Walk Around Photo Feature:       1955 Chevy Nomad Station Wagon

These photos of a 1955 Chevy Nomad Station Wagon were taken at the Wheels of Time 2013 Street Rod and Custom Jamboree in Macungie, PA.  It was a very sunny day so the photos tend to reflect that, especially off the chrome. 

The Nomad was different from other station wagons of the era by having some unique styling that more reflected the hardtop sedan than that of a standard station wagon. The Nomad's unique design had its roots in a General Motors show car of the same name that was based on the Corvette. The Concept was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1954. General Motors approved production of the vehicle if the design could be transferred to its standard model, because top GM brass felt that they could sell more models if it were attached to the popular Bel Air model. 

The 1955 Model Year Chevrolets received a new styling package and advertised as "The Hot One," the boxy new Chevy was crisp, clean, and thoroughly modern-looking. Nomads, like Bel Airs, came loaded with interior carpet, chrome spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. For 1955 Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cubic inches (4,343 cc) cubic-inch V8 featured a modern, overhead valve high compression, short stroke design that was so good that it remained in production in various forms, for many decades. The base V8 had a two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 horsepower (121 kW), and the "Power Pack" option featured a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades yielding 180 brake horsepower (130 kW). It had room for six passengers. 

The Nomad in the photos is not stock as it was at a custom car show, some of its listed highlights are: 

Engine: 383 C.I. 409hp
Rear: 3.03 Posi
Wheels: S/S Cragars
Upholstery: Original Waffle Rib
Number Built: 8,386
Original List Price: $2,571