Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
If you've ever had the pleasure of driving a Tri-Five, (55-57),
Chevy, you know how great the view is from behind the wheel. The
wide curved glass windshield and the high seating position make the
outside world into a panorama, like a widescreen TV that you can
drive right through. A Bel Air or 210 is almost the world's best
road trip car. Almost? Enter the Chevy Nomad. It's got all the
style and chrome of the famous Bel Air, but that station wagon rear
makes you want to throw a surfboard on the roof, a friend or five
in the back, and spend an entire summer, or maybe a lifetime just
traveling the country watching the world over that chrome jet on
the hood.
1955 when men were men and cars were...well big steel and chrome
sculpted into iconic designs, that's what! For consignment, from
1955, the Chevrolet Nomad and this low number production "milestone
car" made in a mere 8,530 examples is now gracing our main
showroom. Perhaps it was the desire to own a sporty two door, or
the practicality of a wagon, or maybe both? Either way, a hen's
tooth in beautiful mid 50's design is right here for the taking.
With a frame off restoration performed in 2019, the frame was
powder coated, a 1 piece floor was installed from the toe board
back along with new inner and outer rockers, a powerful Ram Jet 350
crate engine was installed along with a 700R4 automatic as well as
a new interior, glass, rack and pinion steering, and updated
brakes. Photos of the build are included, as are all the receipts
and manuals for parts used and now all in gleaming in the perfect
50's mix of turquoise and white, this Nomad is ready, willing, and
able to become your dream come true.
Exterior
A miles deep application of Regal Turquoise is showing over
straight and rust-free steel panels of this 2-door wagon. Rakish is
the only way to describe the Nomad, with its hardtop door-glass
framing and sloping rear quarters that parallels the angle of the
wide B-pillars. Styling touches include a fluted roof, wraparound
rear side glass, and rear-wheel cutouts. From the cowl back, Nomads
share little sheet metal with other Chevrolets, except for the
basic floor pan. The doors differ because Nomads lack a beltline
dip, and quarter panels are unique due to the wheel cutouts. Near
perfect trimmings start just below the eyebrow shrouded fenders and
race rearward before dying off toward the rear of each front
door.The front is showing that you have arrived with itschrome egg
crate Ferrari-esque grille and imposing chrome bumper with guards.
A Chevrolet Clossiene badge leads the way on the front of the hood
that dies off at the base of the crystal clear glass and shiny
trimmings of the wraparound front windshield. Up high is the India
Ivory long flutedroof and panoramic glass, again crystal clear with
flawless trim giving you and your passengers a view of the world as
you streak by. At the back, with its tailgate and rocket nose
styled tail lights, both invite you to stay for a while. The rear
window and lower metal gate do a clamshell motion and magically
separate for full access to the cargo area of this wagon. Spit
shined and polished Ansen Sprint aluminum slot wheels wear deeply
treaded BF Goodrich rubber in staggered blackwall 15-inch format.
Just an amazing presentation here with a few minor inclusions in
the finish and a missing Nomad script badge with exposed holes on
the passenger's rear quarter panel. These holes have been filled on
the driver's quarter.
Interior
Summon up Bill Haley and the Comets as truly 1955 colors are all in
the inside. Turquoise dimple finish vinyl flows downward to meet up
with chrome delineation strips for the tops of the door panels, and
smooth white clean vinyl below. This all crescendos with a square
stamped stainless panel to fill out the door lowers. The seats take
on a life of their own with near flawless white tuck and roll
bolsters with dimple finish turquoise inserts making up the
entirety of the front split and rear full bench seats. The rear
seat mimics the front but without the pristine white mounting tub,
but is foldable to expand the rear cargo area. A dual "fan style"
front dash houses the speedometer and supporting white face gauges
by Classic Instruments and knobs on the driver's side appear for
the lights and wipers. An AM/FM stereo, looking much like the
original AM unit is mounted within the factory radio location in a
panel in the center, covered in a multiple stamped bowtie pattern
in the aluminum strip. On the passenger's side is the second "fan"
mesh metalhouses a speaker and below a circular working clock. A
Vintage Air controller for the heater and AC mimics the factory
unit and a 3 spoke rally style steering wheel is fronting this
dash. Up above is a beautiful white tight headliner with panels
delineated by chromed ribs which run the length of the long roof.
On the floor is turquoise carpet showing nary a smudge or stain.
Rounding out our tour is the clamshell rear gate accessiblecargo
area with more clean turquoise carpeting and brighter turquoise
side panels.
Drivetrain
A newer genre Chevrolet Ram Jet 350ci V8 crate engine now replaces
the original engine within the surgicallyclean engine bay. This
mill is fed by EFI and traditional ribbed Corvette style valve
covers also add some bling. A 700R4 automatic transmission is on
the back for those long highway cruises and a 10 bolt 3.73 geared
Positraction rear axle is way back to turn the tires. All is
looking good with no corrosion under the hood, and we can't forget
the Vintage Air Front Runner serpentine pulley system to turn the
accessories.
Undercarriage
Break out the mirrors because this underside is just as clean as
the topside. The original frame was cleaned and powder coatedgloss
black and mated to the new 1 piece front floor pans and body. Clean
black floors, rockers and crossmembers remain rust free and like
new. Speaking of rust...there is NONE to be seen within a mile of
this car. Nice black independent front suspension with coil springs
and tubular control arms and power disc brakes work with Chevelle 4
link and coil spring suspension and power drum brakesin the rear to
provide the ride and stopping power. A like new X pipe dual exhaust
with Sanderson headers and Magnaflow mufflers is seen snaking its
way rearward from the drip free engine bottom.
Drive-Ability
A quick starter for the newer 350, and the test track proved no
match for this car. Straight panic stopping, smooth acceleration
and shifting, and better than the factory ever could provide 1955
Nomad handling. All good on this test drive with the exception the
reverse light not illuminating and from what I hear, my partner in
crime and crack decoder got his first taste of the small screen as
he was filmed by our resident Podcast producer for a Youtube
video...Im sure the fame will go to his already swollen head...
A frame off restoration by a consignor who is beyond passionate
about Nomads and the details required to construct one. Yes, there
are a few faults, but overall this car is a proven show winner and
is a looker as well as a cooker. This is a serious one car parade
when you drive down main street snapping necks along the way to
ogle a look at some 1955 tri five eye candy.
VC55B114377
V-V8
C-2400 Series
55-1955
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
114377-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
b...for more information please contact the seller.
