1955 Nomad ProTouring Build "Gone Mad [Archive]

arkbuilder

10-16-2015, 11:50 AM

Always lurking, but I thought you guys would appreciate some of the work on this build we are doing. So I'm going to throw up some pics. We bought the car out in the desert in AZ. The second owner had wanted to restore it, but never got started and passed away a few years ago. It then sat in the driveway for a few years and the kids decided to get rid of it.

wfo guy

10-16-2015, 03:15 PM

Good start.

Motown 454

10-16-2015, 03:23 PM

Nice I love Nomads!! Subscribed!!

sdg0080

10-16-2015, 05:42 PM

Now this is what I'm talking about. Glad to see you post this up.

Shawn

minendrews68

10-16-2015, 07:09 PM

I'd take that car!!! I know all that paint looks bad, but just think, you're not seeing bare metal and rust.

RMMiller

10-16-2015, 07:33 PM

Good grief there's a lot of bright work on those! I love the 55's, my favorite tri-five. Dad was a 57 guy, had two and as a kid I always wanted one because he had one....that was until I saw a 55!

arkbuilder

10-19-2015, 08:34 AM

Good grief there's a lot of bright work on those! I love the 55's, my favorite tri-five. Dad was a 57 guy, had two and as a kid I always wanted one because he had one....that was until I saw a 55!

The amount of brightwork is overwhelming and really expensive to replace if it is not all there!

arkbuilder

10-19-2015, 08:45 AM

So we got it soda blasted and the results were not really what we had hoped for. The body, although having lived in AZ since new still had some rust, and it had also been hammered really hard on the passenger side. Old body shop repairs are the worst, so we ordered new rear quarters, new doors, and kept the front fenders. Also, totally wasted were the floors, so we got new floors as well. So much for rust free and accident free, but...I've seen way worse and this was totally workable. So onward!

The original firewall left a lot to be desired, so shown is the newly installed updated firewall.

Twentyover

10-19-2015, 07:52 PM

Born the same year I was. I've been hammered and wasted, and am a bit rusty, but I still have my original firewall. The 'mad looks better than me.

arkbuilder

10-20-2015, 07:37 AM

Here's a pic of the new doors and new quarters on the car. We had ordered a new tail gate but it had not come in yet. Someone had totally sliced up the inside of the trying to repair the mechanism.

Those are not the wheels for this project, but rather wheels off another project to keep us rolling around.

sdg0080

10-20-2015, 07:40 AM

Beautiful car. Isn't it funny how people's definition of rust free varies?

arkbuilder

10-20-2015, 08:23 AM

"rust free" is thrown around as loosely as "matching numbers" is in my world :) With the rust factor, you never know until you have it total bare naked.

HotRod47

10-20-2015, 10:17 AM

I Love 55's, this is gonna be a fun one to watch.

arkbuilder

10-21-2015, 05:50 AM

We have the new floors installed in this photo. Later on, we made a custom transmission tunnel to make room for the 4l80E. You can see how hacked up the metal is on the passenger side right behind the door where the car was in an accident.

minendrews68

10-21-2015, 06:05 AM

Man, this is going to be nice!!

Motown 454

10-21-2015, 07:09 AM

That tunnel looks nice and wide, maybe you'll be OK with the main connection on the rear drivers side of the trans. My Camaro floor needs to be worked on to make it fit. Your making nice progress.

arkbuilder

10-21-2015, 11:34 AM

That tunnel looks nice and wide, maybe you'll be OK with the main connection on the rear drivers side of the trans. My Camaro floor needs to be worked on to make it fit. Your making nice progress.

Well, that didn't exactly work with that big transmission, so then came this custom fabbed tunnel.

Motown 454

10-21-2015, 12:12 PM

I figured my post might let you know what you were in for. lol You did a beautiful job on the fab work. Have I mentioned I love Nomads !!

I forgot to welcome you to P-T in my first post. Welcome!

sdg0080

10-21-2015, 04:02 PM

Man that is beautiful work. Love that tunnel.

bmbrzmn101

10-21-2015, 06:26 PM

jy211

10-23-2015, 07:13 AM

Liking this project!

windows

10-23-2015, 10:11 AM

Looking good. I will follow this build with interest.

arkbuilder

10-26-2015, 02:22 PM

Welcome, and looks like this will be a cool build to watch. Using the Kugel under dash brake pedals/vacuum/mc mount. I have been looking at them for my 67 Elky build. What are your opinions of them pro or cons?
Thanks, Chris.

Chris-

The Kugel set up is has been great for us. We are running it with a Wilwood master. Super clean look, not too technically difficult to install. What makes it so much easier is being able to install on a car being built, and not an already built car. They take up quite a bit of space under the dash, so aftermarket AC units, electronics and wiring of course could really string out an install if they are in the way.

arkbuilder

10-26-2015, 02:40 PM

Here's the motor for the 55 Nomad. All aluminum 509 from Shafiroff Racing. Should be a stump puller!

http://www.shafiroff.com/chevy_crate_engines/509_dualquad.php

Motown 454

10-26-2015, 03:12 PM

Wow that's going to look perfect in there !

sdg0080

10-26-2015, 05:37 PM

Oh damn... that's one hell of a motor.

arkbuilder

10-27-2015, 06:08 AM

Here's the chassis done by Roadster Shop. They do really incredible work. Just perfection, down to every last little detail.

sdg0080

10-27-2015, 09:04 AM

I love the way they fab their frames. Opens up a whole new world of frame design.

bmbrzmn101

10-27-2015, 04:40 PM

Thanks for the reply. I will be going with a VA Gen IV unit under the dash but all else should fit. Unless I go with hidden wiper system which may cramp the underdash setup a little. Still I have time to plan mine while building my son's truck. I appreciate it
Chris

Quote Originally Posted by bmbrzmn101 View Post
Welcome, and looks like this will be a cool build to watch. Using the Kugel under dash brake pedals/vacuum/mc mount. I have been looking at them for my 67 Elky build. What are your opinions of them pro or cons?
Thanks, Chris.
Chris-

The Kugel set up is has been great for us. We are running it with a Wilwood master. Super clean look, not too technically difficult to install. What makes it so much easier is being able to install on a car being built, and not an already built car. They take up quite a bit of space under the dash, so aftermarket AC units, electronics and wiring of course could really string out an install if they are in the way.

Zoomin

10-27-2015, 08:07 PM

So, how many buckets did you fill with Phillips head screws? I've never seen a car that has as many as a Nomad!

Killer project.

wfo guy

10-28-2015, 04:46 PM

Cool!

arkbuilder

11-11-2015, 09:59 AM

In order to run huge back tires, we hand formed new wheel tubs in the car and created a custom rear floor.

sdg0080

11-11-2015, 10:07 AM

That is a work of art. Shame very few will see it once the interior is in.

Motown 454

11-11-2015, 10:47 AM

You saved me from typing, I agree beautiful job on the fab work.

cbpldc

11-11-2015, 11:48 AM

I see that stance in the background. That is disgusting!

I love it!

arkbuilder

11-12-2015, 09:27 AM

You saved me from typing, I agree beautiful job on the fab work.

The plan is to leave some metal work exposed in the interior and paint it body color so we don't loose all of the work under the carpeting. Working on some renderings at the moment so we can hopefully tie it all together.

sdg0080

11-12-2015, 11:55 AM

Nice, sounds like a great idea. I still can't believe your skill with the bead roller.

55lsa

11-25-2015, 02:25 PM

Arkbuilder - Was the RS chassis their off the shelf product for the Nomad or was it custom ordered for the rear tubs? Any help is appreciated. I'm light years behind your progress on your build, but hope to be there someday with mine.

Curious who's one piece floor you used too? How was the fit and finish out of the box? That's also in my plans.

Thanks

RaceFace

12-17-2015, 08:40 AM

Oh wow!! Keep the pics and updates on your progress coming. It's going to be a badass for sure!!

Fahrenschnell

12-17-2015, 10:47 AM

So awesome. Love the choices you are making. The motor and chassis are incredible.

Keep us posted for sure.

slacker1965

12-30-2015, 06:44 PM

love the motor choice & great fab work!

Jimbo1367

12-31-2015, 11:21 AM

I don't like it.

Jimbo1367

12-31-2015, 11:22 AM

I love it. LOL. That motor looks sick. Any dyno #s?

HotRod47

01-01-2016, 04:20 AM

Holy crap, this thing is spectacular so far!!!

ekmxryda

01-01-2016, 10:51 AM

Love the metal work and nice choice on the Roadster Shop chassis.

Mundt

07-06-2016, 05:55 AM

So sick ??

Peeler

08-23-2016, 06:30 PM

Here's an update on our 55 Nomad "Gone Mad" build. She's done!

https://www.facebook.com/ClassicCarStudio/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154467242502437

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Motown 454

08-23-2016, 06:32 PM

Sweet!

Zoomin

08-23-2016, 07:49 PM

Infreakingcredible

Bru

08-24-2016, 05:52 AM

What a gorgeous car.
I can't help but wonder how you decide on two colors like that and know they'll work?
Is it a bit of know and a bit of luck?
Or perhaps a whole bunch of test panels and leather samples?