This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad two-door station wagon was acquired by the seller in 2001, and subsequent work starting in 2003 consisted of stripping and refinishing the body, front suspension, and chassis, polishing the bright metal work, and installing a 327ci V8 and 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission as well as adding a four-corner air suspension, a Ciadella Interiors headliner and door panels, and front disc brakes. The car is finished in orange and white over beige vinyl upholstery and features front drop spindles, power-assisted steering, a Ridetech RidePro air suspension control system, staggered 17″ American Racing wheels, air conditioning, power windows, intermittent wipers, a Billet Specialties V-Trac pulley system, and a Custom Autosound digital stereo. This Bel Air Nomad wagon is now offered with instruction manuals and a clean Tennessee title in the seller’s name.
The body was stripped and refinished in orange and white under current ownership. Features include a wrap-around windshield, two-piece tailgate, reverse sloped B-pillars, hood-mounted wind splits, side moldings, dual mirrors, chrome bumpers, and twin tail fins with a concealed fuel filler under the left taillight assembly. The trim on the right tailfin is misaligned, and there are blemishes in the rear tailgate trim and glass.
The staggered 17″ American Racing wheels are mounted with older Nitto NT450 Extreme Performance tires measuring 225/50 up front and 275/50 out back. The car is fitted with power-assisted steering, a Ridetech RidePro air suspension control system, airbags, front drop spindles, and a triangulated four-link rear suspension. Braking is handled by unassisted front discs and rear drums.
The cabin features front bucket seats and a rear bench reupholstered in beige vinyl joined by a color-coordinated Ciadella Interiors headliner and door panels. Equipment includes air conditioning, power windows, polished door sills, an analog clock, a Custom Autosound digital stereo, and a 1964 Impala-style center console, shifter, and bucket seats. The right front windshield trim is misaligned, and the cruise control does not work.
The two-spoke steering wheel has a chrome horn ring and frames a 120-mph speedometer and gauges for fuel level and coolant temperature. The five-digit mechanical odometer shows 880 miles, which is said to represent mileage since the completion of the refurbishment. Total mileage is unknown.
The replacement 327ci V8 was rebuilt before being installed under current ownership and features a Billet Specialties V-Trac pulley system, tubular headers, and body-colored Chevrolet-script valve covers.
Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a replacement 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission and a Positraction rear differential with 3.55:1 gears. A custom dual exhaust system with Magnaflow mufflers has been installed.
Photos documenting various stages of bodywork can be viewed in the gallery as well as instruction manuals that will accompany the car.
