Inventory Listing

283 with dual 4-barrel carburetors. Fresh frame-off restoration. Two shows, two 100-point scores. AACA Senior at Hershey 2016. Immaculate, detailed, quite likely the best to be found anywhere.

This is one of those cars where the “no expense spared” part of the restoration really is true, as every single component on the car was restored to as-new condition and if original parts could not be re-used, then NOS or excellent original parts were found and restored before being installed. The paint is two-stage urethane in the original colors, Onyx Black and India Ivory, and the bodywork underneath is laser-straight enough to wear the black with pride. All the wonderful Nomad details were expertly refinished, including the chrome rub strips on the tailgate. And, as a top-of-the-line Bel Air, the Nomad received all the other upscale trim, including the anodized side panels that define the iconic ’57 models. It also carries accessory dual spotlights and a windshield visor that’s so well-integrated into the design that you may not have even noticed it.

The funky black and silver is completely correct, and it looks fantastic. All of it is obviously brand new, including the stylized door panels that echo the exterior styling and the plush black carpets. The instrument panel is filled with bright, crisp instruments, surrounded by a handsome steering wheel finished to match the interior. There’s an AM radio in the dash as well as a clock over on the passenger’s side that happily ticks away. Seat belts were added for safety and that’s a no-points deduction at any show, especially since they look like they belong there. Overhead, the Nomad features beautiful chrome header bows and the back seat is as beautifully finished as the front. And while I suppose you could carry gear in the back, the neatly finished rubber floors and crisp chrome details just look so good that it would be a shame to scuff them up. There’s also a correct spare tire and jack assembly stowed under the floor.

It’s powered by its original 240 horsepower 283 cubic inch V8 topped by dual 4-barrel carburetors and an ultra-rare “batwing” air cleaner. The details are exact and the carburetors are on a correct progressive linkage that gives this Nomad a real Jekyll-and-Hyde personality. It’s happy to trundle around on the rear two barrels of the front carburetor, but pressing the throttle to the floor opens all eight throats and the lightweight wagon rockets forward with a surprising surge of power. It shows just under 60 test-and-tune/show miles, and is so crisp that even the exhaust manifolds look like new. Proper finishes were used throughout and the Chevy Orange paint on the block has just the right gloss. The generator carries its integral power steering unit and the brakes are firm and confidence-inspiring. A reproduction Delco battery makes the engine bay look totally correct, as do the reproduction decals, badges, and even the wire-style hose clamps. Even the original radiator was retained, fitted with a new core that has no problems keeping the hot small block under control. Despite the dual quads, it starts easily and idles well, although we’ve (obviously) been hesitant to drive it a lot, and it’s got a great soundtrack that suggests more power than you’d expect from a station wagon.

Underneath, the chassis was detailed for show, including red oxide primer on the floors and new hardware throughout. The suspension, steering, and brakes were rebuilt and it uses rebuilt original spiral shock absorbers for absolute authenticity. The two-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was rebuilt and shifts well, and the rear axle is also fully rebuilt with new bearings and seals and a set of 3.27 gears that make this a fantastic cruiser at almost any speed. A fresh dual exhaust system was installed that even carries the proper heat shield to protect the power steering lines! There’s no evidence of rust repairs or wholesale patching, suggesting that this was an ultra-clean car when they started and the result is simply spectacular—if you want a car to display with mirrors under it, this is it! It sits right, handles well, and with 7.50-14 BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires, looks exactly like it did in 1957.

The car won its AACA regional Junior First in Louisville, KY in 2015 and its AACA Senior at Hershey in October 2015, and is poised for the AACA Grand National event in 2016 if the new owner wishes to pursue the highest honors available. It also includes a Finger Tip fact book for 1957 Chevrolets, sales brochures, owner’s manuals, and a 40×60 dealer poster showing all 1957 models. The car has been so meticulously maintained since the restoration was completed that it has never even had ethanol fuel in its tank, so no worries about contamination.

This is one of the finest cars we’ve ever represented and showcases what unlimited funds can do. The fact that it’s also a beautiful and worthy car certainly helps, and a 1957 Nomad has to be at the very top of any Chevrolet enthusiast’s wish list. This is a remarkable car looking for an owner who understands what remarkable really means.