The automotive landscape of the early 1960s was a thrilling panorama of innovation and style, a sentiment keenly felt by a fresh contributor to Curbside Classic about seven years ago. Back then, every street corner seemed to reveal a new and fascinating subject, making the act of automotive discovery an everyday adventure. While time may have tempered that initial fervor, the backlog of untold automotive stories remains, patiently waiting for their moment in the digital spotlight. Among them is the 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon, a vehicle that recently resurfaced in memory, prompted by a rerun of a piece on its sedan sibling.
Front quarter view of a Saddle Bronze 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon parked on a paved area, showcasing its boxy design and chrome trim.
This particular encounter with the Tempest Safari dates back to October 2011, during a family wedding trip to Evansville, Indiana. That trip, vividly remembered, unfolded into an unexpected Pontiac pilgrimage. Three Pontiacs from that journey have already been documented on these digital pages, yet this Safari wagon, a testament to enduring patience, has lingered in the wings, awaiting its turn. Now, its time has come.
1964 holds a significant place in the automotive memories of many, particularly for those with family connections to General Motors. For the author, it was a year deeply intertwined with personal automotive history: parents acquiring a new Cutlass Holiday hardtop, an uncle adding a ’64 Galaxie 500, and a grandmother choosing a ’64 Pontiac Catalina sedan. A friend’s Avanti and neighbor’s Impala convertible further cemented 1964 as a pivotal year, an automotive touchstone, at least until the paradigm shift of 1972.
Side profile of a Saddle Bronze 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon, highlighting its long roofline, chrome window trim, and rear fender vent.
Growing up in a GM-centric world, dominated by Oldsmobiles and Pontiacs, shaped automotive perceptions. While Chevrolet’s sales figures were undeniable, the family preference leaned towards Pontiac and Oldsmobile. This wasn’t necessarily about superiority over Chevrolet, but perhaps an unspoken aspiration to “move up” within the GM hierarchy, a subtle reflection of upward mobility prevalent in that era.
Front view of a Saddle Bronze 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon, focusing on the split grille, quad headlights, and Pontiac emblem.
The 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari, in its practical wagon form, presents an interesting contrast to the flashier Cutlass hardtop. In the cultural landscape of the time, hardtops symbolized coolness, while wagons were often relegated to the realm of the mundane. The family’s shift from a wagon to a Cutlass hardtop mirrored this sentiment, embracing bucket seats, consoles, and floor shifts – features rarely associated with the utilitarian wagon segment. Wagons were perceived as purely functional, a notion seemingly incompatible with sporty features.
The mid-1960s also marked a vibrant era for automotive colors. However, some hues remained perplexing in their appeal. “Saddle Bronze,” the color adorning this Tempest Safari, was one such enigma. Why would anyone choose a car the color of dirt? While practical benefits of dirt-toned cars would later become apparent, aesthetic appeal remained questionable. Pontiac’s decision to feature both Tempest wagons in their brochures in this understated color amplified the mystery.
Despite advertising efforts, Saddle Bronze never achieved widespread popularity. Yet, finding 1964 GM A-body cars in this distinctive shade has become a peculiar specialty for some automotive enthusiasts. Interestingly, Pontiac’s 1964 Tempest marketing strategy favored everyday scenarios over the artistic flair of Fitz & Van, opting for relatable imagery to connect with potential buyers.
While some sought automotive sizzle and status, others prioritized pure practicality. The buyer of this Tempest Safari likely walked into a Pontiac dealership with functionality in mind and emerged with a solid, dependable vehicle. The 2-barrel Pontiac 326 engine, while lacking the high-performance aura of a 4-barrel Rocket 330, offered economy and reliability, allowing its owner to confidently request “regular” gasoline. However, the absence of a front fender callout might suggest the base six-cylinder engine, a Pontiac-built 215 cubic inch inline-six, known for its smoothness, unlike the less refined V6 options in Buick and Oldsmobile counterparts.
GM’s adoption of three-speed automatic transmissions in this vehicle class may have lagged behind competitors, but customer satisfaction remained largely unaffected. While Torqueflite and Cruise-O-Matic transmissions were available from Ford and Chrysler, brand loyalty often steered buyers toward GM. The two-speed automatic paired with the V8 engine proved sufficient for most needs. The prevailing sentiment of the time, “GM builds the best cars,” reinforced trust in the brand, even if future realities would challenge this perception.
For those seeking spacious family haulers, Oldsmobile and Buick offered long-wheelbase “Vista” wagons. However, the Tempest Safari catered to a more pragmatic buyer. Its appeal lay in straightforward functionality, prioritizing utility over opulent features. A simple transistor radio on the dash sufficed for entertainment, embodying a no-frills approach to family transportation.
Initially, the idea of humorously presenting this Tempest Safari as a misrepresented GTO wagon in a fictional Craigslist ad crossed the author’s mind. However, respect for the car’s inherent honesty prevailed. This was the kind of dependable vehicle that ordinary families relied upon. Though this particular example appears to have retired from such duties long ago, its inherent value as a classic remains. And for those tempted to inquire about its availability, these photos date back to 2011.
Pontiac’s marketing often portrayed the GTO as a tiger, a symbol of power and ferocity, a theme that resonated for years. But tigers aren’t for everyone. The Tempest wagon, in contrast, evokes the image of a barn cat – not a showy pet, but a hardworking, essential member of the farm ecosystem. Barn cats are practical, resilient, and often unseen, diligently performing their task of pest control. While the GTO roared like a tiger, the Tempest wagon quietly purred like a barn cat, a fitting analogy, especially considering this particular Safari’s slightly weathered, barn-find appearance and its earthy Saddle Bronze hue, reminiscent of many barn cats.
In an era dominated by increasingly flamboyant automobiles, it’s easy to overlook the significance of cars like the Tempest Safari, dismissing them as just another mundane, mid-sized, earth-toned vehicle. However, the 1964 GM A-body platform, which the Tempest shared with Buick, Oldsmobile, and Chevrolet, was a segment-defining innovation. Prior to 1964, the intermediate segment was nebulous. Rambler and Studebaker flirted with this size, but it lacked clear definition. Ford’s Fairlane, while aiming for this space in 1962, still felt like a larger Falcon derivative. Chrysler’s downsizing of their 1962 models inadvertently created an “intermediate,” but in a somewhat awkward manner.
General Motors strategically positioned their A-bodies with a 115-inch wheelbase, slotting them perfectly between the compact Chevy II and the full-size B-body cars. This move established the benchmark for the intermediate segment. The A-body cars, including the 1964 Pontiac Tempest, faced no serious sales competition until the arrival of the Ford Gran Torino in 1972, underscoring their segment dominance.
Imagine the disappointment of a child accompanying their parents to a Pontiac dealership in 1964. The showroom likely featured the alluring GTO alongside grand Bonnevilles and Grand Prixs. Returning home in a Tempest wagon might have felt like a letdown. Yet, parents would rightly point out the practicality and value of their choice. Similarly, Paul Niedermeyer’s youthful aspirations for a Pontiac purchase likely would have resulted in a Tempest-like vehicle rather than the glamorous models that captured his youthful imagination. The gap between a Fairlane and Galaxie in 1962 was arguably less pronounced than the chasm separating a Bonneville or GTO from a Tempest.
Despite the overall success of the Tempest line, with over 120,000 units sold in 1964, the Safari wagon remained relatively uncommon. Tempest Custom Safaris numbered only slightly more than Studebaker V8 Wagonaires in the same year. Compared to the over 33,000 Catalina wagons sold, it’s clear that Pontiac wagon buyers often opted for larger size and more luxurious appointments. Perhaps the market for “barn cat” practicality was inherently limited.
In conclusion, the 1964 Pontiac Tempest Safari wagon is more than just an attractive and competent vehicle; it possesses a degree of rarity that elevates its status. From a potentially unremarkable new car purchase in 1964, it has evolved into a respected and seldom-seen classic. While the Pontiac GTO often commands the spotlight at car shows, the humble Tempest Safari, the automotive equivalent of a barn cat, deserves its share of recognition for its honest utility and enduring charm.
Further Reading:
1964 Pontiac Tempest Custom – You Bet It Hauls (Jason Shafer)
1964 Buick Special – Nothing Special (J P Cavanaugh)
1965 Pontiac LeMans – The BMW 3 Series Of Its Day (Paul Niedermeyer)
1965 Pontiac GTO – How To Create A Legend And Build A Brand (Paul Niedermeyer)
