safari-kar Research Archives

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1975 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Bakersfield, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $11,111.

I suspect the price is just a placeholder. It’s been almost two years since the last documented Safari-Kai popped up for sale. Here’s a brochure about the short-lived Safari-Kai business.

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“1975 Jeep DJ5. Summertime is the perfect time for open air cruising and this little Jeep gets you where you want to go in style. Like new in appearance, this 2WD AMC Jeep DJ5 was completely reconditioned 25 years ago by Safari Kar International – one of only about 500 units built. It is economical and easy to drive with a reliable AMC in-line six cylinder engine, power steering and brakes, and a floor shifted 3 speed automatic transmission.

There are less than 1500 miles on the odometer since its rebirth as it was stored for over 20 years and has just emerged to give joy to a new generation. This is a great utility vehicle with new seats, a sturdy roll bar, a bimini top to provide some shade, a flawless Shamrock Green paint job, and new floor coverings. The tires show virtually no tread wear and the 15 inch chrome Centerline rims glitter like diamonds.

This is not the kind of luxury SUV with power accessories, air conditioning, and a stereo system. It is the kind of fun machine that is perfect for beach cruising, backroad touring or just use it in the neighborhood as an eye catching grocery getter. This is the kind of vehicle that will lure lots of new friends who will want to know all about it. There is no rust and only a little bit of dust. It has always been garaged, and it starts easily and runs great. It does not have a full top or doors, but who needs ‘em? Just hop in this breezy ride and seize the day. Carpe diem!”

 
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1976 DJ-5 Deep River, IA **Status Unknown**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **Status Unknown** Was $1500.

This might be a Safari-Kar build, though I can’t tell for sure.

“Great running custom Jeep. This is an ex postal Jeep (right hand drive) rebuilt and converted to look like a CJ. Inline 6 cylinder, auto trans (drips a little fluid), 2 wd. Solid frame and body(minimal rust), oversized tires (weather cracks), no top, no doors, what you see is what you get. It’s dependable and it’s also 43 years old. It was completely rebuilt 10+ years ago. No trades, cash only. Will not reply to “still for sale” send a number to call or text. Too many scammers out there.”

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1976 DJ-5 Queen Creek, AZ **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE **SOLD** Was $2800.

This was likely a Safari Kar based on the rims, steering wheel, and tail lights.

“1976 Jeep with straight 6 and 3 speed automatic transmission. This is a 2wd DJ5 Jeep with 31 inch BF Goodrich tires. Great fun if you have some land or live near the open desert. We use this Jeep to get around on our property and take into the wash. Runs and drives but the transmission does slip going into second gear but will drive around town fine. Make offer or will consider trades”

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1975 DJ-5 Safari-Kar? Santee, CA $1500

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

The one pic suggests this might be a Safari-Kar, but more pics are necessary.

https://sandiego.craigslist.org/esd/cto/d/santee-1975-dj-5-postal-jeep/6780499241.html

“1975 DJ-5 Postal Jeep. THIS IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE JEEP. Can be converted to four wheel drive. Engine is AMC Inline six cylinder 232 cubic inches. Needs a lot of work, BUT IS SMOG EXEMPT.”

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1978 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Indian River County, FL **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $9500.

(11/25/2018) Charles has put his DJ-5 Safari-Kar on the market. It includes the original soft top.

“Fun Jeep,
for just cruising the beach,parades or going to get groceries .Doors are included.I would consider a trade for a small truck,VW bug or Jeep with manual transmission.
Jeep is a 1978 DJ-5
20,000 miles
automatic
232 straight 6
power steering
power brakes
runs excellent”

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1974 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Mesa, AZ **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2950.

Another Safari-Kar conversion!

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“Good running 1974 Jeep DJ-5 258-I6, 2wd, RWD, automatic, new Raceline Wheels and Goodyear tires, recent tune up & wires, AMSOIL oil, new radiator & cooling system flushed, new brakes, new mirrors, newer shocks, has roll cage w/bimini top, hi back bucket seats, front & rear tow hooks, spare tire carrier w/spare tire, new gauges (fuel gauge not hooked up), wipers not hooked up.

This was professionally converted from ex-postal jeep by Safari-Kar to left hand drive back in the day by a California company. Has some rust from being in CA back in the day but just in the usual fender spots. I have a rear seat bracket, and the original directional steel aftermarket wheels that goes with.

Many new parts:
– plugs, points, cap, rotor, wires
– rubber brake lines, wheel cylinders
– shocks
– Goodyear tires
– Raceline wheels
– oil, water, pressure, fuel gauges
– front turn & parking lights

Asking $2950 obo, too many toys and unfortunately this one has to go!

Its just a fun runaround in Jeep or get you down a dirt road or two. Its not a New Jeep so don’t waste my time wanting it to be!”

 
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1978 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Westminster, CO $6000

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Gayland spotted this great example of a Safari-Kar (more Safari-Kars and brochures).

https://denver.craigslist.org/cto/d/1978-jeep/6635735291.html

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“This is a 1978 DJ5. Used to be a postal service jeep that was converted in 1995 by a company named Safari-Kar. There was less than 1000 of these build. As the company was only in business for 3 years. The jeep has 5,276 miles on the complete rebuild. Inline 6, automatic transmission, 2 wheel drive. I just put 3200 dollars in it to replace or repair the following (battery, all the belts, brakes gone thru, the tires have less then 500 miles on them (and there is 5 of them), the gas tank and all the line have been cleaned (the tank was dropped cleaned and reinstalled. This is a very clean jeep at a good price.

If you want to know more about this unique jeep then google the company ( Safari-Kar ) .It will tell you more about what they have done.”

 
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1973 DJ-5 Safari-Kar(?) San Bernardino, CA $2400

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Might be a former Safari-Kar.No description, but seller says it needs TLC.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5676547237.html

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1972 DJ-5 Toney, AL **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $2000

“This would be a real neat little project and an awesome hobby for someone. Engine starts right up and runs good. Automatic, back tailgate still opens, roll bar in great shape, light bar on windshield, and good radial tires on her. Needs turn signals and wipers fixed before it is road ready.
Reply by email or call the number listed under reply in the upper left corner.”

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1994 Article on Island Cruisers

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features, Old Images, Old News Articles • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I found this interesting article from the St. Petersburg Times in 1994. Island Cruisers was a Clearwater, Florida, company that refurbished old right-hand drive postal jeeps for export to island countries where people drive on the right hand side.

Jan and Robin Stach started the company. By the time this article was written, the company had sold 35 jeeps to the Bahamas, Grenada, Aruba, the Cayman Islands and Cancun. They were generally used for rentals. The company had another 30 jeeps in process. The Stachs feel that demand was huge and they hoped to mature into a company capable of producing 500 jeeps a month.

Unfortunately, I didn’t find any additional information on how successful (or not) or for how long the company operated.

Note: Another company started about the same time on the west coast called Safari-Kars

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1995 Safari-Kar Press Release

• CATEGORIES: Documents, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Here’s an interesting bit of history for those interested in the Safari Kar. The seller marks this as a released in 1996, but given it is introducing its 1995 line, I think it was printed earlier.

“Original typewritten press release , 8.5 x 11 , UNILLUSTRATED , describes 1975 to 1983 remanufactured US Post Office Jeeps . This was printed in 1996 by Safari Kar .”

View all the information on eBay

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1995 Safari-Kar Marysville, CA **SOLD**

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features • TAGS: , , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

UPDATE: **SOLD** Was $3000.

Here’s a rare Safari-Kar for sale.

“ight hand drive!!! Bought this mail jeep in 2006. Only used it for a few runs for the post office but then the post office provided everyone with new jeeps. runs great but its been sitting covered up under my carport. Installed the mail rack (see pics) and comes with the second seat.
-Power steering (rare)
-Power brakes
-automatic transmission
-straight 6 engine
-very clean interior and exterior”

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Safari-Kar International DJ-5 Brochure

• CATEGORIES: Advertising & Brochures, DJ-5 & DJ-6, Features • TAGS: This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

Thanks to Gayland for sharing this brochure and much more. I’ve got to go through the rest and figure out a good way to share some info, but I thought this was worthy of it’s own post.

Note: Another firm started up about the same time as Safari-Kar on the east coast.

Safari-kar international brochure

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Safari Kar International’s DJ-5 Mods

• CATEGORIES: DJ-5 & DJ-6 • TAGS: , This site contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated.

I found a DJ-5 for sale (see below) that had a Safari-Kar data plate. I did some research to learn more about these vehicles.

Safari-Kar International was a company from Woodruff Avenue in San Bernardino, California, that purchased, restored, and resold postal jeeps. It was launched in 1993. Don’t confuse it with a weird car by the same name called the SafariKar.

As best as I can learn, the company sold remanufactured DJs and two different kits. One to swap the steering and chop and modify the back half and another for soft top kits. At their height they remanufactured around 30 jeeps a month. They also signed up twelve independent manufactures.

By 1995 the company ran into a legal problem. They were reselling the vehicles with a new odometer as a modern vehicle. But, by doing so the law dictated the ‘kars’ had to meet modern safety regulations. (you can read an entire article about the company in a 1995 article from Automotive news (also archived at the bottom of this page).

Four Wheeler Magazine may have reported on this modification in a 1993-1994 article, but I have yet to confirm that. They did reference a DJ in a later Cheap Jeep article, but with no mention of a soft top.

Here are a few links:

Here is one Safari-Kar for sale: 1995 DJ-5 Safari-Kar Jeep Flower Mound, TX $6500.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4760795466.html

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AMC 1976 CLASSIC JEEP
Up for sale is a one of a kind classic 1976 Jeep
Year: 1976
Transmission: Auto
Model: Safari
Price: $5,000 firm Will not take a penny less was asking $6,000 reduced for quick sale .
If not sold by this weekend will be trading for a small cabin.
Miles: ONLY 28,000 on rebuilt motor
Rebuilt transmission
Clear Texas title
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