Vehicle Description
1955 Chevrolet Nomad
The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad was in a class all its own. No
other station wagon has ever achieved the near-classic status
granted to Chevrolet's glorious 1955 Nomad - or come close. Even
Pontiac's similarly shaped Safari never matched a Nomad's style and
flair. Because hardtops accounted for nearly one-fifth of the
market and wagons nearly 15 percent, logic dictated a marriage of
the two. Nomad began as a popular Corvette-based dream car at the
1954 GM Motorama. Blending the posh airiness of a hardtop with a
wagon's practical virtues, the production Nomad debuted in February
1955.
For consignment a Nomad that is in mid restoration, with many of
the mechanicals buttoned up, a nicely done interior, new suspension
and braking systems, and some undercarriage rust. The body will
need some attention, but all is there for the taking and continuing
of this 2-door wagon.
Exterior
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 sheetmetal with other Chevrolets, except
for the basic floorpan. Doors differ, because Nomads lack a
beltline dip, and quarter panels are unique due to the wheel
cutouts. We see faded Banana Yellow with repairs that will need
eventual cosmetic attention due to some earlier rusting or denting,
or misalignment. The doors have been reskinned with NOS skins.
Lower tail gate is rusted on the bottom and will need to be
replaced. Upper lift gate is warped due to factory torsion bars
which seems to happen with lots of Nomads, so there are plenty of
fixes available. The consigner states they have all the chrome and
stainless trim for inside and out. It is also stated that the side
trim spears will need reconditioning. 15-inch Cragar wheels all
polished and nice, reside on all 4 corners.
Interior
A beautiful red and white waffle interior is seen on the door
panels, and front split bench. The seats and panels show very
nicely and are wonderfully retro with their chrome trimmings and
tuck and roll bolsters in white surrounding the waffle in red. The
rear bench retains its original waffle pattern seat but has a
restored back. A dual "fan style" front dash houses the speedometer
and switches on the driver's side, and a radio delete panel in the
center, covered in multiple stamped bowtie pattern in an aluminum
strip. On the passenger's side is the second "fan" which has a mesh
metal to house a speaker and below a circular working clock. The
Bel Air badge in gold metal in your grandmothers handwriting is
seen attached to the black mesh. Some paint peeling is noted on the
glovebox, and a trio of aftermarket gauges hangs below the dash. A
circa 1958 standard size steering wheel is seen fronting the dash,
and on the column is an aftermarket tachometer. Beautiful like new
red carpet floods the floors, and a snappy vented black vinyl
headliner sports chrome trim ribs at each seam. The back of the car
also has nice red carpet in the cargo area.
Drivetrain
Gracing a restored engine bay, a circa 1987 L98 Corvette 350ci
engine, with GM aluminum heads sporting 1.94 intake valves, and has
been completely rebuilt, sits within. To add bling to this
mechanical bauble, all engine pulleys are polished aluminum, the
alternator is chromed, there is a new aluminum radiator with a high
CFM fan. This engine is carbureted with an Edelbrock 600CFM carb
and a new Edelbrock dual plane intake. A new polished chrome air
cleaner is seen on top, as are new plug wires and distributor. On
back is a TH350 Turbohydramatic 3-speed automatic transmission with
a new torque converter installed. The rear is a 3.55 gear
configuration.
Undercarriage
Virtually all new mechanicals with a new spring kit for the brakes
and new wheel cylinders, new air shocks and lines, a stainless
steel fuel tank and cherry bomb mufflers. The front has new arm
bushings, an aftermarket sway bar, Heidts drop spindles, and disc
brakes now on front. A few holes of invasive rust are seen on the
floorpans, and all shirt braces to the body will need to be
replaced due to invasive rusting. Noted all long braces are
good.
Drive-Ability
This car ran well and creaked a bit when into a turn. It has a nice
acceleration, good ride, and is a good cruiser
Plenty of new mechanicals, and upgraded rebuilt engine and
transmission, nearly finished interior, and lots of nice features
on this first year Nomad from our friends at the General. Add your
TLC and pick your color combo, and you will have a first class
classic.
VIN Decode
VC55T238373
V-V8
C-2400 Series BelAir
55-1955
T-Tarrytown, NY Assy Plant
238373-Sequential Unit Number
Trim Tag
STYLE # 55 1064OF-1955 BelAir Nomad 2 Door Wagon
BODY # CL7816-Cleveland Body #
TRIM # 544-Beige Vinyl, Red Waffle Vinyl
PAINT # 615-Shoreline Beige & Gypsy Red
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 500 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.