In “Tri-Five” circles, most of the interest in 1955-57 Chevrolet station wagons falls to the Bel Air Nomad, a 2-door wagon with its own sporty body. Low production numbers mean they can be very valuable today with collectors. Of less interest are the better-selling 4-door wagons like the seller’s weather-worn ’57 210. It looks like it has been sitting outdoors for years and will require a complete restoration. Found in rural Oakley, Kansas, this two-tone project is available here on eBay where $1,825 is where the bidding stands.
There were apparently two trim levels of the 4-door 210 station wagons: the Townsman, which may have been more basic with sales of nearly 129,000 units, and the Beauville (snappier?) with sales totaling just under 24,000 copies. We don’t know which version the seller’s wagon may have left the factory as, sporting the possible base color of Sherwood Green. The VIN confirms this 210 was built with a 235 cubic inch inline-6, which the seller says is “no good”.
Details on this Chevy are few, and its history isn’t known. It does have a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission whose condition isn’t mentioned. The body seems to be surprisingly in good shape per the seller and his/her photos. The chrome seems okay, at least what is left of it after resting for ages. The interior is a mess, as you might expect, and all of the glass is okay, sans one panel.
Would-be buyers will have to decide whether this wagon is worth restoring – or would it better serve as a donor for another, better project. The title is MIA after all these many decades, so all the seller will be able to give you is a bill of sale. What would you do?
I’d call it too much work and go find something else.
If the outer shell isn’t rusted through- do any floor repairs, get it running good (existing driveline or replacement), lower it, redo the interior, turn someone talented loose with a sword brush, and cruise.
Since we’re talking about a family
car here, I”d go with either a 350
or a 3800 GM V-6 either of which
could be mated to a 700R4 auto
tranny. I’d also upgrade the brakes to disc up front, drums rear, and a 2 pot master cylinder to make it stop safely. I wouldn’t
spend a king’s ransom on the interior as any good local upholstery shop can stitch you up
a really nice interior. And while you have the interior out, add some better sound insulation and
put in a decent stereo and A/C.
Then repaint it the factory colors
and drive and enjoy.
A quick internet search it appears that getting a replacement title in Kansas is fairly simple and only $10 bucks so you would have to get the seller to go with you to handle that paperwork because it involves a notary otherwise at $2k or less going off current bid there is still meat on the bone for a flip on this ride.
Candidate for the nearest junkyard.
Sold on 9/13/2025 for a high bid of $1,825, there was a total of 2 bids.
Steve R