1956 Chevrolet Nomad Bel Air – Corvette V8 with TriPower – Automatic – Iconic Wagon

Vehicle Location: Las Vegas, NV 89121
Auction Type: Reserve
Mileage: 69000
Engine: 283ci V8
Transmission: Automatic
Exterior: Tropical Turquoise/India Ivory
Interior: Blue
VIN: VC56L027024
Party: Private – Seller is an authorized agent for the owner

1956 Chevy Bel Air Nomad Wagon

For a few years now, wagons have been IN. The Chevrolet Nomad has always been IN. The 1956 Chevrolet has always been IN. Since the Harley Earle inspired concept car rolled into the Waldorf Astoria Hotel Motorama in 1954, the Chevrolet Nomad has been the singular station wagon that America has embraced as a combination of utility vehicle and sports car.

Long before Madison Avenue suits thought of the acronym, the Nomad was the SUV of its time. Collectors know the value of these beautiful wagons goes up every year. With many of them selling at more than $100,000 today, it is one of the most certain collector car investments in the marketplace.

Here you have an opportunity to buy an affordable Nomad that looks good and drives as good as it looks. Check this one out. It is a unique car finished in Tropical Turquoise and India Ivory, the most iconic, eye pleasing combination Chevy offered in the Tri Five era.

The interior is completed in a complementary reproduction stock materials that are durable, practical and beautiful. This is a car that has been garaged in the Las Vegas valley for more than 25 years, lovingly cared for during the past decade by the current owner, and initially restored and refined by a previous Chevy enthusiast, each adding his own touches to the car.

According to experts, there were 8103 of these made in 1956. After more than 65 years, many of these dramatic, majestic, beauties with their slant pillared wraparound glass remain a favorite collector car,

This Nomad is now powered by a 283 CID small block engine donated by a 1961 Corvette. The Tri-Power eye candy on top of the engine comes from a 1958 Oldsmobile J2 engine. Of course, if all three of these large base Rochester 2 barrel carburetors were dumping fuel, the air to fuel ratio would be way more than the engine could swallow, so it is set up to run on the center carburetor only.

This could be easily switched back to a functional 3 pot intake system if the engine were to be bored and cammed to take a full 1350 cfm. For now, it is perfect for cruising economically. The car has an electric fuel pump, and an electric fan keeps it running cool. The original Powerglide transmission has been replaced by the reliable TH350 automatic transmission.

The original Chevy rearend remains. The engine compartment is sanitary, and even though this is a car that has been driven, not trailered, the undercarriage is free of rust, though a slight amount of surface oxidation can be seen.

The wagon has been enhanced with power disk brakes in front, it has power rack and pinion steering and an anti-sway bar and it rides on polished 17″ American Racing Salt Flats rims, surrounded by Goodyear high performance radial tires (P235/55/R17 front, P255/55/17R rear).

Though the tires have no visible tread wear and less than 5000 miles on them, they are due for replacement due to age. An AM/FM/CD system provides the nostalgic rock roll tunes while you cruise in comfort. Note that the rear lift gate fits perfectly.

These are known to be œtweaked but this one has been professionally fitted properly. The cargo compartment is finished with original vinyl flooring in very good condition, and there are no rips, tears, stains, or blemishes in the interior.

The sheet metal on the car is solid and rust free, and the door, hood and tailgate gaps are as good as they were when this Nomad left the Van Nuys, California assembly line.

The glass and rubber components are in very good condition, and the paint only shows some minor chips, despite being about 20 years old. This car was revived from the dead in 2001. At that time the odometer read about 63,000 miles. After restoration and TLC by two owners, it now reads just south of 69,000 miles. Original miles? Nobody knows.

To be clear, this is an Affordable Nomad. That means, it is not perfect, and it does not have all the bells and whistles found on the six figure wagons. Though it has accumulated a few dozen trophies, it is not a show car. But, it would take very little to make it a class or show winner (if that is important).

This is the kind of car that can be driven, just like it is, and enjoyed just like it is. This classic Nomad is a dependable driver. It looks hot. It runs cool. In fact, it is actually way, way cool.

What other classic car provides you with this kind of room for carrying your luggage on a cruise? What better American Dream for those of you who want to include your family as you enjoy the pleasure of owning a nostalgic Classic Chevy that won’t break the bank.