Vehicle Description
There was a time when this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad might have been
overlooked for its hardtop siblings, but that day is long gone.
Today the Nomad is near the top of every Chevy fan's wish list, and
this gorgeous custom wagon gets a lot of things right: a dialed-in
paint job, a comfortable A/C interior, and a fully sorted 454 V8
and automatic drivetrain that offers more power and more comfort
than you could get from any factory in 1955. Take your time and
drink in this beautiful Tri-5 wagon, because every square inch of
this classic is absolutely special.
The dominating color on this beauty is pretty close to the shade of
Gypsy Red offered in 1955 (although this one might have a bit more
Dark Red/Cranberry mixed in it), giving this nut-and-bolt restored
Nomad a very dynamic look. It's top end driver-quality finish that
was obviously very expensive when it was laid down, and although it
has a several miles and years on it now, it still presents very
well today, with only minor imperfections to speak of. That's not
hyperbole, most of the minor issues could easily be remedied with a
professional buff-and-polish job and a little touch-up over the
weekend, and quite frankly we're still picking up our jaws off the
floor after seeing this baby roll into our showroom. There's no
denying the handsome good looks of the 2-door wagon, and what they
may have lacked in practicality they more than made up for with
pure style, with a style that practically begged for customization.
The full-boat restoration focused on getting the basics right
first, since nobody in his right mind would think he could improve
on the factory sheetmetal design, and the high-quality bodywork
looks great. Tight gaps, laser-straight panels, and deep, glossy
paint make this an immediate crowd pleaser when you roll into any
show on the planet. For many enthusiasts, the inaugural 1955 is the
best-looking of the Tri-Five Chevys, and the builders must have
agreed because they let that original shine show through on this
first-year Nomad. This one also carries upscale Bel Air trim (which
was the only way you could get a Nomad) that includes that dramatic
side spear and vertical tailgate strips, and all the chrome has
been refinished to high-end standards as well, so it truly sparkles
in the sun. Cross-country vintage haulers with space for the whole
family just don't get much better than this.
There's more awesomeness inside where all the custom work is so
memorable, yet still so tastefully done that it's hard to find a
better, more honest interior in our inventory. The soft-yet firm,
gray tweed upholstery has a high-end look that wears like iron,
neatly stitched together by professionals years ago and still
holding up extremely well today. The front splint-bench seat is in
great shape and only shows minor stains, with no real wear-and-tear
to speak of, and the back seat likely hasn't had a passenger in
this decade. Thick carpets with plush weave and nap were installed
and further protected with gray vinyl floormats, and custom door
panels were created using the same tweed pattern on the seats.
There's also some beautiful chrome and aluminum accents on those
door panels, which mirrors the bling found on the machine-turned
dash panel insert that made these Tri-5s famous. Of course, it's
got all the modern conveniences like cold A/C, a tilt column, power
steering and brakes, and a modern retro-style AM/FM/AUX stereo
system that's managed by super-cool red-dice knobs. A later-model
steering wheel is a comfortable piece that looks quite at home in
this '55, while the instrument panel ahead of it features
stock-style, all-in-one gauge unit that was likely installed at the
time of the restoration, and it's augmented with a trio of
auxiliary units under the dash. In back, there's a gorgeous cargo
bay that's just too nice to use for hauling anything dirty, but
it's fully insulated with the same custom-made quilted carpeting
that matches the upholstery and protects the entire cabin.
The powerful 454 V8 engine powering this Nomad is a far cry from
the original 265. It obviously fits beautifully and thanks to
upgraded hardware inside and out, it's as reliable as your daily
driver and quite a bit more powerful. Chrome valve covers and a
matching open-element air cleaner work a dressed-up look, but the
rest of the block uses fairly common, albeit top of the line,
performance parts to ensure reliability and easy service. A big
Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor atop an Edelbrock Performer intake
feeds the torque monster underneath, long-tube headers help it
breathe, and a big aluminum radiator up front keeps the whole show
nice and cool under any conditions. The firewall and inner fenders
were painted red to match the exterior, further proof that this
wasn't just some throw-together build. A TH400 3-speed automatic
overdrive transmission feeds a heavy-duty rear end out back and is
a big part of the reason this car is such a pleasure to drive,
while the long-tube headers that feed the dual exhaust system give
this beauty an amazing soundtrack. The undercarriage is very solid
and includes an upgraded front end, upgraded shocks, power front
disc brakes, power steering, and flashy Cragar S/S chrome wheels
wearing 235/70/15 front and 255/70/15 rear Cooper Cobra
white-letter radials finish off the look perfectly.
Fully sorted and ready to enjoy, this beautifully restored Nomad is
going to be at the top of its game for many years to come. With
great looks, a wonderful color combination, and that timeless Tri-5
appeal, this custom beauty delivers in a big way. Call now!