Pontiac began using the "Safari" name in 1955 for the new two-door hardtop style Star Chief station wagon.  The Safari wagon was released Jan 31, 1955, about four months after 1955 model year production began.  It was Pontiac's most expensive car and featured the upscale Star Chief components, including leather upholstery, but it was built on the shorter Chieftain chassis 

180 BHP was engine output when equipped with the standard two barrel carburetor and Hydramatic transmission.  A 4-barrel carburetor was offered as an option beginning in March 1955 (dual exhaust was not available for 1955 Pontiacs).

In addition to the Safari, there were three other station wagon models available, the Chieftain 860 four-door station wagon (three seats) the Chieftain 860 two-door station wagon and the Chieftain 870 Four-door station wagon.  The 870 wagon shares some components with the Safari, including the fold-down back seat.

1956

New for this year were 4-barrel carburetor as standard equipment on the Safari and a redesigned Hydramatic transmission, called the "Strato-Flight" transmission.  All Safaris were built with new Strato-Flight transmission except for 10 equipped standard transmission.  For other changes made in the 56 model year, see  Pontiac Craftsman Service News, Oct, 1955.

227 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with single four barrel carburetor and Hydramatic transmission.  216 BHP with single two barrel carburetor was available as an option.  A 285 BHP "Dual-Quad" (two four barrel carburetors) was available as an option.

1957

Pontiac began using the Safari name for all station wagons in 1957.  The name was no longer reserved for the sporty two-door hardtop style -- as in the 1955-56 model years.  In 1957, the sporty 2-door wagon was called the "2-door Custom Safari" to distinguish it from the other Safaris (Chieftain and Super Chief station wagons).  A "Custom Transcontinental Safari" (aka "4-door Custom Safari" or just "Transcontinental") was a four-door wagon with high-end Star Chief components and trim.

270 BHP was standard engine output when equipped with single four barrel carburetor and Hydramatic transmission.  290 BHP "Tri-Power" was available as an option (three two barrel carburetors).

1958

Pontiac still offered a Star Chief "Custom Safari" station wagon but gone was the sporty two-door Star Chief wagon.  The 1958 Custom Safari was a successor to the 1957 Transcontinental.  It was a four-door with leather upholstery and Star Chief trim.