If you were at Carlisle’s All-GM Nationals back on the weekend of June 25-27, then you might have had the opportunity to absorb this stunning 1975 Pontiac Le Mans Safari. Stunning because – as the owner claimed – that the car was in its original, unrestored state – complete and unabused.
The six-passenger edition, when new, retailed for $4,555.30. However the example pictured here – complete with its base 400-cu.in. two-barrel engine – had a destination charge of $159 tacked on, bringing the entry fee to $4,714.30. Assembled in Framingham, Massachusetts, the car was delivered to Klick-Lewis Buick-Chevy-Pontiac located at 720 E. Main Street in Palmyra, Pennsylvania (which, by the way, is still in operation, but without the Pontiac brand). It was also loaded with $946.50 of options, such as remote electric tailgate release, swing-out rear vent windows, body side molding, air conditioning (alone a $450 price tag), deluxe wheel covers, rear seat speaker, luggage carrier, AM radio, lamp group and a set of HR78-15 white wall steel belted radials. We know all of this because a copy of the original window sticker and build sheet were taped to the rear windows. What the owner then did with the wagon is a mystery, because no details were given – though it’s obvious that the deluxe wheel covers are no longer in place.
Total 1975 six-passenger Safari wagon production numbered just 3,898 units (nine-passenger versions numbered 2,393). When we discovered it at Carlisle, the seller was looking for $6,300 or best offer, which was a little under the $7,000 book for an example in “average” condition (a point of reference: condition #1 books for $11,500). In retrospect, this would have been a great vehicle for a road trip to a dry boneyard to retrieve some parts for the cars in my fleet.
What plans would you have for this fresh wagon? Share them with us.