In 1955 Pontiac began using the "Safari" name for the new two-door hardtop style Star Chief station wagon.  The Safari wagon was not released until Jan 31, 1955.  It used the fancier Star Chief components but on the shorter Chieftain chassis.

In addition to the Safari, there were three other station wagon models available, the Chieftain 860 four-door Station wagon (had a third seat) the Chieftain 860 two-door Station Wagon and the Chieftain 870 Four-door Station Wagon.  The 870 wagon shares some components with the Safari, including the back seat.

1956 sales brochures call it the "Pontiac Star Chief Safari". 

In 1957, Pontiac began using the Safari name for all station wagons.  The name was no longer reserved for the sporty two-door hardtop, which was now called the "Custom Safari" to distinguish it from the other station wagons.  A "Custom Transcontinental Safari" was a four-door wagon, often just referred to as the Transcontinental.

In 1958, Pontiac still offered a "Custom Safari" station wagon but gone was the sporty two-door hardtop wagon.  A 1958 Custom Safari was a successor to the 1957 Transcontinental.  It was a four-door with leather seats and Star Chief trim.

1955 Safari, Body Code: 2564DF

• 122.0"  Wheel base
• 3,636 Lbs curb weight
• $2,962 List Price (before any options)
• 3,760 units produced
• 287.2 cu. in. displacement
• 180 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with two barrel carb and hydramatic transmission.  The 4-barrel carb was not offered until mid year 1955.

1956 Safari, Body Code: 2764DF

• 122.0" Wheel Base
• 3,642 Lbs curb weight
• $3,129 List Price (before any options)
• 4,042 units produced*       (10 units w/standard transmission option)
• 316.6 cu. in. displacement
• 227 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with single four barrel carb and Hydramatic transmission 216 BHP was available as an option (used a single two barrel carb).  A 285 BHP "Dual-Quad" was available as an option (used two four barrel carbs)

1957 Custom Safari  2-Door, Body Code: 2764DF

• 122.0" Wheel Base
• 3,750 Lbs curb weight
• $3,481 List Price (before any options)
• 1,292 units produced
• 347.0 cu. in. displacement 270 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with single four barrel carb and Hydramatic transmission 290 BHP "Tri-Power" was available as an option (used three two barrel carbs)

1957 Custom Transcontinental Safari, 4-Door, Body Code 2762SDF

• 122.0" Wheel Base
• 3,810 Lbs curb weight
• $3,636 List Price (before any options)
• 1,894 units produced
• 347.0 cu. in. displacement
• 270 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with single four barrel carb and Hydramatic transmission 290 BHP "Tri-power" was available as an option

Comparison of Pontiac Safari and Chevrolet Nomad

The Pontiac Safari and Chevrolet Nomad bodies were built in the same Fisher Body plant (in Cleveland, OH) and share many body components.  They are the same above the beltline (roof, windshield, windows. liftgate).  They use the same doors, tailgate, and seats.  Other than these body components, the Safari and Nomad share very little.  There are major differences in the trim, dash, floor, quarter panels, heating, frame, front end, and drive train.

Chevrolet Nomad and Pontiac Custom Safari production figures for 1955-57 were as follows:

Total Safari production, including the 4-door Transcontinental, was less than half the number of Nomads produced!  If you exclude the Transcontinental, and compare only the two door models, this ratio drops to 40.6% at 9,094 units for 2 door Safaris vs. Nomads.  Nomads '55 production alone nearly eclipses total 2 door Safari production!