As the late vaudevillian/actor Jimmy Durante used to say, “I got a million of ’em.” What’s that you ask? Well, 1957 Chevrolets of course. We could call this website “1957 Chevy Finds”, we’ve reviewed so many over the years – a gift that keeps on giving, I guess. Today’s find, a resident of Alva, Florida, is a two-door 150 series station wagon. The seller tells us, “WON’T FIND ANOTHER ONE IN THIS ORIGINAL CONDITION.” Really? Let’s look it over and see if that’s the case.
When one mentions a two-door, 1957 Chevrolet station wagon, thoughts of the distinctive, range topping Nomad are usually conjured. In the case of our subject car, we’re at the other end of the spectrum as this 150 “Handyman” set the entry point with the more trimmed out 210 spanning the gap between the 150 and the BelAir/Nomad. These bottom-of-the-line wagons sold moderately well with about 14,000 reaching new owners – can you imagine a two-door station wagon selling today? Actually, station wagons, in general, don’t sell domestically today.
The go-to color for ’57 seems, by casual observation, to be “Highland Green” such as our subject car. While reviewing the extensive number that we have reviewed here on BF, that’s the one that keeps surfacing most often. As a kid, we had neighbors who had a 150 two-door sedan and it was Highland Green – they seemed to be everywhere in that shade so many years ago. This wagon is said to be still wearing its original finish and it shows pretty well with typical fade and bleed-through – what some refer to as patina though it’s genuine in this case. The chrome plated bits and stainless trim are still in remarkable condition (this Chevy has been garage kept for 30 years). I don’t see any rot infecting the passenger side of this 150, curiously, there are no included images of the driver’s side.
No small block powerplant here, this Chevy is still toting its 140 gross HP, 235 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine. A three-speed manual transmission makes the rear wheel hookup and the seller claims, “CAR STARTS, RUNS AND DRIVES VERY NICELY.” The engine compartment reveals an unmodified and original motor – it’s a surprisingly clean environment!
The interior of this car is barely photographed. The original abstract checkerboard pattern upholstery shows pretty well – worn but not worn out, but it’s not viewable in its entirety. Ditto the instrument panel, it’s pretty fair with just some evidence of rusty turn signal and shift levers. Being a station wagon, I always like to catch a glimpse of the cargo area but, unfortunately, none was provided.
Next stop? My guess is that someone will buy this Chevy and hot rod it – it’s just asking for it. A stock retention would be nice but I doubt that’s in the cards and it’s an understandable direction. Here on eBay is where you’ll find this neat two-door wagon and it’s available for a current bid of $16,109 with the reserve not yet met. Back to that next steps thought, if you were to buy this Chevy, would you keep the six-cylinder engine or ditch it for something more sporting?
Great foundation for a project that can go any direction the next owner decides. You don’t see utilitarian vehicles survive in such good condition often. It will be interesting to see where the bidding ends.
Steve R
I’m pretty sure this one was originally a west coast car. The one piece front bumper gives that away. California had a law that mandated one piece front bumpers, so everything not made in LA got a three piece bumper.
My 57 Bel Air isn’t bad, but it’s going to need a bumper re-chrome some day. 67 years, the first 21 baking in the LA sun, will do that. I can’t imagine what that’s going to cost, but it won’t be cheap.
Good catch, the VIN indicates that it was built in Los Angeles.
JO
I’m pretty sure the Canadian built 57’s also came with the one piece front bumpers. But this one is probably a US car.
Thanks for sharing the tidbit about the bumper. I’m a wiser man for it. I never would have believed California had any exclusive regulations on vehicles prior to the mid-seventies. Has me wondering now if GM production in LA and Ford with a plant in San Jose was more than just for logistics …(?)
Used to see these all the time as a kid. Illinois State University used them as utility vehicles move cargo
around the campus and cars like this
one were in their fleet until the early
’70s at least. And yeah, most of their
150s were painted either this shade of green or dark red. They also had
a lot of ’40s and early ’50s Chevy trucks that were used for heavy lifting. Near the end of their service
lives, most of them had most of the
cabs removed leaving only the windshield and the bed and a seat to
sit on. And like you Jim, I would’ve
liked to have seen the cargo area too
because Uncle Sam bought quite a few of them for use on Army, Navy, and Air Force bases back then. Me,
I’d wind up using it for Door Dash
deliveries as sometimes we get large
bulky items that won’t fit in a modern
car. And with a rig like that, we just
couldn’t miss.
I owned a 2 Dr 55 handyman for several years, people would say cool nomad ,nice nomad, look son thats a nomad, what motor you running in that nomad, finally I have in and would say, thanks dude.
Gave
Alva, Florida is about 100 miles due south of Tampa and 16 feet above sea level. Here’s hoping this beaut and the seller survive, along with the 2,000,000 other people in harm’s way.
Chuck, I’m on the East Coast in Palm
Bay. Milton is still hammering our city
as I write this post. Haven’t seen any
Damage assessments as of yet, but I
can assure you that they will be staggering. By the grace of God, we
Still have lights, water, and A/C. Most
businesses are closed but some restaurants have opened for pickup
orders only. Sad thing is that Door Dash has halted deliveries until the
storm passes, which rendered the first statement rather moot. We still
have family and friends who live in the Tampa Bay area and our hearts and prayers go out to them and all the
other folks who live in that region.
Governor Desantis has mobilized all
State agencies to help in the cleanup
and they may have begun the rebuilding process as I write this post
from the safety of my screen porch.
He’s even told FEMA to back off and
stay the hell out of the way while we
rebuild. The winds are still howling
but if folks pull together, we can make
it through anything. We’re all standing Florida strong!
Being in south Florida we missed the flooding but got some healthy winds. A good three quarters of our racing family live at or above Ft Meyers on the west coast. All of them got clobbered in one form or another. Hope you came through it OK. As for the truck, I’d be tempted to pump up the 6 cylinder engine. There is enough go faster parts available for the engines to give more power and neat sounds. I like the car.
Good to read…..
What’s wrong with the drivers side? no pictures here or on eBay.
Add duel carbs, headers with dual exhaust and glass packs, and have fun!
Any New Water Damage?
Frankly, I am surprised that no one has commented on the price. I may be 75 and somewhat unfamiliar with the current value of cars other than ones I have some current knowledge of, but how can this thing be worth over $16,000? Don’t get me wrong, I love the tri-five 2 door wagons and sedan deliveries, (I had a ’57 sedan delivery with a dual quad cross ram 327 and a M-22 4 speed for a while) but this price seems out of line to me. I’m sure there will be plenty of folks that will disagree with that assessment, but that’s my opinion.
People outside the USA aren’t shy when it comes to buying a nice early car – Chevys for sure. One buddy here is gathering up all unwanted 4 door Chevy’s and sells them to Sweden before he can unload them !
This is a really nice one – photos show all – had a pretty nice two tone 150 just like this one in the green/white body combo with the same seats….sold it before I could even swap out the old 6cy.
In an auction environment the value of a vehicle is determined by how badly a bidder wants the car, there is no other explanation for auction sale prices, and they often don’t reflect real world values.
I had a 150 handyman back in the day. My brother put a 283/ 4 speed in it . Vacuum wipers. It had a big bench seat and floor shift. My girl would snuggle up next to me and giggle when I shifted into 4th. Good times !
People who are not familiar with the difference between nomad and handyman are easily confused by just being a 2door station wagon is the exception 😂
Just contacted seller about driver side and cargo area photos.
It is in Hurricane territory.
That will keep the final price down to $20 Grand
Says 3 spd trans in the add. Body is in great condition. I’d put a mild small block in it with efi and change the 3 spd for a 4spd,add vintage air upgrade the brakes,power steering and a paint job. I’d keep it the same color and just drive it