Projects 1959 Chevy Nomad wagon build

Very nice. Really like the front end treatment and the seats.

 

Thanks Belair, appreciate the positive feedback.

 

So this was interesting, while looking at the new August MSRA Line Chaser and its review of the 2014 Back to the 50's weekend, I get to page 100 "Some of Brian's favorites".
Midway through the page I think, hey that is a 1559 Chevy wagon like mine, then see the custom grill and and roof rack on a Nomad... and realize it is my car. Nice to be 1 of Brian's 15 favorites (out of over 10,000).

Thanks Brian!

 

Very nice!

 

Very cool Bruce!

 

I don't know how I missed this one. Nice ride, nice work! That interior looks great. I had the same vision to cover my seat that way.

 

Thanks Guys

 

Well with the falls first frost warnings, it must be time to start with the winter build plan.
Was debating working on my OT 72 convert but decide to keep after the rest of the Nomad work.
I will list it later but but a quick review made it clear that there are a ton of little things to do

 

Well it looks like it is time to get back to work as winter seems determined to start tomorrow.
took a last drive and changed the oil. drove out of town to the place i got the wagon from.
The new avatar is a shot of it out there. the speedometer has been sticking for a while and ran 10 miles with out a problem, then hit 99999.9 and took ~20 more to be mostly 00000.0. perfect place to the rebuild

 

Hey bruce, thats cool! Should be pretty easy to zero it. Yes this weather sucks, just put mine away for the winter, unless this snow misses us. Btw i will need to park on both sides of you at back to the 50s, my pink nomad just doesnt quite look right between the other 2!


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Wow Carl, are all three of those Nomads?

 

Yeah


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

That sounds like a plan, perhaps we can educate a few more who insist that Nomads were only made for 3 years.
Did you recently get the 58? it looks like it is in very nice shape
Also, except for the color and a correct frame, your 59 is is pretty close to what mine looked like when i got it.

 

Yes, and make sure they know that they had FOUR doors!!! Just got the 58 last thursday, just in time to put it away. The 59 is pretty bad, sorry, it will not get fixed. The 58 will be the wifes car that i will use a lot. Its a nice driver but needs a few changes. This way i will have a car to drive when i completely tear down the 60 nomad in a few years. Later, carl.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Very nice pickup on the 58, you are a good husband to get that for her.
Yes your 59 should join your stash of parts that you, me and lots of others have used to get their cars back on the road.
Thanks

 

Haha, yeah, we are pretty happy with it. That 59 is slowly getting disassembled. Enough about my junk, what are you going to do to yours this winter?


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Still working on the overall plan for this winter, may include
headliner and the rest of the interior
new dual master brake cylinder
maybe some front end work to tighten things up
see what needs to be reworked, etc.

 

Cool, let me know if you need anything. Cant wait to see it again. Youve done great work to that 59.


Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!

 

Well time to start making progress before spring arrives. Picked up a new windshield today and a new power brake dual master cylinder.
Will post some pictures later on the install, the old windshield is out and the clean up is ~80% done, will need a little paint. Decided it was best to get this done before the headliner.

 

it looks like maybe a monthly update mode be the plan.
The last "20%" is now 90 % done and i plan to put the new wind shield in fairly soon. Been distracted with a 64 Honda CT200 trail bike which will be riding on the rear bumper at some point
Time get focused on the wagon, just need a little time to install the new glass and then on to the headliner. will try to pick my battles so it will be ready once spring comes

 

Hey Bruce, great to see you are down to the "short strokes" on the Nomad. I admire the courage to try the windshield on your own. I decided I needed professional help when I put mine back in as it was the original and I sure didn't want to have to find another. The kid that helped me scared the hell out of me with all the slapping and beating to get the gasket to seal. It turned out great though, no leaks.
I had help with the headliner too. Don't get discouraged if you end up with a few little wrinkles in the corners when you are done. The friend who helped me had done hundreds and it wasn't what I hoped when we finished, but a couple hot afternoons out in the sun and it was tight as a drum head. Best of luck, and please let us know how it turns out.
I sure hope you are starting with more parts of that scooter than what is in the picture!

 

Thanks Fan,
I've watched a few videos and it looks like the windshield shouldn't be too bad. same with the headliner, whare im thinking even if i have a few wrinkles it is a major improvement. Thanks for the encouragement.

As far as the Honda, it was a real mess but i took it apart to clean up as best i could. the frame had a lot of rust from a mouse nest. cleaned it up and used rust converter and then some paint that is close. The area is covered. starting with a pair of bikes that should give me one refurbished driver and the other may eventually be for off road.

 

Well the windshield installation is done, went fairly well and it will provide a better look as we hopefully rack up a lot of miles this year.
For those contemplating taking this on, watch the Steele Rubber video get some rope and go for it.
Now back to the build; this was a well I probably should replace the seal before doing the headliner. Which became, as long as the windshield is out, better address the rust and while its out, a new windshield (with out the scratches, rock chip ans lots of little nicks on the inside from how bits while grinding) really should go in.
the tack strips have been replaced (with a little creative trimming to get the right width) and next step it painting the bows, then on to the wind-lace and then the "Big Top" goes up.

 

Looking through a new windshield is always nice! I need to put one in my Ford. Mine looks like it has been sand blasted. Looking better all the time Bruce!

 

Thanks, although the projects never really done, it will be nice to reach the point where it is nearly done.

 

Looks like i may actually get around to putting in the headliner that was purchased last year.
the wind-lace went in fairly well. a small pneumatic gun helped get the staples into the hard plastic tack strip

 

Less than 8 weeks to Back to the 50's, guess the long winter is over and its time to get moving. Almost ready to start on the Headliner. Need to get back to weekly posts to keep things moving, feel free to bug me until it is done
My wife helped with the last of the sewing for the wind-lace and did a great job. was thinking this would be a night when nothing got done. Very happy to get this checked of the list (item 4B to be specific)

 

Good to see you making progress.

 

Went to LSR last week end and saw Cody's 59 ! It is the nicest 59 I've ever seen . Yours is really coming along and if we ever get ours back from the frame shop , I'll be trying to catch up . Keep us posted . Blue

 

Well I finally got the headliner out of the box (note for next time. do not let it sit for a year folded up in a box).
Got the bows in place and started and hit a snag (note to self for next time, no matter how good some of the old tack strips look, replace all of them)
Some additional new tack strips will be here soon.
It will need a bit of heat and stretching to smooth this all out