Chevrolet Nomad

Chevrolet Nomad
Overview
Manufacturer Chevrolet (General Motors)
Production 1955–1961
1968–1972
Layout FR layout

The Chevrolet Nomad was a station wagon model made off and on from 1955 to 1972, and a Chevy Van trim package in the late 1970s and early 1980s, produced by Chevrolet. The Nomad is best remembered in its two-door 1955–57 form, and was considered a halo model during its three-year production as a two-door station wagon.

Pre production

The two-door Nomad differed from other station wagons of the era by having unique styling more reminiscent of a hardtop sedan than that of a standard station wagon. Chevrolet shared this body with its sister Pontiac, which marketed their version as the Pontiac Safari.

The Nomad's unique design had its roots in a General Motors Motorama show car of the same name that was based on the Corvette. The Concept was introduced at the GM Motorama in 1954 as one of Head Stylist Harley Earl's "dream cars". It followed the introduction in 1950 of the Ford Country Squire two door station wagon.

GM 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. In fact, following the product debut in 1955, it was not uncommon for the car to be referred to as the Chevy "Bel Air Nomad".

1955–1957

First generation
Overview
Production 1955–1957
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door/2-bench seats station wagon(1955–1957)
Platform A-body
Powertrain
Engine 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8
283 cu in (4.6 L) V8
Dimensions
Wheelbase 115 in (2,921.0 mm)
Length 201 in (5,105.4 mm)[1]

Styling influences

The Nomad's relatively short wheelbase and overall length in comparison to Chevrolet coupes, sedans and station wagons of the same time period show modern similar characteristics to hatchbacks in later years. The platform used was GM's smallest, a two-door bodystyle with a rear bench seat that folded down to accommodate cargo, and a two-piece tailgate with a glass upper portion that swung up, with a tailgate that folded down were the features that made the Nomad very popular. It also shares many visual characteristics with the 1970 Range Rover Classic without the extended ground clearance and four-wheel drive.

1958–1961

Second generation
Overview
Production 1958–1961
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door/5-seat station wagon
Platform GM B platform
Powertrain
Engine 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8
283 cu in (4.6 L) V8


1968–1972

Main article: Chevrolet Chevelle
Third generation
Overview
Production 1968–1972
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door/5-seat station wagon
Platform GM A platform (RWD)

Between 1968 and 1972 the names Nomad and Nomad Custom were applied to the lowest-priced Chevelle four-door station wagon model, below the Chevelle Greenbrier, Chevelle Concours, and Chevelle Concours Estate.

1976 Chevy Vega wagon Nomad package

Main article: Chevrolet Vega

In 1976, special Vega Nomad wagons were assembled with unique side window trim and filler panels (to make the 'b' pillars appear forward-slanted), tailgate rub strips, vinyl Nomad script identification.

Chevy Van Nomad

Chevy Van Nomad

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the name returned again on a trim package for the full size Chevrolet Van. It featured five-passenger seating with swiveling captain seats up front, a bench in the middle, and a spacious cargo area in the rear with no quarter windows. It could be had with plaid upholstery and two-tone paint. It was offered along with SportVan, CaraVan, Commercial Van, and Cube Van.

Concept cars

The 2004 Chevrolet Nomad concept car, with design cues from the original 1954 Corvette-based Nomad.

There have been several Nomad concept cars. The first was of course Harley Earl's Corvette-based 1954 concept introduced at the GM Motorama that predated the classic "tri-year" production models.

One from 1999 was based on the F-body (Camaro) and was V8 powered.[5]

Another concept presented in 2004 was based on the GM Kappa platform, and highly resembled the original 1954 Corvette-based Nomad showcar.[6][7] It had a 107 inch wheelbase and was 155.5 inches long.[8]

In 2009, Superior Glass Works, a producer of fiberglass bodied reproduction cars introduced their own '54 Sports Wagon' rolling body, based on the original concept and built on a modified Corvette C5 chassis.[9]

See also

References

  1. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1957_Chevrolet/1957_Chevrolet_Owners_Manual". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  2. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1957_Chevrolet/1957_Chevrolet_Brochure_1". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  3. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1958_Chevrolet/1958_Chevrolet_Wagons". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  4. "Directory Index: Chevrolet/1958_Chevrolet/1958_Chevrolet_Wagons". Oldcarbrochures.com. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
  5. "1999 Chevrolet Nomad Concept." GM Press Release (on seriouswheels.com), 1999.
  6. "Chevy Nomad concept recalls 1954 Nomad." Canadian Driver, 4 January 2004.
  7. "Chevrolet Nomad (2004)." Maddle, 7 March 2004.
  8. Newberry, Stephan (2005). The Car design yearbook 3. Merrell. ISBN 1-85894-242-X.
  9. Tutor, Chris (2009-06-10). "Superior Glass Works to sell 54 Sports Wagon based on C5 Corvette — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-10-05.

Further reading

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