The Chevy Nomad began life as a Corvette-based concept car for the 1954 General Motors Motorama. Developed under the watchful eye of GM styling chief Harley J. Earl, the Motorama Nomad had the front end of a 1954 Corvette grafted on to a two-door wagon body.
The 1955 Chevy Nomad was built on the A-body platform as part of the top-of-the-line Bel Air trim. With the same roofline as the 1954 concept car, the Nomad adopted styling akin to the Bel Air, with some notable differences. Radiused wheel openings and subdued chrome helped emphasize the roofline, but badging and interior trim was similar to the rest of the line. The Nomad also shared its standard 265 cubic-inch V8 with the Bel Air. The tailgate was a split, two-piece window and gate affair, and the rear seats folded flat to accommodate larger loads. Aside from styling changes shared with the Bel Air, the Nomad was little changed for 1956.
Our feature 1956 Chevy Nomad appeared in the October 2023 issue of Super Chevy Magazine. It has received a full restomod treatment. The Nomad is finished in a custom green and white paint scheme. All the chrome and stainless has been polished to a fault. Powering the Nomad is a 502 cubic-inch fuel injected Big Block from AZ Speed and Marine. The 502 is fitted with a Street & Performance serpentine belt drive, and a Ron Davis radiator keeps things cool. The Big Block sends spent gasses through McCabe Racing headers and three-inch exhaust. The engine bay features a recessed brake booster, smoothed firewall and inner fenders. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a GM 4L80E automatic transmission and a ten-bolt Positraction rear diff with 3.90 gears.
The frame on the Chevy Nomad has been powder coated. The suspension utilizes the front tubular A-arms from 1996 Impala, rear torque arms with coilover shocks, 1996 Impala four-wheel disc brakes, and a GM quick-ratio steering box. The Nomad rolls on Budnik Gasser wheels wrapped in Nitto tires.
Inside the Chevy Nomad is a full custom leather interior by Armando’s Custom Upholstery of San Jacinto, California, an Ididit steering column, custom steering wheel, power windows, air conditioning, a bespoke audio system with twin JL Audio amps and a Kicker subwoofer.
This stunning 1955 Chevy Nomad will cross the auction block at the Mecum Auctions Las Vegas, Nevada event happening November 9th through the 11th.
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Comments
Nice wagon but weird color.
Unless it’s a race car, these no sidewall tires/wheels are stupid for the street. If it’s a race car it won’t see potholes, speed bumps, uneven pavement, it will benefit from the short stiff sidewall.
It looks as if only the front tires are low profile ones.
Who cares it’s a beautiful car.
It’s probably a car that only sees the inside of a trailer, the garage or the show field. For street driving those tires would have to go immediately! They look bad and out of place on this 50s classic too.
Kinda looks like the one GASMONKEY GARAGE made for Dale Earnhardt jr. with Mountain Dew colors? Always liked the Nomads. I believe the tailgate rear window combo is called a clan shell? Was popular before rear glass went into tailgate. Extends load floor length of tailgate. Better than a hatch for long loads.