It really is the kind of car where the longer you study it, the more beautiful it gets. Thanks for showing us around :) Absolutely crazy to me that US auto manufacturers were coming out with a new design EVERY YEAR during this time.
I was a kid in the 1960's & my best friend & neighbor next door had an aunt that owned a '57 Nomad & many times she pulled up in the car she owned brand new. It was black with a red interior, The Nomads were impressive especially the '55 Nomad. My dad had a '57 Bel Air hardtop since new for 11 years. Exciting time.
From an appearance standpoint, I have always thought that the most beautiful tri-five Chevrolet offerings were those made in 1955. 1956 models were next, and the 1957 cars were in last place. They are all very nice cars, and I would be thrilled to have any of them with a V-8.
4:00 FWIW, I like _everything_ about the styling of the '57 better than the '56 (or '55). These were still pretty popular when I was a teen, and I always loved the'57s.
8:31 Perhaps TMI, but those big flat back areas ... when we were kids, we'd sit in the very back, and as mom went around corners, we'd slide all over the place occasionally banging our heads. Also, when we went to the drive in, we kids would all take our baths early, put on our jammies. Then, at the drive-in, we'd park toward the back, and face the "wrong way," so us kids would be laying on the flat back area, facing the movie. In hind sight, I think my parents _goal_ was that we'd fall asleep quickly.
The tri-5 Nomads were some of the best looking cars of their era. The one you showed was an top example of them with the yellow body, the black and yellow interior. The chrome on them was just right, before the excesses of 1958-1959.
@ 17:15 the shifting indicator has been upgraded with the D, L2, and L1 designation meaning that a TH-350 has been installed. Whoever put that in did and excellent job working the internals of the speedometer assembly. In '57 the only automatic transmission options were the Powerglide and the Turboglide both of which were 2-speed's.
57 Ford 57 Rambler I've always thought the Nomads were just beautiful looking station wagons. But if you're going to get a wagon practicality is the main factor in choosing one I really think a four-door station wagon gives you more practicality especially with a family. Of course there is a safety thing to be considered. With a two-door station wagon and since these cars didn't have child guard locks on the rear doors, the two doors are better option for safety. Just stuff the kids in the back and they can't get out or open the door accidentally when you're on the highway. But then the other side is if something does happen and you need to get your family out of the car in a hurry having only two doors is going to slow you down. So it's kind of a toss-up. My family always traveled around in station wagons when we kids were growing up. My parents took us on vacations all over the country in various models of station wagons. I for one am sorry to see the station wagon go away. Having a tailgate lunch while traveling is a great family experience. I have fond memories of pulling into a picnic area or a Forest service campground and having a delicious meal prepared on a two-burner Coleman stove and served off the tailgate of my dad's Plymouth or Ford station wagons. The factory ad for the station wagons were they talk about folding the rear seat down. I had to chuckle a little bit when they mentioned the drive-in. Pretty sure we can all figure out what that seat was going to be used for folded down at the drive-in especially if it was two adults involved lol. Yellow is a great color for any tri-5 Chevys. 57 Chevy is a beautiful car but to be honest I liked the styling of the 1957 Ford better. And I believe so did America as Ford actually outsold Chevy for 1957. Happy New Year Jay Love your channel keep it up.
Another great video! Those channels which traverse the rear section of the roof may channel water when the car is stopped, but they are there to add strength. People love to put a rack and/or tie things down to their roofs on station wagons. Anytime you put a bend or crease in sheet metal, it strengthens it.
You showed a 1956 Nomad with orange turn signal lights, which would not be a stock feature. From what I have observed 1963 was the first year for frontal turn signal lights being available on North American cars, although some switched back to white later. I meant to say 1963 was the introductory year for orange turn signal lights on the front.
My first car was a used ‘59 Studebaker Lark 2-Dr wagon with the 259 V-8. Although it came along after the Nomad, it was a great car. It packed more room than the 4-dr or 2-dr sedans, it drove like a smaller car
I let out a "wolf whistle" when you showed the front end of this car - man - you'd think it was 1957. That's a later small block Chevy engine (bolts through the top of the valve covers). I thought something was up when you showed the shift pattern. WYR: 57 Nomad, and 57 Rambler (just because they're so different and cool). Cars for next year? I'd love to see you cover the 442 that was next to this Nomad. Thank you as always, for all your hard work. Happy New Year! ~ Chuck
These are so cool!! I do like that Ford wagon but I have always loved the look of the '57 Chevy as well! it would take a bit of contemplation to choose between the two.. In the second , I'd choose the Nomad! Happy New Year!🎉
Happy New Year, Jay! Your passion and dedication to this channel and your subscribers shines in every video. All the best for you and your family in the coming year!
The WYR is a little tough, but I'll go for either the Ford or the Chevy for the first scenario, and I'm leaning towards the Rambler for the second. This was a nice update, and I like the '57 dash better than the '56. But I used to hear those sliding rear windows were prone to leaks. Still, I like the looks of this car.
Way back in 1962, I rode with my mom in my uncle's Bel Air, it was painted a turquoise blue and had a few dents, so I doubt that he had to pay more than a hundred dollars for the car, even though it was just 5 years old at the time. I am pretty sure that this was the exact same model and vintage. My uncle was only 15 or 16 years old at the time and this was his first car. Proudly showing it off as we drove excessively fast through Phoenix during the hot summertime weather, with the hot wind blasting through the windows, my uncle suddenly popped out one of his eye contacts as he blinked and was driving and somehow miraculously caught it somehow on the tip of his tongue as it fell. So, he abruptly pulled over the car to put it back into his eye! I was only about 7 years at the time, so my memories of this wonderful classic car are faint, but Is sure remember the contact on the tongue!
The exhaust was supposed to come out through the bumper ends, but Chevrolet saw the bumper rot on other cars (Cadillac) caused by the pipes going through the bumpers. All the pipes on a 1957 came out under the corner of the bumper. I believe that the tailgate hinges should be body color not black.
Another nice find, Jay! Real innovative car...favorite year is 1955 just due to the fully-radiused rear wheel wells. Like the '56 dash better. The tri-5 Nomads would have easily converted into some real mean-looking El Caminos. WYR 57 Nomad on both.
Awesome I will definitely cover a 55 and 56 when I find them the issue is these are usually really Modified I tried to feature as original cars as possible for the channel this one had a different engine in it but the rest of it seems really original
You like the '56 dash better than what?? There were Nomads that owners converted into "El Caminos ". And there was a plastic model kit of a '55 Nomad with the extra parts needed to the wagon into a pickup. It's a shame that Chevrolet didn't produce tri-5 "El Caminos". But Chevrolet did the right thing by using the Chevelle platform for the El Camino.
They sure don't build em like that anymore. 😢 My sister had a 57 210 when I was young. It was actually the FIRST CAR I ever drove! 😎 Thus, putting the 57's in a very special place in my heart.
Love the tri 5 chevys and the nomads were definitely special . Thanks for a wonderful year of entertaining and educational videos I would like to take this opportunity to to tell you I started watching early on when you would find a car on the side of the road I think one of the first I watched was a 67 charger that was in really ruf condition but you did a great job of presenting it and your videos have steadily improved over the last few years and it’s been great to be a part of. Love the wyr segment and the engine highlights on Wednesdays, keep up the great work !. For today’s would you rather I am going to pick the 57 ford as in my opinion the 55 through 58 fords were every bit as beautiful as the chevys and the 57 especially so and in the second option it’s going to be a close call for the 57 Chevy pictured even though you called it a 59 ? And it was a tuff choice over the rambler another beautiful vehicle that is way underrated in my opinion and probably the best of the bunch for a road trip but I’m going strictly on styling ( still a tuff choice. Again keep up the great work it’s been a pleasure to follow your channel and I wish you and yours a wonderful new year. Ps that song is going to drive me crazy because it’s on the tip of my tongue but I just can’t place it the melody is so familiar though
Haha yeah I still am finding cars on the side of the road haven’t featured any of those the car your thinking of was 65 Marlin I believe I haven’t done a 60s Charger yet Happy you still dig this channel =) thank you you so much for sharing all the feed back
As a Baby-Boomer, I can say in my youth the tri-five Chevys were the coolest of cool. In the early 70's they were 13 - 15 years old and you could buy a good one for $150 to $200. Imagine that..a 350 or 396 was an easy swap and you had a genuine hot rod.
The first car my Mom had, that I remember, was a '57 Bel Air 4 door with the 265 V8/auto. The car ran great! The body was shot. No floors, no trunk, the side of the car you could pull away with the door handle. My Grampa had to borrow it once, and he forbid her to ever drive it again, and bought her a '61 Fury to replace it (this was in '66 or so). Mercury had 2 door hardtop wagon in the Voyager/Commuter line up that came out in '57. The B pillar wasn't behind the door like on the Nomad/Safari though, it was in front of the cargo glass, behind a small rear seat window. Of all of the Chevy's in this generation, the '57 was the handsomest though! You think 50's cars, two things immediately come to mind... '59 Caddy fins and '57 Chevy fins. WYR: 1) WELL... (harumph...lol) since you didn't offer a Mercury, gotta go Nomad. 2) '59? Nomad. J... I hope 2024 brings you all the things you desire. Thank you so very much for all your work to keep us entertained, informed and educated. I look forward to each and every video you produce. Not only for the occasional walk down memory lane, the ohhhh I wish I had that, but also for the stuff I learn about cars and engines I never had a clue existed. Thank you so much! Mercury Commuter pic link: live.staticflickr.com/3457/3263188620_46229fd082_b.jpg
Yeah the 59 was a gaff I say the wrong stuff sometimes lol Happy you still dig this channel going after some heavy hitters this year =) I really want to drive a packard this year happy new year to you and your family
Another year of my birth cat and a Happy 2024 New Year Jay and everyone else! Nice cream color Nomad First pick 1955-57 Pontiac Safari wagon, second 1957 Rambler wagon.
Thinking of a dream episode to do this coming year if you and Zack Pradle with shooting cars can do joint episodes with you featuring his Model A and Zack featuring your Chevy Flatbed on each other's channels, that would be awesome.
I would totally collaborate with Zach I was watching his Hudson hornet episode the other day which I was if I bought us a little bit jealous that he got to drive a Hudson hornet that’s always been a dream of mine.. but it was cool seeing him do it.. i’ll reach out to him and see if we can set something up =) Sweet choices
1958 for $69,000. OMG in 1958 you could buy a split level and two brand new cars.,,, send all three kids to college,,, buy them a new car and a new house…. And go to Europe and see what they had rebuilt after the war.
My dad had a standard 1955 Chevy wagon 4 dr blue with white top. It had a third row rear facing seat. My estimate is we drove it from the late 1950s to early 1960s. I was less than ten years old though i recall our cross country Nebraska trips with me in the rear facing seat surrounded by all the glass. I thought the chrome airplane on the hood was cool. My dad liked to gangster and first got the wagon rear ended in an insurance claim and later got the wsgon stolen totally stripped and rebuilt. He had a habit of buying cars and not paying for them. I think after our vacations and insurance claims he may have returned it to the original owner who was a commercial bakery.
I always thought it would have been cool if Chevy would have put dual filler necks on the 56 and 57's so you could pull up to either side of a gas pump. I know, costs....
Another great example of your feature car, Jay! BTW, the '57 Ford wagon you pictured in the "Would you rather?" section was a Del Rio Ranch Wagon, which was the competition for the '57 Nomad. You might look around to see if you could find one to feature. It was much more popular and not nearly as well known. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Del_Rio#:~:text=While%20the%20Ford%20sold%20more,of%20its%20%22sport%20wagons%22. And thank you for your great 2023 features! I'm looking forward to what you come up with for 2024. Happy New Year!
1955 brought the X- frame SB and fresh, lean design; '56 introduced 12V architecture and broader appearance upgrades, to compete directly with Ford. The 1957 was blessed with details that made it look leaner and unique next to everything else and a timeless favorite, plus more displacement and power options. Note that the top of the classic fins is parallel to the rocker panels. It's the slant and slender profile that makes them at same time subtle and dramatic. The tri-fives were the epitome of quality and design in their class and time. Conservative pricing turned immense sales numbers and profits. Hint to modern day GM. While I appreciate them all, the '56 is my actual favorite.
An excellent example of a '57 Nomad, but even so, the tell-a-tales signs of rust are evident on the bottom edge in the interior of the tailgate housing. This was the fatal flaw on the Nomads, the rain formed the outside edges of the chrome trim on the back window, followed down and then dripped to the bottom. Within 2 or 3 years one would be faced with a rusty tailgate. Secondly, the heaviness of these classic cars, all the metal to metal contact, the squeaks -- today we drive cars with almost no squeaks even after 20 years of driving (as l have). The shear amount of steel is not something we are accustomed today, hardly a piece of plastic anywhere. V. enjoyable.
Another stellar job my friend. I believe this Nomad has the new for the year turbo glide automatic. 1) WYR: 1957 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon wins by a mile. 2) WYR: Although not my favorite year, the Rambles Cross Country gets my vote.
Hi Jay, All the best for 2024 The Nomad would be the most desirable car shown here. but I would also pick the 1957 Rambler wagon as I have a soft spot for American Motors products. If you ever have the opportunity to show the '74 to '78 Matador coupe, I would love to see it. It is so similar to the Marlin from the '60s.
For the early Nomads, my favorite is the ‘56. While the ‘57 BelAirs get most of the love, I think the non-finned fenders on the ‘55 & ‘56 look better as a wagon.
The tri-5 Chevys are iconic with the 57's at the head of that class. You found a nice example albeit a what looked like a 350, but i'd be proud to own it. I wonder how many 57 fuelie wagons were made that year..... In your scenarios, I'd take the Chevys. My late uncle owned (4) 56 Chevys including a 150 handyman with a crate 350 and a saginaw 4 speed. My preference is the 55's. I liked the lines, and they were the lightest of the 3 years which made them the choice for serious drag racers. Got 2 lane blacktop?😁
@@What.its.like. I tried to hunt down the info on the "fuelie" wagons. I found out there were NO 150 handyman wagons that were factory fuelies. I did find this out - If it's a FI Nomad, the engine deck stamp will end in EJ, EK, FJ or GF. I found NO production info for quantity.🥴
You put The Studebaker at a disadvantage by using a bargain basement Scotsman because I thought they had a fairly decent looking top line wagon and the idea of using a 4-door wagon is shot down by using a 4-door hardtop Rambler Cross Country wagon. I think the best comparisons should be between top line wagons, same with the poor Plymouth Suburban although I liked the use of the Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon. Wishing you a Happy New Year 🎉🎊🎇
Happy new year.. I didn’t even know they made a two door Studebaker wagon until doing this episode I almost use the Packard wagon only because it’s super rare..
The 57 is iconic today, but I think a good case can be made that the 55 and even the 56 (not a fan of the chrome fence grille however) were much cleaner. In any case, Chevy lost number 1 in model year sales to Ford in 57 as it was a new body and Chevy was a facelift. Indeed, they had to counter the 'big' Ford with an even bigger Chevy in 58. The sister Safari was much more luxurious (leather, etc.) and arguably a better buy, but they styling just wasn't as clean - even awkward in 55 & 56. Tailgates leak and rust like crazy from new. Still, what an interesting - though not terribly practical - concept that would sometimes be repeated in a smaller, sportier form by the Europeans (1800 ES, Jensen GT) but never again as a top line 'standard size' car. WYR - Nomad both times, though of course the 59 Nomad per voice over was a different car entirely, lol.
Happy New Year everyone! I would really like to see you do the 1917 Metz Model 25 which is at Classic Auto Mall and show everyone the transmission. Personally I like the '56 better than the '57. This is a very nice car but I hate seeing Holley carbs on GM engines. IMO the Quadrajet is a much better carb. I put dual quad 390 Holleys on my '68 GTO but switched back to the QJ. I spent a lot of time tuning both setups and the performance was equivalent, except I could never get the dual quads to idle as well as the QJ. Doing all that tuning I really came to respect the QJ. The Holleys might be easier to tune but the QJ offered more flexibility. I would rather have the 1957 Nomad in both scenarios.
I never had a Holly, I have a Quadra jet on my 52 Chevy but it vapor locks when hot outside the edelbrock never vapor locked idk weird I’m going back to Classic Automall hopefully next week I will definitely do the Metz
@@What.its.like. I say don't give up on the QJ. I've heard of using a phenolic spacer to help keep the carb cooler. It looks like your EGR valve isn't hooked up. Could it be leaking? I'm not sure if that would heat up the carb though. Easy to check. If I were closer I'd offer to help. It's fun to troubleshoot things like that. To me anyway. I'm looking forward to the Metz episode.
This car has been modified...probably a 327 or 350 under hood....The shift indicator gives it away....Chevy didn't have 3-speed automatics back then...that's a turbo hydromatic retrofit. Back then it would have been a 2-speed Powerglide, and the shift quadrant would have been PNDLR.
Back in the 60's i worked in a garage after school and summers and I had to use their '57 chevy wagon to chase parts for them. This is why I'd take the ford or the stude. I didn't like it much, it just seemed clunky and clumsy to drive compared with other cars of that era.
You got it- Roy Orbisen
Rambler Cross Country
Yeah buddy I’m impressed =)
Right on- You got it
It really is the kind of car where the longer you study it, the more beautiful it gets. Thanks for showing us around :) Absolutely crazy to me that US auto manufacturers were coming out with a new design EVERY YEAR during this time.
Beautiful car
10:02 Even as a kid, I always liked the rubber-bumper Dagmars ... I was too young to really understand _why_ I was so attracted to them ;-)
They're falsies though... rubber! 😂
Thank you Jay, for your work.
Thank you so much for watching this channel I’m glad you dig what I do =)
One of the nicest Nomads I’ve seen!
I concur
I was a kid in the 1960's & my best friend & neighbor next door had an aunt that owned a
'57 Nomad & many times she pulled up in the car she owned brand new. It was black with a red interior,
The Nomads were impressive especially the '55 Nomad. My dad had a '57 Bel Air hardtop since new for 11 years. Exciting time.
Awesome thank you for sharing that memory
Awesome, even in yellow.
From an appearance standpoint, I have always thought that the most beautiful tri-five Chevrolet offerings were those made in 1955. 1956 models were next, and the 1957 cars were in last place. They are all very nice cars, and I would be thrilled to have any of them with a V-8.
Wow, I guess I'm against trend here, but I thought the '57 was the best of all!
[edit: fix typo]
@@josephgaviotaI agree 👍
4:00 FWIW, I like _everything_ about the styling of the '57 better than the '56 (or '55).
These were still pretty popular when I was a teen, and I always loved the'57s.
They did all that beautiful work then put a in donut spare!
@@rickden8362 You're speaking of the restoration. My comment was on the factory.
Thank you, Jay, for taking us along on New Year's Day. Happy New Year and stay safe. 🕛
=) you bet thank you so much for watching happy new year to you and your family
Look at the refinement and durability evident in every visual and functional detail. Fit and finish earns the blue ribbon for excellence.
8:31 Perhaps TMI, but those big flat back areas ... when we were kids, we'd sit in the very back, and as mom went around corners, we'd slide all over the place occasionally banging our heads.
Also, when we went to the drive in, we kids would all take our baths early, put on our jammies. Then, at the drive-in, we'd park toward the back, and face the "wrong way," so us kids would be laying on the flat back area, facing the movie. In hind sight, I think my parents _goal_ was that we'd fall asleep quickly.
Dude! As a former antique car collector I live vicariously through you and what you’re doing. TY! Please keep posting!!!
We Lomé to the community =) happy you dig the channel
WYR #1: Absolutely, positively, without doubt or question, the '57 Chevy is the best looking.
The tri-5 Nomads were some of the best looking cars of their era. The one you showed was an top example of them with the yellow body, the black and yellow interior. The chrome on them was just right, before the excesses of 1958-1959.
GM is showing quality in this car. I am surprised at just how much that quality has stood the test of time.
Happy New Year 2024 Jay! Your channel is RUclips at its best! 🙂
Thank you glad you dig this channel happy new year to you and your family
57 Chevy, always
Love the Nomad. Thank you for highlighting it. Happy New Year.
You bet glad you dig this episode =)
Happy New Year to you Sir.
Happy new year
@ 17:15 the shifting indicator has been upgraded with the D, L2, and L1 designation meaning that a TH-350 has been installed. Whoever put that in did
and excellent job working the internals of the speedometer assembly. In '57 the only automatic transmission options were the Powerglide and the Turboglide
both of which were 2-speed's.
Totally agree =)
They did all that beautiful work then put a in donut spare!
57 Ford
57 Rambler
I've always thought the Nomads were just beautiful looking station wagons. But if you're going to get a wagon practicality is the main factor in choosing one
I really think a four-door station wagon gives you more practicality especially with a family.
Of course there is a safety thing to be considered. With a two-door station wagon and since these cars didn't have child guard locks on the rear doors, the two doors are better option for safety. Just stuff the kids in the back and they can't get out or open the door accidentally when you're on the highway.
But then the other side is if something does happen and you need to get your family out of the car in a hurry having only two doors is going to slow you down. So it's kind of a toss-up.
My family always traveled around in station wagons when we kids were growing up. My parents took us on vacations all over the country in various models of station wagons. I for one am sorry to see the station wagon go away. Having a tailgate lunch while traveling is a great family experience. I have fond memories of pulling into a picnic area or a Forest service campground and having a delicious meal prepared on a two-burner Coleman stove and served off the tailgate of my dad's Plymouth or Ford station wagons. The factory ad for the station wagons were they talk about folding the rear seat down. I had to chuckle a little bit when they mentioned the drive-in. Pretty sure we can all figure out what that seat was going to be used for folded down at the drive-in especially if it was two adults involved lol.
Yellow is a great color for any tri-5 Chevys. 57 Chevy is a beautiful car but to be honest I liked the styling of the 1957 Ford better. And I believe so did America as Ford actually outsold Chevy for 1957.
Happy New Year Jay Love your channel keep it up.
Awesome information and insight happy you dig the channel =)
Another great video!
Those channels which traverse the rear section of the roof may channel water when the car is stopped, but they are there to add strength. People love to put a rack and/or tie things down to their roofs on station wagons. Anytime you put a bend or crease in sheet metal, it strengthens it.
Glad you dig this video awesome information and trivia
In 57, Ford offered a 2 door wagon, caller the Rancher. It was offered as a working car for carpenters, painters etc.
WYR 1: All of them.
WYR 2: All of them.
The Rambler Cross Country wagon kind of resembles the Ford Anglia 105e at the rear pillar.
You showed a 1956 Nomad with orange turn signal lights, which would not be a stock feature. From what I have observed 1963 was the first year for frontal turn signal lights being available on North American cars, although some switched back to white later. I meant to say 1963 was the introductory year for orange turn signal lights on the front.
Happy New Year to you and your family !
Happy new year to you and your family =)
Thanks Pal, always look forward to your videos 👍
=) happy you dig the channel
Happy New Year!
Happy new year jerry
My first car was a used ‘59 Studebaker Lark 2-Dr wagon with the 259 V-8. Although it came along after the Nomad, it was a great car. It packed more room than the 4-dr or 2-dr sedans, it drove like a smaller car
Sweet thank you for sharing your car with us
I had a 1955 Chevy with the 265 V8. I got 18 MPG and it would reach 105 MPH according to the Speedo.
Sweet =) but the bigger question was it stable at that speed
I thought so at the time but It was a long time ago.@@What.its.like.
I let out a "wolf whistle" when you showed the front end of this car - man - you'd think it was 1957. That's a later small block Chevy engine (bolts through the top of the valve covers). I thought something was up when you showed the shift pattern. WYR: 57 Nomad, and 57 Rambler (just because they're so different and cool). Cars for next year? I'd love to see you cover the 442 that was next to this Nomad. Thank you as always, for all your hard work. Happy New Year! ~ Chuck
Thank you so much Chuck I hope you had a good new year I’m stoked about what’s coming this year.. =)
Lovely car Jay, happy new year to you and your family too mate
Thanks for an educational year! I’m glad I found your channel.
=) happy new year James happy your part of this community =)
These are so cool!! I do like that Ford wagon but I have always loved the look of the '57 Chevy as well! it would take a bit of contemplation to choose between the two.. In the second , I'd choose the Nomad! Happy New Year!🎉
Happy new year
Happy New Year, Jay! Your passion and dedication to this channel and your subscribers shines in every video. All the best for you and your family in the coming year!
Happy new year David still glad you dig this channel I can’t wait to see where we’re at next year
WYR, 57 Pontiac Safari and/or 57 Mercury Commuter two door hardtop station wagon.
Sweet write ins =)
Thanks. @@What.its.like.
The WYR is a little tough, but I'll go for either the Ford or the Chevy for the first scenario, and I'm leaning towards the Rambler for the second.
This was a nice update, and I like the '57 dash better than the '56. But I used to hear those sliding rear windows were prone to leaks. Still, I like the looks of this car.
Great choices =)
Way back in 1962, I rode with my mom in my uncle's Bel Air, it was painted a turquoise blue and had a few dents, so I doubt that he had to pay more than a hundred dollars for the car, even though it was just 5 years old at the time. I am pretty sure that this was the exact same model and vintage. My uncle was only 15 or 16 years old at the time and this was his first car. Proudly showing it off as we drove excessively fast through Phoenix during the hot summertime weather, with the hot wind blasting through the windows, my uncle suddenly popped out one of his eye contacts as he blinked and was driving and somehow miraculously caught it somehow on the tip of his tongue as it fell. So, he abruptly pulled over the car to put it back into his eye! I was only about 7 years at the time, so my memories of this wonderful classic car are faint, but Is sure remember the contact on the tongue!
Thank you so much for sharing that memory =)
The exhaust was supposed to come out through the bumper ends, but Chevrolet saw the bumper rot on other cars (Cadillac) caused by the pipes going through the bumpers. All the pipes on a 1957 came out under the corner of the bumper. I believe that the tailgate hinges should be body color not black.
Great information
17:04 I'm pretty sure that PRNDL gear shifting is wrong ... back then, these were PNDLR transmissions.
Ford Ranch Wagon is sweet, but I'm going to have to go with the Nomad in both groups. Sweet: Love is Like Oxygen
Sweet choices =)
Another nice find, Jay! Real innovative car...favorite year is 1955 just due to the fully-radiused rear wheel wells. Like the '56 dash better. The tri-5 Nomads would have easily converted into some real mean-looking El Caminos. WYR 57 Nomad on both.
Awesome I will definitely cover a 55 and 56 when I find them the issue is these are usually really Modified I tried to feature as original cars as possible for the channel this one had a different engine in it but the rest of it seems really original
You like the '56 dash better than what??
There were Nomads that owners converted into "El Caminos ". And there was a plastic model kit of a '55 Nomad with the extra parts needed to the wagon into a pickup.
It's a shame that Chevrolet didn't produce tri-5 "El Caminos". But Chevrolet did the right thing by using the Chevelle platform for the El Camino.
I want a '56.
Sweet =)
They sure don't build em like that anymore. 😢 My sister had a 57 210 when I was young. It was actually the FIRST CAR I ever drove! 😎 Thus, putting the 57's in a very special place in my heart.
Great job you crazy looking buggar
Love the tri 5 chevys and the nomads were definitely special . Thanks for a wonderful year of entertaining and educational videos I would like to take this opportunity to to tell you I started watching early on when you would find a car on the side of the road I think one of the first I watched was a 67 charger that was in really ruf condition but you did a great job of presenting it and your videos have steadily improved over the last few years and it’s been great to be a part of. Love the wyr segment and the engine highlights on Wednesdays, keep up the great work !. For today’s would you rather I am going to pick the 57 ford as in my opinion the 55 through 58 fords were every bit as beautiful as the chevys and the 57 especially so and in the second option it’s going to be a close call for the 57 Chevy pictured even though you called it a 59 ? And it was a tuff choice over the rambler another beautiful vehicle that is way underrated in my opinion and probably the best of the bunch for a road trip but I’m going strictly on styling ( still a tuff choice. Again keep up the great work it’s been a pleasure to follow your channel and I wish you and yours a wonderful new year. Ps that song is going to drive me crazy because it’s on the tip of my tongue but I just can’t place it the melody is so familiar though
Haha yeah I still am finding cars on the side of the road haven’t featured any of those the car your thinking of was 65 Marlin I believe I haven’t done a 60s Charger yet
Happy you still dig this channel =) thank you you so much for sharing all the feed back
@@What.its.like. - Your absolute right it was the marlin 👍
As a Baby-Boomer, I can say in my youth the tri-five Chevys were the coolest of cool. In the early 70's they were 13 - 15 years old and you could buy a good one for $150 to $200. Imagine that..a 350 or 396 was an easy swap and you had a genuine hot rod.
The first car my Mom had, that I remember, was a '57 Bel Air 4 door with the 265 V8/auto. The car ran great! The body was shot. No floors, no trunk, the side of the car you could pull away with the door handle. My Grampa had to borrow it once, and he forbid her to ever drive it again, and bought her a '61 Fury to replace it (this was in '66 or so). Mercury had 2 door hardtop wagon in the Voyager/Commuter line up that came out in '57. The B pillar wasn't behind the door like on the Nomad/Safari though, it was in front of the cargo glass, behind a small rear seat window. Of all of the Chevy's in this generation, the '57 was the handsomest though! You think 50's cars, two things immediately come to mind... '59 Caddy fins and '57 Chevy fins. WYR: 1) WELL... (harumph...lol) since you didn't offer a Mercury, gotta go Nomad. 2) '59? Nomad. J... I hope 2024 brings you all the things you desire. Thank you so very much for all your work to keep us entertained, informed and educated. I look forward to each and every video you produce. Not only for the occasional walk down memory lane, the ohhhh I wish I had that, but also for the stuff I learn about cars and engines I never had a clue existed. Thank you so much! Mercury Commuter pic link: live.staticflickr.com/3457/3263188620_46229fd082_b.jpg
Yeah the 59 was a gaff I say the wrong stuff sometimes lol
Happy you still dig this channel going after some heavy hitters this year =) I really want to drive a packard this year happy new year to you and your family
The tri-five Chevies are among my favorite cars of all time. WYR The Chevy in both cases.
Plymouth + Chevrolet Happy new year.
Great choices
Happy new year to you and your family
Another year of my birth cat and a Happy 2024 New Year Jay and everyone else! Nice cream color Nomad First pick 1955-57 Pontiac Safari wagon, second 1957 Rambler wagon.
Thinking of a dream episode to do this coming year if you and Zack Pradle with shooting cars can do joint episodes with you featuring his Model A and Zack featuring your Chevy Flatbed on each other's channels, that would be awesome.
I would totally collaborate with Zach I was watching his Hudson hornet episode the other day which I was if I bought us a little bit jealous that he got to drive a Hudson hornet that’s always been a dream of mine.. but it was cool seeing him do it.. i’ll reach out to him and see if we can set something up =)
Sweet choices
1958 for $69,000. OMG in 1958 you could buy a split level and two brand new cars.,,, send all three kids to college,,, buy them a new car and a new house…. And go to Europe and see what they had rebuilt after the war.
My dad had a standard 1955 Chevy wagon 4 dr blue with white top. It had a third row rear facing seat. My estimate is we drove it from the late 1950s to early 1960s. I was less than ten years old though i recall our cross country Nebraska trips with me in the rear facing seat surrounded by all the glass. I thought the chrome airplane on the hood was cool. My dad liked to gangster and first got the wagon rear ended in an insurance claim and later got the wsgon stolen totally stripped and rebuilt. He had a habit of buying cars and not paying for them. I think after our vacations and insurance claims he may have returned it to the original owner who was a commercial bakery.
Awesome thank you so much for sharing those memories =)
My Mom drove a 57 wagon, 4 door, straight six, they were everywhere, nomads with V8 much more rare and much cooler.
I always thought it would have been cool if Chevy would have put dual filler necks on the 56 and 57's so you could pull up to either side of a gas pump. I know, costs....
Totally agree or at least let the other one open to be a hinding place maybe for spare light bulbs or something
Another great example of your feature car, Jay! BTW, the '57 Ford wagon you pictured in the "Would you rather?" section was a Del Rio Ranch Wagon, which was the competition for the '57 Nomad. You might look around to see if you could find one to feature. It was much more popular and not nearly as well known. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Del_Rio#:~:text=While%20the%20Ford%20sold%20more,of%20its%20%22sport%20wagons%22. And thank you for your great 2023 features! I'm looking forward to what you come up with for 2024. Happy New Year!
Happy new year glad you dig this episode thank you so much for the information on the del rio wagon
Happy New Year Jay!
Happy New Year
1955 brought the X- frame SB and fresh, lean design; '56 introduced 12V architecture and broader appearance upgrades, to compete directly with Ford. The 1957 was blessed with details that made it look leaner and unique next to everything else and a timeless favorite, plus more displacement and power options. Note that the top of the classic fins is parallel to the rocker panels. It's the slant and slender profile that makes them at same time subtle and dramatic. The tri-fives were the epitome of quality and design in their class and time. Conservative pricing turned immense sales numbers and profits. Hint to modern day GM. While I appreciate them all, the '56 is my actual favorite.
An excellent example of a '57 Nomad, but even so, the tell-a-tales signs of rust are evident on the bottom edge in the interior of the tailgate housing. This was the fatal flaw on the Nomads, the rain formed the outside edges of the chrome trim on the back window, followed down and then dripped to the bottom. Within 2 or 3 years one would be faced with a rusty tailgate. Secondly, the heaviness of these classic cars, all the metal to metal contact, the squeaks -- today we drive cars with almost no squeaks even after 20 years of driving (as l have). The shear amount of steel is not something we are accustomed today, hardly a piece of plastic anywhere. V. enjoyable.
Another stellar job my friend. I believe this Nomad has the new for the year turbo glide automatic.
1) WYR: 1957 Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon wins by a mile.
2) WYR: Although not my favorite year, the Rambles Cross Country gets my vote.
Happy you dig this episode =) sweet choices
Hi Jay, All the best for 2024 The Nomad would be the most desirable car shown here. but I would also pick the 1957 Rambler wagon as I have a soft spot for American Motors products. If you ever have the opportunity to show the '74 to '78 Matador coupe, I would love to see it. It is so similar to the Marlin from the '60s.
For the early Nomads, my favorite is the ‘56. While the ‘57 BelAirs get most of the love, I think the non-finned fenders on the ‘55 & ‘56 look better as a wagon.
Happy New Year.
Happy new year Aaron
We had a 57 wagon, regular wagon.283, stick with overdrive. Cross country trip Mom pushed it so hard it burned a valve
Thank you for sharing that memory =)
The tri-5 Chevys are iconic with the 57's at the head of that class. You found a nice example albeit a what looked like a 350, but i'd be proud to own it. I wonder how many 57 fuelie wagons were made that year..... In your scenarios, I'd take the Chevys. My late uncle owned (4) 56 Chevys including a 150 handyman with a crate 350 and a saginaw 4 speed. My preference is the 55's. I liked the lines, and they were the lightest of the 3 years which made them the choice for serious drag racers. Got 2 lane blacktop?😁
Yeah I was wondering that too how many Fuel injection wagons were there =)
@@What.its.like. I tried to hunt down the info on the "fuelie" wagons. I found out there were NO 150 handyman wagons that were factory fuelies. I did find this out - If it's a FI Nomad, the engine deck stamp will end in EJ, EK, FJ or GF.
I found NO production info for quantity.🥴
The Rambler is my favorite.
Sweet choice
happy new year jay
Happy new year ken
I wonder why they dropped the two-door Nomad configuration for the 1958 model year. Maybe the new rear roofline was problematic?
I think it was because the two door wagons were not popular the four-door equivalents were more popular
You put The Studebaker at a disadvantage by using a bargain basement Scotsman because I thought they had a fairly decent looking top line wagon and the idea of using a 4-door wagon is shot down by using a 4-door hardtop Rambler Cross Country wagon. I think the best comparisons should be between top line wagons, same with the poor Plymouth Suburban although I liked the use of the Ford Del Rio Ranch Wagon. Wishing you a Happy New Year 🎉🎊🎇
Happy new year.. I didn’t even know they made a two door Studebaker wagon until doing this episode I almost use the Packard wagon only because it’s super rare..
Nice car ,but too bad it has a crate motor. If it had the original drivetrain and wheels it would possibly be worth twice as much. Happy New Year!
Happy new year Charles
Hi Jay!: Prefer the '55 or '56 to the '57. The fins look funny on the wagons especially, WYR#1 1957 Ford Ranch Wagon #2 1957 Stude!
Sweet choices I like the fins on the wagon more because they stick out more
all though Tri 5 Chevy's don't turn my Crank the Nomad had Class for a Wagon! In 57 the Chevy looked dated compared to a 57 Plymouth.
That 57 Plymouth was really something
The 57 is iconic today, but I think a good case can be made that the 55 and even the 56 (not a fan of the chrome fence grille however) were much cleaner. In any case, Chevy lost number 1 in model year sales to Ford in 57 as it was a new body and Chevy was a facelift. Indeed, they had to counter the 'big' Ford with an even bigger Chevy in 58. The sister Safari was much more luxurious (leather, etc.) and arguably a better buy, but they styling just wasn't as clean - even awkward in 55 & 56. Tailgates leak and rust like crazy from new. Still, what an interesting - though not terribly practical - concept that would sometimes be repeated in a smaller, sportier form by the Europeans (1800 ES, Jensen GT) but never again as a top line 'standard size' car. WYR - Nomad both times, though of course the 59 Nomad per voice over was a different car entirely, lol.
Great information and insight thank you so much for sharing all of that great choices =)
Happy New Year everyone! I would really like to see you do the 1917 Metz Model 25 which is at Classic Auto Mall and show everyone the transmission.
Personally I like the '56 better than the '57. This is a very nice car but I hate seeing Holley carbs on GM engines. IMO the Quadrajet is a much better carb. I put dual quad 390 Holleys on my '68 GTO but switched back to the QJ. I spent a lot of time tuning both setups and the performance was equivalent, except I could never get the dual quads to idle as well as the QJ. Doing all that tuning I really came to respect the QJ. The Holleys might be easier to tune but the QJ offered more flexibility. I would rather have the 1957 Nomad in both scenarios.
I never had a Holly, I have a Quadra jet on my 52 Chevy but it vapor locks when hot outside the edelbrock never vapor locked idk weird
I’m going back to Classic Automall hopefully next week I will definitely do the Metz
@@What.its.like. I say don't give up on the QJ. I've heard of using a phenolic spacer to help keep the carb cooler. It looks like your EGR valve isn't hooked up. Could it be leaking? I'm not sure if that would heat up the carb though. Easy to check. If I were closer I'd offer to help. It's fun to troubleshoot things like that. To me anyway. I'm looking forward to the Metz episode.
Not the original drivetrain. I could tell by the transmission quadrant. 1957 Chevrolets offered Powerglide (P N D L R) or Turboglide (P R N D GR).
The safari was a upgrade to the rattely nomad 😢. Popular tv servicemen. Vehicles in the day 🎉. The Willy's and sedan deliverys too
No info on carburetors?
Too much conflicting information on carbs
Not dual quads. Just an oval air filter on a Holley 500-650
It looked like two of them
This car has been modified...probably a 327 or 350 under hood....The shift indicator gives it away....Chevy didn't have 3-speed automatics back then...that's a turbo hydromatic retrofit. Back then it would have been a 2-speed Powerglide, and the shift quadrant would have been PNDLR.
I daily drive a 1957 Bel Air sedan. Built like a truck.
Sweet =) what engine is in yours
@@What.its.like. It's been swapped with a 350 and a turbo 350 transmission. It must have originally had the six banger and a powerglide.
there is no way Chevrolet offered a space saving spare in 1957.
That little spare tire might be new.
For 57, I’m going Ford. If the selections were from 55, I’d have to go with the Chevy.
Sweet choices =)
Back in the 60's i worked in a garage after school and summers and I had to use their '57 chevy wagon to chase parts for them. This is why I'd take the ford or the stude. I didn't like it much, it just seemed clunky and clumsy to drive compared with other cars of that era.
0:13 - That is Chernobyl, not Windscale.
Gerry Rafferty---Right down the line ?
Another great guess neither that song or band
22:56 I think you meant to say "1957", not 59.
Yeah lol it happens
As far as the WYR goes, I would actually prefer the 57 Pontiac Safari over any of those
Sweet =)
Any except for the rambler.
I bought a 57 nomad project car several years ago someday soon i will have her on the road
Supertramp-- The logical song ?
Great guess it’s not that song or band
Chevy- Chevy
Sweet =)
57 plymouth wagon ....period .
I don't know why guys get such a boner over 57 chevys .
Sweet choice
Totally agree
The Ford and then the Stude.
Sweet choices
2nd scenario is a 57 Chevy not a 59
Ford Ranch Wagon
Sweet choice
Plymouth --Chevy
Sweet choices =)
Bye!
Toodaloo