A JET-AGE NOMAD: This Custom is Built to Bring the ’50s to the Front of the Line
February 16, 2021
Posted by Barrett-Jackson
Written by independent automotive journalist David Neyens
Stunning in Kandy Brandywine paint, this 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Custom Wagon known as “Brandy” (Lot #1421) will be selling with No Reserve at the 2021 Scottsdale Auction in March.
General Motors was on a roll during the early 1950s as the giant company celebrated its historic Golden Anniversary in 1953 with glamorous dream cars from Harley Earl’s legendary styling studios, powerful and modern V8 engines and “Jet Age” technological breakthroughs – all previewed at the company’s popular Motorama roadshows. While Chevrolet was GM’s high-volume, “bread and butter” division, it broke out for 1955 with glamorous, all-new styling and a hot new “small-block” V8 engine, engineered under Ed Cole, which made the cars perform as good as they looked. The stylish Nomad station wagon debuted at the 1954 Motorama shows and created an absolute sensation, proving utilitarian wagons could be sporty, too.
Rare when new and far more so today, the limited-production Nomad remains a hands-down favorite of today’s collectors and customizers. Lot #1421, a 1955 Chevrolet Nomad custom wagon known as “Brandy” and offered with No Reserve at the Scottsdale Auction, takes the basic concept even further, seamlessly combining style, performance, comfort and heritage into one awesome package.
The product of a total 2-year build by the pros at Denny’s Bowtie Restorations with thousands of hours of labor invested, this show-quality Nomad features masterfully prepared all-steel bodywork, cleanly shorn of factory trim pieces. The stunning, deep glossy finish is an artwork in itself, starting with a special blend of primers, followed by three coats of Orion Silver, five coats of Kandy Brandywine and then five coats of House of Kolor Show Clear. Subtle touches include the relocated, electronically operated fuel filler inside one of the taillights, Kindig-It flush-fit door handles and filled body seams.
The Nomad remains true to its roots with awesome power delivered by a GM ZL1 6.2-liter LT4 V8 engine producing 670 horsepower and 650 ft/lbs of torque, breathing through a coated custom MagnaFlow exhaust system. Mated to the hot ZL1 powerplant is a performance-built TR6060 6-speed manual transmission with a GM Performance Easy Pedal clutch and Sikky short-throw shifter, twisting an Inland Empire aluminum driveshaft setup coupled to a special “C5” Corvette differential.
Rolling stock comprises a set of special Budnik GTB wheels measuring 20×8.5 inches front and 22×10.5 inches rear, mounting Michelin Pilot high-performance tires. At its heart, this wild Nomad rides on a one-off SRG frame, smoothed and painted silver, and the undercarriage was smoothed and painted Kandy Brandywine. Handling is vastly upgraded over stock with C5 Corvette front and rear suspension components, including upgraded special control links installed for improved response. Other choice highlights include power rack & pinion steering, big Wilwood brakes at all four corners and a specially prepared RideTech Bluetooth ride control system.
The interior is beautifully trimmed in a special blend of seven sand-colored leather hides using Tea Design bucket seats up front and a split rear bench, allowing seating for up to five. Other interior highlights include a special headliner featuring stainless bows and German square-weave wool carpeting. The Nomad’s solid floors were treated with POR-15 for rust resistance, and Dynamat Extreme material keeps out heat and excessive noise.
Additional features are many and include Vintage Air, an Infinity audio system with six hidden speakers and a 500-watt amplifier, plus a phone charging pad, smoothed dash, custom console, Dakota Digital HDX instruments, a Dakota Digital programmable fan controller, a special cover and twin compressors for the 5-gallon air tank, twin Odyssey batteries and a remote charging point mounted to the passenger-side frame rail.
When new, the Nomad was a show-stopping example of GM’s industry-leading design and engineering prowess, with captivating looks and a sporty attitude. While hard to improve upon, its recent build managed to do just that, elevating an already great design into the stratosphere.
For up-to-date information on this vehicle, click HERE. For a look at all the vehicles heading to the 2021 Scottsdale Auction in March, click HERE.