacon on the adjustments. Sadly, the old guys that know these transmissions, sell parts and rebuild them are aging out. In 30 years, it'll either work or have to get swapped out for something generic. Remarkably, besides the adjustments and linkage issues, Mark (friend I bought the car from) was able to re-create the factory drivetrain back into the car very well. When he bought the car it has a 350/350 and he just didn't think that was right, I agree. He found another '55 Pontiac with a complete engine and trans and had the whole combo rebuilt and transplanted it. I am very glad he did!

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

Wow....cool car....red and white interior is awesome. Chief Pontiac score...Perfect.

Re: 1955 Pontiac Safari Star Chief 2dr Wagon
 

I see one improvement in your pics above that was made between 1951 and 1955. I had a 1951 Pontiac with hydra-matic and to check and/or add fluid you had to pull up the floor mat on the passenger side and remove a round plug, but I see an under-hood dipstick in the pic. Pontiac made a lot of improvements in those years, especially in styling. That's a beautiful wagon you have.