With the functionality of a station wagon roof line and sportiness of having only two doors, the Chevrolet Nomad was one of the more unique offerings in the Tri-Five lineup, in addition to being one of the most expensive. Based on the top-trim level Bel Air, the Nomad featured the same roof and rode on an identical chassis as the Pontiac Safari, with both entering the marketplace in 1955. This second-year Chevrolet Nomad here on eBay has an interesting history, and while it’s a project, this one seems like a good candidate to resurrect in some form. This cool Chevy wagon is in Taneyville, Missouri, with the present bid of $15,100 falling short of the reserve, although it can be yours today for the buy-it-now price of $40,000.
The story goes that the owner of this Nomad purchased a collection of 1955-57 Chevys some 35 years ago, and while few other specific details about the group are provided, the cars all just went into a barn after his acquisition. The seller is his good friend, who was called upon to find this Nomad a new home once it was determined some three-and-a-half decades later that a restoration was never going to happen, at least under the current ownership. I’m seeing three options here, including the easiest path of getting this one back to a dependable driver, and leaving the outside the way it is. Other possibilities are restoring this wagon back to factory specs, or perhaps even considering a Restomod approach.
While V8 power was available, this one is equipped with the base inline 6, which was known as the Blue-Flame. The seller says that this wagon was running and driving when it was put into the barn, and while it is still operational, the brakes have turned soft, so they’ll need attention before it’s safe to participate in any local cruise nights. The transmission is a Powerglide, which means only two forward gears, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the next owner chooses a more stout powerplant, and perhaps a Turbo-Hydramatic component of some variety.
The interior is suffering from a combination of decay and pilfering, so unless your plans are for this one to serve as a ratty driver, quite a bit of effort will be needed inside. Based on the supplied photos, it’s not easy to tell if the floors are slightly corroded or if that’s just debris from the barn that’s landed on top of them. However, my sense is that this 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad is reasonably solid overall. Is this a Tri-Five you’d consider taking on as a project?
40K for what?
Maybe $10k to start…..
It’s a all original survivor but it needs a complete restoration and the price is to high.
I always had a soft spot for the 56’s I’d love to have this one if I had a place to work on it and the money to do it. Yes 40,000 is alot I agree 10,000 might be more realistic. But there isn’t to many 56 Nomads out there in this kind of shape so someone out there might just pay it.
Only one size V8 could be had…
My first car was a ‘56 Bel Aire, a deep love for the wagons of my childhood, an irrational desire for a 2 door version only exceeded by an even deeper irrational desire for a panel express, and I have a perfect rationale for owning one as a delivery/advertising vehicle for my wife’s candle company. But not this one; that’s ten of thousands of dollars too much for too little left of the car.
A nice solid looking nomad, upgrade the brakes get it running good, mint out the interior and drive it! Although I do agree this one is 30k too high for all the work it needs.
Fat Finger Syndrome must account for the buy-it-now mistake. Surely they meant $4000, not $40000… I love the ’56, but this is a shell that needs a bunch of work and treasure put into it.
I have never understood the mindset that would lead someone to spring for the ultimate in flash and cheap-out on the dash. In other words, why go all out for the top of the line body/trim and then check the order form for the bottom end engine?
With that kind of thinking, I’ll bet the original owner never garaged it… he wanted the world to know he had good taste, pride and the bucks to show it!
Some people wanted an nice looking but economical car and weren’t interested in a hotrod. Lots of people still buy that sort of vehicle today.
There was a blue and white ‘56 in Newbury Park, CA, parked next to a garage with a tarp partially covering it. Wonder if it’s still there?
40 grand for this, or 36 grand for the pristine Eldorado previously listed. What would you do?
Nomad every time.
I just checked the auction. It’s up to $15400, so maybe there’s a big enough dope…
well at least being a 56 chevy parts will be easy to find, I had to laugh when I saw the paneling in the back, a message to the younger crowd almost every house in my area, had paneling on the walls easy fix until you had to do all the trim work!
I’d go as high as $20k for the shape it’s in but I am partial to 57’s and Nomads are out of my price range even if I I wanted one.
$2K tops for this rust bucket! Need complete restoration costing approximately $100K. Will pass….
$20,100 at this point..stupid $$$$.
looks like a bomb went of inside
$40K? The owner is dillusional. I wouldn’t go even $10K – way too much work to be done.
Ended at $20,300.
Reserve Not Met.