350-Powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad

Description

Affectionately dubbed the "Tri-Five" models, the run of Chevrolet cars from 1955, 1956, and 1957 are some of the most collectible vehicles of the entire decade. Each year's design was more radical than the last, until the run reached a crescendo with the introduction of the 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air. With pronounced tail fins, hood-mounted "Bullet" pontoons, and chrome galore, this Bel Air was the pinnacle of Chevy's available trim packages in 1957, as well as the culmination of the previous three years of development overall. GM offered the '57 Bel Air in several forms, including two-door coupes, four-door sedans, convertibles, and station wagons. The two-door variant of the wagon, dubbed the "Nomad", was the rarest of all combinations, and is a hot-ticket item for collectors today.

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad was purchased by the seller in 1999 in non-running condition and subsequently underwent work to get the 350ci small-block V8 running, which is funneled through a two-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission. The wagon benefits from power steering, while the seller also added aftermarket front-wheel disc brakes and had it finished in dark red metallic paint.

The interior features aftermarket bucket seats trimmed in black and grey cloth, with a custom center console that houses Sunpro auxiliary gauges, a Sunpro Super Tach tachometer, and a Pioneer CD/DVD stereo. A Kicker Substation PSR100 subwoofer is housed in the rear bed.

This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad is now offered with a clean Illinois title in the seller's name.

Highlights

• 27 years under current ownership

• One of approximately 6,264 Bel Air Nomads for 1957

• 350ci V8

• Chrome Cragar wheels

• Metallic dark red over black/gray fabric

Equipment

• Two-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission

• The serial number (VC57J269821) decodes as follows:

  • V - V8

  • C - Bel Air

  • 57 - 1957 production year

  • J - Janesville Wisconsin, assembly plant

  • 269821 - Production sequence number

• The trim tag decodes as follows:

  • Style 57-1064DF - 1957 Two-door Nomad Bel Air

  • Body No. CL 5944 - Fisher body assembly in Cleveland, Ohio

  • Trim 694 - Black and Turquoise cloth/vinyl

  • Color 811D - Two-tone India Ivory / Tropical Turquoise

  • Acc. EZI - Tinted glass

Modifications

• 350ci small-block V8

• SunPro instrumentation

• Chrome Cragar wheels

• Front disc/rear drum brakes with power assistance

• Refinished in metallic dark red

• Pioneer head unit and Kicker speakers

• Bucket front seats

• Custom upholstery

• Center console

Known Imperfections

• Perforations in undercarriage

• Center console gauges disconnected

• Seller notes an oil leak is present

• Overall cosmetic condition further detailed in accompanying photo gallery

Ownership History

The seller purchased this '57 Nomad in 1999 as a non-running, 350-powered project. According to the seller, the car was subsequently mechanically and cosmetically overhauled, and repainted to its current condition.