The fore-father to the famous 1955-56-57 Chevy Bel Air Nomad, the prototype 1954 Motorama show car introduced the world to the 'form before function' sport wagon. The Superior 54 is true in size, proportion, and function to the protoype.
Clean lines and an exquisite balance of window height to the lower body really set this car apart.
One of the most dramatic and difficult to reproduce features of this car is the radically sloped windshield that wraps down and around to the A-pillars. Each windshield is custom made and included with each Complete Rolling Package.
Each tailgate and roll pan trim piece is custom made for the Superior 54 and the triple-nickel chrome matches the sparkle of the bumpers and window trim throughout the car. The custom rear window is power operated and once dropped into the tailgate it can be folded down as one would expect.
A close up view of the windshield, shown in the green tint commonly used in the 50's. The windows are also available in clear or a light gray smoke tint. Also note the removable cowl vent panel. This can be fixed in place, smoothed over, or made functional. NOTE: Shown with prototype window trim. Production trim is at the chromer.
Those teeth! Possibly the most famous grill in American automotive history still looks great after all these years. Top quality reproduction grill teeth, bumpers, and headlight rings are included and installed with each Complete Rolling Package. The chrome fender and door spears are custom made for this car. They differ from the trim used on the production Corvettes in that the fin points down instead of up. This historically correct detail adds to the authenticity of each Superior 54 Sport Wagon and is also visually stunning.
This is a sports car, not the family wagon, and it has the stance to match. Low to the ground but still quite drivable as all the suspension, driveline, and exhaust sit within the frame rails and do not hang down. Roof height is elbow-high on this 6-foot tall man, or about 54". This will vary depending on suspension settings and wheel/tire choice.
Side sliding windows are functional, included, and installed and surrounded by custom chrome trim. Chrome trim also provided for the door top, and a polished stainless rain gutter is installed. Power door windows are also standard with each Superior 54.
The stainless steel exhaust port is another signature styling feature of the Motorama prototype. Your Superior 54 Sport Wagon can be built with this installed, omitted, or provided for you to install later. The Corvette fenders, bumpers, and taillights all flow seamlessly into the rear of this Sport Wagon and sets it apart from any production Nomad.
Ready to accept original or reproduction 1953 Corvette dashboard parts including the speedometer bezel, speaker bezel, and gauges. Corvette experts will note that the dashboard has been widened several inches on either side on the center gauge cluster as the Superior 54 is wider than the original Corvette.
The interior is designed so you can install the interior of your choice. The square steel tubing provides attachment points for upholstery panels as well as strength and support for the body. Huge wheel tubs will house tires up to 11" wide. The floor and body panels are strengthened with Coremat and balsa.
Note the lower, more sleek lines of the Superior 54 vs. an original 1955 Nomad. The windshield is one of the more dramatic differences, with the Superior 54 being shorter but radically sloped similar to an original '53 Corvette. The signature Nomad B-pillar is also angled more steeply on our car, lending to its sports car appearance. (Thank you Mike and Carol Brownlee for sharing their beautiful '55 with us for these pictures.)
The one-piece fiberglass floor lays directly on the frame rails and is bolted down prior to installing the body. Additional balsa and Coremat reinforcement will be added later in the production process.
