I just got back from the bookstore and was wondering if anyone else had heard this gibberish. A consumers reports "future vehicle forecast" magazine says the Bel-Air will be out in 2005, except it wont be V-8, but a 5 cylinder?? Anyone wanna shed some light on this?

 

As far as the Bel Air is concerned I think it was a concept only and not intended for production. The engine in their (Turbo I-5 from Atlas) is the same as the engine in the trailblazer but that one is an inline-6. If the Turbo comes out, it may be in the Extreme Colorado but a production I-5 with 200hp-215hp (Can't remember the number off-nad but www.pickuptruck.com has a complete article on them and the plant.)

Personally I am not sure if the Bel0Air would get the nod but we will have to see what happens once the colorado/Canyon and future Hummer vehicle launch and what demand is there for them. I think the best idea of the vehicle is the fact that it has the body-on-frame design but retro in my book will only have a shelf life of four years... but that's all I know about this topic, maybe there are others out there that have more info. etc.

 

The BelAir/ Nomad based on light truck architecture seem to be quite far along on the GM decision making trail.

I think that they will be hits if priced reasonably. I think that they will be flops if priced like their SSR platform mate.

A mid $20k turbo I5 Nomad would be on my shopping list.

 

That nomad won't cost a penny under $31K.

 

Belair in some form or another is comming. Whether it will be whata upcoming Chevy coupe's exterior is based off of, or if it will be a car in itself, we will in fact know by 2005-2006.

My guess? I suspect it's being developed along side the Nomad, and both will share interior, fenders, hood, and perhaps front end as well. Also, that it will be based on the same frame & components as the Chevy SSR.

Why?
1. Knowing GM as we do, does anyone really think that after all the work on the SSR, GM will miss a chance to earn back it's investment on it?

2. Belair's design was being refined right before our eyes. Compare Belair's publicity pictures to the actual car. Anyone ever seen a concept car design actually become more refined (production ready in appearence) as it entered the auto show circuit?

3. Nomad wasn't produced because there was nothing to produce it on, or base it on.

4. During a conversation about Belair with an industry rep, Nomad was also mentioned numerous times. I didn't bring it up, and honestly forgot about it at the time.

5. SSR is a limited production vehicle that probally won't be around past 2005. Again, does anyone think GM is going to simply let it's investment end there? Even though the frame is based on the Trailblazer, it isn't a Trailblazer frame. It's unique.

The whole thing to me spells Belair & Nomad being 2 versions of the same vehicle off of the SSR chassis by 2005 or 2006.

GM's seems to have a RWD vehicle planned ahead of the VEs in 2006-2007. I'm suspecting these are them.

 

Is there any pics of the Nomad?

Also, what else is on the same platform as the Nomad/Bel-Air/SSR?

 

So, around 2005-2006 Chevy's car line up should be:

Impala
Monte Carlo
Nomad
Belair
Malibu

and, oh yeah, Cobalt.

Aside from Cobalt, looks like some kind of twisted time warp!

 

Don't forget Aveo!!!

 

Or Corvette.

 

Whoops!

How could I forget Corvette!?! And me in the middle of All Corvettes Are Red.....

I will now go hang my head in shame.....








(notice lack of statements refering to aveo)

 

Awwww... C'Mon... it's so cute!! ... eh, nevermind!

 

Why bring it back...you can't top the original!!
Here's my baby

 

Very Nice Belair!!

Just goes to show you...the more cars change...well...the more they change.