Red’s The Name

Mary & Ed Robertson, MS

Ed & Mary Robertson of Pulaski , Mississippi , are well known in the classic Chevy show circuit for their extensive travels over the years to all corners of the nation in their turquoise ’57 Nomad, their red/beige ’55 convertible or their ’55 first-series truck. They looked in several states for a Nomad after selling their turquoise 1957 in 2003. This ‘55 was in North Mississippi and had been waiting for two years to be a daily driver.

The engine was rebuilt but was not nearly ready to hit the road. This car was not the Nomad the Robertson’s really wanted – wrong year, wrong color, no chrome under the hood. The paint and body work had been done by an amateur in 2000. They knew immediately it was not a professional job. The paint was dull, the interior was dirty, the rebuilt engine was dirty with no chrome and the engine compartment was not even presentable. It was lowered with 2” dropped spindles, 2” front coil springs, 2” rear leaf springs and 2” lowering blocks but it needed the correct shocks. The Robertson’s drove the car around the parking lot and they were not impressed. They really wanted a Nomad but not this Nomad.

About a month later; in August 18, 2006, the red ’55 Nomad was loaded on a trailer. The Robertson’s had decided after all to buy it. With this change in ownership, the car was in for some drastic changes. It was rubbed and polished over and over until the red paint glowed again. The dirty interior was cleaned and looked good inside again. The chrome fairy came at Christmas with goodies to make the engine and engine compartment shiny and pretty. Ed and Mary worked to make the car road worthy and ready to go anywhere. They did everything they could think of to make the car a comfortable driver. It was driven to several local and regional shows with only minor problems.

The big day finally came in February 2007. The “new” Nomad was cruising to its first national car show – the Winter National in Kissimmee , FL. Oops, they didn’t get far – the transmission died. The Nomad went home to the garage and left there while Ed & Mary cruised to FL in their 1955 Pickup. It was time for a replacement transmission - 700R4 with overdrive. After that, the Nomad cruised to its first distant show; Lone Star XXV in Round Rock, TX in May, 2007.

The first national car show would be the International Show in Hagerstown , MD , July 4-8, 2007. This time the car did make it to the show; but not without problems. Ed and Mary received the “Hard Luck Award” for having to repair a leaky gas tank on the way. Luckily, Alabama State Rep, David Castle was cruising with us in his 1955. We could not have made the trip without his help. Despite the problems the car scored 950 points – not too bad – and received the award for “Best Modified/Custom Interior Driven.” Maybe that’s one reason Ed and Mary didn’t just give up on the car - even though I ended up back on a trailer to get home (more problems)!

The Robertson’s have attended the Nomad Nationals every year since 1973 even when they were without a Nomad. The first Chevrolet Nomad Association National Convention in San Antonio , TX , July 16-20, 2007, was extra special. Ed & Mary were back with a Nomad and it placed 1 st in the Modified Class.

Work continued to make the Nomad as presentable as possible and as road worthy as possible. February 2008 finally arrived. The Winter National in Kissimmee , FL was the destination – no problems this time. The car scored 971 points and got lots of attention. People seem to like the bright red color even the paint is 8 years old.

The Robertson’s are still cruising. They just returned home from the 2008 Western National in Albuquerque , NM – with some electrical problems on the way. It’s a good thing the Robertson’s have friends all over the country. This time Larry Myers and Curtis Welch in Oklahoma found the problem and they were able to continue to Albuquerque . Ed and Mary couldn’t have made it to the show without their help.

If you attend a Chevy Classics or Nomad show in 2009 and beyond….chances are you’ll see the Robertson’s and their red Nomad!

Optional equipment:

350 engine with mild cam, roller rockers

600 Edelbrock carburetor

HEI

Headers - Flowmaster Exhaust

700R4 Transmission

Griffin Aluminum Polished Radiator

3.55 Rear End - Monroe Shocks With Shock Bar

2" Lowering Leaf Springs and 2" Lowering Blocks

2" Drop Spindles and 2" Lowering Coil Springs

Upper Tubular A-Arms

Monroe Front Shocks

Sway Bars - Front & Rear

605 Power Steering

Power Brakes- Disc Front, Drum Rear

17" Coy Wheels

Tinted Glass

Tan Custom Leather Interior - Matching Carpet

ididit Chrome Tilt Steering Column

Air Conditioning

Gas Struts on Lift Gate

Lap Seat Belts

Custom Autosound Secret Audio "SS" Stereo with RF Remote - Power Antenna

LED tail lights, back up lights, parking lights

Front & Rear Accessory Bumper Guards With Grille Guard