The original Chevrolet Nomad from the “Tri-Five” years of 1955-57 are considered iconic today – and can command big bucks. That configuration was as a 2-door “Sport Wagon” which had a unique body from the windshield back. But the nameplate lived on a little longer as more of a regular 4-door wagon to haul the kids around in, losing its original charm. This 1958 Nomad is such a wagon and is a roller now with no engine or transmission. From Prairie Grove, Arkansas, this project hopes someone will find it here on craigslist and give it a new life for $4,000.
Poor sales killed the original Nomad (whose name was derived from that of the wandering tribes of the Sahara). At just 22,375 units in three years, there was likely no interest in Chevrolet to craft another special body for it when the all-new 1958s were being developed. So, while the car was gone, Chevy continued to use the brand on full-size wagons through 1961. It stayed as part of the Bel Air family, ahead of the lesser Delray and Brookwood family trucksters.
The ”new” Nomads were a little different than the other two series, with features like multi-colored paint and interiors, chrome-laden tailgates, and the use of sloping C-pillars instead of B-pillars. We know little about the seller’s Nomad other than it once had a V8 engine (283 cubic inches?) and an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide?). The mileage is a placeholder figure of one million!
We assume the body is okay and the seller says all the glass is there except for the windshield (we hope it’s been covered so the elements won’t destroy what’s left of the interior). What remains of the front and rear seats are said to fold down, making way for a large flat area inside (for camping?). This tip was brought to us by the intrepid barn finder, “Zappenduster”!
I love it ! ……IMO a good price ……..Put in a new engine
And it’s a two door. ….Love it
Ummmmm it’s a 4 door wagon
Mr.Dave you’re right it’s a four door. .,,,,Sorry my mistake Better get my eyes checked.
There was a 1958 2dr wagon, unfortunately it wasn’t under the Nomad name. I’d rather hold out for a 2dr, regardless of the model it’s attached to. This will make for a hood project if all of the trim is present.
Steve R
Always liked the 58’s..BUT..my left eye starts to twitch looking at how the rear door handle sits so low not in line with the front door handle…I may have door handle OCD :P
@ ThunderRob, you make a very good point. Ever since I was a little kid the rear door handle on the Chevy 4 doors always looked “funny” to me. If you ever look at a ’58 Pontiac, Olds, or Buick 4 door, you’ll see the rear door handle design is slightly higher than the front door handle, yet it just looks so much better to me that way. I love the ’58 Chevys, don’t get me wrong, just watch American Graffiti and look at Ron Howards ’58, this is one year the 2 doors definitely looked better than the 4 doors. It was almost like an afterthought.
My dad drove a 1958 Brookwood. How does a Nomad differ??
Chevy changed the top of the line Nomad to a 4 door starting in ’58. You could still get a “Nomad” in ’59 and ’60. My dad bought a new ’58 Nomad with the 348 engine with tri-power. I used to love going to the gas station with him and watch all the “attendants” swarm around it to get a look at that “monster” engine.
love a 1958 with a 348 had one in highschool in 1964 it was a black Impala 2 dr hardtop with factory 3 on the tree loved that car
Nice Rat Rod. Windshield is available for about 300 bucks. I just bought a 68 firebird pickup truck 3 hours ago otherwise I’d take a second look at this beauty. Yeah, a firebird pickup truck… It’s sick…
Too far gone, for me, sadly
Too far gone, for me, sadly. That said, I very much prefer FOUR DOORS on a wagon; thank you.
In today’s motor world, Actually a 4 door wagon fits the bill more so then the time governed 2 door sporty wagon. Generations and time have moved the 4 door into direct competition with the 2 door that is favored more by the boomers generation. The modern generations are more into accessability, which allows for more room for family,friends,And good times. Value is their, just need a mental reset of the market place, and current younger (buyers)preferences.
If this car originally had a V-8, shouldn’t there be a “V” under the Chevrolet hood emblem?
I think the front clip is from an Impala
definitely not Impala front fenders look above the front wheel see small piece of chrome from main piece down to wheel Impala did not have this it was so car could be two tone Impala never offered 2tone except for different color top where other models offered 2tone bodies
To Phil Maniatty: You’re CORRECT, My Friend! (a smaller emblem, but with a broad gold “V” under it!). This one came with a stove-bolt six. Too deteriorated for me, anyway. If it were a decent-quality roadworthy survivor-driver I might have some interest. But something as weathered as a yard-ornament vehicle or a salvage-yard find; forget it. And I would at least want a 283 V-8 in it.
you are rt about smaller Chevy emblem and v under it but in 58 v would have been chrome only used gold v in 1957 owned 58 348 Impala in highschool early 60s
More likely a 6 cylinder replacement hood on a V8 body. I expanded the tailgate closed pic on CL and there is definitely a ghost Vee above the chrome vertical ribs, which were a holdover tribute to the 5-7 Nomads.
Nice car in its day, but is it worth spending all that money to get it to original?
The seller has lowered his price on Craigslist to $3500.00. Still too high in my opinion.
To johnny: you are correct: plainly a faded red hood from a six cylinder Bel Air or Biscayne, on an aqua Impala car that had a V-8 from the factory