Chevrolet redesigned their cars in 1955, bringing back a V8 engine after a 37-year absence. And they added a classy new “sport wagon,” the Bel Air Nomad. The former was quite popular, yet the latter hardly made a blip on the sales screen. The seller offers a 1956 two-tone Nomad that “yard drives” but needs a complete restoration. In top shape, these wagons can fetch six figures once you get past the seller’s $22,000 entry point. Located in Cromwell, Connecticut, this rare Chevy can be found here on eBay.
Based on a 1954 Chevy Corvette, the Nomad had its own shell, different from other 2-door station wagons from the Bow-Tie folks. It was well-trimmed compared to 150s and 210s, wearing Bel Air accommodations. It also came with a 265 cubic inch V8 as standard fare. All of this did not add up to success, as fewer than 23,000 were assembled through 1957. Pontiac’s similar Star Chief Safari was even more disappointing, with combined sales of 9,000 wagons. As such, for 1958, the Sport Wagon was gone.
The seller’s ’56 Nomad is one of 8,100 assembled that year. Wearing what we think was once India Ivory and Sherwood Green paint, this Nomad may be 99% complete, so hunting for rare parts could be minimal. We’re told it was purchased new in California and made the trek to Connecticut in 1978. A period-correct V8 sits below the hood and may have never been touched, though do we see an alternator instead of a generator? And the 3-speed manual is floor-shifted (also a change?).
According to the seller, the floorboards are going to need work, while the rest of the metal may be good. The fuel tank must be shot as the Chevy will only run off an external gas can. But a new replacement will go with the sale. The seller says he/she has a video of the wagon running that you will have to ask for. Since any Nomad is hard to find, this one seems worthy of saving.
This is really becoming a rare bird. $22000 seems like a lot but to find one that still has the original 265 and a standard is a real find.
I was in the parts supply business 30-plus years ago and of the Tri-Fives, the 1956 Nomad was the most expensive of all the models to restore. Of course that was 30 years ago. It may be a different situation today.
In my head the Nomads and 2 door hard tops always battled it out for my favorite.
Russ, the Nomad was not based on the 1954 Corvette. There was a show car called “Waldorf Nomad” in 1954 that had a Corvette front clip and from the windshield back it was very similar to the 1955 Nomad. That’s as close as it gets, so they may be a little bit related.
$22K isn’t bad for this car IF the sheet metal isn’t rusted. Since the floors need work, I’d have to look at the rest of it really close to make sure that there aren’t more problems hiding there.
Of course the floor shifter is not original. Three on the tree or bust, baby
Yes, the nodule for the column shifter to mount is still on the column.
Some lucky Fella with $$$ will have swell Chevy, I have wanted one of these since day one, but…….
The best of the Tri-Fives- 1956!
Oh, them Nomads! Their popularity is really unparalleled. Even after sitting under water in a lake for 20 years and being dragged ashore, people will be fighting over them!
Yeah, we always took those column shifts off and put in the trusty old Foxcraft three in the floor. Or if you had a little extra cash, you might even be able to spring for a Hurst. Nothing more uncool than being on a hot date, having to climb out with your nice double knit wide collar shirt on, slide up under the car and unjam the shift linkage while your date held the brake pedal so you didn’t get ran over.