Pick of the Day: 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad

As popular as tri-five Chevrolet Bel Air two-door hardtops are in the collector marketplace, there is also something incredibly sexy and cool about a sleek station wagon – especially when it is finished in a striking color combination and rides on a set of polished aluminum wheels.

The Pick of the Day is a 1956 Chevrolet Nomad two-door wagon listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Fishkill, New York. (Click the link to view the listing)

“You cannot build a Nomad at this level for under a hundred thousand. I went to five car shows and got five trophies.” Based on the photos, that statement is believable. This car is stunning from every angle.

The origin of the Nomad is rooted in the creation of a concept car that used a 1954 Chevrolet Corvette front end mated to a station wagon-style body. This body style, of course, never made it to production because the design was later adapted to use the traditional “A-body” platform. However, a number of reproduction “Corvette Nomad” cars have been created and can be seen around the car show scene.

When the Nomad officially launched in model year 1955, it carried a retail price of $2,571, making it the most expensive model aside from the Corvette. Body work was in part shared with the Bel Air, but just about everything from the A-pillar rearward was Nomad-specific. Generous chrome trim gave it all the flair of the sport coupe with an element of added versatility.

The cargo-ready interior space has an easy-access tailgate and a rear seat that folds flat. Today’s feature car takes the cabin up a notch even further on the equipment list with leather bucket seats from a late-model Cadillac along with amenities including power windows, power seats, power steering, air conditioning, a JVC sound system, a tilt steering wheel, and added seat belts.

The striking red and white exterior is described as an 8 out of 10 with nice shine and depth. “I cannot go cruising in the Nomad without people beeping their horn or waving,” the seller says. Power comes from a 350cid crate-sourced V8 with a racing camshaft, which is a nice upgrade from the Nomad’s original V8 offerings (available in either 265cid or 283cid variations).