It’s hard to say anything new about a 1957 Chevy that hasn’t already been said, but this Los Angeles, California, subject has an interesting feature or two, so I thought I’d present it for your review. It’s claimed to be a Model Two-Ten “Handyman,” so let’s take a close look and see what this wagon is all about. Here on craigslist is where you’ll find it, and it’s available for $4,900.
When one mentions a 1957 Chevrolet and a two-door station wagon in the same breath, thoughts immediately turn to the top-shelf Nomad, but there were less-stylish versions in both the middle-tier Two-Ten and bottom-end One-Fifty series. In both instances, “Handyman” was the moniker used, and that’s what this car is, one of 17,500 Handyman Two-Ten wagons assembled almost 70 years ago. It gets confusing, however, as our subject is wearing “Bel Air” rear side trim, and that’s what adorned the previously referenced Nomad. The seller tells us, “Los Angeles built wagon that has been in SoCal since new. It is overall a solid car with having solid floors, doors, exterior panels, and fenders. There are a few small spots of rust, as shown in photos, and the spare tire pan will need attention.” That said, I suppose this wagon presents worse than it actually is. It’s clearly a project, but I imagine the plans ran out of steam as the seller states that it has been sitting for years.
A big surprise is what’s occupying the engine room. The seller tells us, “Currently has a big block engine paired to a manual transmission…” Well, that’s big news, but he offers no specifics. I’m going to go out on a limb and suggest that it’s a 454 CI V8 powerplant, as it’s wearing an EGR valve that first appeared in model year ’73, and a 454 was the only big-block game in town from that point forward for many years until it was supplanted by the 8.1 liter (496) in 2001. The gearbox is a manual, a four-speed perhaps, but nothing more is said. The listing concludes with, “Will need to be towed.”
The interior is rather barren, with its worn bench seat as the primary noticeable feature. There is a manual shifter sticking up through the floor, and the fabrication work surrounding it is obvious. The instrument panel is worn and degraded-looking, while the original large-diameter tiller has been replaced with a cheap parts store replacement. There are numerous images of the wayback, including the well for the spare tire; rust is evident, but it looks to be completely manageable.
This hot rod wanna-be harkens back to days long passed, and I guess the nostalgia is what caught my attention. This one’s gonna need a lot of work – the particulars of the big-inch engine are completely unknown, and its viability will be called into question. What do you think, worth the time, effort, and $$$ that will be necessary to turn this sow’s ear into a silk purse?
The 2dr tri five wagons are always desirable. It’s rough, but worth a look if you live close enough to check it out in person.
You are right, there is a very good chance it’s a 454 based on the EGR valve.
All being said, there are a lot worse cars than this with much higher asking prices.
Steve R
Poncho seat cover… Ta da… Rat Rod. Seems worth the grief for that style.
looks like along the way someone wanted to upscale a 210. The 210 had the similar stainless trim on the rear quarter so would have been easy to add the Bel Aire insert