327 V8 Upgrade: 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
The Nomad debuted in 1955 along with the rest of the “Tri-Five” Chevrolets. It was a “sport wagon” (based on a show car) that shared no sheet metal with other Chevy wagons from the cowl back. Production numbers were never high, so the Nomad was retired after 1957. The seller’s 1955 edition is said to be a former show winner, but that was two decades ago. This is not a survivor car as at least the engine has been changed.
Across three model years, barely 22,000 Nomads were built, and half that many Pontiac Star Chief Safaris which used the same basic body. The Nomad used Bel Air trim so it was an upscale wagon and only the new 265 cubic inch V8 could be ordered with a Nomad. The seller’s ’55 is said to have a 327 V8, so it’s several years newer than the rest of the wagon. It also has an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide?).
What little we see of the interior suggests that is been redone and we doubt that the white over turquoise paint is original. The seller is light on photos and details, which is a bit surprising for a classic vehicle such as this. The seller has owned it since 2001, and it did score an award the next year in the Super Chevy Show (first place in the Nomad Division).
But is the automobile as nice now as it was then? It has aftermarket wheels, but the seller has arranged for the originals to go with the deal along with some of the chrome bits that apparently were removed. Hailing from Suwanee, Georgia, this Nomad hasn’t seen any action yet here on eBay. The opening bid (uncast) is $58,500 and the Buy It Now price is an even $70,000. What do you think?
Comments
I think as cool as the nomads are the price is way over optimistic. It clearly needs work. Body and mechanically.
As to value it would be hard to me to hazard a guess. Obviously the potential to have a very nice car is there. But at the opening bid and the buy it now price I would believe the car should be turn key needing nothing. In the end what the buyer and seller agree on will be the value. Good luck on both sides of the sale. 😎
Ya He’s already Bailed Zero Bids Yet a # 58,500.00.
A Hint ? he still Has it.? and will gladly take the so-called number.
Ha ha ha, $58k. I don’t think so. Won an award in 2002 and then I neglected it ever since. Why oh why would you let the car get this bad if it use to be a show winner. Don’t get it. Just shows me the owner really didn’t care about the vehicle. You do know what’s out there for $70k. Hard pass!
Its whatever the market will bear 🐻
Nice Tri five ..
For fun Look up Vinwiki “on YouTube to see what it took to sell Eddie Van Halens 56 nomad for fun.
Liscense plate shesmad… ( bought the car in LA and missed Valeries dinner party.. he tags the car with name and gives it to her)…
The bidding ended Oct 6th, 0 Bids for good reason
“See honey..I tried to sell it…”
Won best of show in a Nomad show? Well, bless his heart. There is a ton of potential here, and ’55 Nomads are beyond cool, but this one is long way from 70K. I can certainly see why no one bid on it. Unfortunately, with what the seller’s expectations are, I don’t see this thing getting into the “worth it” column any time soon. Too bad.
Nice, but not THAT nice!
Back in the summer of 1967 I was recently released from the army and married to my first wife. Her mother lived off the corner of South 45th & K street in Tacoma, Washington. Across the street were some brothers who all owned Nomad wagons. They spent a lot of time working on those cars and had them in top hot rod condition. A couple years later they built a nice large unattached garage next to their house where the built hot rods for other people as well as themselves. I’ve often wondered what became of those brothers and their Nomads. These are beautiful cars, but like others the seller must be in the Twilight Zone.
God Bless America
30k
1956, I think, was the best looking Nomad. I even had a’57.
I’ve been to Suwannee. A lot of people there who have more money than common sense