This 1957 Chevrolet Nomad represents a major restoration project, but the end result should be a very attractive and desirable vehicle. There are some rust issues to be addressed, but at least the owner does provide a starting point for the next owner to work from. The Nomad is located in Kempton, Pennsylvania, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The BIN has been set at $17,000, but the option is available to make an offer.
Looking at the good aspects to start with, the Nomad does appear to be a complete car. There are no obvious major items missing, but that doesn’t mean that this is going to be an easy project. The body does wear its fair share of dings and dents, while I believe that the Nomad has undergone a color change at some point. The insides of the door frames tend to indicate that the car rolled off the production line finished in Highland Green. There is rust visible in a number of spots in the lower extremities of the car, as well as some appearing from under the edges of some of the chrome trim. Speaking of the trim, a fair amount of this is either going to need to be restored or replaced, as some of it is quite badly pitted and rusty. The owner admits to there being rust in the floors, but he does supply a full replacement floor pan in the sale. He also states that there is some rust in the frame, but doesn’t elaborate on where this is, or how extensive it is.
The interior of the Nomad is extremely tired, but once again, it does appear to be complete. I think that it would be fair to say that virtually every piece of upholstery will require replacement. You might just get away with restoring the rear seat, although it does have a seam separation visible, while some of the vinyl looks like it might be discolored. So, to this point, we are looking at a car that will need some pretty major work to get it back into shape.
Under the hood of the Nomad is the original 283ci V8 engine. The engine’s 185hp is sent to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission, while the Nomad is also fitted with power steering. The owner states that the 283 hasn’t been fired up for many years, so its condition is unknown. The combination of leaf litter and surface corrosion under the hood doesn’t bode well, but you never know, the next owner might just be lucky on this front. One positive aspect is that the owner does appear to be quite approachable, so he might be willing to answer any questions that a potential buyer may have.
The desirability of the 1957 Nomad is something that is completely beyond question. Their values have taken a slight drop in recent months, but it is not something that has been particularly dramatic. Interestingly, Hagerty values seem to be well below what these cars are achieving in the market at present. For example, if you were to go out shopping for a really nice original or restored example today with less than $60,000, I would be wishing you luck in your search. Prices vary pretty widely, and while it is possible to find a really nice one for around that mark, a pristine car can actually push into six-figure territory. This one is a long way from that, but there is no reason why it couldn’t be transformed into something pretty special. However, it is going to need a pretty dedicated person to achieve this. Is that person you?
Talk about original!.. it still has the fan blower and the generator etc..nice find jeez
Yea Larry, this beauty is still Sporting the Penna Bicentenial License plate! Think the only thing I would change is the tranny- slide a 4 or 5 speed in behind the original 283. I like the blue color, or the original highland green,.In any color, a 57 nomad has no equal. Lots of work and a ton of chrome plating. Good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
Larry, that’s not just a generator. It has the power steering pump built into the back of it. Those are really hard to find and pricey if you can even get one. I couldn’t find one for anything less than “really expensive” when I changed my 57 to late model power steering in 1990, so I figured out how to make a normal power steering pump fit.
That’s almost impossible with a 55/57 block, but I put a 302 in mine so it had side motor mounts and the holes in the front of the block could be used.
I passed on an original Arizona Nomad that needed restored in 1976 for $1500. I was just out of college and didn’t have a place to work on it.
I was in better shape when the 57 Bel Air my cousin bought from the original owner in Palm Springs CA got passed through the family in 1978. I traded a real nice 62 Impala and $1000 for it. A bunch of my cousins want the 57 back, but they’re going to have to out live me to get it. I lost the 62 Impala for 18 years but eventually got it back too.
Is it weird that I could care less about the 57 Bel Air, but the Nomad is on my all time favorites list? Great find.
Cool as can be and I am pleased that the tailgate isn’t rotten!
Looks like a stick shift, 3 on the tree. Great potential!!
It’s an automatic.
Nice. A two door station wagon. Now that’s cool. The tri fives are alway on the expensive side but good aftermarket parts availability make it doable if you have to have one. Won’t be a cheap project.
Its a Nomad so it will bring a good buck
There is a lot of rust
One would have to see the bottom of the car to make a decision
Definitely on all counts, Del I don’t get these sellers who don’t photograph the underbelly. That’s the deal breaker.If the frame is rotten, all bets are off. And like I have said, inspection of all these cars is a must!
Cheers
GPC
I hope the seller has the VIN incorrect. B57 would be a 6 cyl (no V) and a 210 model (A 150 B 210 C Bel Air) All Nomads were Bel Air trim. A V8 Bel Air VIN would start VC57. Something is messed up with the title/registration if it starts B57
What I love about guys that know – thanks Jeff – thought this was a good buy for the money with it’s completeness – nice glass – floors – seat – tailgate….trim and frames are the easy parts………not like a 55 Nomad and the lowest production of the Chevie’s………
This thing is in real bad shape. Somebody slapped bondo all over the place before it was painted blue. They even painted the engine blue ! blue is Ford color. that’s a bad JU JU right there. LOL.Its been sitting out under some tree’s for quite awhile looks like to me.See the rust streaks on the front bumper from the rain running off the hood ? Must of been a pile of leaves on the hood and top.Water was getting inside so its rusting from the outside in and the inside out. I would be shocked if the frame was not very rotten. That’s why no pic’s. The engine doesn’t run. Is it seized ? block cracked from freezing weather? I wouldn’t pay 17 grand for this car if it was the last one. maybe if viewed in person 6-7k. otherwise NG. Later……………………………………JIMMY
Great find and really unlikely that it hasn’t been modified in any way and is still mostly stock!!! You just Don’s see them like this!! The outside looks a little like a stucco bathtub I once had!!!