Featured here is a popular collector car, the 1955 Chevy Bel Air Nomad Wagon. This Chevy Wagon is a two door hardtop that seated six people and had a total of seven windows. This model year was the start of the Tri-Five Chevy’s that are to this day some of the most recognizable classic cars in the world and some of the most popular with collectors.
Chevrolet added something new to their lineup in 1955 with the introduction of the two door Nomad Wagon. Other automakers did produce a two door wagon prior to Chevy’s offering but none of these had the modern styling of the Nomad.
Finding one of these rare 55 Nomad Wagons in excellent condition is not an easy task today. You’ll be lucky if you’re able to find one of these models as a restoration project. If you do I believe it’s a very worth while project to undertake.
The Chevrolet Bel Air
The first Chevrolet Bel Air generation ran from 1950 through 1954. The Bel Air was always a full size vehicle during it’s run from 1950 to 1981. During it’s first generation, Chevy changed it’s series of cars with the Bel Air on top followed by the 210 and 150. The Chevy Bel Air was the premium offering. Coming in 1955, the Chevy automobiles would see a radically different design than any before that time. You could call the new design sleek and modern. Far removed from the previous 1954 models.
The 1955 Chevy Bel Air Design
The 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air represents the first model year of a redesigned second generation. It introduced many features that would become popular in cars from the 1950’s.
The history of Bel Air started in 1953 when he became the new name for the high-end line of Chevrolet cars. It is in these first models appeared the unique characteristics of the car body. One of the things that the 1955 Chevy Bel Air did was add tail fins to the Chevy line.
The style of the 1955 Chevy Bel Air is what makes it one of the most sought after classic cars today. The design of the 1955 Chevy was considered by many to be far superior to any Ford or Plymouth produced at the time.
1955 Chevy Bel Air Nomad Wagon Specifications
Two engines were available on the 1955 Chevy Nomad Wagon, These were a 235 cubic inch inline six ( “stove-bolt six” ) and a 265 cubic inch V-8. Horsepower was between 123 and 180 depending on configuration.
Transmissions available were a three and four speed manual and a two speed automatic.
Brakes were four wheel hydraulic drums.
Suspension included independent coil springs on the front and live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs on the rear.
Vehicle dimensions included a wheelbase of 115.0 inches, width 74.0 inches, overall length 197.1 inches, height 60.8 inches. Curb weight came in at about 3,440 lbs.
1955 Chevrolet Production
Total Chevrolet production for the 1955 model year was 1,777,000 vehicles. Out of that number 25,770 Nomad Wagons were produced. A fairly small number of Nomads and the reason they are rare today.
An interesting note is that the Nomad Station Wagon was not a great seller at it’s introduction. It’s said that only about 8,500 1955 Nomad Wagons were sold by Chevy dealers. Chevy continued production of the Nomad Wagon for both 1956 and 1957 but in a low production run.
See related Auto Museum Online articles found on the links below…
1958 Ford Two Door Ranch Wagon
Reference material used for this article includes..1980 Hot Rod Magazine: Chevy Nomads/’55-’57 Wagons..GM Heritage Center Collection..Hemmings Motor News.
1955 Chevy Nomad Wagon Collector Popularity
The 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Wagon is part of the Chevy Tri-Five years. All models during that period are quite popular with car collectors and enthusiasts.
The 1955 models are milestone cars. This was the first model year where Chevrolet introduced an entirely new modern designed vehicle. The first year for Chevy tail fins.
Look at the 54 Chevy compared to the 55 Chevy and you’ll hardly find anything in common in regards to styling. The 1955 model year, the first year for the two door Nomad Wagon, was an exciting time for Chevrolet designers. The 55 Nomad also represented the first two door wagon produced by General Motors.
The average retail price for a 1955 Chevy Bel Air Nomad Station Wagon is just under $100,000. This is an average price therefore there are models at a lower price depending on many things such as originality, overall condition, mileage and degree of restoration. High asking prices are in the $150,000 area.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)