1955 Chevy 210 Wagon – From Rat Rod to Shimmering Classic
When his wife says she wants a custom 1955 Chevy 210 Wagon to drive around town, like a good husband, Gary Ritchie delivers. Check out our interview with Gary at the 2017 Detroit Autorama. Hear how they take a former rat rod and turn it into a shimmering classic. Can you picture yourself cruising the neighborhood in this custom dream? Let us know in the comments.
The Nickname Says It All
“My wife sees the for-sale sign on this Orange rat rod wagon and has to have it” Gary says. With rust, nowhere in sight, he sets out to transform this diamond in the rough into her dream car. “Everyone wants to know if it is a Chevy Nomad” Gary laughs. “So, we call our car Notmad”. The nickname says it all. The Chevy 210 has many of the same features as the Bel-Air based model but it is not a Nomad. It is unique all by itself.
“It’s a Ball to Drive!”
The build begins with Bill Ritchie’s Automotive Services installing a new LT1 V8 engine from a 1995 Corvette. They add an L460 transmission to give the wagon a smooth ride. “It’s a ball to drive! We love it.” he says. The custom interior, complete with all the modern bells and whistles, is crafted by the folks at Ciadella Interiors in Tempe, AZ. With stellar paint and body work by the Boogie Man himself – Gary Zaborowski, it is evident Gary knows the way to a woman’s heart.
Champagne Dreams and Caviar Wishes
For the exterior, achieving a silvery shade of Champagne proves a challenge. “We looked for six months to find just the perfect one” Gary remembers. He finally got the look he was going for by pairing Silver Sand Metallic (a 2015 Mercury MKX color) with Wimbledon White (a Ford off-white hue from the 30s). The combination is timeless and elegant. Now, this former rat rod is a classic family wagon, evoking champagne dreams and caviar wishes for its proud owners.
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
Customizing a classic takes creativity and hard work. Protect your investment with the right insurance. Classic Auto Insurance offers affordable coverage for a variety of collector cars. Let our knowledgeable staff answer all your questions and tailor a policy to meet your needs. Visit our website at www.classicins.com or call 888-901-1338 and see how we can help safeguard your dream car.
