The Chevy Nomad debuted as a concept car at the 1954 GM Motorama. Front-end styling came from the Chevy Corvette, with thirteen heavy chrome “teeth” in an oval grille, chrome stone guard covered headlights, chrome bumperettes and a chrome front license plate mount. The roof featured forward-leaning B-pillars, and contrasting white paint. Taillights had miniature fins, reflecting “Jet Age” styling. Five Chevy Nomad concepts were produced, and three still exist.
Response to the Chevy Nomad concept was strong, prompting GM to put the car into production for the 1955 model year. The Corvette influence was lost in development, as the Nomad became part of the Bel Air line. Styling was pure Bel Air in front, but much of the concept car design was retained, with the forward-sloping B-pillars, contrasting roof color, and chrome-ribbed tailgate. The Nomad was powered by the 265 cubic-inch Small Block, shared much of the Bel Air’s emblems, exterior chrome and stainless. Inside, the Nomad was very much a Bel Air variant, but with rear seats that could be folded flat to expand the cargo area. The Nomad shared the Bel Air hardtop’s options. Its base price made the Nomad the second most-expensive Chevrolet offering, exceeded only by the Corvette.
The Chevy Nomad for 1957 was still part of the Bel Air lineup, with common styling, appearance, and options. The top retained the leaning B-pillars, the sport wagon roofline as well as the split tailgate and rear glass arrangement. Along with the Bel Air, engine displacement had grown to 283 cubic inches.
Our feature 1957 Chevy Nomad is finished in Calypso Cream over a silver vinyl interior with black cloth inserts. It is powered by a 283 cubic-inch V8 Power Pack engine producing 220 horsepower, and backed by a modern 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. The Nomad is equipped with an aftermarket air cleaner cover, finned valve covers, power steering, power brakes, an AM-FM cassette radio, wide whitewall radial tires, and full wheel covers.
This attractive 1957 Chevy Nomad will cross the Mecum Auctions block at its Tulsa, Oklahoma event Saturday, June 7th.
Comments
nice design
Nice machine!
Barf
Love the car color in and out
Terrible color combination.
What an outstanding Classic Car. Very smart move to drop the 700r into it. I would do the same. Still no electronics. This will make any new owner a very happy camper. As much as I’m somewhat a purist, I’d next get rid of the generator and put an alternator. Next I’d replace the current air cleaner with a nice “Star Wars” cleaner. I like them on these cars. Subtle yellow pinstriping on the air cleaner would be nice.
In 55 the 265 cid engine produced 95 hp or 105hp with “powerpack”. In 57 the 283 cid carbureted engine produced 120 hp, not 220. These were low compression engines folks.
TOOLMAKER…..You are wrong about those ponies. The shingle four barrel made 220 at 4600 RPM and the dual four set up made 270 at 6000RPM. I am not sure about the options available in 1957.
Saw one of these machines at a red light when I was about 10 years old. I told my dad “Look a Nomad.” He said “Good looking car but only two doors. Can’t use it”.
55, 56, 57 Chevy Nomads… the ultimate wagon. And then there were all the other Nomads, all the way through the 1980s to the 2000 Nomad concept. Ok, let’s get the “there were no Nomads after the 55-57 models” going…
I believe there were 2-door Chevelle wagons around ’64-’65?
A friend of mine has an early 70s (70-72) “Chevelle/Malibu” based Nomad. Until I seen his I was not aware of them being made into the 70s. Beautiful Car. His is the “newest” one I’ve ever seen and I’ve been in the “Special Interest Vehicle” hobby for almost 50 years.