2004 Chevy Nomad Concept

Bridging a 50 Year Gap

The dictionary defines a nomad as "a member of a group of people who have no fixed home and move according to the seasons from place to place in search of food, water, and grazing land." But that description probably won't fit Chevy's new Nomad concept, that is very likely to leave its auto show circuit

The Nomad shares GM's new Kappa architecture with the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Curve. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

wandering ways behind and find a permanent home in GM dealers across the nation, along with GM's other Kappa architecture Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Curve. Before we explore that possibility, however, a little Nomad history is necessary to fully appreciate the genesis of this classic-retro oblation.

The original Nomad was a prototype wagon based on the newly introduced 1954 Corvette. It was such a huge success that some of its unique features were applied to a Chevrolet Belair two-door station wagon that saw production in 1955 as the Nomad. Some unique features of the original Nomad were chrome tailgate bars, a ribbed roof and most notably, slanted "B" pillars. It remained in production

GM tried to bring the Nomad back to life once before, this stunning concept was unveiled at the 1999 Detroit auto show. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

throughout 1955, 1956 and 1957, and although sales were never chart topping the sporty utilitarian was cutting-edge in design and functionality. It could be equipped with either an inline 6-cylinder, or a performance inducing V8 engine. By all accounts, the highly collectible original Nomads exhibited a timeless design - a design that has permeated Chevy's new Nomad concept.

But this isn't the first time Chevy has resuscitated its Nomad nomenclature. Not too long ago, GM unveiled a stunning concept once again dubbed the Nomad at the 1999 Detroit auto show. Much larger than the new concept it tugged at boomer heartstrings just as effectively as this latest iteration.