Chevrolet Nomad Generation 1 348/360 1957
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Car producer : |
Chevrolet |
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Model: |
Nomad Generation 1 348/360 1957 |
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Year: |
1955-1957 |
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Type: |
Wagon |
Chevrolet Nomad is a nameplate used by Chevrolet in North America from the 1950s to the 1970s, applied largely to station wagons. Three different Nomads were produced as a distinct model line, with Chevrolet subsequently using the name as a trim package.
Marketed as a halo model of the Chevrolet station wagon line for the Tri-Five series, the Nomad was repackaged as a station wagon counterpart of the Chevrolet Bel Air and Chevrolet Impala from 1958 to 1961. From 1968 to 1972, the Nomad returned as the base-trim Chevrolet Chevelle station wagon.
Making its debut on a 1954 concept car, the nameplate has again seen use by Chevrolet on multiple concept vehicles; none have reached production.
The Chevrolet Nomad was introduced in 1954 as part of the General Motors Motorama line of "dream cars" developed by GM head stylist Harley Earl. As a follow-up to the Chevrolet Corvette roadster and Chevrolet (Corvette) Corvair fastback of the year before, the Nomad was a "dream car" alongside the Pontiac Bonneville Special and Oldsmobile F-88; the latter two were experimental prototypes built on Corvette chassis.
Adopting the front fascia of the Corvette to a two-door wagon body, the Nomad shifted away from the utilitarian design of traditional station wagons, introducing a forward-slanting B-pillar and nearly wraparound rear windows.
Following a positive response to the Motorama design, GM approved the Nomad for 1955 production. As a prerequisite for approval, the design was to be adopted to the standard A-body Chevrolet chassis, both larger and more widely produced than the Corvette. The use of the A-body also allowed GM to produce the vehicle as a Pontiac,
While it is believed that GM ultimately destroyed the concept vehicle (as was common practice of the time), several reproductions of the Nomad concept exist today, mating Corvette front fascias to production Nomad bodies.
Sharing its roofline design nearly intact from the 1954 Motorama "dream car", the first version of the Nomad was produced as a "sport wagon" in a two-door body. While considered a distinct model line,the Nomad was trimmed in line with the Bel Air sedan, along with its badging.
The Nomad shared its body with the Pontiac Safari; sharing its chassis and roofline with the Nomad, the Safari differed primarily in its powertrain, front fascia, and interior.
1955 Chevrolets received all-new styling. Advertised as "The Hot One," the boxy new Chevy was crisp, clean, and thoroughly modern-looking, and its popularity was shared with the Tri-Five Chevrolets of this generation. Nomads, like Bel Airs, came loaded with interior carpet, chrome spears on front fenders, chrome window moldings, and full wheel covers. For 1955 Chevrolets gained a V8 engine option. The new 265 cu in (4.3 L) V8 featured a modern, overhead valve, high compression, short stroke design that was so good that it remained in production in various forms for many decades. The base V8 had a two-barrel carburetor and was rated at 162 horsepower (121 kW), and the "Power Pack" option featured a four-barrel carburetor and other upgrades yielding 180 brake horsepower (130 kW). Later in the year, a "Super Power Pack" option added high-compression and a further 15 brake horsepower (11 kW). It had room for six passengers.
1956 Chevrolets received a face-lift. This gave Chevys a more conventional full-width grille, pleasing those customers who didn't like the Ferrari-inspired '55 front end. Nomads now carried the same interior and rear-wheel sheetmetal as other Bel Airs, lacking the original's unique trim. A padded dashboard was now available. For 1956 Chevys hid the gas cap behind a left side, flip-down tail light.
1957 V-8 engine displacement grew to 283 cubic inches (4,638 cc) from 265 in 1957, with the "Super Turbo Fire V8" option producing 283 horsepower (211 kW) with the help of continuous fuel injection. These so-called "fuelie" cars are quite rare, since most Bel Airs were fitted with carburation. While considered to be a milestone vehicle design, General Motors discontinued the original Nomad Sport Wagon at the end of the 1957 model year due to low sales and the introduction of a new body for 1958.
