POLISHING A DIAMOND
When building something real and distinctive, start with vintage American steel. For example, Mooresville, North Carolina’s Time Machines can transform factory parts into world-class customs. Stripped all the way to bare metal during a detailed, frame-on restoration, this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Restomod really began to hit its stride in the summer of 2015.
With time and money, the automobile became a national sensation. The sleek contour was soaked in Aston Martin Bronze and 1979 Ford French Vanilla. In addition, this wagon prowls the scene as a dreamy pavement pounder that’s poised to turn heads!
Featuring details penned by famed hot rod designer Eric Brockmeyer, this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Restomod trophy queen really puts the “show” in showstopper. For example, at the front of the car, a custom mesh grille centers a lighted “Nomad” emblem between a smoothed bumper. In addition, custom marker lamps, and trick halo headlights that are tucked under customized hoods.
However, at the top of that grille, a massaged hood leads the eye to the custom glass, which floats factory stainless trim behind polished windshield wipers. Moreover, at the base of that smoked greenhouse, a solid profile aligns elegant, reimagined spears beneath svelte billet mirrors. However, at the back of that profile, a “Nomad” branded tailgate folds between a second smoothed bumper, custom trim, and custom, monochromatic taillights.
STROKED AND STOKED
This 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Restomod is powered by a BluePrint Engines 383-cubic-inch small block. In addition, a fully tuned mill produces 432 dyno-proven horsepower into 455 lb./ft. of rock-crushing torque! However, a stainless-trimmed radiator with an SPAL fan sits in front of the color-keyed block between a polished tank and cap.
VIPS accessory drive spins V-belts around a polished alternator, AC compressor, and power steering. Sanderson headers pierce aftermarket MSD Super Conductor plug wires. However, a water tube and a breather are in front of the distributor.
Above those heads, a hand-made air cleaner rides a big Edelbrock carburetor. Moreover, the detailing is on point, with a polished brake booster perfectly complementing a polished fuel filter, a coated fuel pump, and bright dipsticks.
JUST THE BASICS
Throw this Chevy on a lift and you’ll find undercoated floors that, along with with the car’s Satin Black frame, sport a solid, road-ready appearance. For example, at the center of those floors, a rebuilt 4L60E 4-speed spins torque to a factory tri-five axle. However, at the ends of that drivetrain, a factory suspension makes excellent use of front lowering springs. And a 1-inch front sway bar, and a retrofitted rear sway bar.
Power-assisted turns come courtesy of a quality CPP steering box. Stops are provided by power-assisted discs and drums. In addition, heat-wrapped exhaust pipes spent gases through an H-shaped crossover, throaty turbo mufflers, and polished stainless tips. However, all that mechanical goodness rolls on chromed Foose Legends, which spin two 215/45ZR17 Nitto Neo Gens in front of two 275/40ZR18 Nitto NT555 Extreme ZRs.
CUSTOM INSIDE AND OUT
Straight off the assembly line, Chevrolets were pretty spartan. But this 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad Restomod is long past its days of serving as frugal transportation from point A to point B. Pop the car’s remote doors and you’ll find $16K worth of custom, Dynamat-lined upholstery that was installed by Chuck Hanna of Mooresville, North Carolina’s Lake Norman Tops & Interiors.
At ground level, eight yards of German square weave carpet balances a small console between piped and color-keyed floor mats. On top of that carpet, quality French stitching cinches 250 square feet of Finesse Leather around a factory front bench and a Cadillac rear bench. In front of those seats, a matte dash wraps bowtie-branded stainless around Vintage Air conditioning, modern audio, modern Cruise Control and a full array of Classic Instruments telemetry.
At the sides of that dash, custom door panels front convenient power windows. In front of the driver, an ornate steering wheel laps a polished, tilting column. And a neat touch is a custom, Rolls-Royce-style umbrella holder integrated into the car’s door jamb.
Highlights
- National award-winning custom
- Custom appearance penned by famed hot rod designer Eric Brockmeyer
- 383 cubic inch BluePrint Engine V8 / 432 dyno-proven horsepower
- 4L60E 4-speed automatic transmission
- Modern air conditioning
- Power steering
- Power front disc and rear drum brakes
- Custom Finesse Leather interior / Cruise Control / Modern audio
- Customized body / Aston Martin Bronze and 1979 Ford French Vanilla paint
- 17 and 18-inch Foose Legend wheels
Related Questions:
A surefire way to distinguish between a 1955 and a1956 Chevy Bel Air is to look through the windshield at the vehicle identification number stamped on the dashboard on the driver’s side. If the fourth digit is a “5,” it’s 1955. If the digit is a “6,” you know it’s 1956.
1950
Chevrolet produced 1,574,740 cars in the 1956 model year, of which 41,268 were Belair Convertibles. The 3,320-pound car cost $2,443 with the base V-8. You could literally load your new Chevy with factory options and accessories and stay under $3,000.
The main difference between the 210 to the BelAir models is the badging. The Chevrolet script will be gold as are the fender louvers and the V badges are also gold. The is also a difference between the center and horn bar.
