Nomad

Vehicle details

First sold in 1955, the Nomad was a distinctive two-door sport wagon based on the Bel Air range. A low, sleek roof, inclined rear pillars and broad side glass gave it an appearance closer to a hardtop coupe than a conventional family wagon. Front and rear bench seats accommodated six, and folding the rear seat converted passenger space into a larger cargo area. Upper and lower rear gates provided access for loading. The 1955 V8 version used a 265-cubic-inch overhead-valve engine with a two-barrel carburetor, producing 162 gross horsepower in standard form. A three-speed manual drove the rear wheels, with a Powerglide automatic also offered. It shared Chevrolet’s basic passenger-car chassis and running gear while giving the rear body and roof a distinctive design, bringing personal-car style to a practical wagon. This was the beginning of the production Nomad family that translated show-car design ideas into a vehicle customers could buy.

Production years

1955–

Illustrated model year

1955

Body

Wagon

Powertrain

Petrol