In 1954, Harley Earl, GM’s head stylist, envisioned a Nomad concept car as a successor to the successful Corvette sports car. The “Dream Car” featured a Corvette front end and a two-door wagon body. This design was very different from the traditional station wagons of the time as the windshield was laid back further than normal. When the design was approved for production, though, it was to be built on the normal Chevrolet A-body of the time. The most sought-after of the Nomads have always seemed to be the Tri-Five versions from 1955 through 1957. This 1957 example is available here on craigslist in Toronto, Ontario with an asking price of $65,500.
The distinctive large tailfins were new for 1957, and one design element was the hidden gas filler in the driver’s-side fin. This restoration was brought down to the bare metal. There is said to be no rust, and the body is very, very straight with high-end paint. The color is two-tone Gypsie Red and India Ivory. The interior is done in Black Leather with red stitching and looks to be in excellent shape. A floor shifter for the 4-speed trans sits in front of the front bench seat.
The engine is a 355 cubic-inch V8 with a 4-speed manual transmission. The original generator is said to be working well. All the trim is new, as are the front and rear bumpers. The car currently has 7-inch front and 8 ½ rear Torq Thrust wheels. The owner has a set of original rims with white wall tires already mounted, along with the original hubcaps.
You could leave this car as-is and have a beautiful, driver-ready Nomad, or, given the lack of modifications, you could easily turn it into an original-looking Nomad with the included wheels and hubcaps. Which would you prefer? I, myself, would drive it just the way it is. As of this writing, prices for 1957 Nomads run from the low 50s to the low 80s. With this one’s sale price sitting right in between, plus a fresh paint job and a running drivetrain, I would say it’s a decent deal. What are your thoughts? Would you want a slightly modified Nomad?
I would take care of the gap issue, actually an easy repair that should have been corrected prior to paint, for the asking price. I guess 40 + years of frame, collision and restoration craftsmanship, small things just jump out. Beautiful automobile though! The details matter…
Hi! Are u talking about the gaps on the hood and the p side door or are there more pics that I have not seen? I am curious: when cars of this era were built, did they not have some gaps or were they all perfectly gapped?
I ask because I just bought a 54 Dodge Coronet wagon w a 241 hemi in it and in doing some research, came across an article that mentioned similar gaps on the hood and doors?
Thanks and have a great day!
Looking at the top right side of the hood, the height difference between it and the top height of the fender. In the shop co worker’s would say you could throw a cat through the gap. It’s a Beautiful car don’t get me wrong, if you were showing or selling it such an easy adjustment just makes you wonder why it wouldn’t be taken care of. My favorite part of work was always restoration of the vintage, classic and show cars!
Yes, the door to front fender gaps are off by a mile. I suspect that the car was painted woth the fenders off and fenders painted separately. Other than that, I think the car is beautiful and I even like the wheels. (Although the stock wheels, caps and white walls aren’t bad either.)
Per the seller:
“It’s unmolested” and
“This car has not been modified, except the engine.”
We must have a different definitions of “unmolested” and “modified.”
And the transmission, and the interior…
I’m just curious weather the new writers are sourcing their own finds from the internet, or using the reader submissions?
Aldo, this was a reader submission.
Radiator is in 6 cyl.location ,was this a original 6 cyl.car??
I noticed that right away as well.
The other reason could be that the water pump is not the ‘ shorty ‘ version of water pump that is being used but rather the ‘ long ‘ version, which would have put the fan into the radiator.
Anyway that’s my guess..
This, in my estimation, is the best design ever conceived for a station wagon.
About $47k USD.Anything below $50k for a nice 57 Nomad is a good deal.
Canada + Craigslist.
Bwah ha haaaaaaaaaaa!!!
Nice car. Needs alternator, power disc’s, power steering, A/C, overdrive automatic, to be at this price. I’d offer $30,000
Worth. Every. Dime. Asked for.
Drive it. Park it in a nice garage space.
Cherish it. Sit in it and tune in the World Series and sip a cold brew out in the driveway. Wave at your neighbors.
Matador Red- not “Gypsie” (sic)
Not an “unmolested” car IMHO. Different engine, transmission, and upholstery- and that’s without taking a close look.
Nice if you like the mods.
That looks like a two door post car
Had yellow and white, ‘57. 265, auto, even had Harrison air. Sold for a measly $750 back in 1967. I hate meself.
I would guess it was a 6 cylinder standard.
You can also mount your radiator like that for more clearance.
$65000 Cdn$ is about $46000 usd$.
I would like to see side on pictures the window post don’t appear to have the proper rake. Also would like to see the rear deck fully closed for the molding details just an appinon!
I like it and could not build it for that. 4 speed 355 is a plus. I would add disc brakes and dual res. MC too. Script: 1957 Chevy Nomad. Fresh restoration, took body down to bare metal. It’s unmolested. No rust. Paint is Gypsie Red and Indian Ivory, factory colors, body is very, very straight, high end paint.
Back to original color. All trim new, new front and rear bumpers.
Interior nicely done in leather, black with red stitching. Carpet black, good condition. All glass very nice. Motor 355 V8, 4 speed transmission. Has new torque thrust wheels, 7 wide front, rear 8-1/2 and also have 4 original rims, tires and hub caps mounted. Rims are painted red, original for the car, restored. This car has not been modified, except the engine. Still has original generator, working well. Drive this car anywhere, shows well. These Nomads are harder to find and sought after. Lots more in restoration than asking.
Would almost be my daily driver, I have always liked these
Big money for a unaligned passenger door[ sagging too] and fender and thats the only side we see . Its a cool car but 65.5 ? and interior is less than stellar too . good luck though someone might fall in love with this one .
With these pictures I cannot see clearly the gaps whether they are good or not.