1956 Chevrolet Nomad Restomod

Description

There was a time when this 1956 Chevrolet Nomad would have been overlooked for its hardtop siblings, but that day is long gone. Today the Nomad is near the top of every Chevy fan's wish list, and this gorgeous wagon gets a lot of things right: great colors, gorgeous interior, and a fully sorted LS1 drivetrain that offers more power and more comfort than you could get from the factory in 1956.

The combination is pretty close to India Ivory over Twilight Turquoise, giving this warmed-over Nomad a very period look. There's no denying the handsome good looks of this 2-door wagon, and what it lacked in practicality it more than made up for with pure style. The restoration focused on getting the basics right, since nobody in his right mind would think he could improve on the factory look, and the high-quality bodywork looks fantastic. Good gaps, super straight panels, and deep, glossy paint make this a jaw-dropper when you roll into a show. It's got a few signs of use that are quite minor, and for many enthusiasts, the simple '56 is the best-looking of the Tri-Five Chevys. This one also carries upscale Bel Air trim (which was the only way you could get a Nomad) that includes that dramatic side spear and all the chrome has been refinished to show standards, so it truly sparkles in the sun. Cross-country haulers just don't get much better than this.

The interior keeps things pretty stock, too, with factory seats wearing reproduction upholstery that looks straight off the showroom floor. The textured cloth inserts are a funky '50s look that is very appealing and the sweeping two-tone door panels emulate the exterior trim. Things like the dashboard, headliner, and carpets are all pretty much the way they were in 1956, although expert eyes might see a few upgrades. For example, the shift quadrant now manages four forward gears instead of two, the steering wheel is a wood-rimmed unit that's on a tilt column, and there are little vents tucked under the dash for the modern A/C system which blows ice cold. There's also an AM/FM/CD radio that sounds pretty darned good and the gauges appear to have been restored along with the rest of the car and remain fully functional. The cargo bay is correctly finished and offers a good deal of storage space, making this a fantastic road trip candidate.

The engine is still technically a small block Chevy V8, but the 5.7 liter LS1 V8 from a 2004 GTO is a far cry from the original 265. It obviously fits beautifully and thanks to fuel injection and hardware, it's as reliable as your daily driver and quite a bit more powerful. Color-matched coil covers add a dressed-up look, but the rest uses OEM parts wherever possible to ensure reliability and easy service. A 4L60E 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission is a big part of the reason this car is such a pleasure to drive and the recent dual exhaust system has a pleasant burble at idle and just enough of an edge on the roll to let you know this isn't a stock Nomad. The undercarriage is quite clean and includes 4-wheel disc brakes, power steering, and 17-inch Billet Specialties wheels wearing 225/55/17 front and 255/50/17 rear performance radials.

Fully sorted and ready to enjoy, this car just works like it should. With great looks, a wonderful color combination, and that timeless Nomad appeal, this car delivers in a big way. Call now!