Some customized cars knock you upside the head with radical modifications and elaborate paint schemes. Others are so subtle and nuanced they require study with a trained eye to fully recognize and appreciate the work performed. Henry Gong's '56 Nomad belongs to the latter group, but only because builder Cole Foster insisted it be that way.

Cole, as you probably know, is the master metalman, custom builder, and main Salinas Boy from Salinas, California. While most of his creations are significantly altered, they manage to have a simple, fluid, understated presence that harkens back to the early days of customizing. Like Cole, they're somewhat soft spoken.

Cole was finishing up an especially subtle '56 F-100 a few years ago when Henry finally convinced him to take on the Nomad. Henry had owned the wagon--a former shop vehicle for Goodies Speed Shop in San Jose--since 1985. It sat in his driveway so long that grass grew in the driprails and moss clung to the tailgate; long enough that most of the car guys in Salinas knew about it. Those same guys also knew Henry, who owns a local grocery store.

That's where a little friction arose. The project was barely underway when Henry began getting "advice" on what to do to the Nomad from all of the aforementioned car guys who stopped by his market. Every time a new aftermarket widget or trend came along, they'd convince Henry it belonged on his car, and he'd swing by Cole's shop to pass along the suggestions. It didn't take long for Cole to lose his cool. He told Henry to either stay the course with the original plan or find another builder. "Stick with me," Cole said. "Have faith in me."

Henry did, and Cole forged ahead with a recipe to refine, but maintain, the Nomad's original design. The list of minor mods included shaving the hood and emblems, removing the tailgate handle and replacing it with a full-length center trim bar, and, curiously, eliminating the door locks while leaving the door handles in place. Perhaps the ultimate subtle touch, though, was welding the fenders to the body. Cole also spent countless hours finessing the door and hood gaps before sending the car to Marcos Garcia at Lucky 7 Customs, who sprayed the Jaguar blue and pearl white finish.

Part of the car's visual statement was made with its stance, achieved using air springs in conjunction with a custom four-bar rear suspension and stepped front control arms. An AccuAir unit was installed to monitor and control ride height. Disc brakes and a McGaughy 605 steering box were also part of the chassis upgrades, as were the 15x6-inch Wheels of Steel chrome wheels--sometimes run with spider centers, sometimes run with smoothie caps--and Coker wide white radials.

One thing that is not so subtle is the engine. Goodies Speed Shop had set the car up with a healthy 396, which Job Stevens freshened up with a mild cam, MSD ignition, headers, Mooneyes valve covers, and plenty of paint and detail. A 700-R4 overdrive automatic was plugged in behind the mill, while Aaron Elliott built the custom core support to mount the aluminum U.S. Radiator up front. The pearl white engine compartment is sanitary in many ways; there's hardly a wire out of place, and there's even polished hard lines for the power steering. But the crowning touch has to be the Alan Johnson air cleaner, with Cole's flower-pattern paint and Rod Powell pinstriping offering a little '60s flourish.Howard's Upholstery in Salinas created a period factory look inside the car by covering the Glide front seat and stock rear in blue and off-white vinyl with a square-pleat pattern. The dash and wheel were restored to stock, and the Hot Rod Air system was kept out of sight by tucking the main unit into the cowl cavity and crafting slim ducts under the dash. Rick Delarosa helped string the new Painless wiring.

The result of everyone's efforts is a car that looks an awful lot like a restoration, only an awful lot cooler. Where other cars flaunt their modifications, this one makes you hunt. That's just the way Cole wanted it. And now that it's finished, we don't think Henry would have it any other way.