Update 8/4/99
Click here to read about the Nomad, or just scroll down!
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Well, let me preface the following with an update: the Nomad has been sold! My Big Blue friend now resides in Ohio,
where she will get a nice restoration and eventual 502 c.i. crate engine... long may you run, friend! I'll
update the rest of the page soon, but here's some recent history...
She's a 1970 Chevelle Nomad, which was the base model Chevelle wagon for that year. Power is a 307 c.i. V-8, with the 2-barrel Rochester carb. The transmission is a 2-speed Powerglide automatic (it shifts once!), and the rear is a non-posi 10-bolt. Current mileage is 81,000. Options and features are working factory air conditioning, the original AM radio (less knobs), a new dual exhaust with turbo mufflers (sounds fantastic!), and Baby Moon hubcaps from a 1971 Malibu. The radio antenna is in the windshield. The exterior color is Fathom Blue, and the interior is also very blue. All the vinyl is still in excellent shape, and the dash, headliner, and door panels have no rips. The cargo area has some scratches, but heck, it's an old station wagon! The floor has no rugs, but has instead the "bumpy rubber pad". The tailgate is "Dual-Action!", and it opens both sideways and down (but not at the same time, yuk-yuk-yuk). The tailgate window is manual, not electric, and the cargo area is a flat floor, no storage area or fold-up kiddie seat. Three of the headlights are the original T-3 GM headlamps! I've got the build sheet, the owner's manual (for a wagon!), plus some other paperwork and stuff. Here's recent service info: About two years ago the carb and A/C system were both rebuilt. The water pump, radiator, fan, fan shroud, heater core, and fan clutch were all replaced this past Fall. New bearings went in the rear this past summer, and the rear brakes were serviced then. She also got new motor mounts a few months ago, plus a front U-joint (4/16/1999). The beautiful driver's side cargo area window was shattered by a vandal recently, but fortunately a replacement was found and installed quickly. The tires, 70 series Goodyears, are a year old and have about 5000 miles or so on them. Last inspection was in November 1998, and she passed with flying colors... "...tight as a drum!" says the mechanic. What is needed: the main thing is the crank mechanism for the tailgate window. I currently have a replacement part, with a key, but a new gasket needs to be cut and the crank/lock needs to be installed. Actually, after finding one of these and getting the lock working successfully, the actual installation should be the easy part. The window can still be rolled down with a pair of pliers, but of course there's this hole now in the tailgate where the crank should go. I keep taping it over with a few inches of duct tape when the rains come until I can get the lock put in. The car also needs a blower motor for the "Astro-Ventilation" climate control system... one of these can be bought at Pep Boys for 22 bucks, but I just haven't had the motivation to do this yet. It's a pain to replace. Other than that... well, one front spring gets creaky, but it adds character. The taillight lenses are cracked, but not broken... this always seems to happen to these cars. It could be tough finding any, and no, the El Camino lenses don't fit. In the next few years she'll prabably need paint, as things are getting a little flakey. The grille has an "SS" on it. I know. I'd love to say it's the only 1970 Chevelle SS Nomad ever produced, but alas, it's just the emblem that was added when the last owner replaced the grille. Two of the wheels are the body color, but two are grey/rust... these were snow-tired when I got the car. The spare, however, is beautiful virginal Fathom Blue. The body in general is in excellent shape... no major dings, a big long gorgeous roof, and the only rust through is one hole in the passenger side front fender. There's some rust a-formin' where the "D" pillars meet the quarter panels... I'm told the "A" body wagons all rusted there, eventually through to the gas tank and floor. We're OK for a while, though, as she's basically 95% rust-free, owing to garaging. I'm told that the car was sideswiped once, but the repair is fine, and I've found no ill-affects from this. Many inquiries so far have asked "Can the car make a drive to "blah" ?" (enter your location here). My answer is that I've taken the Nomad on three-plus hours drives to North Jersey and had no problems. However, this car turned 30 years old on April 21st (yes, we had a party... the present was the new window), and it's unrestored, so any long drive has some potential for adventure involved. But she runs very strong, especially for a 307, and I would have confidence myself, provided I took it easy. If hadn't sold, my plans would have been an HEI distributor, American Racing Torque Thrust mags, a better stereo, Edelbrock intake and a Holley 4-barrel, and maybe a 350 eventually. I'm not too hip on the big block route, at least not for the Nomad. Possibly some suspension upgrades, as that body roll can be downright unnerving... plus this ol' gal may haul band equipment from time to time. And an SS hood, perhaps, maybe? And paint! And it will be Fathom Blue again, don't worry about that. |