1955 Chevrolet Nomad

When it comes to the classics, collectors always choose the Convertible and Hardtop coupe over other body styles in any given car line. However, one of the few exceptions is in Chevrolet's Bel Air line-up, in which the 1955 Chevrolet Nomad is perhaps the prettiest wagon ever built as well as a car with major longtime appeal.

Though generally credited to General Motors design honcho Harley Earl, its actual creators were Chevrolet studio head Clare MacKichan and stylist Carl Renner. MacKichan's group had suggested a "Sport Wagon" as one addition to Chevrolet's all-new 1955 line. The result was the Corvette Nomad, a non-running prototype with fiberglass bodywork on a 1953 Chevrolet wagon chassis. Renner's roof nicely suited the lower body lines of Chevrolet's recently announced sports car and the name was perfect. Unveiled at the GM Motorama in January 1954, the Corvette Nomad was such a hit that an Earl assistant hurriedly ordered MacKichan to adapt its roofline to Chevrolet's forthcoming 1955 passenger-car styling... in just two days. (Yep. No pressure THERE....)

Though it looked like other 1955's, the Nomad shared little with the Hardtop and Convertible models past its cowl and was became the most expensive Chevrolet of the time: $2,571 with V-8 ($265 more than a similarly equipped Bel Air convertible.)

1955 Chevrolets received all-new styling. Advertised as "The Hot One," it was thoroughly modern-looking. Nomads, like Bel Airs, came loaded with interior carpet, chrome spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. It had room for six passengers. The new 265 cubic-inch V8 featured a modern, overhead valve high compression, short stroke design that was so good that it remained in production for decades. The base V8 had a 2-barrel carb and was rated at 162 horsepower , and the "Power Pack" option featured a 4-barrel carb and other upgrades producing 180 brake horsepower. Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high-compression and a further 15 brake horsepower.

Today, we all know that the Chevrolet Nomad is still extremely popular, and can grab some major dollars to score one in any shape, from rust bucket to pristine. It remains one of the coolest wagons ever built, and no one has even come close to toppling it's "King of the Mountain" status. No matter if you rod or restore one...they are just too awesome.