The 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad, a two-door station wagon, underwent a partial restoration during the early 2000s. This restoration encompassed interior and suspension overhauls, replacement of floor pans, and the installation of a 350ci Chevrolet V8 engine paired with a Turbo-Hydramatic four-speed automatic transmission. In 2018, the current owner acquired the vehicle, and subsequent work in 2020 reportedly involved a metallic red repaint, replacement of the front fenders, as well as comprehensive overhauls of the engine, transmission, and brake system.
Noteworthy features of this Nomad include a 3.55:1 rear end, an air conditioning system by Vintage Air, power steering, front disc brakes, a 2” drop kit featuring QA1 shocks, both front and rear sway bars, electric windows, cruise control, a Custom Autosound stereo, Classic Instruments gauges, and 17” American Racing wheels. The seller is offering this Nomad complete with records dating back to 2008, along with an Ohio title registered under their name.
The car is said to have undergone body work and received replacement floor pans during previous ownership. A repaint in pearlescent red was carried out in 2020, reportedly following the replacement of the front bumper and front fenders to repair damage sustained in a collision. Additional details include a wrap-around windshield, a two-piece tailgate, dual exhaust outlets, LED taillights, and hood-mounted wind splits. According to the seller, the rear window leaks and corrosion is present on the tailgate hinges. The rear window gasket has reportedly been replaced. A paint chip on the roof is shown up close in the gallery below along with spots of pitting in the rear window trim.
The 17” American Racing Salt Flat wheels are mounted with BFGoodrich g-Force Comp-2 tires sized 215/45 up front and 235/45 out back. Braking is via power-assisted front discs and rear drums that were reportedly overhauled during current ownership. Suspension modifications are said to include a 2” drop kit with QA1 shocks, front and rear sway bars, and Heidts tubular control arms.
The cabin houses two rows of bench seats that were reupholstered in white vinyl and black fabric during previous ownership. Color-coordinated trim covers the door panels, and appointments include a Vintage Air air conditioning system, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering, electric windows, and a Custom Autosound digital stereo wired to an 800-watt amplifier and dual Pioneer speakers in the rear storage area. An intermittent wiper switch and a Dakota Digital cruise control system were reportedly added by the seller.
A leather-wrapped steering wheel is mounted to an adjustable column and sits ahead of a body-color dashboard housing a suite of Classic Instruments gauges that comprise a 120-mph speedometer and displays for fuel level, oil pressure, voltage, and temperature. The five-digit odometer shows approximately 82k miles, around 15k of which have been added by the seller. Total mileage is unknown.
The 350ci Chevrolet V8 crate engine was reportedly installed around 2008 and rebuilt in 2022. Features include an Edelbrock 600-cfm four-barrel carburetor with an electric secondary choke, an aluminum radiator with dual electric fans, Flowmaster dual exhaust system, chrome ancillary components, and an American Autowire wiring harness.
Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Turbo-Hydramatic R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a rear end with 3.55:1 gearing. The transmission was overhauled and the torque converter replaced in 2021 by Authorized Transmissions of LaGrange, Ohio. An undercoating was applied to the chassis during previous ownership in 2004, and additional underbody images are provided in the gallery.
