Projects '55 Chevy Nomad Project

Last night I bought this 55 Nomad from a friend. It's got a bit of an unknown history, but I have a clean title and a lot of parts, so that's a win.

He bought it out of a field as-is in project status over 20 years ago and it's been stored in a shop since then. I'm pretty excited about it, this is a bucket list car for me so hopefully after the gasser build I'll get to spend a little time on it.

Floors are already cut out front to back and it's missing the passenger side door and all the glass, but I have what looks to be almost everything else, there's a lot of things to go through and catalog. I'll clearly need to purge some space out of my racks in the shop so I can organize all the parts and know what's needed as I hit the swap meets.

 

Good thing you have all of those unique Nomad trim pieces they go for fairly high prices even if in less than perfect condition!

 

Looks like a great start! What are your plans for it?

 

Oh man, absolutely! I don't think I'd take it on if I hadn't got as many pieces as I did. That "Nomad only" special pricing and availability is a tough one. I don't even know what all I have, but there's a little bit more I need to go get as well.

 

Yea! And....excellent question....I'm not going to cut the body up. I'm already building a 57 gasser / street freak kind of solid axle car out of a belair hardtop so that scratches that itch. This one I would love to be a tastefully done factory appearance Nomad. I think Chevy pretty much nailed it on the styling of the nomads, so I don't see that I can improve upon that part. As far as powerplant, wheels and tires and any other modernized drivetrain, we'll see. I see it as being a cruiser car with a mildly built injected small block and a modern overdrive automatic for longer runs on the highway to the bigger shows. I want to drive it open road without reservations about reliability, etc. It'll probably be a $70-80k adventure to get there from here so who knows how long it will take but this is one car I see as being worth the effort in the long run. Always been my dream car so I'm hopeful....

 

Best wishes, enjoy the uniqueness.
From a past owner of a modified rat ball Nomad

 

Awesome score! Hope you have the eyebrows & fender spears. That tailgate looks really nice. Guess I should start a thread for my '55 basket case when I get into it. Same thing, The right car came up when I actually had the money.

 

I do have those parts! I was digging to find them and luckily came across them!

 

I sure did, feel lucky to have them.

 

You're a couple thousand bucks ahead because of them.

 

Yea these Nomads are crazy expensive to deal with it seems. It'll be an interesting ride trying to be resourceful and still build a quality car. I think most of the trim I can metal work and polish to be pretty decent. Madmooks might get the lift gate for some love there. It's in nice shape and was propped open so I need to look at it closer to see how bad off the fitment is, doesn't look all that bad initially.

 

Your project looks like a good start. I have longed for a Nomad for many years but the cost of buying a project and then restoring it has me thinking buying one that is done might be a better deal?

 

Yea man I don't really know for sure but I'd sure think you'd be money ahead. I love the hands on experience and the challenge but it's hard to do all the things all the time.... If I didn't get all the parts I did I probably would have passed on it.

 

Yea that was the plan, I need to look things over and see what I can figure out.

 

Mike Friend in Hermiston Oregon is a member of the Chevrolet Nomad Association and does liftgate straightening. Might be more convenient for you. His phone number is 541-571-4452.

Gordy

 

Great, thanks Gordy!

 

The 55-57 Nomad (and Safari) door is unique, in that the beltline is flat whereas the hardtop has a dip toward the rear (no beltline dip on Nomad body). You might be able to start with a sedan lower door and add a hardtop wing window assy. for the upper portion of the door. The Nomad door glass/frame is unique as well.
The Nomad door beltline stainless is unique too.
New steel shells are available, but cost a grand.
https://realdealsteel.com/i-23901534-1955-57-chevy-nomad-complete-right-door-assembly.html
You might luck into a rather complete door. Keep an eye out for a Safari door as it may be cheaper and change up the side trim.

Neat project! The 55 is my favorite tri-five and the Nomad is one of my favorite 55 body styles.

 

Krucks, nice project you just got. Ta Hell, is correct about a Nomad door being unique.
I had a couple of Nomad parts cars. Have quite a bit of Nomad specific parts leftover.
Good Luck with your Restoration.
Stretch

 

Solid info feedback here, thanks a ton!

 

Ok great, can we get in touch about your remaining parts at some point?

 

What part of the country are you in? One of my best friends somewhat specializes in 55-57 Nomads and likely has some of the hard to find stuff. Congrats on the project. I still remember cruising in a 55 Nomad in high school and lots of kids laughing at us... They had no idea.

 

My first car, purchased 1965.

It was a 120k mile rust bucket, but I liked it. I never got very far on it. Sold it 20 years later. Buyer restored it. Beautiful, but too many $$ spent.

I will be following your build.

 

Oh man, imagine being a high school kid today with a nomad. Wouldn't dare park it there!

I'm in Port Orchard, WA state.

 

Very cool!!!! They're a beautiful platform. Nothing like them!

 

Nice, I love those 55 Nomads.

 

Hard to believe 10 years/120k and it was already a rust bucket! What part of the country at the time? Any pics of after buyer restored it?

 

I'd put them in a safety deposit box until you're ready to install them.

Lee