At the 1954 GM Motorama, Chevrolet debuted the Chevy Nomad two-door sport wagon with front end styling lifted from the Chevy Corvette. The oval grille, with its thirteen chrome “teeth” and headlights with chrome stone guards, were taken straight from the Corvette. The Nomad also sported a forward-sloping B-pillar, and taillights that featured mini fins, much like the fins of a jet. Five copies were built for the show, and three of those are still extant.
On the strength of the response to the Motorama show car, the Chevy Nomad bowed for the 1955 model year, albeit with styling from the Chevy Bel Air. However, the new Nomad kept the roofline of the show car. Powered by the 265 cubic-inch Small Block V8, the Nomad shared the Bel Air’s badging, but with slightly less exterior brightwork. The interior was much like that of the Bel Air. The rear seats could be folded flat, creating ample space for cargo. As it was part of the Bel Air line, the Nomad could be had with the same options available as the hardtop. With a base price of $2,571, the Nomad was second in price only to the Corvette.
The Chevy Nomad was still based on the Bel Air for the 1957 model year, with much the same appearance and options list. Some styling cues remained unchanged, such as the forward-leaning B-pillars, sport wagon roofline, and split glass-and-tailgate. Engine displacement had grown to 283 cubic inches.
Our feature 1957 Chevy Nomad, known as “Showmad,” is a special GM Show Asset built under work order 17792-1c, and was featured at the New York International Auto Show, as well as appearing at the Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles Auto Shows as a display car with pre-production fuel injection and other parts. Prepared by General Motors Experimental Shop, the polished and chromed fuel injection unit (number 102 4360) is identical to number 101 that was in the Super Sport Corvette at the auto shows and later shown on Harley Earl’s desk. The unit has no holes for an ID tag and no casting numbers on the plenum or intake base. The 283 cube fuel-injected Small Block was produced on work order 17792-10, produced 283 horsepower, and was sourced from the Corvette Race Team. Backing the Small Block is a close-ratio three-speed manual built on work order 17792-1, with an RPO 313 reverse cast date code.
The exterior of the 1957 Chevy Nomad is finished in Larkspur Blue and India Ivory with wide whitewall tires and full wheel covers. The interior is blue vinyl with black cloth inserts. Under the hood, there are a number of alterations that were made for the show car, including a cowl tag that has the unknown prefix ACC. CM, a chrome air cleaner assembly hand scribed inside by A/C Delco custom department, a power switch under the dash to toggle between external power source and the car’s battery, the voltage regulator relocated to the inner fender to make room for the air intake position in the core support, and a relocated air intake tube. Included in the sale are unpunched factory keys, various pieces of documentation from Zora Arkus-Duntov’s personal records from the GM Archives, the original California black plates, and an additional 4960 fuel injection unit installed by City Chevrolet.
This unique, two-owner 1957 Chevy Nomad Fuelie show car will cross the Mecum Auctions block in Kissimmee, Florida in January 2025.
Comments
BEAUTIFUL CAR, BEAUTIFUL DESIGN, BEAUTIFUL COLORS BEAUTIFUL CONDITIONS
BIG $$$$$$
These were real cars with flair and style, not like the generic cars of today. The 50s were in my opinion the best style of cars with beauty that were not inhibited by the crazy environmentalist of today. To bad the designers did not continue their flair for design and beauty., instead they bowed to the demands of the government and nutty environmentalists.
Only thing it’s missing is the “Fuel Injection” script on the front fenders.
Two owner, one of three, very big money.
Beautiful car. Congratulations to the next owner.