[kthelen]

Hello all!

I stumbled upon this car a few months back in a junkyard... didn't have much time, but it caught my interest, so I took a quick picture.

I'll be going back that way again soon. Since I have been unable to stop wondering about its specifics, my plan is to swing back and check it out more thoroughly. Unfortunately, this picture is all the more I have to go on right now.

It appeared more or less intact, but I know it's gonna be rusty (how rusty I don't know - I suspect just bad enough to make life difficult... such is life in road salt country).

Despite the many unknowns, I've been trying to figure out what would be a reasonable offer (or range, rather) if I decide it needs to come home with me. It seems there aren't many out there changing hands, so I've been unable to figure out what a ballpark figure might be.

Considering it's in rusty, non-running, "needs full resto" condition (at best), what would you folks consider to be a fair price range?

I have an idea of where I'd start. But this car is easily a decade older than anything I've ever owned, so I may be completely out of the loop on where the prices are at.

Of course there's also the endless list of parts needs, and their sources (or lack thereof). But for now, I just need to figure out where the bounds of "overpaying for scrap" and "insulting the owner" are :-)


--Keith

[Sirrotica]

I'm certainly no expert on these wagons as far as estimated price. I did run across a thread over on the H.A.M.B. site that has a lot of great info about tri 5 Pontiac wagons. Some of the trim parts from Nomads interchange with the Safari/860/870 wagons and years ago (before reproduction parts were being made) many gave up their good interchangeable parts to fix Nomads because they are more sought after than the Pontiac 2 door wagons.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...models.452703/

I've always wanted a 57 Safari (actually any 2 door 57 hardtop) looks as though I probably won't realize that dream though.

[Goatracer1]

Whatever you figure on spending, double it. Unless you can get the car REALLY cheap, I hate to say it, but it pobably isnt worth fixing. I fixed up a 1957 I got for free and that was still too much. Looking at the picture it looks like a regular 2 door wagon, not the Safari. If thats the case most parts from the firewall back from a Chevy will fit.

[b-man]

Offer scrap value for it, probably about $300 to $400.

[Doug]

Seems like I read somewhere the Safari's were some 5 inches longer (to the rear I assume) than Nomads. If this is true and holds true to the regular wagons, then some of the Nomad or regular Chevy wagon stuff (windows, etc) may not be interchangeable.

Value?? Figure what the hood ornament is worth and add it to a scrap metal price.

King pin suspension?

[Safari Larry]

There is a lot of misinformation out there on the interchangeability of Chevy/Pontiac parts. The info on the HAMB link is mostly incorrect. Glass, doors, doors, door/window hardware, tailgate & related hardware are interchangeable between like models (Safari & Nomad, Chieftain wagon & Chevy non-Nomad). Seats may be interchangeable but I'm not sure about that. Virtually everything else is different, including frame, Pontiac with a longer wheelbase than the Chevy resulting in different floorboard and positioning of rear wheel well in quarter panels.

All Pontiac and Chevy station wagons bodies were made in the same Fisher Body plant in Euclid Ohio (not Cleveland which the Chevy guys will tell you). The Pontiac/Chevy bodies do not have the same firewall, dash, floorboards, frame mounting tabs, and most trim. Station wagon bodies were shipped to Pontiac/Chevy assembly plants around the nation (same for convertible bodies) where Chevy/Pontiac each went their own way with just about everything. Other Pontiac body styles (sedans and hardtops) were made in Fisher Body plants close to or adjacent to assembly plants. Pontiac assembly plants were all Buick/Olds/Pontiac plants except the Pontiac MI plant which assembled only Pontiacs. Mechanically Pontiac shares more with Buick/Olds than Chevy.

The wagon Keith is considering (2-door '55 Chieftain 860) seems to be quite rare (and one of my many favorites), probably because most went to the crusher as opposed to the Safari wagons, more of them were probably saved due to the higher value. Agree with Goatracer, saving it would most likely cost more than it would be worth, unfortunately. Full restoration can be quite costly. It would make a neat resto-rod although I hate to see that done to these old Pontiacs -- but it is much more cost effective and in the end probably worth as much as a restored wagon -- and would be a better "driver".

[Txbobcat]

I would hate to estimate the amount of money you would have to put in that car to bring it up to a decent level.

[importsmasher]

Hell, as long as the frame is solid and any rust isn't making it structurally unsafe, I'd get it running and drive it just the way it sits!

Importsmasher

[61-63]

Originally Posted by Txbobcat

I would hate to estimate the amount of money you would have to put in that car to bring it up to a decent level.

What he said.

[Safari Larry]

Originally Posted by importsmasher

Hell, as long as the frame is solid and any rust isn't making it structurally unsafe, I'd get it running and drive it just the way it sits!

What he said!

[Bill Eveland]

Yep, i'd like to find a solid body with some patina like that for mine as well instead of the primer look. I keep telling my wife i'd like to get her a 2dr wagon to match mine. Personally I wouldn't go over 1500 to get it, if you can get it cheaper that would be a good deal IMO.

[blueghoast]

Yea what the last three said. LOL
That's how I'm driving my cars.

GT.

[68lemansman]

Go for it! if its rusty atlest if you get it to the point you can drive it then enjoy it.

[b-man]

Anything can be saved or made to run and drive, but at what cost dollar-wise or time-wise?

I'd seriously consider looking for one that's in a little better shape, one that's a driver or closer to being a driver.

You're always money ahead when you pay more for a better car.

It's not like that's the only one in existence.

Just because it's close to you doesn't necessarily make it a good buy.

[Bill Eveland]

Buy it and make it look like this one thats been lowered quite a bit. As long as the rest of the car is fairly solid .

[mrrat1]

Originally Posted by importsmasher

Hell, as long as the frame is solid and any rust isn't making it structurally unsafe, I'd get it running and drive it just the way it sits!

Importsmasher

X's 2

[Rocky 389]

I traded a $5000 sedan delivery for my old 55 wagon. Had all new paint, upholstery, all new rubber stuff, new glass, later Pontiac V/8 engine/trans, new brakes and suspension bushings etc. I'm positive it cost a lot more than 5 grand to replace all this stuff.
Point is, it costs a lot to bring a wagon like that back to like-new condition. Might be better off to find one already restored/repaired. Good news is, most of the door seals, window runners, seals etc is available new for 55 chevies, same stuff the Pontiac uses.

[rohrt]

cool car. I would bet you would have the only one at most car events.