Wheels Galleries

It is almost beyond belief that this gorgeous '57 Chevy Nomad was reincarnated from a rusted-out shell that builder Randy Ranker bought basically for its roof. His lifelong fascination with Nomads has seen the Ellsworth body shop owner restore no fewer than 16 of the stylish two-door wagons.

link to image

Mike Berry The Wichita Eagle

Randy Ranker wanted to keep his latest Nomad's paint scheme close to the stock Sierra Gold/Adobe Beige offering, but with a bit more pop. His choice of Chrysler Sunburst Orange/'55 Chevy Shoreline Beige filled both bills.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

The nifty Nomad rolls on American Racing Torq Thrust II wheels mounting Kumho 16-inch tires in front, 17-inchers in the rear.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

A nice touch is the vintage Chevy fuel injection badge on each fender. The car isn't equipped with an old-school Rochester injection system, but a modern Ram-Jet setup.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

Looking perfectly at home in the beautifully detailed engine bay is a 350-horsepower Ram Jet crate injected motor that flows through Patriot headers and Flowmaster mufflers. Coupled with a 4L60E automatic transmission, the combination provides plenty of power and yields 18 mpg cruising at highway speeds.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

Also looking absolutely at home are a pair of Subaru Outback bucket seats that Wichitan Tom Richardson re-covered in supple executive jet leather. The car owner used a Chrysler Pacifica center console, mated to a hand-built front section, to house the Lokar shifter.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

A dark cherrywood Grant 3-spoke steering wheel mounted atop an ididit custom steering column provides a nice contrast in the Nomad's beige leather interior. A four-door parts car provided the factory-air dashboard.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

The stock rear seat got the Richardson leather upgrade; note the speaker vents and Chevron designs in the side panels.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

The distinctive '57 Chevy rear quarter styling was carried over to the door upholstery.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

Even the inside of the Nomad's tailgate received the Chevron-styled touch.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

Randy Ranker

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

The trademark Nomad tailgate with its vertical bars literally glows like molten lava in the sunlight.

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle

Randy Ranker and his '55 Chevy Del Ray

link to image

Mike Berry/ The Wichita Eagle