At first glance, this 1957 Chevrolet 210 Wagon looks pretty reasonable, even if there are some rust issues visible around the vehicle. However, the more that we dig into this vehicle, the more positive attributes that we find, and the better it looks as a potential project vehicle. The owner has set a BIN price of $7,900 for the Chevy, which just looks better and better the further that we go. I have to really thank Barn Finder local_sheriff for spotting this beauty for us. Located in East Palatka, Florida, you will find the Wagon listed for sale here on eBay.
Okay, so here is the first part of the equation that makes this car look so attractive. Yes, there’s rust to be addressed, but this task is going to be made so much easier thanks to the fact that all of those replacement pieces sitting beside the car are included in the sale. It appears that every part that you would need is there, with the exception of a small rust spot on the edge of the roof that you may have to make your own patch for. It even looks like the owner has invested in a set of the Bel Air trims to fit in the spear on both quarter panels. So far then, it all looks very promising. So, now you have to ask yourself if it can get any better.
If you asked that question, then I can confirm that it does get better. The original engine and transmission have long gone. In their place are a 350ci small-block and a Turbo 350 transmission. The owner says that the engine and transmission were both rebuilt by a previous owner, and both work really well. You look under the hood and it all looks clean and tidy, although I would probably find a better way to keep the hood open than the method that the current owner uses!
If there is a potential low point somewhere on the Wagon, then the interior may be it. It is serviceable the way that it is, but it could certainly do with a good restoration or update. The good thing is that it does appear to be complete and original, so given the upgrades and modernizing that has occurred to the engine and transmission, then maybe this is the time to consider some custom or more luxurious upholstery material for the standard door trims, seat, and headliner.
For me, as far as project cars go, I think that this one is a beauty. While there are rust issues to be addressed, it appears that the new owner is going to have everything that they will need to get the job done. A relatively fresh engine and transmission are just the icing on the cake. I like it a lot, and I don’t think that it will be long until someone hits the “BIN” button on this one.
It doesn’t come with a Nomad price tag, nor does it have the two spare doors commonly found on other wagons.Seller has done a good job scooping up fresh sheet metal(it’s needed!)There’s a LOT of work involved here, but with current prices on anything else vintage, Tri-Fives have become almost obtainable.
Someone pick it before I change my mind
So is this the same thing as a brookwood? If so, there was a beautifully restored one at the Portland Auto Show in January. Sound system in the back, red, on airbags-That thing was awesome!
Yes and no.Brookwood was the mid-level wagon until Yeoman was deleted, then the Brookwood name became the entry level longroof.
The 57 here appears to be a 210 (mid-range) car, as no 2door Bel Air wagons were available, Nomad excluded.They’re also referred to as Handyman, some 12.000 copies were sold
While the car might (MIGHT) be worh the asking price to the right guy (not me), I have to disagree with “The engine and trans are worth the price of this car.” I’m pretty sure I can pick up a questionable “rebuilt” 350/350 combo for less than $7900… THat’s turnkey 500 hp crate 383/ performance TH350 territory there.
Hope the buyer knows how much work he’s faced with, rot in the roof is never a good thing. Sure would be nice fixed up in original. Working Man’s Chevy. Good luck.
Cheers
GPC
I had one of these in high school. It had the original 235 straight 6 with a modified front bench seat to accommodate the M21 Hurst shifted 4 speed.
It was a fun car, one where I perfected my powershifting abilities. I eventually sold it and finished the later part of my High school career with a garnet red/white interior/ white vinal top 69 Camaro with a 307 turbo 350. Of course I hot rodded that camero with the help of a GM parts guy who also had a 307. Although not by any means a racing motor, with some bolt on parts headers, aluminum high rise, 780 dual feed holley and some serious tuning…you know the day two drill, the car ran respectively. At the time I did not understand torque curves and was shifting it at 7,800 and 8,200 in a pinch! Duh, as you can imagine my 307 didn’t last long with all the street racing we did back in the 70’s. Never blew it up but it statret to smoke like crazy! Ahhh youth!
I just saw an ad for a 2 door wagon but a 1959 model here in Mexico. The car looks fairly straight.
I might go look at it next week. I haven’t seen too many around.
I question the rebuilt engine and trans…judging by engine pic the oil pan is only half painted….leads me to conclude a clean and spray paint job to “appear” freshened up. Also spray painted over muffler rust.
My father had a 4 door version of this car. Same colors and interior. It was the first car I ever helped dad work on. In 1966~67 We swapped in a 283 from a wrecked ’64 Impala when the cam went flat in the original 283. He walked to work for two to three weeks while he saved up the $60.00 to buy the new motor. We used a come-a-long chained to a tree limb in the backyard by the alley to lift the motor out. We did it all with a 7 piece set of combination wrenches. I remember he had to borrow a socket and ratchet for one bolt/nut that we couldn’t access with a wrench. I was only 10 years old at the time and I thought we had performed a miracle.
jw454 That is an interesting story. Wouldn’t it have been cheaper to replace the camshaft?
Miguel,
I don’t know what a new cam would have cost plus gaskets, plus lifters, plus anything else it would have taken but, my father didn’t know how to do it anyway. He also couldn’t afford to have the work done either. We had the old motor out and the new one in and running in 4 or 5 hours. I thought that was pretty good for a guy that knew very little about cars and a 10 year old kid that asked too many questions.