Frame Up Built Bel Air Nomad Pro Touring Dual Quad 350

Whether it's a 1958 Edsel or a 1963 Corvette, all classic cars have their dedicated fans and admirers. But not many of these vintage machines can claim to be both rare and highly desirable from the day they left the showroom. Modeled after a famous 1954 GM Motorama concept and sold as a high priced, low production 'halo car' from day one, the first generation Chevrolet Nomad is a true all-time all-star. So, how do you make a car that's already as cool as this 1955 Nomad even more desirable? You start with $127K, bolt its refinished black body to a state of the art pro-touring chassis, throw in a completely detailed small block V8 and line the interior with nice combination of custom panels and modern conveniences. If you like your custom 'tri-five' to be show ready AND fun to drive, but a Bel Air is just too common and too cramped, this incredible '55 Nomad pro-tourer is just what you've been looking for!

Despite the red hot sales of the 1955 Bel Air, their higher priced Nomad stable mates were not as popular as you might think and, throughout the years, attrition has made them even rarer. Fortunately, it appears this slick '55 pro tourer has always been a solid, complete car which benefitted from 57 years' worth of owners who were smart enough to realize they had a special Chevrolet halo. In 2009, when the car's owner decided to turn it into a no-holds-barred street machine, he contacted Willet Motorsports in Orlando Park, Illinois and big money was spent on a frame-off build which included a whole roster of modern updates and hours bodywork. When the build was close to completion, the cars arrow straight panels were covered in a subtle, yet dazzling two-stage jet black paint job and it was shipped to Precision Street Rods & Machines in Northridge, California for fine-tuning. Today, the car is a road ready show stopper that presents a trophy winning level of workmanship which proves just as impressive on a curvy mountain road as it does on a summer show field.

One thing about classic car guys who build their dream car is they're uncanny ability to methodically plot, plan and execute even the minutest details; and the guy who built this spectacular '55 Chevy probably spent weeks doing just that. At the front of the car, a trademark body-width Bel Air bumper sits below a pristine chrome grille, clear parking lights and bright, chrome browed headlights. At the top of that chrome grille, a factory fresh Chevrolet crest is centered below a new chrome hood ornament that looks fantastic against the cars wet-looking black paint. At the back of that hood, a like-new windshield sits in front of lightly smoke side and rear glass that is highlighted by new mirror-like chrome trim and simple chrome mirrors. At the sides of the car, new deluxe Bel Air front fender trim fades into a point on the car's doors, and classic gold and silver “Bel Air” emblems ride just in front of pristine chrome trimmed tail lights. At the back of the car, a second body-width chrome bumper hangs below showroom fresh chrome tail gate spears which are divided by a fully functional chrome handle and flanked by small chrome Chevrolet emblems. With its class combination of black and chrome, this car would stop traffic on the Power Tour!

Pop the cars domed hood and you'll find an impressive 350 cubic inch Chevrolet motor that has been completely outfitted for both show and go. At the top of the motor two small chrome air filters, which are secured by “GM” spinner nuts, force air into a two Edelbrock Durashine Performer 4-barrel carburetors that are complete with polished fuel lines, braided hoses and an Autogauge fuel pressure gauge. Below those carburetors, an Edelbrock polished aluminum intake holds an orange capped points distributor above black Taylor performance plug wires which snake around trick Sanderson cast exhaust manifolds. In front of the motor, fresh V-belts spin a polished AC compressor and chrome alternator above Chevy Orange pulleys which turn a polished water pump and an upfitted power steering pump; and a body-matched Be Cool aluminum radiator sits between a quick spinning electric fans and a billet overflow tank. The impressive Chevy Orange bock contrasts well to this Nomads clean, gloss black engine compartment, and details such as polished aluminum valve covers, braided hoses, an Optima gel cell battery and a body-matched brake booster add a nice finishing touch.

Pull this stunning Nomad onto the lift and you'll find solid, completely restored floors that have been bolted to a modern and rigid Art Morrison GT chassis. Combining first hand racing experience with almost 40 years of engineering expertise, Morrison Enterprises is the number one stop for any tri-five owner who wants classic Chevy good looks with slot car handling characteristics. At the center of the car, a proven GM Turbo-Hydramatic 350 sends torque to a stout Ford nine inch rear end while spent gases flow through a great sounding stainless Magnaflow exhaust system. And at the corners of the car, a first rate chassis makes good use of tubular front A-arms, a four link rear suspension, and a complete set of coil overs and sway bars while Wilwood four wheel disc brakes supply fade-free stops. All this mechanical goodness rolls on 18 inch front and 20 inch rear Billet Specialty Legacy wheels which wear aggressive 235/50 and 265/50 BF Goodrich G-Force T/A tires. Naturally, the cars gloss black floors were expertly restored to perfectly match its slick body; and all the details, from the custom aluminum fuel tank and polished 110 GPH Edelbrock fuel pump to the chrome oil pan and super clean drivetrain would fare well at just about any major show. That said, this impressive Nomad is built to drive, and it'll be right at home turning heads on sunny weekend getaways.

Climb inside this cool Nomad and you'll find a completely custom interior which features dramatic colors and enough great looking trim to keep a small upholstery shop busy for two weeks. Covered in warm beige leather, the cars modern seats are all-day comfortable and display no wrinkles or annoying creases. Between those seats, a custom console props an Alpine CD player, black faced Autogauge gauges, a short shifter and chrome power window switches on top of like-new carpet; and above those seats, traditional chrome bows highlight a tight custom headliner. At the sides of the car, custom beige door panels with integrated speakers look great between billet door handles and gloss black door frames. And at the front of the car, a traditional wrap around dash tops a slick coat of flat beige and gloss black paint with bowtie stamped trim, a correct Chevrolet AM radio, Vintage Air climate controls and a sweet looking Bel Air speaker and clock. In front of the driver, a polished three-spoke steering wheel sits on a tilt steering column which is complete with billet stalks. And behind the cockpit, a custom upholstered cargo area carries a full-size spare tire.

Included with the sale is a small stack of restoration photos, paperwork and manuals for the cars aftermarket components, some recent maintenance receipts, a reproduction owner's manual, a toy replica, a Chevrolet Nomad Association Jacket, and a high quality car cover.

It's no wonder the Chevrolet Nomad enjoys such huge popularity, because it just doesn't get much better than this slick black '55 pro-tourer. With the speed and handling of a modern car, a plush interior that has plenty of room to stretch out and a rare, head turning body, it's the perfect combination of form and functionality. To sum it up: this Nomad is the best of all worlds!