The 1950s brought a renaissance of style to American automobiles. Design departments began to shed the look of the 1940s to adopt influences from cultural trends – most particularly aviation. Harley Earl surfed these trends with alacrity, introducing a brace of cars at General Motors’ Motorama that looked nothing like anything we’d seen before. One of the most striking “Dream Cars” was the predecessor to the Nomad, built with a Corvette front end and a six-passenger wagon rear. Once in production, the new Nomad was sold as a “sport wagon” with two doors, slightly defeating its “family-friendly” purpose. Placing the body onto GM’s A platform allowed the company to cost-effectively introduce the same car in the Pontiac division, called the Safari. This Bel Air Nomad survivor is listed here on eBay with bidding at $55,385, reserve not met. It has never been restored, and the mileage of 78k may be actual. It is driven and shown frequently. The car is located in Wagoner, Oklahoma.
The mother of all modern Chevy V8s sits in this engine bay: brand new in 1955, the 265 cu. in. V8 was used in the Corvette and the Bel Air. Usually sold with a two-barrel carburetor, it produced about 162 hp in the wagon, but a four-barrel was available. The selling dealer is representing the car for a client, and he has performed most of its maintenance. The two-speed automatic has had the torque converter replaced. The seals have been replaced, as has the fuel system. The air compressor has been removed, but is with the car. Underneath, it’s as clean as we can expect for a frequently-driven survivor.
This car was optioned to the gills, with power seats and power windows, a dash clock, pushbutton AM radio, chrome wire hubcaps, and bumper guards. The two-tone interior coordinates with the exterior, right down to the steering wheel. Along with the rest of the cabin, the cargo area and the headliner are, if not pristine, at least very nice.
As a premium-priced vehicle, the Nomad struggled for sales. Just 8500 were made in 1955, followed by around 8000 in ’56, and a mere 6500 in ’57. The relative rarity of these cars has bolstered collectibility. Later generations also have appeal, but the Tri-Five series is iconic. The ’55s are distinctive for a full-radius rear wheel arch, but each of ’55, ’56 and ’57 has its charms, as the design was facelifted every year. The market for Nomads is brisk; viable examples come up for sale frequently. Resto-mods can sell for six figures; tastefully upgraded but mostly original cars will range between $50k and $80k. This bid is likely a bit light, but the auction has a few days left; what’s the right price on this one?
Pretty close to Jills car on Home Improvement. Viewers, including me, were horrified when Tim dropped a 3 ton I beam on the car, however, I read, the car they crushed was not a Nomad, but a lowly wagon instead. Where are people getting these prices from, the food store?
Hi Howard,
You really must watch that episode again, especially in slo-mo as it was obvious the car they crushed was a 4 door wagon. No slanted B pillar, no high arch rear wheel well, and no sloping rear tailgate windows. Even without slo motion it was obvious.
But I’m a person of detail so maybe not so obvious to others
Hello dear, um, are you saying I thought it was a Nomad? Because I mentioned it was a station wagon. Remember, Hollywood isn’t too accurate sometimes, and figure most won’t catch that, like the Camaro in Vanishing Point. They never met the likes of us, huh,,
Howard A – Love the note about the Camaro in Vanishing Point. The chrome wheels gave it away. Still a heck of a movie I watch frequently.
Loved the comment about the Camaro in Vanishing Point. The chrome wheels gave it away to me. Watch it occasionally.
I’m not really into these, but I’m impressed at its condition, and I didn’t know some of those options were available back then. I hope it finds a good home.
This is a nice one that you can actually go on a nice sunday drive or even take it out to work once in a while without going bonkers if you get a stone chip on the hood. Love the little upgrades like power windows, brakes and steering plus the a/c.
Air compressor “removed”? I see an AC compressor is that what you are talking about?
You need that AC in Oklahoma. Nice car.
Vert nice original beauty. The servicing facility was wise not paint the Powerglide transmission when replacing the torque converter, maintaining its original condition appearance. A/Ca is nice, but takes away its originality. Crack the windows, open the vents and drive like heck to cool down…
It is a factory A/C car, they just replaced the compressor with a newer one. But they say they still have the original, so should be easy to rebuild the old one and put it back where it belongs.
That also makes it ultra rare. Exact production figures are not available, but most of the tri-5 experts estimate less than 500 1955 Chevies were built with factory A/C. And how many of those were Nomads? And how many of those also had power windows, seat, steering and brakes?? This has to be a one of 50 or less automobile in that combination. And that number is probably high.
I’ll sacrifice performance for comfort any day, especially when it’s hot and humid outside.
I always shake my head at a car show when I see a car that had factory a/c but when the engine was replaced the a/c was capped off. But, not my car.
I disagree with the needs nothing comment, some of the tire valve stems need caps. Really nice car though!
This is nice, but the ‘56, is the Nomad King!
Just my preference, but I would much rather have a 4dr wagon !! 55 , 56 , or 57
There had to be one.
The most iconic 55 Chevrolet model and loaded with: AC Power steering, power, brakes, power, windows, power seat, automatic, new V8, Radio, clock……
Whew…… AND It’s red and white!
AND Unrestored (!)
I can’t imagine what a jaw dropper this car must’ve been when it was new. The low price GM Marque had evolved into THIS!
Very special Nomad here……. :)
I lived in Oklahoma for a while, AC in a car is a must.
@Howard A
Sorry dear,
Maybe I misunderstood. Ive been doing a lot of that lately.
In the movie “Carrie”, the 70s original, they are driving a 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle, then it miraculously becomes a Pontiac Firebird convertible and then the Chevelle again when they roll it.
In the movie “The Last Boy Scout” with Bruce Willis, they actually destroy his 1971 Buick Riviera. Really pissed me off!
Unless I missed something. What do you think?
I was watching an episode of the Fall Guy ( part of that had to do with Heather Thomas, of course, she wore those blue jeans well) where he was driving his 2-tone GMC in one scene and the next few were a Chevrolet then back to the GMC!
Another time on another show, a Ford careened around a corner, loosing a wheel cover. Next scene it’s back on! LOL! I noticed lots of things like that. Funny.
I know what you mean i notice the same things drives me crazy sometimes. I have been binge watching the Supernatural reruns Dean drives a really nice 4 door impala 327 with a automatic. Sounds really nice when he gets on it then other times it clearly sounds like a 4 speed. Back and forth in the same episodes some times why not leave well enough alone.
I think I should have met you 20 years ago,,we sure could use a private messaging dealybob here, who’s with me? Let the boss know.
I don’t watch too many movies, the screeching tires on dirt always impressed me, or cars that were clearly not around then, like Curts ( Richard Dreyfuss) 2CV in American Graffiti was a ’67. In fact my daughter works in the movie biz, and she told me, I could probably have a job authenticating vehicles for shows,,,in L.A.,mind you,,,,I said thanks, but no thanks.
As far as “doing that lately”, we’re all bozos on that bus!
Factory A-C has got to be one of the rarest options for a car of this vintage. Obviously someone took out the catalog and checked every option available, except for an ATR which might not have been available back then.
You could drop this off at my place and I’d look after it until I’m no longer capable of doing so. Let’s see, that could be upwards of 20 years yet. Well, my dad made it to 90.
I enrolled at an auto restoration course (best week I ever spent at an auto shop) at the Reynolds Museum, way up north at a town called, Wetaskawin, AB. At that time they were restoring a Nomad, pretty basic, right down to the 235 six. I saw it before the teardown and it was rustier than a bed-wetter’s mattress springs. But it had some historicial significance for the region so they RESTORED it. Not much of that original body left but I guess that’s what a museum-quality restoration is comprised of. It seems to me that it’s red too.
“rustier than a bed-wetter’s mattress springs”. Love it.
In 1966, my sophomore year in High school a friend of mine told me about a 55 Nomad for sale in Olathe Ks. It was pretty much stock but the owner had swapped out the 265cu in with a 348. It had 3 on the tree and everything else was stock. I had never heard of a Nomad but my friend and I went out and looked at it and I drove it home after parting with $250 for it. Problem 1) A 348 was too much torque for the Sagina 3speed and stock differential. I went through 6 3rd members in two weeks,then bit the bullet and replaced the original diff with one from a 57 Pontiac. Then I started wasting u joints and clutch discs. I upgraded those and next in line was the Sagina 3spd. I swapped that out with a M21 Muncie close ratio 4 speed and my dive line woah’s were over. I raced a friend of mine who had a 63 Impala with a 327 in it, easily smoking him and he decided he wanted my engine. He gave me $250 and his 327 for my 348, his small block fitting my Nomad better than the 348 ever did. We swapped both engines over in my folks garage on the following Saturday. A week or so later, we raced again and I smoked him with his 327. Several years later, I sold the Nomad for $650. I’ve regretted that ever since.
Hi Jon,
I look for editing mistakes like that. Many times the headlights will be on then off then on again or a windows will be down, then up then down again. Its fun looking for those “fohpas”
Opinion. This is one where you reach out to the seller and start negotiating a fair price outside of evil bay then fly out there and drive it home before the snow hits Lolo pass already got its first dose of snow this last weekend
Surprised no one included this classic-maybe not the specific model but still a classic gearhead piece:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nGQLQF1b6I
SOLD for $58,385.
44 bids.
Sorry….. but these prices are insane IMO