The Chevrolet Nomad was introduced in 1954 as part of the General Motors Motorama line of "dream cars" developed by GM head stylist Harley Earl.

Priced at $2571, the Nomad was among the most expensive 1955 Chevrolets (excluding the Corvette); the model line received a 265 cubic-inch V8 as standard equipment.

[4] Sharing the same front fascia update as other 1956 Chevrolets, the exterior of the Nomad adopted the revised side-panel trim of the Bel Air.

The 1957 Nomad adopted the same overall update as other 1957 Chevrolets, including a redesign of the front fascia and dashboard; large tailfins added several inches to the length of the vehicle.

As Chevrolet shifted from the A-body to the B-body for 1958, the division made station wagons a separate model range from sedans.

[9] For the 1958 model year, Chevrolet adopted the Nomad nameplate for all Bel Air-trim station wagons, slotted above the Brookwood (Biscayne) and the Yeoman (Delray).

While all four-door Chevrolet wagons shared a common body, the B-body Nomad carried over several styling features from its Tri-Five predecessor, including chrome tailgate trim, multi-tone exterior and interiors, and a forward-sloping C-pillar (in place of the previous B-pillar).

Closer in line to Chevrolet sedans, the Nomad adopted forward-curved C-pillars and large horizontal tailfins (replacing the vertical chrome tailgate strips).

[15] Marketed strictly as a 6-passenger vehicle, the Nomad was not offered with a third-row seat,[16][17] interval windshield wipers, or underfloor storage;[18] it is also the only version sold with a six-cylinder engine.

[20] The 1972 model year was largely carryover (with the exception of a minor grille revision[21]), serving as the final production of the Nomad station wagon.

Alongside the introduction of the "Colonnade" series of GM intermediates, the lowest-trim Chevrolet station wagon was renamed the Chevelle Deluxe.

[25] Equipped similar to the higher-trim Chevrolet Beauville van, the Nomad received plaid upholstery and two-tone exterior paint.

Locally considered a bakkie,[26] the model line was offered with rear-wheel drive and powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission.

The remaining parts came from Germany (VDO instruments, BorgWarner transmission), Australia (rear axle from Holden), and the United States (Rochester carburetor).

Tuned for improved lower-end torque, the engine produced 76 kW (103 PS; 102 hp) at 4000 rpm, allowing for a top speed of 134.8 km/h (84 mph) in a period test.

[31] Coinciding with the development of the Chevrolet Camaro, several Nomad-badged clay models were produced in 1965, exploring a potential two-door station wagon version.

[34] Sharing its F-body chassis with the fourth-generation Chevrolet Camaro, the V8-powered Nomad served as an updated design of the Tri-Five two-door station wagon.

Introduced alongside the Pontiac Aztek concept car, potential production of the Nomad was effectively negated by the discontinuation of the GM F-body.

[39] The vehicle derived multiple design themes from the original Corvette Nomad, including its grille, headlight shape (trading screened openings for composite lenses), and forward-sloping B-pillar.