1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
"Family Engineered" was the buzzword for the 1957 Chevrolet Belair 2-Door Wagon. Holding all the cargo you will need, even a sleeping fold down option so you can save on the Motor Inn fee. Able to navigate the smoothest roads or a backwoods trail, your family could literally go anywhere. All in style with the top of the line Bel Air in the pinnacle year of the Tri-Five craze, the 1957 Chevrolet 2-Door Nomad Wagon.
For consignment, a restoration job that was started in the early 90's and sat untouched in a garage from 1996 until our consignor became the lucky dog to find this treasure, bring it home, and finish the already started work. The exterior is wearing all its original sheet metal with a nicely executed repaint, the interior is all original with the exception of some added gauges and the drivetrain has been upgraded to a reliable 350/TH350 combination and now with an aluminum radiator. Nice rounded panoramic glass for all the passengers to see the sites, and the beautifully swept back "B" pillar just behind the front doors is signifying it is a Bel AIr. A top of the line cruiser, vacation go to car, now here for consignment at Classic Auto Mall.
Exterior
The body panels show nicely, however upon close inspection, you will see some dings, waves and a few chips. Some orange peel is noted in the finish but no rust is to be seen within miles of the factory steel. The trim is bright and shiny and is all there and does a perfect job of dressing the Colonial Cream lower body. The glass is clean and clear and serves as the delineation mark between the cream and the roof encompassing Onyx Black. Dressing the sides is the iconic swoop spear rear panel that is clean and loaded with stainless with the Bel Air badging in grandmother's handwriting in gold along with a Chevrolet badge. The rear of the car gets it just right for the '57 with the chrome trimmings topping off the rear quarters and melting into the rear taillight, gas filler, and below the bumper exhaust. For this Nomad, nice vertical chrome trimmings are on the gate, and the rear glass can open on top for easy access for all that luggage. Lest we forget the rubber tip dagmar dressed wrap-around front bumper with its nicely inset gold mesh grille and single chrome trimmed headlights above. 15-inch Chevrolet rally wheels with polished trim rings and low profile center caps finish the exterior out nicely and our consignor is including 5 original 14x6 steel wheels with covers and dry rotted wide whites if you so wish.
Interior
A swing of the 2 doors and we are greeted with yellow vinyl and black flagstone broadcloth coverings for the panel with nicely preserved handles and cranks, and more swoop spear trimmings delineating the two colors. Placing ourselves inside, we note more yellow for the smooth vinyl bolsters and black flagstone cloth inserts looking factory fresh and remaining all original. A matching rear bench is showing some slight wear and is similar in pattern to the front bench. A black painted metal dash has large round metal bezels for the gauges, some tubular warning lights lining the top and a strip of stainless with a black square pattern on it running the length of the dash housing the knobs for lights, wipers, ignition and the radio. Below is another black painted panel which houses the heater and airflow sliders, ashtray, and glovebox. The only deviation from stock is the addition of a trio of gauges hanging below the dash to monitor engine vitals. An original steering wheel shows in silver with a full chrome Bel Air dressed horn ring. Nice black carpet floods the floors, and above a tight headliner is adorned with some thin trim arches between the seams, presenting in black.
Drivetrain
Under the hood is a clean engine bay with a nicely restored and black painted block that specs out as a 5.7 liter, (350ci), V8 that is not original to this car. This mill is a 1999 Vortec series engine and is fed by a single Holley 650cfm 4-barrel carburetor atop and lighting the fire within is a HEI distributor. The original generator, power steering assembly and exhaust manifolds are present and accounted for and we note the addition of a new 3 row aluminum radiator, but for the purists the original Harrison unit is included with your purchase. Bolted to the back is a non original TH350 3-speed automatic that sends power rearward to a 3.55 geared conventional rear axle. Plenty of bling here with the ribbed and polished valve covers and air cleaner lid.
Undercarriage
All clean and black underneath, with what could be the original floor pans now showing with a nicely painted and undercoated covering along with the frame. All are structurally solid, including the body hangers and inner rockers. The engine is drip free, and the front independent with coil springs suspension and rear leaf spring suspension is solid. Drum brakes are all around.
Drive-Ability
It started right up and idled with a smooth but menacing sound. Off to the test track where it exhibited more than adequate acceleration, bias free braking and handling on par for cars of its era. All functions were operational at the time of my drive with the exception of the radio turning on but producing any sound and the right signal lenses being a bit dim. All in all a great ride in a very nicely restored car.
With some newer upgraded mechanicals, this skate comes to us in Nomad Bel Air trim, which not many were produced in 1957, so it is somewhat rare. It will need nothing but you to write the check and start your next adventure with this entry into the least found last Tri-Five model in Bel Air high end trim, two door, carbureted engine, nice design wagon awaiting the next camping trip or just turning heads on main street.
VC57B109578
V-V8
C-2400 Series Bel Air
57-1957
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
109578-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
