What is a Safari?

Are all Pontiac wagons considered Safari wagons? I've only actually seen one Safari wagon and it was a '70 Catalina in a bone yard and actually said Safari on it. Was this a marketing name or a real de facto nickname for Pontiac wagons?

Thanks!

 

Safari was a model name for Pontiac wagons, not all Pontiac wagons are Safari's.
The name was even used for the minivan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Safari

 

Maybe, the name was intended on attracting hooded Southerner potential customers of the ultra-right political spectrum :confused:

 

No Hanswurst; the name was chosen to evoke images of travel and adventure...

The "Safari" name was introduced in 1955. It was the model name for the new 2-door wagon (sibling to Chevrolet's Nomad).

Here's some historical info regarding the first usage of the Safari nameplate:
http://www.pontiacsafari.com/L1SafariFacts/Safari Facts.html

Subsequently, Pontiac used the "Safari" name on many station wagons, including full-size, mid-size and compact models...and even the diminutive Astre.

The "Grand Safari" wagons of the 70s were the largest and best-appointed of the Pontiac wagons. They were basically Grand Ville wagons.

This is a case where Wikipedia actually has some good info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontiac_Safari

And this link has been posted before, but it's got some great images of Pontiac wagons from the 50s through 1980.
http://www.pontiacsonline.com/SAFARI.htm

Enjoy!

 

Safari name use

It was also used on full-size GMC vans that were combos, i.e., set-up
with seats in front and paneling in the back half.
A version of this was also on full-size Chevy vans and labeled "Nomad."

 

Here is a quick rundown of the names of the big body Gm wagons by manufacturer.

Chevy was Kinsgwood and Kingswood estate.

Buick was Estate

Olds was Custom Cruiser

Pontiac was Safari and Grand Safari

I beilieve in 73-74 the names of these wagons just went with the make or model of sedan that was offered for those year. If I am wrong please feel free to correct me.

 

Also, Le Mans Safari, Grand Le Mans Safari and Astre Safari.

 

Yes it was..... have one in my drive way. At least it's a full frame RWD though...... but never buy one, trust me!

 

Chevy also used Brookwood and Parkwood, along with Nomad and Yeoman for the 2-door wagons.

 

Speaking of adventure, did Pontiac ever make a Ventura Safari?

 

Technically, No.

When the 'Ventura' name initially came out in the early 60's, its designation was not as a stand-alone model, but merely to note a slightly more upmarket interior trim on the 'Catalina' model line. For instance, my second car was a '64 Pontiac Catalina Ventura 2-door hardtop. I suppose during those years you could order the 'Ventura' trim on the Catalina Safari wagon as well. The 'Ventura' script was sometimes placed near the 'Catalina' emblem, but smaller.

Around about the '67 model year or so, the Ventura sort of became its own model line, but there were no wagon versions. In '71 (IIRC?) The 'Ventura' name was put on the Pontiac version of the Chevy Nova. There were not any wagons in that model line by that time. Hard for me to remember, but I don't think the 'Ventura' name was used after around '76 or so.....

Here's a '64 Catalina Ventura hardtop, simiar to one I had. You can see the 'Catalina' script on the fender, with the small 'Ventura' nameplate right under it.

 

What is a Safari?

It's an African hunting expedition.






I kill me!!!

 

Scary I was thinking the same thing.

 

What I found interesting is to see my car in the article twice. Even dirty and pulling the trailer. Strange thing this internet.

 

No, no, don't go killing yourself Foxy

And Fannie's going on an African hunt? OM gosh. I hope she's not hunting Cat. Or Fox.