There are many ways to locate a new project: classified ads, swap meets, word of mouth, and sheer luck. But one way that seems to always net something is to get off the beaten path and cruise some back roads. Think about it, if you're cruising down a major interstate and spy some vintage tin, how many others have seen it and asked about it?
Your chances go up considerably on the roads to nowhere. Just look for the roofs poking out of the weeds and knock on a few doors. Sure, nine times out of ten the owner is just about ready to get around to fixing up the old car, but you have to ask.
Danny Piedra was on just such an expedition looking for a car for his wife, Debbie. While on his way back from looking at another car, he spotted a long roof off in some weeds. He noticed the Nomad emblems and the wheels in his head immediately started turning. This would be the perfect grocery-getter for Debbie.
He was met at the door by an elderly gentleman and asked if the car was for sale. The man replied that they'd take $700 for it. Danny then offered $500, and the man yelled the offer into the house to his mother, who owned the wagon. She accepted, stating that no one was ever going to do anything with that old wagon.
Danny went and got his car trailer and set about freeing the wagon from the weeds that had worked their way around and through most of the suspension components. When he got it home, he called Debbie out to see her new daily-driver, and as you can imagine, she was a bit skeptical. But work started right away as Danny and his son set about cleaning the Nomad out and assessing what they were starting with. Once the weeds were disposed of and the spiders vacated, the wagon was hauled over to Art's Upholstery in Madera to have the interior taken out so it could be worked on in their free time.
The wagon was then brought back home and dismantled, and sand blasting began. The stainless and aluminum trim was sent out to Morris Blanco at Imperial Custom Polishing in Fresno to be straightened and polished while the chrome went to California Chrome in Fresno. Richard Torrez was given the job of whipping the body in shape and repairing what rust was there. Once it was straight, it was sent to Johnny Espinoza at Johnny's Custom Paint and Body in Madera for a coat of red. Rick Morgan at Country Club Auto Body in Madera added the flame graphics to break up the long sheetmetal and add a contemporary look.
With the body and paint done, it was back off to Art's Upholstery to have the interior installed. The next weekend was devoted to dropping in the freshened-up 283 and trans, and the following weekend the trim was reattached. The wagon was definitely taking shape now, and it was time to pick out the rolling stock which could make or break it. A set of Billet Specialties were chosen which should keep the Nomad looking good for some time.
The wagon was pretty much done, but it seemed to be lacking something. The finishing touch ended up being the slammed stance courtesy of an airbag suspension. So has it made its planned daily-driver status? Well, Danny feels it's too nice to see the grocery store parking lot, but we bet Debbie's lobbying hard.
Richard Torrez masterful added the two center taillights to match the '61 sedans. When he was finished you'd never know that they weren't original equipment. This is the type of custom touch we love to find. | 
The interior still utilizes the original 9-passenger seats but was freshened up with some '65 Chevy fabric by Art's Upholstery in Madera. The custom center console houses the Kenwood AM/FM/CD headunit, switches for each individual airbag, and two airbag line pressure gauges. A Billet Specialties Talladega steering wheel was added to match the rolling stock, and a host of Kenwood audio equipment was integrated within the interior. | 
The interior still utilizes the original 9-passenger seats but was freshened up with some '65 Chevy fabric by Art's Upholstery in Madera. The custom center console houses the Kenwood AM/FM/CD headunit, switches for each individual airbag, and two airbag line pressure gauges. A Billet Specialties Talladega steering wheel was added to match the rolling stock, and a host of Kenwood audio equipment was integrated within the interior. |