1957 Pontiac Transcontinental
by Lou Calasibetta

I have owned this 1957 Transcontinental since 1978. At that time we stripped it and restored it to the original blue and white, the way Pontiac made it. Other interests and lifestyle put the car into storage for over 22 years.

After coming home from the Buffalo Convention, I decided to build something that no one has ever done before. Modified cars and large cruisers are really hot, and I had to construct one in order to stay abreast of the market. With a large car in mind with multiple doors, I decided to restyle the '57 Transcontinental. All of the (re)design thoughts came out very easily. I pictured the car complete before we even stripped it. The original styling sure is pretty on the Transcontinental, but a restyled or custom look is even better. Little did I know that at that time station wagons would be as popular as they are today.

The final outcome has caused quite a commotion. Wherever I show the Safari, people seem to really enjoy the fine touches. So far it has won at Lead East 2000, Rhinebeck GoodGuys 2000, and recently World of Wheels in Boston 2001. I personally cannot wait to bring this station wagon to a Pontiac show to see the reaction of my peers.

The car is very mild, only the name emblems are removed. A new name- "Surfari"- has been airbrushed on the quarter panel. After all, a woody, along with a Safari, would lead to a surfing origin. Other custom paint features are the hand painted wood paneling in the spears and all the pillars. The tone of the wood blends in well with the amber-pearl and white pearl finish on the car.

A 1978 Pontiac motor came from our old station wagon. I did haul "Grapes" (our purple '58 Pontiac) behind it to the Greensboro NC Pontiac Convention many years ago. A trustee turbo 350 transmission was built by Steve Peluso, or POCI Transmission Tech Advisor, and is just right for cruising.

Disc brakes and air ride suspension, along with drop spindles give Surfari one neat stance. The added '57 Bonneville louvers just look like Pontiac should have put them on the decorated '57 Transcontinental. A set of '59 Eldorado caps with '53 Pontiac centers look like stock custom caps for this wagon.

Open the doors, and you see a custom dash panel made by Haneline Products of California. Westeck gauges fit in along the panel with Vintage air conditioning ducts, looks factory. Oh, don't forget to look up and see the sea shells on the headliner. What else would you expect in a Woody? '59 Bonneville fleck carpet underfoot works out well with the amber pearl color. Last but not least, real birch wood flooring covers the rear cargo compartment.

All in all, we are very proud of this Surfari. Sure wish Pontiac made one like this in 1957. Ford had a '57 woody. Too bad Pontiac didn't. All of us at the Old Stillwater Garage are glad we did finally make this all new "classic".