Oct 17, 2021  •  For Sale  •  14 Comments

Long Roof Survivor: 1960 Pontiac Bonneville Custom Safari

Ron DennyRon Denny

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I’m a softy for 1960 Pontiacs. My dad owned a ’60 Catalina “flat top” Vista, Uncle Peewee had a ’60 4-door Star Chief, and I even bought a ’60 Catalina Sports Coupe from my twin brother back in the 90s. I can’t recall seeing many ’60 Pontiac station wagons even as a kid, especially a top-of-the-line Bonneville. There can’t be many original ones out there like this one.

Here’s one cool-looking ’60 Bonneville Custom Safari survivor that’s far from perfect but looks solid and has a lot of potential. It also has ties to the 1960 Pikes Peak Race (there are photos of this wagon at the summit with a race car in tow, along with documents, registrations, and other neat stuff). Located in Absecon, New Jersey, this Wide-Track long roof is for sale here on eBay with a starting bid of $15,000.

We don’t know a lot about the history of this Pontiac or what it’s been up to after hiking to Pikes Peak in 1960. The seller is selling it for a friend who has too many projects and doesn’t have time to enjoy the car. Overall, the exterior looks pretty good for its age. Finished in Shelltone Ivory with a Fairway Green roof (I like how the front half is ribbed), the white paint isn’t perfect and has peeled off in some spots, primarily on the passenger front door and underneath the rear driver’s tail light. There’s also some bubbling up on the rocker panels, but the photos don’t show any major rust on the body.

What a great-looking back end with those space-age taillights, that wrap around glass, and the Safari script and Bonneville spelled out on the rear gate. The chrome, trim, and bumpers look good, not perfect mind you, and all that glass also looks good. The seller shares, “Most everything works but we cant get the rear window down; it worked a few years ago, it just seems stuck and I don’t want to force it.”
If you like cool-looking original interiors (and lots of it), then this is the car for you. One look and you can believe the promotional brochure that promised “The Bonneville Custom Safari is far and away the ultimate in station wagon luxury.” Those tri-toned bench seats and ribbed door panels, color coordinated dash (with woodgrain and even a green “padded cushion handrail assist”) are in very good original condition for a 61-year-old station wagon. The seller shares that new windlace is included and the original Owners Guide is in the glove box, which is just above the fold out chrome tissue box.
The Pontiac brochure describes the cargo area as having “Deep pile wall-to-wall carpeting with stainless steel protective skid strips in the load area.” Sure, it’s got some scrapes and scars, but overall this cargo area looks rather remarkable considering all the kids and suitcases and groceries and stuff that’s been hauled back there over the past six decades.
The seller claims the original 389 cubic-inch, 4-barrel carburetor Tempest 425 V8 with a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission “runs nice with no smoke and shifts fine.” There’s even a :51 video in the ad post showing this Bonneville Safari out on the road for a spin. Although 61,208 miles show on the clock, there is no mention if these are the actual miles. The seller does mention that even though the brakes work, the car pulls to the right when braking and would need to have the braking system checked out. In other words, the next owner would need to trailer this long roof home.
I, for one, am glad that vintage station wagons are popular and being appreciated. Overall, this ’60 Bonneville Custom Safari looks like a solid survivor that would be one attention-grabbing grocery-getter even in its current condition. Long may you run!

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Comments

  1. angliagt angliagtMember
    Oct 16, 2021 at 12:29pm

    My Dad had one just like this,only it was
    beige,with a copper roof,& a vinyl interior.I remember
    the cold,uncomfortable seats in the Winter,& sticking
    to them in the Summer.And,of course,no A/C.
    That said,these are nice looking cars.

    Like 19
    Reply
  2. DRV
    Oct 17, 2021 at 3:35pm

    This is rare and is a new favorite wagon for me. The green interior and condition make me want to sit in it now.
    How many wagons had a sedan B pillar and 5 doors?

    Like 8
    Reply
  3. Phipps
    Oct 18, 2021 at 9:12am

    Love this era Pontiacs as well. My grandfather had a Pontiac dealership in Athens GA from 53-68 and I still have display models for alot of the models. Such classic lines and nice to see one that hasnt been hacked up

    Like 12
    Reply
    • Bill Potts
      Oct 18, 2021 at 9:03pm

      If you have dealer models,those can be very valuable,if they’re in good condition. I wish that I had one of my 1961 Bonneville convertible.

      Like 2
      Reply
      • Phipps
        Oct 19, 2021 at 6:44am

        Absolutely Bill, I am missing the ’61 lineup since the collection got split up years ago.
        Is pretty solid ’55-59 and then ’64-65 for the ones i got including some Ramblers and Buicks. I think my favorite is the ’59 Bonneville in green

        Like 1
  4. cmarvMember
    Oct 18, 2021 at 9:27am

    LS swap , air ride , 24″ wheels . I sure as Hell hope not . Such a cool piece of history . I’m sure not many left in any condition . I’m trying to talk myself out of bidding on this sweetheart .

    Like 10
    Reply
    • Gus Fring
      Oct 18, 2021 at 1:38pm

      Oh Marv, let’s not kid ourselves…you won’t be bidding, lol.

      Like 1
      Reply
  5. Frank Dusseault
    Oct 18, 2021 at 9:29am

    Great vehicle! What I miss, full size sedans, 2 door coupes and station wagons.

    Consumers got fooled by AWD and SUV’s that were marketed as an alternative to a station wagon with less room. Sit in the back seat of an Audi Q5. I have one! No room and less rear space.

    Consumers did get smart and the 4 door pick up truck is the norm and if you think I’m incorrect look a Truck stats.

    Like 4
    Reply
  6. losgatos_dale
    Oct 18, 2021 at 10:06am

    Great looking old cruiser. And with an entry fee of 15k, carry it on a card and ride out the inflation ride. All kidding aside, I’d love to own it, but I don’t think I’d love trying to get that tailgate window unstuck!

    Like 2
    Reply
    • chuck dickinson
      Oct 18, 2021 at 4:13pm

      The window MIGHT be a simple fix, but it might be the motor, which would mean removing the inside panel from the gate with it closed in order to disconnect the regulator from the glass to lower it.

      Like 3
      Reply
  7. Hal
    Oct 18, 2021 at 2:57pm

    A beautiful piece of history.
    Hopefully the next owner will love and appreciate its history……no hot ridding etc.

    Like 7
    Reply
    • Art Jacobs
      Oct 20, 2021 at 7:45am

      Its got a 389, you can’t pull out of the driveway without squealing the tires ! All 1960 Pontiac got the 389 .

      Like 1
      Reply
  8. Gray Wolf
    Oct 18, 2021 at 4:05pm

    New Jersey=rust bubbles. BUBBLES ARE TROUBLES!

    Like 4
    Reply
  9. Art Jacobs
    Oct 20, 2021 at 7:40am

    I learned to drive( on the road) in Dads 1960 Catalina Safari, same color green as the roof . It had that 389 that would smoke the tires.
    I took my drivers test in that car , it was like parallel parking an aircraft carrier .

    Like 1
    Reply

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