New (to me) '58 Pontiac Safari

"It's funny, most people like to ask how many miles per gallon I get in my wagons. I tell them "I don't know, but I sure get a lot of smiles per gallon."

Hey Teez, when my buddy with the '54 wagon gets asked he always says he doesn't know, doesn't particularly care. If it was an issue he wouldn't have the car but to him it is not about the gas mileage, it's all about having a car he's proud to own and drive. That gets a lot of nods and smiles and I think everyone "gets it".

You eat out one less meal and you've often made up the difference in costs on the trip and what the heck, we have a built in kitchen following us down the road any hoot. Well, okay, at our ages - maybe I should say HIS age, there's a clean bathroom nearby.

Barry

 

And for those that are curious, it cost me $5600 (car + shipping).

I know some people don't like to talk about the financial side of things, but I kind of think that can sometimes hurt the overall hobby. It can be hard to figure out "market value" sometimes, and I don't think e-bay is a good gauge.

Would I liked to have paid less? Sure.. But since it was what I wanted, and I could work it out, I bought it.

 

You did real good for that price. In 1958 dollars that might be $600 or less. A new 1957 2-dr HT belair sold for $1,795 CDN$. My gramps bought one new, and traded it in to keep my uncle (then unlicensed, but savvy) from hot-wiring it to go for a joyride. He bought a new 4-door sedan 1958 Belair for $2,100. My uncle didn't try to snipe it. It wasn't cool enough.

 

About 4 years ago I almost bought one that sold for $7500. It was a little nicer shape, but it was only a 2 seat wagon and it was an automatic transmission. And it seems like all the others I've seen were either cheaper but needed WAY more work, or they were really high dollar restos.. (i.e. Bonnewood) This was the right car, the right balance of beater/beauty and I could make it happen. I have absolutely no regrets.

Now I just need to find that someone that feels that way about my '67!

 

Our Alberta Oil Patch is full of gun-ho guys looking for the earlier macho power machines. Maybe run an ad on the alberta.kijiji or craigslist. They got the money and the time. Oil riggers make over $50 an hour USD$!

 

Well, teej...that is a nice, nice wagon. I LOVE the old Poncho wagons, especially in the mid 50's. Your wagon has the retro style that made GM the king. It's a real beauty and good on ya for buying it.
Saf....I didn't realize that Poncho's weren't selling well?? Man...those are some of my favorites. If I was still a rich man I would buy up all those old Poncho wagons I could find!
Except teej's 67....

 

like I always say...."you cant put a price on cool !"

I'm one of those guys that wont say...but I usually steal stuff...so my 'buying guide' is of NO help to others..
"But since it was what I wanted, and I could work it out, I bought it"
And thats a good point Teej..Sometimes you just gotta go for it !

The "OFF Brands" are always a harder sell...but thats because there is so many people that are brainwashed as to 'whats cool' !!
...when the magazines will only do a feature on a X car...then no one wants the Y car...its always been like that....(sheep)..

....but its ok...cause that leaves DEALS out there for those of us that can think for ourselves

 

Yeah, what Rev said - covers it all

 

Teej,
If you ask me, I think that's a steal for what you paid for it. I've seen more than my fair share of junk priced high for what IT COULD BE and not WHAT IT IS.
A 9 passenger Pontiac wagon in that good of shape? Definitely not a lot of those around anymore.

 

Awesome man, that wagon looks great!