Update 9/4/20 – This Nomad has been relisted here on eBay. How high do you think it will get this time around?
From 7/29/20 – According to the seller, this 1957 Chevrolet Nomad has been sitting in their uncle’s barn for 45 years! Their house was recently sold and the car was pulled out of storage and is now being offered for sale. It can be found here on eBay with a current bid of $12,650, which seems pretty low considering the desirability of these cars. The reserve hasn’t been met yet and you can guarantee the bidding will go way up from where it is now. The car doesn’t run, so the buyer should factor in transportation costs from its resting spot in Broomfield, Colorado. Have a look at this amazing wagon!
The interior has the classic black and orange upholstery which goes great with the exterior color. It appears to be mostly original and probably has never been restored. Unfortunately, since the car was inherited, there isn’t much information in the ad regarding the history of the car or why it was parked.
As mentioned before, the ad does say the car is not currently running. The engine is either a 265 or 283 cubic inch V8. If you are a keen-eyed reader and you think you know which engine this is, drop us a comment. Overall, it doesn’t look like it has been messed with and if it isn’t seized, it would probably run again with a little effort.
The seller says there is some rust in the lower quarter panels, but based on the photos, it doesn’t look bad. The car would benefit from a good washing to see what’s actually underneath all that dust. The Bel Air trim looks like it is in amazing condition and would probably clean up well. Overall, this looks like a great car that will probably command strong bidding as the auction draws to a close. What do you think?
Pretty grungy but a whole lot more car than the last one I saw posted on BF.
The engine is indeed a 283 judging by the
Ram’s horn exhaust headers on the unit
but there’s no way of telling the horsepower rating so I’ll guess and say
225 HP with a 4 barrel carb. I thought I
saw a window type distributor cap which
means that this is the correct engine that
came with the car. Now, as for the car, it
looks pretty good compared to others I’ve seen. Most of which were butchered
beyond repair. One thing’s for certain,
someone with deep pockets will get this
car and make a trailer queen out of it.
Looks like a 2 barrel carb to me.
Definitely a 2 barrel Rochester!!!!!
The type of distributor cap is no indicator of whether the the engine is original or “correct” to the car.
Sometimes it’s best to remain silent and be thought a fool rather than post and remove all doubt.
That is absolutely correct. Only the part number can establish whether it matches the engine.
Things like the weights on the centrifugal advance are different on each engine which is matched to the camshaft.
Likewise the small springs between the centrifugal weights are also different to match the camshaft.
Cman– Great quote from Abe Lincoln!
stay safe and good luck
Cheer
GPC
That is a 2bbl carburetor.
Looks like a 2 barrel carb.
It absolutely is a 285 with a 2-barrel carb. rated at 185 HP. It’s not a 265 because the only 265’s were only in the straight stick versions without a 4-barrel, they were a holdover from 1956.
The ram’s horn exhaust manifolds were on ALL of the V-8’s in both 265 and 283 1957. They also shared the new distributors as well and had a little window on the Distributor cap were the points could be adjusted with an Allen wrench. It also has power brakes and power steering and Vacuum Wipers! (A Strange Combination that easily be changed!) Looks like an excellent project unless there’s a lot of rot underneath.
The only difference between 265 and 283 in 1957 was the bore. They shared the same block etc. The 265 was not a leftover from 1956.
I can see electric wipers, power steering and possibly power brakes.
When I was in high school about a hundred years or so ago a friend had an older brother into Nomads and managed to get Grandma to support his habbit. He two, one was a daily driver a very nice one that had a 327 under the hood and three on the tree. THe other was a show piece restored to perfection black paint and EVERY OPTION you could think of. I only saw it once at a car show. I can imagine what these would be worth now 40 some odd years down the line.
I used to have a 1957 chevy. I was told that a “gold chevron” on the hood indicates a 283 ci and a silver one is a 265 ci. I had a gold chevron that someone put on and the engine was not as 283 ci
That’s easy, a Gold One is a Bel Air and a silver one is for a 210 or 150, both less fancy than a Bel Air.
The same is true of the word Chevrolet that goes over it, unless it was a six cylinder then it’s just the word Chevrolet.
Yep. With the Rochester 4 barrel the ’57 283 was rated at 220 horse power, from the factory. The 2 barrel was more common on the 265, but I do agree that the exhaust indicates it being the 283.
Looks to me as a 6.6 Duramax with twin turbos and a Eaton 15 speed !!
Not true.265 was in 1955,1956 and very early 57.2bbl carbs were Rochester and the 4bbl were Carter WCFB’s.2 bbl 283 were 170 and 4bbl was the PowerPak rated at 220HP.You could order two 4 bbls at 245 hp or 270 HP or Fuel Injecton rated at 283 HP
2bbl carb used window cap till 74
Little window in the distributor cap was used in GM cars from 1957 through 1974 when the HEI came out
The engine in this amazing 57 is a 185hp 283 2bbl. It would make a great builder
I own one of these. If you look at the valve covers for the original 283 the bolts are cantered from each other not straight across. This one appears to have a2 bbl carb so it’s probably a 265.
The ONLY way it could be a 265 in 1957 would be if it has a manual transmission. If it had a 4-barrel with a manual transmission, then it would be a 283 regardless of the transmission. (I noticed that I wrote 285 on a previous message which was a typo.
The inside of the Nomad is too dark to see if there’s a clutch in it. The Shifting lever appears to be in neutral so it could be a Turbo Glide transmission, but is most likely a Power Glide as that was by far the most popular transmission in the Bel Air models.
If we had a real detailed photo of the dash we could also see if there was a small plate on the dash that said if it also had Posi Traction as well. (There were at least three new additions to Chevrolet in 1957, they were; 1-Fuel Injection, 2-Turbi Glide and 3-Posi Traction.)
As much as we all like the ’57’s, it was actually 2nd to Ford in sales by a very slight edge.
That said, today a ’57 Ford has little value versus the Chevy’s with the exception of the hardtop convertible Ford.
The v trim and lettering if silver indicates a 265, gold trim is a 283
The “V” Trim on the hood and trunk had nothing to do with the engine, but everything to do with whether it was a Bel Air or a 210 or 150 Series.
The Bel Air’s had a Gold Grille and a gold “V” on the hood and Trunk if it had a V-8 in it. The sixes did not have a “V” at all, but the word “CHEVROLET” was either in Gold or Silver to match the above Series.
Yes it’s a 283 the 265 didn’t come with window dist.it had two luck down to hold it place.
Oh yes it did beginning in 1957, likewise the Ram’s Horn exhaust manifolds.
That’s the reason why so many people think that the 265 did not go it a ’57 when they see the Distributor Window.
When we set the Dwell with an Allen Wrench we simply took a book of matches and shoved it between the metal window and the Distributor housing to hold it open for the adjustment.
I think what is really unusual about this car was that it had Vacuum Wipers instead of Electric wipers. Imagine buying the top of the line Chevy and then not spend $20- to get wipers wouldn’t stop moving when passing another car!
Not in 1957! All of the V-8’s had the new Distributor with the window for setting the Dwell.
I worked at a Chevrolet Garage and as a mechanic to work my way through College. I also owned a ’55 Bel with a factory Power pack, a ’56 Chevy Convertible with a 265 factory power pack with a straight stick/overdrive with 4:11 rear end ratio that would go 105 in second gear overdrive. That car would lay more rubber than any other car in my home town, I would change the rear tires every 2,000 miles when I changed the oil! I wrecked that car and then owned a ’56 Bel Air 2-door hardtop that also had the PP, stick, overdrive which also had a rare factory padded dash. Then a ’58 Bel Aire with a PP 283 and a Power Glide. I never raced that car because I had “grown-up” by then.
Years later I had 327’s and a 400 small block.
While the ’57s are generally my favorite of the tri-fives, I much prefer the ’55 Nomad with the simpler side trim and more restrained fins. The larger ’57 fins just look comical on this body style.
I agree. Wish the ‘55 had the trick ‘56 gas cap.
Wow, just up the road from me!
If I buy it would you want to get it running?
Do you wrench at all? Know someone who does?
Ed
Sorry Ed, not here! Getting too old to be crawling underneath cars,
Ed, No but I could because I worked on these cars back in 1969 and I owned several Chevy’s of that Vintage.
THIS is a true Barn Find!
If you always wanted a 57 Nomad and you wanted to restore it yourself this could be the one. Looks to be complete, and not obused by modification and parts theft. Be a good bet it is original 283, but will need to look much closer, than just a peek under the hood. Time, money, ambition without a motive for profit, knock your lights out.
Very well said.
Nice photos from the seller.
This car would be one to restore, not sure of the market on these the market will always be decent on these. With that said, my usual comments apply that, as Joe said SO WELL above “without a motive for profit” as the resto will be 2 to 3 times what the selling price will be….it IS still on the short list of class/cult/desirable cars.
In one of the under body pictures an oil filter can be seen alongside the oil pan. That would indicate that the engine is a 283 as the 265 did not have an oil filter.
Yes they did it was an option
But if I understand correctly the accessory 265 oil filter sat on top of the engine
They did because I owned a 55&56 with the oil filter next to the oil pan. All original and rebuilt them too. Back in the day.
Some 265 cubic inch motors had remote oil filters not a screw on.
The ’56 and later V8 had a canister type filter down by the oil pan. I remember that from back in the day because you could use a ’56 oil pan when installing a 283 or 327 in a ’55 body. The ’55 265 could be optioned with a bolt on filter on top of the engine (I think it was a Bel Air option only). Also, I thought the window type distributor was not available until sometime in the 60’s.
My original restored stock 57 B.A. does have the distributor With the window! My stock ’56 does Not!
Corrections: The Bel Air Option had nothing to do with the oil filters.
The window on the Delco Remy distributor came out on all of the Chevy V-8’s in 1957.
The colour of the Chevy 265 engines in 1957, was yellow with the script painted black. The Chevy orange on the 2 barrel intake manifold, would lead me to believe that it is the original manifold, and that this engine is a 283.
I liked the look of the 55 and 56 Nomads more than the 57, but I would be quite happy to have a 57, and this one looks like it wouldn’t take much to make a respectable driver.
The bid is up to $13,000 now, but I expect that it is going to go much higher.
I like the car.
Bob
JW54,1955 265 had external oil filter, 56 265 were just like the later 283, they had a full flow in block oil filter. Not a good plan to assume its a 283 just because of the oil filter.
The 265 was 55 56 not in 57.
GM did provide the 265 as one of the optional engines in 1957. It was painted yellow with black script, to differentiate it from the 283.
Not common, but available.
Bob
Chevrolet never painted there V/8 engines yellow
I beg your pardon Don, But EARLY ’57’s Did come out with a 265!!!!!
If it’s a yellow painted block it is a 265. Early 57s had some 265s. 283s were orange. Chevy had a few leftover 265s.
Hemmings Classic cars has that information
They weren’t really Yellow, they were Chartreuse!!!!! (a Yellow/Green combo!
JW 454; The 1955, 265 engine was the only one without an in block oil filter. An add on filter that bolted on the thermostat housing was available as an accessory. 1956 and 1957, 265’s had an oil filter cartridge next to the pan just like the 283. Don H, ; The 265 was the standard V-8 in all tri five chevy’s even 1957. Most buyers opted for the new, more powerful, 283 in 57. Thanks. Dave.
Chevy made some 265’s in Canada. My 55 & 56 were Canadian and both had in block oil filters
Dave, if you mean by “Standard” with a manual transmission and no Power Pack, you’d be right, but if you mean Standard with an automatic transmission, then the 265 was NOT standard in ’57, it was a 283.
I’ve already posted all of this in detail in past posts. Look it up, there’s more to this than what most people think.
Dean. When I said standard I referred to an order without options. As I recall the automatic trans. and power pack, were both options when ordering a new chevy. (i.e. with a 283). You sound very informed on this subject, we should talk, maybe I could learn more. Dave.
Like most of these older cars, if you can provide the labor or most of the labor, you can restore these vehicles at a reasonable cost. If it goes to a pro, you’re providing them with a living. In many cases, a real good living.
$15,000 bid with 5d 15hrs left in the auction. This car looks really nice compared to others we seen over time.
Didn’t the 55, 56, 57 have the valve cover bolts not straight across from each other?
The 265 had valve cover bolts not straight across, the 283 always had them straight access.
The 283 still had the top pan bolts strait across till 1959.
Chevrolet changed from staggered to straight across bolt holes in mid 1959, so all 57, 58, and about half of 59 283s had staggered bolt holes. Oddly enough, vintage staggered hole Corvette valve covers are not terribly valuable. Not many small blocks still run early heads, so they are more of a wall hanging. In the early seventies, I would order the later Corvette aluminum valve covers (part #3767493) wholesale from the local dealer for $5.15 each, take them and beat them up a little, make them dirty and sell at swap meets for $30.00 each. Take the money and buy 5-6 more. Most people didn’t know they were still available. Most of my small blocks have Corvette covers, but there is no provision for a PCV value, so you have to get creative to make the crankcase breath on later engines.
Mike & 427 Turbo. I have set of Corvette nine fin valve covers with staggered holes, I think I removed from my 283 corvette 283 or 270 horse fuel injected or 2/4 engine. I foolishly drilled them to use on my 55 Nomad (327 265 H.P. engine) I’m sure these are GM. Have you ever seen these?
Nice untoushed original. Hope it is restored, not butchered. Why do they drop all these cars to the ground? Do not do that. THis should be restored to original. OR clean really well and drive.
Power brakes on this one ; I’ll bet not too many Chevies had that back in ’57
185 HP with 2 barrel and 220 HP with 4 barrel.
With all the options, (Nomad, power brakes, etc.) the betting money is on it being a 283.
Just wondering, sat in a garage since 1976, Colorado car, (Isn’t that state a dry climate state?), why all the rust in spots as if it was a New York State car? I know it is old, but I had a 66 Mustang fastback that was from there, that in 2012 I plucked it out of a garage that was there since 76 also, and it was rust free. Only 9 years newer car.
I did happen. My first car was a 1951 Ford I bought from a neighbor who had bought it new. This was in 1965 and the car was a total rust bucket. Dirt roads and the lack of self serve car washes meant that the dirt would build up in nooks and crannies.
Back then we would wash the cars in the driveway with a hose and buckets and sponges. No attention was paid to the underside.
Really solid looking car with a great color and all the parts look to be there!! This is the way you want to find them!!
This car will hit high 20’s easily,and yes there is still an upside,particularly as a restomod.57 Nomads have not suffered the same price hit as the other tri fives have taken,nor have my Cameos.This is the way to buy one,it’s all there,and really good bones.
AH THE RESTORATION DISEASE
My Nomad and all my others are Drivers. On a number of occasions, people have come up to on the street and say “don’t restore it” because once they had restored theirs and with all the money in it they were afraid of it losing value so did not drive it; and either stored it or sold it.
My ’29 Ford PU, being used to go to go to the lumber yard and garbage dump, was the one i got the most comments of “don’t restore”
I know, I know….it’s called Barn Finds…..but..I’m trying to wrap my head around the idea that someone left a Nomad to rot untouched for over forty years!
Personally, I couldn’t stand the thought knowing it was there rotting. Given the vicissitudes of life, things happen, people move, people die…………………..but still!
Perfect interior color scheme by my lights……….now if I could find one that didnt need a restoration and was original.
In 1973 when I wanted a ’57 Chevy while in high school, my Dad warned me that they were just old cars with a lot of problems after sixteen years. The ’55-’57s on the road then were either what was left of the 1960s hot rods or had been rebuilt for new use. It never occurred to me at age 17 that most of the un-wrecked cars were beginning a long storage time in garages and barns.
I almost bought a ’55 hot rod while in San Diego in the spring of 1977 for $1,150 at a small dealership, and saw a run down ’57 Bel Air in another lot in southern Illinois for $400 a few weeks later. What an interesting history of the old cars since they were new.
My own restoration project is slow-going bringing an El Paso ’57 back to life here in Arizona.
This will make some lucky bidder a beautiful automobile…..One of my favorites.
How far we’ve come baby. I bought one in the same condition way back in 1975. I noticed the tailgate sticking out of an old carriage shed in northern Md. bought from an elderly woman, it had been her husband’s car and since she didn’t drive it had been parked there since he died. I got it for $300, got it running and sold it for just over $3000. Wish I had it today!
I love this car! If I had the means it would become mine. It’s not the best car to be on barnfinds but it is the one I want the most in a long time. They aren’t making any more of these and this is a great color combo.
I am curious about the cost of replacing that window, though.
Back window
It’s now up to 15,900 reserve not met. What does this seller think they have. Sitting for 45 years not running eng. needs complete overhaul trans gonna need rebuilt all brake components need replaced tires need replaced etc. etc. etc. enough said
I know a guy who has a cherry ’55 Nomad. Want it? let me know. Not sure of the price.
Pictures
Price
Ok will take a few days but I will letcha know
I’m just whistling Dixie. I can’t buy anything right now.
My brother died in a wreck 6/19/19. He had a ‘56 he had owned for 40 years in his shop. Multiple award winning (National Nomad Club) vehicle. It is stunning. We had it appraised and came in close to 100K. My nephew decided to keep it on the family and put it in his garage next to his ‘77 Corvette.
We were going to take it to the Good Guys Spring Nationals in Spril, but it was canceled. Next year, if things open up again, we will be there. It won awards last year at that show. RIP. Rich & Joyce!
Lots of misinformation in this thread posted by people who ‘almost’ know what they are talking about. This car is my favorite color combo: matador red with red/black interior~ :)
– The only 265s installed in 1957 were 2-bbl with std shift cars. and painted chartreuse as someone posted.
– All Chevy’s V8 in 1959 and later had straight across VC bolts.
You are right about the 265 applications. It was also the V-8 offered in the light Chevy Trucks as well. If a V-8 was ordered in the bigger trucks in the 5000 series and above they 283’s unless it was in the really large trucks in the 7000, 8000, 9000 and 10000 series,
Then it was a Buick V-8 that was a 322 cubic inch engine.
Regarding the valve cover holes, I had a ’57 power pack at 220 hp that had staggered holes and I also had a ’58 power pack that had its valve cover holes across from each. That said Chevrolet had quite a few assembly plants around the country and I’ve noticed that there were some differences between some of the equipment bolted on to its models. E.g. ’56 & ’57 Chevy 283 Power packs had different 4-Barrel Carburaters. The ones that came out of Janesville, WI were all Carters while the ones that were built in California we all Rochesters!
Dean, you’re right about the carburetors! My stock ’56 has a Carter 4 bbl. It’s an Oakland car! My stock restored ’57 also has a Carter. It’s a Kansas City car, therefore I believe more plants than just Janesville put Carter 4 bbls on them! And my ’57 was Not changed, as I know the original owner! On the valve covers, I have judged a Lot of stock 56’s at Classic Chevy conventions & have never seen a stock or Orig. Restored ’56 or 7 with straight across valve cover holes!
wernt the 265 engine painted blue and the 283 were orange
If it was installed in a Chevy truck, yes, in a car no.
265 only came in standard transmission cars and just at the beginning of the model year until the stock was depleted form 1956. Also the 265 was 2 barrel only in 1957. They were also red in color while the 283 was orange. If you look under the dust on the engine in this car you’ll see the orange.
You gotta like it!
It’s all there and ripe for restoration.
It’ll cost a fortune but these are rare and desirable.
And worth it! 👍
Really nice find! Rare and expensive.
Definitely a 2 barrel Rochester!!!!!
This is how I like to find them. And look here, it has some genuine Rader Tri-Rib mags on the front. I’m trying to figure out what brand of 4-track player is hanging under the dash. The 4 colored track indicator lights are familiar, someone I knew had one like it. This Nomad is a time-capsule! Very groovy find, I always wanted one but I may not live long enough.
I had a 60 Canadian Pontiac with a 283, that was equipped with the window distributor. I don’t know when GM started using this type of cap, but it sure made setting the points easy.
Bob
1957!!!
This is a 195 hp 283 based on the fact that 1) in a Nomad 2) power steering and brake option 3) it has a 2bbl carb so not the higher hp engine
That could be, but I’ve never seen that rating in any of my Chevrolet books from 1957 or in my books that I’ve bought since.
The 283 two barrel horsepower jumped up to 195 in 1963 and 230 for the 4-barrel version as I had one of those too.
It dropped back to 170 Hp in 1960.
Those are my sources.
I’ve seen nothing about different in HP related to any accessories.
That’s easy, a Gold One is a Bel Air and a silver one is for a 210 or 150, both less fancy than a Bel Air.
The same is true of the word Chevrolet that goes over it, unless it was a six cylinder then it’s just the word Chevrolet.
Thats an interesting explanation on the Carter versus Rochester single 4 barrel on 56-57 chevy. I thought it was more along the lines of what they were shipped as in what was available, with the exception of the Corvettes, which I don’t believe ever came with a Rochester single 4 barrel. I know that from 1968 on both Carter and Rochester built Q-jets for GM through the early 1980s. Here again I don’t know if it was by assembly plant or just luck of the draw, (Who was shipping carbs that month.) It is also interesting that although Chevrolet used strictly Carter WCFBs on the their dual four engines in 1956, Cadillac, Pontiac, and even Packard used Rochester 4GCs on theirs. Another unusual thing but later (1966), if you ordered a Chevrolet with a 275hp 327 cu in motor depending on which vehicle it could have a Rochester Q-jet (7026202or7026203), Holley (#3220) or Carter AVS (4027S or 4028S). How did they keep that straight!
The word “over-rated” derived from this year Chevy. I would personally take the 55, 56, 58 over any 57. Never liked the fins on any model of cars except maybe the horizontal olds 88s or 60 chev.
Would like to know what it sells for.
Worked in a funeral home 1963-64, he had one converted into an ambulance. Put a 327 in it. Funny thing was the siren they put in it. You could barely hear it two blocks away as a pedestrian. He start calling junk yards till he found one with fire engine. The siren was around 18 inches long and maybe 4 or 5 in diameter. He put it behind the grill in front of the radiator, you could hear it a good mile away.
Check the VIN # should be able to research if it’s a 283 or 265 & also if that’s the original color
Seller has NO respect for our country’s flag. Hate to see this.
Its a 283 as its a 57
Yes it IS a 283, but EARLY 57’s had a 265!!!!
No, no, no the 265’s were in the ’57’s all year long IF, IF, IF the car had a two-barrel Carburetor with a straight stick transmission!
All other V8’s were ALL 283’s, period.
The only other 265’s were in the light-duty Chevrolet Trucks and they were painted a different color from the cars.
All ’57 V8’s had Ram’s Horn exhaust manifolds. All ’57 V8’s had the new distributor that had a little window on the side where you could adjust the dwell for the points.
Here’s a little tidbit of knowledge for all of you motor heads: The very early 1955
265 V8’s with stick shifts HAD MECHANICAL LIFTERS!
Unlike the 1956 V8’s, the 1955 power packs only differed from the non-power packs in the dual exhaust and 4-barrel carburetor only.
The ’56 year changed all of that. In ’56 the power pack had larger intake manifold, larger heads, different distributor weights and springs and higher
compression ratio. Basically the ’56 265 power pack was really a very souped-up 265!
In ’57 the exhaust manifolds were more efficient, the piston diameter was increased by 1/8 inch. From there GM managed to get 400 cubic inches out of this little engine. WOW! I’ve had them all including in the trucks.
Bid to almost $25k and reserve not met? For a non running car needing tons of work? As Steve R said about another car here recently, it’s even more surprising that the reserve wasn’t meant than someone was willing to pay almost $25k.
Really? An untouched 57 Nomad with minimal rust and all there. Its gonna take at least 50 grand to get it
I said that it would take high 20’s, 5 weeks ago,and I stand by my estimate.
Perhaps the seller would take mid 20’s this time around,as generally the best offers come early.
My FIL had a ’57 with an auto trans and a 265 engine.
I had a Bel Air back in the 70’s, and at the time was told it had a 265. I’ve always assumed that was true. But based on all the info above, it must have been a 283 Power Pack. It had a 4barrel carb, dual exhaust, trans was a Powerglide, engine was red. And boy would it scat.
I had a very rare 57 Nomad, 220hp 283 Power Pac, power steering, power brakes, dual exhaust, radio, automatic trans and the vet rare factory Air conditioner, originally black. Sold it to a man in upstate New York. Neve should have sold it. But the was 48 years ago. I hope the car still exist.
By the time it goes to the buyer (I’d est. 25k) the 100-125k that you’ll need to finish the car will bring it up to it’s current value. Keep it as you’ll never make money selling it when finished.
Totally agree Hank! I just can not comprehend the prices some people will pay for basket cases today!!!!
I love the cb radio, butt connector on the heater fan, 1976 CO license plate, in the picture you can see the clutch pedal and that big black knob on the shifter would indicate a three speed manual
Finally figured this site out. It’s Twitter for car needs.