Having four doors, this 1957 Chevrolet 210 Wagon is no Nomad, but it could be a fun project for a Chevy collector or fan. Be prepared to use the heck out of your credit card in ordering new parts, though. This project wagon is listed on eBay with bids still under $1,000 but the reserve isn’t met. This wagon is located in Pocatello, Idaho and the next owner isn’t going to drive it home.
The seller has it listed as a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air 150/210, and then they have it listed as a 1957 Chevrolet 210 Bel Air Wagon. I don’t think that this is a Bel Air model without the classic, aluminum ribbed side panels, so we can rule that out right away. Hemmings says that “more than 1.5 million were built, in 19 bodystyles and 460 model/color combinations” so it can be tough for non-fanatics to get the exact model designation correct without doing a little homework. I believe that this is a 210 model, the 150s didn’t have the side trim in the back like this, it would have had a single, straight trim piece, from what I know about them. Thoughts?
The seller talks about the rust: “rust issues are in some of the usual areas, passenger side floor pan has a few small holes, bottom of the front fenders, overall the undercarriage is solid.” And, it “was originally a California car so that helps with some of the rust issues.” It has a few rust issues, though. Most parts will be available for ’57 Chevys, but whether wagons are lumped into the mix, I’m not positive.
You can see what I would call structural rust on the A-pillar in this photo. That’s scary as heck to me, but some of you have restored cars in much worse condition than this one, I’m sure. As with the exterior, the interior will need a total restoration. Hagerty doesn’t list a value for the wagon, but NADA says that an average-retail price for a 1957 Chevy 210 wagon is $39,900, although that’s for a 9-passenger wagon and even that seems a little high to me. I don’t see a third-row seat but there are no photos of the rear compartment so it’s hard to tell. The back seat does look good, though. Maybe parts of this car can be saved or lightly-restored without having to do a nut-and-bolt restoration on the whole car.
As is too often the case, there are no engine photos. The seller says that this car has a 283 V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor which would had a healthy 220 hp and that it turns over and could start again with a little love. I know that feeling.. Have any of you restored a car in similar condition to this ’57 Wagon? If so, let’s see some photos!
It’s a Biscayne Delray Impala model. /s
Sheesh!
this is a 1957 210 4 door wagon, not anything else
Is it a Beauville or a Townsman?
That’s what I want to know.
http://57classicchevy.com/1957-chevrolet-body-styles
It appears to be a Townsman but I wonder if a seat is hiding back there somewhere?
I saw that page, Dave, and I think you’re onto something with the 210 Townsman. http://57classicchevy.com/1957-chevrolet-station-wagons Without seeing the back compartment it’s hard to tell if it’s a 9-passenger model or not which would make it a 210 Beauville. I didn’t want to put too many model names on it for fear of being way off and throwing the whole thing into a “You idiot, that’s not what it is!” sort of post.. which I have done before..
A nine passenger would have a split rear seat the allow access to the rear compartment. There’s no split seat in this one.
’57 did not produce Biscayne’s or Impalas. Sheesh! How many Classic Chevy’s do You Own???
steering wheel tells me this is probably a 210. Impala was not introduced till 58 and then only a two door. this wagon would be sweet after some resto work but the rust is a little scary! look like it has a three on the tree?
My neighbors bought a new 1960 nomad wagon 4 door all black. Beautiful car.. Can’t remember the motor size but it was an auto trans.
Someone might have stolen the clutch pedal. Or it’s the 2 speed auto with Reverse at the bottom! Indicator might be missing though.
It’s an automatic. The shift quadrant is in the speedometer. Why there’s no shift lever is anybody’s guess.
One of the problems with these early small block V8’s with cast iron rings was wear in the cylinder bore due partly to the engine’s geometry, the oils at the time and cast iron rings. At 70-80,00 miles most of these engines were worn out, ready for a rebuild. Most had egg shaped cylinders by that time which required at least a 30 thousandth overbore. With the advancements in ring technology(moly), vastly improved lubricating oils and other small tweaks this was not as big a problem in the last 40 years. The engine my turn over but I would bet it needs a rebuild.
I’m one of the seven people in the country that never cared for the ’57 Chevy, however, of all the ’57 Chevy’s out there ( I read, there’s more reproduction cars than original now) a non-Nomad wagon certainly is rare. They were often driven until every family member had their turn, and NOBODY ever thought of saving one. Kind of odd, as a wagon was probably one of their most popular models.
My pops called the ’57 “The Toilet”
Everyone in the neighborhood had one.
I’m a fairly staunch ’55 Chevy guy myself, Rube, if I had to pick a Tri-5.
I have 20 lbs. of Donkey Dump from the 50’s. I guess that’s certainly Rare also, huh? How much will you pay for it???
Here sits 3,000 + pounds of Scrap Iron!!!!!!!!! I’ll check with our local Recycle station & see what they pay before I bid on this Hunk ‘O junk! By the way, I am the proud owner of both, a ’57 B.A. 2 Dr. Hdtp. AND a ’56 B.A. 2 Dr. Hdtp!
I think it probably has a 265 instead of a 283.
<> possible … knew of a ’57 (2-dr!) wagon w/ a 265. Odd, but true.
The 265 was still quite common in 57
Not too Odd! All early ’57 V8’s were 265’s until later in the year when the 283’s came out!
The 265 was the standard V8 in all 57’s. 283 was optional all during the 57 model year.
I’ve probably said it before….being repetitive a privilege of age….but back in the early seventies my college roomie had a 150 wagon he rattled canned grey primer. When I needed a ride to another part of town, I’d Hotwire it and off id go. Drove him nuts. There was of course no key…and only I among our group of high achieving future leaders of America knew anything about cars.
I can’t understand the price on this junk
Hey Joe, I’m with ya!!!! Neither can I. Our Recycle center probably wouldn’t accept this Piecer for Scrap Iron!!!!
They don’t call them belly button cars for nothing…you see them everywhere. At least it’s complete and put together. When I bought my 58, the front end was off, engine/trans were out, interior trashed. One thing to remember about wagons…there is a lot more interior to do, and a lot of the exterior trim can be different. Looks like this one has it all, so that’s good. When I did mine in the early 90’s, chrome plating and interiors were still relatively cheap. Hope someone has fun with this one.
Wow… ruff crowd….guess they missed a ride in them when they were almost new…..
Well 90% of the parts your gonna need are available rerpo wise. Not sure if your gonna be able to find the window pillars you will need to replace without cutting them out of a donner car. I’m thinking this seller is gonna want 5K for that thing in so far as the reserve goes. If you go to all the trouble to restore it your gonna maybe get 20K out of it if it looks cherry new. Unless you find out it is like one of 5 made in this color, config etc and it was owned by Eddie Albert and driven around on the Green Acres show or something. LOL