March 2013

Refinement

56-Nomad-01The second year of Chevy Nomad production could be defined by one word.

1956 Nomad courtesy of the South-40 Collection

by Levi Watson   Photography by Colin Date

The 1950s saw some of the most radical and progressive automotive styling ever. Across the pond, Europeans were building sleek, curvaceous sports cars, but in the U.S. auto styling began to take cues from machines of flight. After World War II leading into the Space Race, American cars began to develop aviation inspired attributes like fins and cross hairs. The Chevy Nomad fell directly into this category, but it also had a lot of unique features making it instantly recognizable. The Nomad was designed to have the sporty look of a hardtop combined with the utility of a station wagon. This concept, combined with the unique styling features like the forward swept B-pillars and the wrap-around rear side glass helped turn the Nomad into the icon it is today. Continue reading →

At the Drive-in

drive-in-pic

Can you identify the movie that’s playing at this drive-in?

By Colin Date

Yes, I know it’s the middle of winter and drive-in movie theaters are probably not on your radar– well, yet anyway. How did I possibly get onto this subject you ask? I recently went online and checked out one of my old haunts– the 99W Drive-In, in Newberg, Oregon. Of course, being in the northwest, their marquee currently reads “Closed for the Season, see you in 2014”. I’m sure you’ll find most of the drive-ins across the country shuttered ’til spring, unless you happen to live in a southern clime. Here in Florida, they seem to operate year ’round. Spring will be here before we know it and it’ll be that time again; time to polish up your old Chevy and take your favorite date (or, the whole family) to the big screen under the stars. This has always been a summer tradition for my wife and me. It’s always a special treat waiting for dusk, watching the kids play on the swings in front of the screen, and hitting the snack bar before the big show starts. Continue reading →

Under Hood Restoration

under-hood-techStory and photography by Colin Date

If you’re content with a clean looking daily driver, or if you display your car at shows but leave the hood shut, there’s probably no need for you to tackle this project. After all, who sees the underside of your hood? However, if you’re proud of all that effort you’ve put into detailing out your engine bay, you’ll want to pay attention to this You Can Do It.

The underside of this car’s hood was super nasty, never having been touched in over four decades. With the hood removed, now was the time to get down and dirty, and restore the underside to its factory fresh appearance.
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