The year 1956 marked a huge milestone for the automotive industry.
Made effective on June 29 of that year was the “Federal-Aid Highway Act,” also known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act. It was the basis upon which about 41,000 miles of interstate would be constructed (with a $25 billion budget) over a decade-long period. At the time, it was the largest public works project in American history. Motoring would never be the same. And perhaps one of the first cars to benefit from the use of those new roadways was this Pontiac.
Featured on AutoHunter is this 1956 Pontiac Safari Custom Wagon. The car is being sold by a private seller in Madera, California, and the auction will end Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
Finished in Shadow Gray and Cream White, the car is dressed to the gills with lots of brightwork, including twin “silver streaks” (a Pontiac trademark for the era) running down the hood. The listing says that it has been owned by the seller since 2006. Features include upgraded headlights, dual side mirrors, and chrome exhaust outlets. Footwork is provided by a set of 17-inch chrome Ridler wheels wrapped in 215/55 Toyo Extensa A/S tires.
For model years 1955 through 1957, the Safari served as a General Motors A-body platform counterpart to the Chevrolet Nomad. It was a two-door (plus the rear door) hardtop station wagon with standard two-tone paint. According to sales data, there were 4,042 units sold for 1956. And, speaking of facts and figures, data tag decoding for this car reveals the following details:
- Style 56-2764: 1956 Model Year Chieftain Station Wagon
- Body CL 3544: Serialized Production Number
- Trim 278: Ivory and Dark Blue Upholstery
- Paint KV: Nimbus Gray and Avalon Blue Paint
The Safari’s versatile interior was perhaps its strongest selling point. One advertisement said, “Pontiac creates an entirely different type of car combining Catalina smartness and station wagon utility.” The rear seat was able to fold down to maximize cargo area space. The interior of this custom Safari has some special options like a custom center console up front, auxiliary gauges, and an ice chest located in the rear spare tire compartment.
Under the hood is a 350ci small-block V8 connected to a 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Features include a 650-cfm four-barrel carburetor, an aluminum intake manifold, polished aluminum valve covers, a chrome air cleaner housing, and an electric fan. An oil change was performed in March 2024.
Today, the original 41,000-mile planned United States interstate highway system spans a total of 48,890 miles. What better way to get out and explore the country than from behind the wheel of a classic Pontiac?
The auction for this 1956 Pontiac Safari Custom Wagon ends Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 12:15 p.m. (PDT).
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
