Frame Off Built Bel Air Nomad EFI LS2 V8 4L60E 4 Speed Automatic

SUMMARY

Whether it's a '58 Edsel or a '63 Corvette, ll collector cars have dedicated fans and admirers. But not many of those vintage machines can claim to be both rare and highly desirable from the day they left the showroom. Modeled after a famous GM Motorama concept, nd sold as a high-price, ow-production 'halo car', he first generation Nomad is a true all-time all-star. So, ow do you make a car that's already as hot as this shooting-brake Chevy even more desirable? You completely refinish its body, olt up some fresh suspension components, hrow in a smooth small block and line it with a nice combination of classic style and modern convenience. If you like your tri-five to be fun to show off AND fun to drive, his award-winning Nomad is your next cruiser!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Despite the exceptional sales of Chevrolet's youthful Bel Air, he brand's higher priced Nomad proved less popular and, hanks to attrition, as now become even scarcer. Fortunately, his slick resto-mod has always been a solid, omplete car that benefitted from decades of owners who were smart enough to know what they had. And recently, hen it fell into the hands of B-Mac's Auto of Raleigh, orth Carolina, ig money was spent on a thorough, rame-off restoration. Once the car's tired enamel was removed, killed metalwork remedied rust issues in its floor and right door. When the rebuild was close to completion, hat arrow-straight fuselage was primed, arefully block-sanded and covered in a classy combination of white and silver 2-stage. And today, uffed and wet-sanded to a fantastic shine, his cool Chevy is both handsome and exquisite.

One thing about classic car guys is they're uncanny ability to methodically plot, lan and execute even the minutest details. And the guy who built this spectacular cruiser probably spent weeks doing just that. At the front of the car, body-width bumper rides below a straight stainless grille, lear parking lamps and chrome-trimmed Delta headlights. At the top of that grille, fresh Chevrolet crest is centered beneath a classic 'jetbird' hood ornament. At the back of that hood, resh trim, imple mirrors and electric windshield wipers highlight new glass. At the base of that glass, hite-trimmed fender spears perfectly complement traditional door handles and monochromatic Bel Air emblems. And at the back of the car, second body-width bumper rides below vertical tailgate trim, gold "Nomad" emblem and correct Bel Air taillights.

ENGINE

This sweet looking Chevy is powered by a well-detailed LS2 that provides plenty of solid, eliable motivation. Straight from the factory, he rowdy mill utilizes 364 cubic inches to twist buff 10.9 to 1 compression into an even 400 horsepower and 400 lb./ft. of Oak-shaking torque. And despite consistently delivering track-blistering, ow-end performance, t can rev to 6,500 RPM and drives like a commuter car! At the front of the aluminum block, Vintage Air FrontRunner system spins a fresh alternator and Sanden AC compressor at the sides of a polished air cleaner. Once air enters that cleaner, t flows through a factory throttle body to a factory intake that's bolted down over completely stock internals. High-octane fossils are provided by GM electronic fuel injection. Sparks are sequenced from a requisite Street & Performance harness to beefy Taylor plug wires. Spent gases swirl through slick, eramic-coated shorties. And cooling comes courtesy of a big cross-flow radiator that's fitted with pliable hoses, PAL puller fans and an aftermarket support. On the visual end of the spectrum, olor-keyed, Chevrolet" branded rail covers perfectly complement a snazzy CPP master cylinder. The glossy engine compartment seats Satin Black fenders in front of a body-matched firewall. And niceties such as stainless fluid lines, fully finished hood and a trick dipstick add a flash of detail.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Throw the car on a lift and you'll find solid, ndercoated floors that, long with a Satin Black frame, port a restoration-fresh appearance. At the center of those floors, proven 4L60E 4-speed spins torque to an 8.2-inch rear end that's fitted with moderate, .55 gears. At the ends of that drivetrain, fully rebuilt suspension makes good use of two coil-over shocks, wo QA-1 adjustable shocks, OSIES leaf springs and modern power steering. At the corners of that suspension, ower-assisted disc and drum brakes turn stress-inducing traffic into a relaxing exercise in sightseeing. Between those discs, arge-diameter exhaust pipes employ an X-shaped crossover and great-sounding Magnaflow mufflers. And all that mechanical goodness rolls on painted steelies, hich spin two 215/70R15 BF Goodrich whitewalls and two 235/70R15 BF Goodrich whitewalls around charcoal wheel covers. Naturally, his impressive wagon's undercarriage is clean and fully sorted. However, s mentioned before, his Nomad was built to drive, nd it'll be right at home inspiring stares on sunny weekend getaways.

INTERIOR

Climb inside this razor-sharp tri-five and you'll find a lightly modified interior that features dramatic style and enough great looking trim to payroll a small upholstery shop. Covered in '64 Impala Oyster vinyl, he car's bench seats, Glide unit up front and factory fodder out back, re all-day comfortable. Beneath those seats, raditional carpet centers color-keyed floor mats under a metal accelerator pedal. Opposite that carpet, ancy chrome bows highlight a tight headliner. At the sides of the car, extured door panels look great hovering between chrome handles, culpted armrests and body-matched window frames. In front of those panels, bowtie-trimmed dash hangs Classic Instruments telemetry above controls for a Vintage Air climate system and a Custom Autosound head unit that's hidden in the car's factory glovebox. In front of the driver, painted tilt steering column spins an ornate wheel. And behind the passengers, carpeted cargo hold is primed for lawn chairs and picnic supplies.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

It's no wonder the Chevrolet Nomad enjoys such huge popularity, ecause it just doesn't get much better than this slick '55 resto-mod. With a plush interior, ead turning body and modern car streetability, his wagon is the perfect combination of form and function. In fact, his Nomad is the best of all worlds!