Chevrolet had a break-out year of sorts in 1955. New modern styling, a dash of Cadillac glamour in a “low-priced three” car, optional air conditioning, a new V8 engine – and a sporty new model called the Nomad – are just a few of the standout items. The Nomad was born out of a Corvette-based show car that had the greenhouse of a snappy 2-door wagon along with a raked tailgate with vertical chrome stakes. While it sold only in modest numbers, the Nomad would develop a following and are highly sought after by collectors 65 years later. This first year Nomad has been in a barn for four decades and needs a lot of work. It’s located in Visalia, California and here on Facebook Marketplace for $29,000.
Many of the characteristics of the Corvette show car transferred over to the Nomad for 1955. It was based on the more upscale Bel Air, so this was no bargain-basement wagon. The Nomad would be Chevy’s most expensive car other than the Corvette. Pontiac would benefit from all this work as they marketed their own version of the Nomad called the Safari. There were two engine choices, the 235 cubic inch I-6 or the new 265 V8 that put out 225 hp. The seller of this ’55 Nomad does not mention which engine is in this wagon, so we’re going with the 265, if it even has one. We do learn that it has an automatic transmission, so we assume a Powerglide.
The seller says there is too much information to list about the car. So rather than cherry picking a few of these items for the ad, he wants interested parties to IM him instead. Not a good way to sell a $29,000 car, even if it is a Nomad. We’re told it has 26,000 miles on the odometer (or could that be 126,000?). The exterior used to be black and the interior blue. Because of its hibernation in a California desert barn since around 1980, we’re told its rust-free, so good bones are important for restoring a car like this. Chevy would build just 22,375 Nomads over three years, with its best year being 1955 at 8,386 units.
This Nomad looks mostly complete, but not entirely. Body-wise, all the important stuff looks to be there but the seller gives a minimal look at the inside of the car and nothing under the hood. The tailgate glass doesn’t seem to line up properly. Back in 1955, the Nomad started out at $2,571 list. That equates to more than $26,500 in today’s money, which would make it a lot of car for the money. If you search online for ’55-57 Nomads for sale, it’s not uncommon to see prime examples going for north of $100,000. So, if you bought one of these things new and stashed it away inside an air tight bubble, you could have made a heck of a profit!
Boss.
Remember when Tim Taylor crushed Jills Nomad? Tri 5 fans were outraged, but it was just a shell of a car, but still, probably better than this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HW3Mo-UO3BY
They crushed a Handyman, fortunately it wasn’t a Nomad!
I was traumatized, along with many others.
And it wasn’t a Nomad. Go to YouTube and look it up. It’s a 2-door wagon with a full frame around the door glass made to look like a Nomad. Trust me I have three.
Thanks, I should have known purists would know. For many that aren’t experts on ’55-7 Chevy wagons, me included, most say all Chevy 2 door wagons are Nomads, like Kleenex or Jello.
All ’55-’57 2-door BelAir wagons are Nomads. They also made a 4-door BelAir (non-Nomad) wagons and 150 and 210 2-door (non-Nomad) wagons. Due to poor sales the Nomad became a 4-door in 1958. (Us Nomad guys don’t really consider ’58s and later real Nomads.)
Okay, now where can I get one of those nifty patina steering wheels?
A trashed hulk of a Nomad with a Vega steering wheel and they want HOW much?
A 265 cu in V8 with 225 hp wasn’t available until mid-year 1956.
What kinda wheels are those, cragars?
What kinda wheels are those, keystone classics?
They look Cragar-ish, for sure, the center caps are different than the typical Cragar SS.
I think they are Keystone Raiders. Keystone’s knock off of a Cragar S/S.
Howard, I think you’re right. I just couldn’t remember the model name. That’s definitely a Keystone center cap.
If it has a 265 , it will have V8 under the rear tail lites
I know these Nomads are collectible, but $29,000 in this condition? It would take an additional $29,000 to restore it! No thanks!
So you would have $60,000 into a car that may be worth $100,000?
Not for me – but someone else might like the opportunity.
Me neither.
Another $29,000 won’t begin to restore that car. Paint and body alone could be that much and you still haven’t touched the engine, drive train, interior, etc. Restored concours quality that car’s worst somewhere around $100,000 plus. You could easily spend that on it. If you restore that car it’s because you love it because you’ll never get your money back. Much better off finding a finished car and enjoy it. For a little background, my 1st car was a 56 Nomad ($200 in 1965). Since then I’ve had 5 total. I have three today, a national show winning ’55 and 2 ’56s.
Now I say ‘double no thanks’!
Why does everybody cut the rear wheel wells out of 55 Chevys, leave them alone they look better.
The ’55 Nomad had the back wheel wells already cut out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Nomad
Nonsense. The Seller is on another Planet. The car is an absolute ground up project, deep pockets required. Yes, they have a strong upside but why spend the time and money to save this at such an initial high financial commitment?
This car as-is isn’t worth $2900.00 and why does it have a spotlight?
Back in the 50’s they were not that uncommon. They were available as a dealer-installed option, look closely and this one has the rear view mirror built in to it!
If you look closely, the spotlight has the contours of the 55 Chevy front fender, probably dealer installed when new. GM’s in-house spotlight brand was Guide, but I have owned both Guide and Unity brands with the 55 fender style.
The one pictured above was on my ’55 Nomad, but didn’t fit the style I built the car as, so I took it off.
Not on mine they were not.
Just because some examples of a particular vehicle are worth significant value, does not entitle EVERY example to have significant value…..
I don’t understand why folks are so upset. This is just a simple example of a seller trying to rob a potential buyer.
😂
I haven’t owned many 55’s, never a 56, plenty of 57s and I still have the 57 Nomad project car that I bought in ’75. Since when is a rolling shell where every expensive piece of pot-metal chrome is either missing or needs replacing a 27k+ starter? Presentable drivers go for less. I’d sell the project I have sat on for 45 years for less. Pass.
Appears to be a decent parts car if the drive train is intact. Maximum price ~ $2000.