1955 Chevrolet Nomad 40886 Miles Torch Red 350 cubic inch V8 4-speed automatic

Description

The word "icon" gets thrown around a lot in the old car world, but I think "iconic" should be reserved for vehicles that transformed the industry and became famous for the right reasons: quality, design, performance, or history. And that's why I think this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad is an icon. The first year for the V8 engine, the first two-door station wagon designed to be attractive first, practical second. And having proven, year after year, that it remains one of... the most popular vehicles of all time. If the 1955 Chevy Nomad isn't an icon, what is? This very, very red Nomad is just spectacular in person. The paint and bodywork are every bit as good as you need them to be when you paint a car this particular shade of eyeball-burning red. There's simply no escaping it and you're afraid to touch it as if it might be hot. Nomads were only availbe in the upscale Bel Air trim, so it wears all the right chrome details, including the stainless eyebrows that extend back into the doors as well as a set of ultra-rare bumper guards, front and rear. You may not have noticed before, but the Nomads also have unique rear fender arches, radiused to match the front fender, giving them a very aggressive look that works especially well when you stuff them full of fat tires. Finish quality on this spectacular Nomad is extremely good, with excellent gaps, super straight sheetmetal, and a depth to the shine that doesn't come cheaply. It's just stunning. Better still, it feels right, with doors that close precisely without a lot of slamming, a hood that opens and closes with light pressure, and even the tailgate works like it should. That all takes time and experience, so someone clearly invested in this car. All the chrome and stainless trim is likewise new or restored, and aside from the big wheels, you'd never know this was a modified car... until you started the engine. But we'll get to that in a moment. There's more red inside where you get a beautifully finished interior with handsome original-style seat covers that look very appropriate for 1955. They're freshly padded, so it remains a great long-distance cruiser, and with matching door panels, it's correct but appears to be just a little customized. Of course, the chrome tilt steering column and small-diameter wheel aren't original equipment, but it sure is easy to get comfortable at the helm. The rest of the controls should be familiar if you've driven a Tri-Five Chevy, with the wedge-shaped instrument panel that features a fully operational speedometer, fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. You also get a trio of aftermarket dials under the dash, giving you a complete view of the engine's condition as you drive. An AM/FM/cassette head unit in the center of the dash almost looks OEM thanks to correct knobs and bezels, and you'll note there's an original knob for controlling the speakers. Red rubber floor mats protect the rather plush carpeting and the headliner with its chrome support ribs is simply a work of art. The cargo bay is also fully carpeted, so this is an upscale hauler, and it includes a full-sized spare under the floor. Don't worry, there's still a small block Chevy V8 under the hood, but it's unlikely that anyone was making this kind of power back in 1955. With a big Holley 4-barrel carburetor, Edelbrock intake manifold, aluminum heads, and long-tube headers, this one is built for speed as much as reliability. Inside, there's a rather substantial cam that gives this wagon a wicked idle and it pulls like a freight train at any speed. This is NOT your mother's station wagon. Turn the key and the well-tuned small block barks to life and settles into a lumpy idle that suggests a lot of power is on tap, and it certainly works well with the bright red paint. It's also nicely finished with Chevy Orange paint on the block, some chrome dress-up items, and a giant aluminum radiator up front. The firewall and inner fenders are as beautifully finished as the exterior of the car, and it works just the way it should. This one starts, idles, runs and drives like it should, although there's a big whack of power just about anywhere on the tach. It isn't often that collector cars are tuned this well. You'll also be happy to see that there's a 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission in place, giving you snappy reflexes but a tall highway cruising gear to make it easy to use this Nomad as a real car. The front suspension is stock, so it rides and handles like it should, and power front disc brakes have been added for confidence on the open road. Beautifully made long-tube headers feed a custom exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers, part of the reason this car sounds so wicked, and we love the chrome tips out back that make a statement without being too loud about it. The frame is in excellent condition with no signs of rust, rot, or previous accident damage and the floors and rockers are original and in fantastic shape. This isn't a rust bucket that was patched back together, but a clean, solid car that got a very comprehensive makeover. There's a GM 12-bolt rear end with 3.73 gears inside, which makes this wagon feel light on its feet but it still relaxes on the highway thanks to the overdrive. Classic Weld wheels recall the Halibrands of the '60s, giving this Nomad a slightly retro look that works, and the stance is just right thanks to 215/70/15 front and 245/60/15 rear BFGoodrich T/A radials. We've sold a few Nomads, but this one really talks to us. Easy to drive, easy to live with, and offering a high-visibility look that befits the most desirable of the '55 Chevys. Thanks to expert build quality, this is a car that's ready to enjoy immediately and we'll guarantee that if you like red, you're going to love this car. Call today!