The growth in popularity of classic station wagons means that spotless examples are highly sought. However, the interest ramps up a notch when the vehicle in question is a Tri-Five Nomad. This 1955 model is a real beauty, and it comes with a host of custom touches that should make it an enjoyable and relaxed family cruiser. The owner has decided to part with the Nomad, so he has listed it for sale here on eBay. It is located in Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, and while the bidding has reached $42,055, the reserve hasn’t been met. For those of you who would like to avoid the stress and hassles of the auction scene, the owner offers a BIN option of $68,000.

When we look at the exterior appearance of the Nomad, the only clue that we receive to indicate that it might not be 100% original is the alloy wheels that it rolls on. Otherwise, there are no body modifications, and the paint combination of India Ivory and Harvest Gold is straight off the ’55 Chevrolet color charts. One of the interesting little facts about the Tri-Five vehicles is that 1955 was where Chevrolet offered the widest variety of two-tone color combinations on their cars. For that year, the count was twenty-four variants. For 1956 the figure dropped to nineteen, while it reduced to fifteen for 1957. The paint on this Nomad looks spotlessly clean, with no apparent problems. The panels are straight, and there is no evidence of rust problems. The owner supplies some decent photos of the Nomad’s underside, and the floors and frame look as clean and sound as you could ever hope to find. I can’t spot any problems with the trim or chrome, while the glass appears to be free from flaws or damage.

The owner of this Nomad has not tried to reinvent the wheel with the drivetrain. Instead, he has opted for a combination that should offer relaxed and enjoyable motoring. It should also be relatively bulletproof, while parts should be easy to source if they are ever required. Power is provided by a 327ci V8, while a 4-speed 700R4 automatic transmission takes care of shifting duties. Combine these components with power steering and power front disc brakes, and this should be an effortless cruiser in all circumstances. It isn’t clear whether the 327 has received any performance modifications, but there have been plenty of cosmetic enhancements to have the engine bay presenting at its best. The owner has fitted an aluminum radiator to keep temperatures under control, and he has recently spent a pretty penny ensuring that the Nomad is at its mechanical best. The list is comprehensive and includes new front pads and brake rotors, plus rear drums and wheel cylinders. We can add shocks to the equation, along with OEM upper and lower control arms, new front coil springs, refurbished rear springs, new sway bars at both ends, new brake lines, a battery, a new Holley carburetor, and a new fuel tank. That’s quite a list, but there is one obvious omission. The owner talks about all of this work, but he doesn’t indicate how well the Nomad runs or drives. If appearance count for anything, the news should be pretty positive.

The owner has managed to achieve the difficult feat of creating a custom interior without going over the top. The upholstery is custom Ivory vinyl, which looks soft and inviting. The painted surfaces have been refinished to match the upholstery, while the floors are covered in contrasting green carpet. There are no issues or problems to report, with everything presenting superbly. A genuine Chevrolet tissue box is mounted under the dash while the factory clock and radio remain in situ. The owner admits that the clock doesn’t work, and I suspect that the buyer won’t be too bothered about the radio. That’s because opening the glovebox reveals a CD player that would provide entertainment on the road. Rounding out this interior is a 15″ wheel that is color-keyed to the upholstery, a gear selector quadrant that has been recalibrated to suit the new transmission, and an aftermarket tilt steering column.

The owner of this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad has chosen a common-sense approach to the build, and the buyer will be set to benefit from it. We’ve probably all seen builds where the owner has headed off on a tangent, and while these are wonderful to own and drive initially, they can be a nightmare further down the track when a buyer is trying to source maintenance parts. I have always expressed a love for anything wearing the blue-oval badges, but I wouldn’t object if I opened my garage door and found this Nomad parked inside. Would you?