Nothing hurts the pride of a muscle car driver like being outraced by a family hauler. However, one Pontiac 455 wagon took pony cars out left and right without an ounce of remorse. This massive beast looked like an unassuming, practical option for those with tons of kids to haul around. It proves that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.It’s a true underdog and historic muscle wagon that collectors are quietly buying for its unique historical heritage during the peak of the massive station wagon era. During a time when increasing regulations were killing muscle cars, Pontiac used a few clever loopholes to maintain potent V8 power in a larger ride.Plus, the Pontiac 455 wagon has unique, game-changing features that were advanced and revolutionary for its time. Other classic rides with retro wood grain paneling simply can’t compare. Seriously, this utility wagon deserves to be part of the muscle car conversation, as it serves as one in disguise. This Land Yacht Is A Muscle Wagon No One Expected MECUMIn the late 1960s and 1970s, large cars were written off in muscle culture for being big, slow, and a little plain as family options. Younger drivers were more attracted to thrilling raw power and to dominating the drag strip than to having space for six to nine passengers. A massive land yacht could put a serious damper on your style. Apparently, filling a massive ride with tons of kids wasn’t cool.The Pontiac Grand Safari fit that mold on the outside. It’s about 230.2 inches or 19.2 feet long with a body width of 79.5 inches or 6.62 feet. It also features a wheelbase of 127.0 inches. This beastly wagon tips the scales at between 5,300 and 5,400 lbs. It’s one of the largest and heaviest station wagons ever built by Pontiac.At the time, muscle car fans weren’t impressed by its tremendous amount of passenger or cargo space. It was seen as a grocery getter with a similar shape to a hearse. But two-door muscle cars like the Pontiac GTO offered freedom and rebellion. However, what was under the hood of this Pontiac 455 wagon quickly proved the haters wrong. The 1971 Pontiac Grand Safari 455 Packs A Potent Punch MECUMThe gigantic Pontiac Grand Safari was in production from 1971 until 1976, with an engine that easily helped it outrun pony cars. The 455 cubic-inch (7.5-liter) V8 engine with a two-barrel carburetor delivers 288 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. The four-barrel option increases the power to 325 horsepower. It has an 8.2:1 compression ratio across both variants.This 800-lb engine is paired with a three-speed Turbo Hydra Matic (TH-400) automatic transmission or an available four-speed manual with Muncie components. This Pontiac wagon accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 8.0-8.5 seconds and covers a quarter-mile in roughly 16.5 seconds with a top speed of 120 mph. It also features a towing capacity of up to 7,000 pounds when properly equipped.Meanwhile, the 1971 Pontiac GTO used the same engine to churn out 300 horsepower and 480 pound-feet of torque. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.1 seconds and dust a quarter-mile in 13.4 seconds with a top speed of 125 mph. The Pontiac Grand Safari 455 didn't linger far behind, with the ability to perform smoky burnouts. It featured the same big-block engine that made the GTO a drag-strip weapon. The Grand Safari 455 Faced Detrimental Challenges MECUMThe 1971 Pontiac Grand Safari 455 arrived at a difficult time for muscle cars amid increasing emissions regulations. General Motors also mandated that all engines needed to be redesigned to efficiently run newly introduced low-lead and unleaded gasoline, which required reduced engine compression ratios. This, combined with the use of restrictive catalytic converters, choked engines, resulting in lost power and efficiency.But Pontiac used the massive 455 cubic-inch engine to provide the wagon with plenty of torque to compensate for its weight and ensure plenty of towing power with a smooth performance. Too bad it was short-lived as restrictions continued increasing. The 455 big-block was struggling to meet rising emission standards.Skyrocketing gas prices also caused potential buyers to skip massive, gas-guzzling powerhouses for smaller, more efficient options. In response to consumer demand, General Motors decided to downsize its station wagons. For 1977, the Grand Safari lost a foot in length, and its weight was reduced to 4,002 pounds. With a lighter footprint, it no longer needed the torque provided by the 455 big-block V8.MECUMIt was replaced by a standard 301 cubic-inch (4.9-liter) V8 with 135 horsepower and 250 pound-feet of torque. The Oldsmobile-built 403 cubic-inch (6.6-liter) V8 with 185 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque was also available. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 10 seconds and cover a quarter mile in roughly 18 seconds with a top speed of 120 mph. The 1977 model year can tow up to 6,000 pounds. This Wagon Is Too Cool To Sleep On MECUMAs a muscle car in disguise, the 1971 Pontiac Grand Safari 455 holds immense historic value. During the time when muscle cars were being killed, it bypassed increasing insurance premiums by offering the ability to seat an entire family. Its stout power also bridged the gap between wagons and muscle cars by enabling it to keep up.With its size and amenities, it encapsulates the peak of the muscle wagon era. This bad-to-the-bone grocery getter has high-quality, deeply padded upholstery with interior and exterior wood grain paneling. It also has power-operated windows and locks with a front seat armrest and a hidden 2.9-cubic-inch lockable storage compartment built under the load floor.Other luxury features include extra sound-damping materials, power steering, air conditioning, and radios with eight-track options. It also features the innovative Glide-Away or clamshell tailgate. The rare power-operated glass slid up into the roof, and the lower portion slid into a recess under the cargo floor for completely unrestricted access to the cargo floor. Collectors Are Quietly Buying The 1971 Grand Safari 455 MECUMAs a hidden gem in the Pontiac lineup, the 1971 Grand Safari stands out with automotive heritage as one of the last big-block powered monsters before increasing emission standards and fuel economy regulations ruined the high-performance party. It also serves as one of the largest vehicles that Pontiac ever built.The 1971 Pontiac Grand Safari 455 is also quite rare, as families put them to use for work, towing, travel, and family use. The value of the Grand Safari 455 hovers around $18,000 if in driving quality, to over $43,000 for a pristine example. Typically, original examples go for around $32,000, which is quite the jump over their original MSRP of $4,643.Models with seating for up to nine passengers typically fetch higher premiums. The six-passenger models are also highly sought after because of the unique rear-facing third row. Other factors that beef up the value include a working clamshell tailgate, air conditioning, and original roof racks. Combining these features with the 455 High Output package provides the cream of the crop.