The Chevy MINI… errr Nomad

The Chevy Nomad wagon was a very popular version of the BelAir back in the 1950's. Actually the BelAir was the best selling and most popular Chevy car sold during that decade.

I like this newer concept and if GM releases it with the proper goods it will be a hit. However, Cox fails to mention price….how much is this thing going to be….$30K or $40K like the current SSR roadster? I think he forgot yet another key of MINI's appeal and success….AFFORDABILITY.

At any rate I suspect the Nomad will be more expensive even that a JCW MCS because it will be a RWD car fitted either with thier successful Vortec inline 6 cyl engine or a small block V8. I do not expect this car to have equal handling dynamics as the MINI, but you can't ignore the fact that GM is paying serious attention to handling and performance specially in their latest crop of Cadillacs like the CTS-V series cars and the XLR roadster.

I am glad that the MINI has become the industry benchmark for others to follow and in all and all this GM designer is recognizing that, something which was unthinkable on the “Old GM” of 5 or 10 years ago (Which marched at a different drum than everyone else).

To me the MINI is a very cleverly packaged car taking into consideration its complex multilink rear suspension setup (Which comes straight from the BMW 3 series) and interior space. What Cox fails to realize is that the MINI has much more cargo space than GM's own behemoth, the Chevy Impala sedan (Of which I owned one until last year).

I was reading the Canadian Driver link and they said that the Nomad is based on GM's new Kappa RWD small platform which will also be used in the upcoming Pontiac Solstice roadster. The engine will be the 2.2L Ecotec, Turbocharged 250HP and variable valve timing. The Kappa RWD platform is poised to be a pretty respectable chassis and a 250HP turbo 2.2L is not something to be taken lightly. I think this cars offers the goods to back up the looks, but like I said, it ain't going to be cheap.

If this car looks like a MINI roll me over and call me Helen.

R/B states “Which looks just a WEE bit like the front end of a MINI”?…………..HUH?

Have you ever seen the '55 Vette? chop off the back ad some fins, it's the same car.

I think Mr Cox is wrong with the packaging thing Mini is briliant when it comes to that.

I do love the retro look of the Nomad. I think they have a winner but do agree with Frank on some of the GM issues that usually surround their stuff.

R/B I'm still looking at the Nomad and trying to see where Tech TV and others think it looks like a Mini. Mr. Cox's soul comment kinda works for me.

But then I like eggs………..RB

Pontiac has been saying the price point for the Solstice is near $20K. Competitive pricing for the MCS shoppers. The Nomad is a derivative of the 55 Vette. Chances are it will also have an attractive price point. Neither the Solstice nor the Nomad is nearly as charming and as captivating as the Mini. GM never did get it and never will.

As I've never seen the Corvette Nomad before(ok, I can see a lot more where the the design came from) but when I saw the show out of the corner of my eye, the first thing that came to my mind was MINI. If you saw a Nomad Concept and a MINI coming at you down the road, you'd probally not be able to tell the difference. Or how about the Nomad Concept changed from a sport wagon in 2001, and now a sport hatch in 2004? And anyways, in the Top Gear article, the designer talks about the MINI, and not the Vette Nomad. Either way, look at the GM vs. Avanti lawsuit over two trucks that did not look very similar.

I am sorry to dissapoint the anti-GM crowd, but to me this Nomad concept looks like a winner in my book. There is nothing “Aztek” about it and if this car has the hardware to back up its looks, watch out…

It may never be as captivating or charming as the MINI, but the Nomad is one heck of a good looking Chevy a division known for designing cars for rental fleets.

I am speechless…Couldn't tell the differance…….like an Aztek……….I'd better say nothing!

I think the designer that designed the Aztek must have designed the FIAT Multi Pla. It is even more ugly than the Aztek.

Check it out here:

http://www.tiscali.co.uk/motoring/roadtests/roadtest2411.html

RB

I know all us designers have our klinkers but that seems a stretch. Do you think he designed the Multipla also? Hey maybe the Gremlin or Pacer.

Actually I think the new 'Vette is mediocre. Should be much more. But I don't think much of any USA cars, except the new Cobra and the new 'stang, GT40, Viper.

The philoshopy of design…ah yes.

Well, that's what makes the world go 'round a differance of opinion…..RB

“The turbocharged Ecotec is good for 250 horses – 87 horses more, for example, than a certain “miniscule” chap from across the pond.”

No they aren't targeting the mini at all!…. You do the math………^

I got to pile on. I don't know whether the Nomad is going to be any good or not (hard to pass judgment on a unpriced car that is more than two years away at best), and I hold no prejudice that GM can't produce a good car – they have in the past and they do today, just not enough of them. But the idea that the Nomad is some kind of Mini copycat or styling ripoff is WAY off base. (The “BMW calling their lawyers” comment is just silly.) First, they don't look that similar. Second, mechanically, they couldn't be more different. They are targeted to similar markets, but with the Mini's success, I would be surprised if there are not several other Mini-like cars being planned.

I couldn't be more pleased about this. It looks like an interesting car, it provides some competition, and having GM in their producing good cars is good for the entire industry.

• Mark

Incoming……….Rocketboy!!

HOMEWORK……….HOMEWORK.

I don't seem to remember them ever calling the Corvette, during the Earl/Dunton era, a Nomad but I could be wrong about that. It all started with Earl's EX122.

I think there was a prototype dream car version made that was a Nomad-ish wagon type vehicle. But that was about all..I think.

I also think the earlier interations [Nomad wagon] were better.

I seem to recall that the Avanti was very close to the H2 but I haven't done much HOMEWORK on that.

And now back to MINI…Love that car!

RB

OK, sorry to have upset anybody.

1. I said, “I thought” there was only a concept Nomad Corvette made. And some customs by maybe Barris & others.

I just called Barrett/Jackson and they corroborated my thoughts and they thought maybe '58. I talked with a Mr. Dubby at Barrett/Jackson 1 480.421.6694

1. The car posted is a custom car.

2. I was talking about the earlier concept Nomad and yes I do see the differances and still like the earlier on better.

I'd say the “H” word again but I better not.

INCOMING!

And yes Gabe I will drop it…RB

okay I'm going to peek my nose back into this thread. First off my hats off to Rocketboy for taking all the heat in stride :)

Secondly is anyone else sensing that GM might be onto something here with the Solstice and the Nomad? There's a great story in this weeks Autoweek that talks about the Solstice and how GM has finally figured out how to make a profit from a low volume sporty car. Wouldn't it be something if the largest auto manufacturer in the world actually made something interesting for a change (new Corvette aside).

Thanks Doug, I'll admit I'm not much of a car guy. And that I didn't call any sort of auction house to bother them to ask them a question about cars for my little hobby, not to prove some sort of point to make myself feel better.

Did I say anything else to you? Or did I say that I had some sort of inside information, and was the end all to be all for Automotive news, or did I just have an opinion that two things looked similar, BMW is VERY protective about their MINI brand, and there's been lawsuits over designs that were much less similar?

The best part is that the Nomad was designed in Great Britain! Oh, and Jason, the Nomad looks nothing like the AC Cobra, which had no slats in its gaping mouth like opening up front. Instead it is more like the good old days of chrome grilles in Corvettes. I agree with the pro-GM croud here that the new Nomad takes more design features from the original Corvettes than from anything else. I will say that the dash in the Nomad reminds me a bit of the new Cobra concept by Ford, especially with the blue tint to everything inside. The idea of having 4 acual seats where people can fit their bodies is a good one, and some storage space is nice also. Not to mention 87 horsepower more than a MINI. Nomad, by the way is a great name for a car, it implies freedom and a slight sense of mystery. The dark tinted windows, and urban design built inside a retro body further add to the beauty of the car. I however would take a MINI over the Nomad any day.

Hello All. I only have ont thing to say if you are going to redo an american muscle car then PUT SOME #%$#%# POWER IN IT NONE OF THE RICE TURBO CRAP!!!! I was going to look at one but not with a 2.2 turbo @$@# box in it Thanks Glen

Nomads were very popular in the fiftys. I hear they are going with the original idea of a convertible. Thats why the ribs on the roof are there. They should be moderately priced in the 30 to 40 price range. Even if not, they woill be a huge hit.