The 1955 Safari was built using shared body components with the Chevrolet Nomad

Chevrolet Nomad

The Chevrolet Nomad was a station wagon model made off and on from 1955 to 1972, and a Chevy Van trim package in the late 1970s and early 1980s, produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors...

 station wagon, which would also allow both divisions to share in the tooling costs for the special bodied wagons. The Safari was fitted with Pontiac's unique front-end bumper/grille assembly and sheet metal and rear tail light design, both created by Pontiac stylist Paul Gillan. Gillan received a United States patent for the bumper/grille design.

The Safari featured sport-coupe front doors, extra chrome adorning the tailgate and interior, and sliding rear-seat windows.