The original Chevy Nomad might be thought of as an experiment as it was produced in smaller numbers for three years and then discontinued. From the cowl forward, it was a Bel Air; but for the rest of the way back, it had its own unique body (that would be shared with the Pontiac Safari, which also disappeared after three years). This 1957 edition was tucked away in a garage for 40 years waiting for a restoration that never came. In Milford, Connecticut, this Chevy is available here on eBay where bidders have raised the ante to $15,000 without triggering the reserve.
Nomad began as a concept car built off a 1954 Chevy Corvette. GM no doubt perceived there was a market for a “sport wagon”, so the Nomad went into production in 1955 as part of the fancier Bel Air lineup. It was not the only 2-door wagon in the mix as both the 150 and 210 offered “regular” versions of the transport. But less than one-half of one percent of all the “Tri-Five” Chevies built from 1955 to 1957 were the Nomad, or less than 23,000 copies (the Safari had no better luck). So, there wasn’t a Nomad sport wagon come 1958 although the name would later be recycled as part of the 4-door wagon series.
Of the three years in production, the 1957 Nomad is the rarest today with just 6,264 originally assembled. This one has a V8 engine (either a 265 or 283) and an automatic transmission (2-speed Powerglide) as per the seller, who is operating on the owner’s behalf. This is one of those “it ran when it was parked” automobiles, but that was 40 years ago, and it hasn’t been touched since. So, assuming it will need a rebuild is a fair bet.
This wagon was once silver in color with a red interior, but all of that will have to be redone and there is evidence of rust in all sorts of places. There are no full-length photos of the car and the two that try to portray that are blurry. This will be a time and money-consuming project, but the Nomad is likely the most valuable today in terms of resale of all the Chevies from this era. There is no title, so a bill of sale will have to suffice. Who’s on board?
Ebay? Usually one has to peruse Craigslist to experience pictures of this quality
Factory power steering and brakes may make someones’ heartbeat faster. Hopefully it will be restored to stock, as it appears to be fairly complete, but it will require a frame off effort over a number of years, unless your checkbook is big enough to have someone do it for you. Having a high quality shop do it maybe you could get off cheap at about $300,000.
Here in Phoenix where I live the Nomads seem very popular, as you see a lot of them. And I like them all ,but the work this one needs would leave me out of the game. But it certainly isn’t beyond some one’s talent to make it a great car.
Drive it as is.
Clean up the engine compartment.
Love the look.
Anthony? Are you an optimist or what? Drive it as it is, how would you do that?
Drive as is, that’s funny 🤣😂🤣🤣😹 hahaha hahaha hahaha hahaha!!!!
Ran when parked. Is that the car or the owners action?