Stagnant sales plagued Pontiac during the 1950s. To younger customers, despite its reputation for building quick and powerful cars of a robust nature, Pontiacs were the grandparents’ choice. Something had to be done, and quickly, otherwise there was chatter at the top about nixing the brand. Chevrolet introduced the Corvette Nomad at the 1954 Motorama Show, where the sporty wagon received rave reviews from press and public alike, enough that GM approved the Nomad for production. However, there were two caveats: one, it had to be built on the larger A-Body platform and, two, Pontiac had to build one as well. This, the thought was, would provide two markets a more useful sport wagon; being on the A-body would also cost less to produce than a fiberglass-bodied Corvette wagon. Pontiac was excited about the opportunity, calling its two-door wagon the Star Chief Safari. Like Chevrolet’s Nomad, the Safari would be introduced for the 1955 model year and marketed toward a younger audience. Despite the glamorous styling, unique body and powerful engine, only 3,760 were sold in 1955. Still, GM and Pontiac saw hope and continued building the Safari for 1956, finding 4,042 sales that year. This 1956 Pontiac Star Chief Safari Wagon was supposedly owned by Bob Shane of the Kingston Trio and is finished in two-tone Sandalwood Tan and Sun Beige. The body is well dressed with various polished elements like the hood ornament, twin Silver Streaks running the length of the hood, the gas filler door edge and more. The result of a comprehensive restoration in 2005, the Safari is powered by the 317 CI Strato-Streak V-8 engine and an automatic transmission, and it’s well appointed with power steering, a front bumper pusher bar, the original clock (which has been converted to quartz), two-tone Rust and Beige leather upholstery and the Comfort and Convenience Package, which includes a tissue dispenser. Wrapped in Coker wide whitewall tires, the steel wheels are topped with full-size Pontiac wheel covers. A unique and rare alternative to the Chevrolet Nomad, the Pontiac Safari was one of the earliest Pontiac turnaround moments.