Sport Wagon Roller: 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad

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As popular as the “Tri Five” Chevies were when they were new, the Nomad sport wagon wasn’t a big seller. In fact, over three years, they were less than one-half of one percent of total Chevy production. Yet today, they may be the most coveted of these cars with collectors. This one from 1957 is rusty and its engine and transmission are no more, so it will be an ambitious but potentially worthwhile project for someone so inclined. Located in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, it’s available here on eBay where one loner bidder has jumped in at $9,500. Hats off to Larry D for another great tip!

Chevy’s line of automobiles was all-new in 1955 and gained a V8 engine. The entry-level model was the 150, the mid-range car was the 210, and the Bel Air was the top dog. Through 1957, Chevrolet built just shy of five million of these cars, which equates to a reasonable number of survivors in the hands of enthusiasts. The Nomad was added to the line-up as a 2-door sport wagon that shared no sheet metal with other Chevy wagons back of the doors. It was based on a 1954 Corvette concept car and just 22,897 were built in 1955-57 as part of the Bel Air series. That’s about one-third the number of Bel Air 4-door wagons sold at the same time. Pontiac had its version of the wagon called the Safari and GM pulled the plug on both for 1958, although the names would resurface later on more traditional station wagons.

We’re told this ’57 Nomad once had a V8 engine and an automatic, but there’s an empty hole now. An educated guess would put that pairing at the 283 cubic-inch small-block with a Powerglide. We don’t know if anything else related to the mechanical well-being of the car is missing. The biggest challenges will lie with bringing the body and interior back up to snuff.

The seller has owned this wagon for at least five years and may have started to take it apart given the pile of chrome pieces that will go with it. While it carries some old red paint, that’s a respray and it looks to have been white, to begin with. Rust has played havoc with the floors, rockers, door jambs, tailgate, and the bottom of the dashboard. So, replacements or repairs will have to be enlisted. There is also a rust hole in the roof. While the suspension looks crusty to me, the seller says the frame is good.

One of these Nomads in top condition can easily trade for six figures, no there is upside potential with this one. But a huge cost in getting this one wagon back on the road will be in sourcing a new drivetrain and buying a bunch of sheet metal, which fortunately is available for these vehicles. In the end, you’d have one of just 6,264 built for 1957, the lowest of the three production years.

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Comments

  1. Steve R

    When this was featured last month it was bid to $9,600 but didn’t meet reserve. This time through, it’s current high bid is $9,500 and no reserve with just over 4 days left.

    It’s rough, hopefully the next owner knows what they are getting themselves into.

    Steve R

    Like 8
    • 57Chevy

      An awful high price to pay for a PROJECT that needs a COMPLETE Restoration! By the time someone pays this price & restores it Right, They can buy one already Done!!!!

      Like 3
      • Terry

        ..and have a chunk of change left over

        Like 1
      • Terry

        And have a chunk of change left over!

        Like 0
  2. Mike D

    it was my understanding ( back when I was a youngster) that the Nomad was a limited run for the tri 5s and they were all scooped up right away. LLater,(mid 60s) the guys who wanted to rod them grabbed what was left of them. this one the buyer would truly have to love the car, and have deep pocketes

    Like 2
  3. Chuck Foster Chuck Foster

    I wanted to buy a 55 Nomad roller in late 80s, it was $1500. I sold a 56 on Ebay in 2017 for $4200, there was a 57 on OfferUp in Richmond VA for $2800 not long ago, looks like it sold, was tempting.

    Like 0
  4. MikeB

    You know this thing could be made into a neat resto-mod daily driver. Some kind of LS engine, appropriate auto trans, modern frame,suspension, steering, AC etc.. useful for HomeDepot and groceries. A project for the idle rich guy who wants something different!!

    Like 0
  5. Joe Bartolotta

    Yes, put a Silverado LS motor in it, would do it some justice, I love these Nomad wagons!

    Like 0
  6. Terry

    I think the current owner started taking it apart, saw there was more swiss cheese than car, and decided to sit on it for awhile. Not a bad strategy since it has appreciated anyway. I do believe whoever opened the bidding at 9k hit ” send” by mistake, however.

    Like 0
  7. martinsane

    Many alread mentioned that this one will be a deeeep pocket rebuild.
    So very rusty.
    Look at the standing water on the front floorboars and the bottom side of the dash is rusted through even, yikes.

    Like 1
    • 57Chevy

      A good PARTS car for 500 bucks for someone who already has a ’57 Nomad!

      Like 2

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