Custom Nomads: Why are they all so ugly?

That is where I got the inspiration to paint on a faux door.In actuality the logistics of doing the job(especially the folding B pillar)are not only beyond the capabilities of the average person but in my opinion would compromise the structural integrity of the car.The only way I could see to do it would be to pattern it after the Chevrolet Suburbans of the mid 60's using a rear door on the curb side only.
As an aside,I have both a 55 and a 57 Safari and I like the styling of the 57 much more.

 

note the custom grey primer and the lack of front sheet metal, it's the latest trend in indiana!

 

Iconic models like the tri five Chevies tend to lend themselves to killer mild customs, Mcphails '56 being a case in point. They are SO recognizable that opinions on how they SHOULD be done get "chizzeled in stone".

There are some models that it is really hard to make major changes in without screwing up the whole picture. I have a '63 Pontiac Grand Prix. The few that I have seen redone, do nothing for the overall beauty of the car. Change for change sake (or show points) isn't always a good thing.

That being said, if people didn't push the envelope, take a risk, or were worried about what people thought we would still be trying to figure out how to slide things on skids because OG was ridiculed for trying to chip the square corners of of his slab of rock so it would roll.

I am glad there are folks who build what they want without giving a damn what I think. At the very least it made me happy with the styling on my Poncho. I don't think I can improve it past a general clean up and nice paint.

Everything has value, even if it is to serve as a bad example.

 

just like a forty ford, the more you do the less you get back!

 

Sorry, but that pic made me throw up a little in my mouth.... faux painting a door on a car is like fake patina on a fiberglass car... just doesn't belong...

 

I agree...the Meeks Nomad is a good looking custom. I look at that one and think, "Nice job!"

 

I have no doubt that one could be quite radically customized and look fantastic. It just seems that most who try fail miserably. But it also seems that most who try seem to have a bad case of bad taste. Just as one person pointed. These same changes wouldn't look any better on anyother car. It's just the fact that the Nomad looks so good to start with that these same changes seem to be a greater shame than usual. Did I get it right?

 

Well said.

 

I kinda looked at doing it once, along time ago and we were going to leave the B pillar. If you were going to get in the back seat, you would have to watch that Pillar because it would sure leave a mark on ya. Its kool what you did to the fake door. I bet you have guys looking twice. I have bad eyes I know I would have to give it a second look.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

Yeah. It's nothing some fresh paint and new trim can't fix.

 

Not a Nomad…but a beautiful ’57 wagon that I feel maintains the factory integrity with class and style, featured in the latest Summit. I have been staring at it a lot and hope I can knock it out like this one, with less cash of course.

Now bitch about the wheels

 

That Nomad is the one that Revell made a model of.
Back in the day that A Roadster in the upper right hand corner of the cover lived right around the corner from me. Way cool car, nasty rake, bright red paint, Americans & slicks on the rear, 8 spokes on the front and best of all a chromed out blown flathead w/get this metalflake red radiator hoses. If possible could you PLEASE scan the feature and post it here.

 

It's hard to inprove on a car with clean lines. Changing elements on a a '55 Nomad for example may lead to some strange lights or trim. Some of the cars in this post are nice and others are overdone.

Take a '58 Buick wagon, now there is something that needs customizing.

N B R

 

I rarely say a bad word about another guys vehicle, but that just looks plain wrong.

 

Well, I have to disagree with most of the posters, I thought the Nomad at the Autorama last week was a killer car. It came within a cat's hair of winning the Ridler, so many people probably liked it too. It is all subjective. I have seen many hamb cars that I didn't like, but we do this stuff to be fun and creative.

 

Cole's car is one of my favorites. Clean and simple.

Hadn't seen that '57 on the R&C cover before. Dig the flames down the side...Bitchin'.

 

Interesting Thread but you need to know something.

Bad habits and ugliness are very fashionable these days.......

Take a look around you and notice how many attractive women have ugly low life men as significant others. Then notice this corellation with your Nomad topic and even with the music of today....Give this some thought.

 

A 55-57 Nomad looks so good to begin with! That said the best looking stock Nomad is actually a 57 Pontiac Safari.

 

i like this one

 

I've had two Nomads..late 60s early 70s, turquoise and white 55 with later 283 and dog dish caps, 80s and 90s an adobe beige 57 with warmed over orig. 283 TH350..you just don't mess around too much with perfection...I worry now that they or a Safari will be out of my price range to own again..you guys that hung on to them are fart smellers....

 

This was a custom show car in the 70's. Rootbeer brown and all. No more.

 

This is my fourth nomad,3rd 55' Don't like body mods,well maybe a hood scoop! Can't improve on the looks.

 

Aww, that's not ugly. It's FUGLY. That's far more accurate.

 

Well worded back in the day......

 

What does a 1956 nine passenger wagon holding a baseball team have to do with ugly customized Nomads.

 

wanst my personal choice for color scheme btu the workmanship is cool.

 

All u need is a 4 speed 350 '65 Vette Engine 40 year old flames and a saw, to get rid of that shitty top! Then u have the Nocamino!!!

Couldn't resist posting my "Gomad" again....

 

i have russ meeks nomad and ive been a fan of nomads all my life and i have to say from seeing the nomads that have been done in the past and more in the present, russ by far had it down! his idea was by far the best ive ever seen, he took one of the coolest cars ever made and put a twist on it. even thought me and russ dont talk i will always respect what he did to the nomad and his vision. here's to you russ. thanks

 

Hey..
My coupe ,"Nefarious" is now lettered on both rear quarter panels.
Maine plate... "She & I"

Pontiac Slim

 

I don't know if this was answered yet, but I will answer the two other things that I know.

1. He shaved just the door lock leaving the handle, plays tricks with your eye but looks good and simple.

2. He shaved the handle off of the tailgate replacing it with another bow.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Coles car is (to me) the finest example of a Nomad ever.