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Technical Safari Roof vs. Nomad Roof

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by COCONUTS, Feb 20, 2026.

  1. COCONUTS
    Joined: May 5, 2015
    Posts: 1,258

    COCONUTS

    SAFARI.jpeg
    I know many you are just to embarr***ed to ask this question, but believe me I am too. In fact, at first, I was thinking about asking my GF to step forward and address this issue, but she would not "step up to the plate, so here it goes. I have a 1955 Nomad that needs a roof, I won't tell you why, you will have to ask my GF. So after years of looking I have found a gentlemen willing to sell me a rusted out, hunk, pretty much gone back to Mother Nature 1955 Safari. Now the issue that I am having is that the wheelbase for the Safari is 122 inches while the Nomad (both 1955) is 115 inches. So I am wondering (like many of you are) are the roofs the same or is the Safari longer.
     
  2. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,611

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Longer front end on the Pontiac. Not a Chevy ch***is as well. You do own a tape measure?
     
  3. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,104

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    the roofs are the same, I worked at a salvage yard that had a 57 Pontiac Safari and a guy bought the roof to repair a Nomad
     
    Never2low, Spooky, lucky ink and 17 others like this.
  4. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,611

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Also look at the rear wheel centerline to 1/4 gl*** divider. The Pontiac is more rearward . IMG_5347.jpeg IMG_5348.jpeg
     
  5. You need to spill the beans on what happened with/by your GF that requires a roof change. Honest, we won't tell her you leaked the secret. ;)
     
  6. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 12,604

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Sounds like a Home Improvement episode? :eek: And, yea, I had always heard that the roof panel was the same as well.
     
  7. partsdawg
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 4,001

    partsdawg
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Minnesota

    Guessing that was the one at Goose Lake?
     
    chryslerfan55, COCONUTS and Moriarity like this.
  8. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,104

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Yup, there’s very little left of it. I can remember when it was an entire car. Larry said the guy drove it into the yard in the mid 70's and sold it to them for a few hundred dollars
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2026
  9. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,915

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Well, all I can say is, if the need for a top replacement is because "someone" attempted to
    CHOP THE TOP OF THE NOMAD:confused:.
    Shame on__________!
     
  10. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 5,089

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    My guess is "*** on the roof"...and she is a portly girl.
     
  11. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 11,617

    BJR
    Member

    Roof and side windows, tailgate, lift gate, are the same for all 3 years. Doors are the same, with different holes for chrome trim.
     
  12. Johnny Gee
    Joined: Dec 3, 2009
    Posts: 14,611

    Johnny Gee
    Member
    from Downey, Ca

    Nothing @anthony myrick couldn’t hammer out. :) IMG_5349.jpeg
     
  13. theHIGHLANDER
    Joined: Jun 3, 2005
    Posts: 10,929

    theHIGHLANDER
    Member

    Dammit I love this place...
     
    Spooky, duecesteve, Butler 32 and 7 others like this.
  14. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,915

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Which reminds me and I do know it's not terribly relevant here but.................
    When I was in high school about 1971/72, I removed the tinted side gl*** from my pals' grandfathers' 55 Pontiac two door hardtop that was out behind his barn and replaced the non tinted gl*** in my 57 BelAir, the Pontiac had power windows but all I took were the switches which I never used, bet I was the subject of some major **** kicking.
     
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  15. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,104

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Man, how cool would a chopped Nomad be? sounds wonderful. almost as good as a sectioned one
    Russ Meeks Nomad.jpg
     
  16. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,915

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    You know, you can be a pest sometimes!!!:D
     
  17. rob-redm
    Joined: Nov 15, 2005
    Posts: 6,589

    rob-redm
    Member

    That's Russ Meeks Nomad. It's still around and his son has it now I believe.
     
    Spooky, 49ratfink, COCONUTS and 2 others like this.
  18. RodStRace
    Joined: Dec 7, 2007
    Posts: 9,742

    RodStRace
    Member

    I stopped mid-swap, but I did it like this.
    Donor roof, wire wheel the drip rails to expose the spot welds. This is the best time to get it all nice and clean, while it's still solid and in the right shape.
    Drill, baby, drill.
    On the Nomad, wire wheel but use a spot weld cutter. Buy extras.
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2026
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  19. Bandit Billy
    Joined: Sep 16, 2014
    Posts: 16,424

    Bandit Billy
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Were gonna need some digits so we can call and get the story.
     
  20. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,915

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon

    Don't know if Cedric has it now but I recall some drama, Russ had issues with a later owner, some claims he made, I won't say his name but I think he was a member here for a minute.
     
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  21. Moriarity
    Joined: Apr 11, 2001
    Posts: 39,104

    Moriarity
    SUPER MODERATOR
    Staff Member

    Sometimes? Just rubs me the wrong way when guys on a hot rod and custom site want most things to be stock.... just doesn't seem right to me
     
  22. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 12,604

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  23. DDDenny
    Joined: Feb 6, 2015
    Posts: 22,915

    DDDenny
    Member
    from oregon


    I hear ya Mark, I do tend to get selective on some genres of cars, but I agree about the modified mindset over stock.
    Coming more from a hot rodder background versus custom background I think it's from the fact that I personally have never seen a tri-five Chevy that being chopped improved its looks.
    I will say I'm warming up to those Nomads getting a mild chop, sectioning...........uh...........
     
    Last edited: Feb 20, 2026
    Just Gary, COCONUTS and Moriarity like this.
  24. rattlecanrods
    Joined: Apr 24, 2005
    Posts: 536

    rattlecanrods
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Gotta tell ya, I like that sectioned 'mad better than the chopped one. Now if some crazed fool was to do both it might look quite *****'n. And I'm doing to hear the backstory!
     
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  25. Jim Bouchard
    Joined: Mar 2, 2011
    Posts: 1,374

    Jim Bouchard
    Member

    IMG_7874.jpeg
    Chopped Safari, looks good too
    Owned by Denver Mullins
    (Denver’s choppers)
    Flames by Watson
     
  26. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 12,604

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Helps the look of a chop to also sit right. I like that Safari! :cool:

    And, we sure took this thread all over the place for a simple question. :D
     
  27. Safaris are cooler than nomads
     
  28. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 12,604

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Agreed! I worked on a few Nomads for other people years ago but have always wanted a Safari.
     
  29. 29Sleeper
    Joined: Oct 25, 2023
    Posts: 667

    29Sleeper
    Member
    from SoCal

    I lean towards chopped too. But only a couple inches. Just enough to make people take a second look and scratch their heads.
     

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