Don’t know if Bob Landrie believes in destiny, but in the case of this ultra clean ’56 Chevy Nomad destiny just might have played a hand in the purchase. Back in 2000, Landrie was working at his Saskatoon body shop, Fabian’s Autobody, when he saw a stock-looking ’56 Nomad park across the street. Landrie’s a big fan of ’56 Chevys and already owned a nice ’56 Seafoam Green and Linen White 210 coupe but he always kept his eyes open when it came acquiring more. “I walked over and asked the guy if he was interested in selling and he said ‘nope, I’m going to restore it.’” Landrie went back to work, but when the gentleman was gone, he realized he didn’t get his name. He walked back across the street and was told by the Nomad owner’s friend the car actually might be for sale but that the owner had agreed to sell it to him.
     Foiled, at least Landrie now had a name. The Nomad’s owner was Gord Rutherford and he’d owned it for 30 years. He was the second owner and the car had been very well maintained over the years. It was all original save for the paint, which was a recoat of the original colour. Rutherford never did sell it to his friend and about three years passed after Landrie’s first sighting. He couldn’t stop thinking about the car and started asking around and learned Rutherford lived in Blackstrap, just south of Saskatoon.  Landrie gave him a call and discovered Rutherford was interested in selling. A deal was worked out and the ’56 had a new home and was soon treated to a full rotisserie restoration.
     The Nomad’s condition amazed Landrie. “There was only minor rust,” he says. “I replaced one rocker, two inner rockers and one floor pan.” When the body was done, Landrie laid on the Sikkens base/clear Sea Foam and Linen White, a perfect match for his ’56 210 coupe.
     While the car was mechanically fine, Landrie wanted a hot rod so a ’95 Camaro donated its LT1 and 4L60 automatic transmission. A handmade mandrill bent, ceramic coated exhaust system takes care of spend gases.  The stock front suspension was maintained, save for some 2-inch drop spindles and a sway bar. Out back a 2001 S-10 4x4 donated its 10-bolt, posi-trac rear differential. The Nomad stops on a dime thanks to four wheel disc brakes and turning performance is aided by a power steering unit. This Nomad also sports a rare seamless frame, instead of the more common channel frame. “I’ve read that only 5% of ’56 Chevys came with a seamless frame,” says Landrie. Billet Specialty alloy wheels (17 up front, 18 out back) give the car the right stance.
     The new upholstery is a kit reproduction of an original factory design and was installed by Landrie. A Eclipse AM/FM/CD MP3 WMA stereo provides tunes through focal polly glass co-axial speakers and a Eclipse sub woofer.
     The car took almost four years to complete, making its debut at last year’s Draggins Rod & Custom car show. The build was dedicated to Rutherford, who passed away during the restoration process. While Rutherford never had a chance to restore the Nomad, at least the car went to a person who had the passion and skill to honour the car, and Rutherford, with such a stellar interpretation.
     Perhaps that was destiny’s plan all along.