It will take a bit of work to return this 1957 Chevrolet Nomad to its former glory, but it should be worth the effort with 71,000 genuine miles on the clock and its original V8 under the hood. It’s also worth noting that with the ongoing popularity of Tri-Five Chevys, this is a classic that could represent a solid long-term investment. It has already managed to attract twenty bids since it was listed for sale here on eBay. The Nomad is located in North Franklin, Connecticut, and while the bidding activity has pushed the price to $11,000, this remains short of the reserve.

The previous owner of this Onyx Black Nomad parked it in a barn in around 1980. The current owner liberated it about a year ago, but he hasn’t done anything to it in that time. It’s not an unusual story, but it also isn’t bad news. It means that the buyer can commence the restoration process without considering that someone may have performed substandard repair work at some point. The panels look straight, with no noticeable dings or dents. There is rust for the buyer to tackle, and it has afflicted all of the usual areas that we find in cars of this type. That means that there is some in the lower front fenders, along with the rockers and the lower rear quarters. However, none of this is particularly bad, and I believe the buyer could address those with patches. It is no surprise that the floors are pretty bad, although the frame is structurally sound. I suspect that the buyer will probably undertake this restoration as a frame-off project. With a one-piece floor costing under $900, returning the Nomad to a rust-free state should not be a difficult or expensive process. All to the external trim is present, although many pieces will require a trip to the platers. The glass looks to be in good order, and overall, this is a project that shows plenty of promise.

As is the case with the rest of this Nomad, the interior appears to be complete. It features all of its original Code 691 upholstery, and while it has seen better days, it could be considered serviceable if the buyer wanted to return the wagon to active duty in a hurry. Otherwise, it is another area of the vehicle that will demand plenty of attention. The buyer will need to decide what path they will follow with this build because while all of the components are available to return the interior to a factory-fresh state, the option is also available to choose custom trim and upholstery. I believe that it could look stunning if restored to its original appearance, but that’s a matter of personal preference.

Lifting the Nomad’s hood reveals that the original owner sought a relaxed driving experience with his new wagon. We find a 283ci V8, a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, power steering, and power brakes. In its prime, the 283 would’ve been producing 185hp. That was enough to send it through the ¼ mile in around 18.9 seconds. Given enough open space, the needle would have found its way to 101mph. The owner states that the Nomad has a genuine 71,000 miles on the clock. While he does hold some documentation, he doesn’t indicate whether he has evidence to verify the mileage claim. Once again, this is an area of the car that appears to be complete. The Chevy was parked in 1980, and it hasn’t fired a shot in anger since. The state of the engine is unknown, so that will be something for the buyer to investigate. However, if they intend to perform a frame-off restoration, it will allow them to inspect it thoroughly and at least detail everything to a high standard.

While values have ridden a rollercoaster over the past couple of years, they appear to be back on the upswing for the 1957 Chevrolet Nomad. They have remained a staple of the classic scene for decades, and if history is any indication, their popularity should continue to grow with each passing year. This one is complete, and it looks like it could make a satisfying project. If the buyer completes a faithful restoration to a high standard, there’s no reason why this wagon couldn’t command a value of more than $60,000 in today’s market. There’s also a fair chance that figure could increase significantly in the future. This Nomad has been sitting for more than four decades, and I hope that someone returns it to its former glory soon. It has earned it.