Designed to keep production costs as low as possible, the Nomad was designed with simple construction; its entire body was assembled from flat panels. 82% of the vehicle was sourced within South Africa.). The remaining parts came from Germany (VDO instruments, BorgWarner transmission), Australia (rear axle from Holden), and the United States (Rochester carburetor). The inline-four engine was designed by Chevrolet, shared by the locally-produced Chevrolet 2500 and others. Tuned for improved lower-end torque, the engine produced at 4000 rpm, allowing for a top speed of in a period test. While fitted solely with rear-wheel drive, the Nomad was designed with off-road capability, coinciding with its short 82-inch wheelbase and high (10.4-inch) ground clearance;Howard, p. 29 the body was fitted with a sump guard and a built-in box-section grille guard (the latter to protect the radiator and headlamps).Howard, p. 31 To make up for the lack of four-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential was fitted as standard equipment.
