Models and Kits

There are just a handful of classic cars that just about anyone will immediately recognize and the 1957 Chevy Bel Air is one of them. From the classic tail fins to the hooded headlights this model is as much an American icon as parades and apple pie. While the term ‘57 Chevy has come to be used as a catchall phrase for that model year, as though there were just one model, there were actually several different variations of note. It’s interesting to consider that the boys at Chevy wanted to see a totally new design for the 1957 model year. Production problems and setbacks caused them to use the 1955 model design as a base one more time. Imagine how close we were to never seeing this model!

The 1957 Chevrolet came in three different main trim packages. The Bel Air was the top of the line luxury package featuring gold anodized trim pieces on the front grill, fenders, hood and trunk lid. The 210 package was a mid-line offering with the 150 package rounding out the line as a base offering. There were several body styles available for the 1957 model year, most of which had an option of the Bel Air trim package. The standard Chevy two and four door sedans were offered as well as a two door and four door Hardtop. Often confused by novice observers are the Sedans and Hardtop or Sport Coupes. The sedan model is easy to spot when you understand that model has upright pillars between the windows while the Hardtop or Sport Coupe does not. Also produced was what they called a Utility Coupe which featured a bench in the back rather than a regular seat for salesmen who needed to carry samples and deliver items. Station wagons were also popular at the time and Chevy offered two variations in ‘57. The Nomad was the high end version with a Bel Air trim package while the Handyman was offered in the 150 and 210 packages. And we can’t forget the famous Chevy Convertible from this year!

On top of the many body style variations from this year a ton of different options were available. Air Conditioning and Fuel Injection are perhaps the most notable two of them all however very few were sold. Air conditioning was still considered an unnecessary luxury by most and Fuel Injection was so new that most garages simply did not know how to fix the system. Most 1957 Chevy buyers that year opted for the tried and true carburetor. Other items offered included a “Surround Sound” system for the radio (which consisted of a speaker in the rear of the car), power radio antenna, power brakes and a padded dashboard. This was the same year the ill fated Turboglide transmission was introduced. Unfortunately this tranny had a bad reputation from the start and the vast majority of buyers avoided it. The Turboglide ceased production less than 4 years later.

While we think of this car as perhaps the most famous in American history the buying public at the time was not equally impressed. While sales are decent they fell short of expectations. In fact the Ford Motor Company out sold Chevy that year for the first time in over 20 years. Following an interesting trend in classic car market however, the 1957 Chevy remains one of the most sought after models for car collectors the world over.

About the Author:

Bill has recently posted a fully restored 1957 Chevy on his website. To see tons of pictures of the ‘57 click HERE. Bill is a big fan of anything with wheels and a motor…especially Harley Motorcycles.Thanks!

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – 1957 Chevy Bel Air – An American Classic

1955 Chevy Nomad – Taking Off

1956 CHEVROLET 150 BELAIR NOMAD 210 56 PAINT CHIPS MS3 $12.99

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1957 Chevrolet Nomad 2 Door Display Diecast Model Car $9.99

1957 Black Chevy Nomad Bel Air Art Print Poster $0.01

1955 56 57 Chevy Tubro Shift Linkage Belair Sedan Nomad $22.95

1957 Chevy Chrome Fender Louvers Sedan Hardtop Nomad $48.95

1955 Chevy Cigarette Lighter Belair Hardtop Nomad Sedan $34.95

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1956 57 Chevy Windshield Drain Seals Belair Nomad Conv $10.95

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1955 Chevy Nomad Maisto Pro Rodz Teal W/ White Top $0.79

1954 Chevy Corvette Nomad Johnny Lightning Teal $0.69

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1955 Chevy Chrome Grill Belair Sedan Nomad Convertable $198.95

1957 Chevy Belair Gold Grill Sedan Nomad Convertable $75.00

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1957 Chevrolet Nomad Road Legends Diecast MIB $1.25

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M2 Machines 1957 Chevrolet Nomad Ground Pounders $5.99

Maisto 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Red 1:18 Model Car $40.00

Vintage AMT 55 Chevy Nomad 1/16 scale Model with Box $14.99

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1957 CHEVY LED TAIL LIGHT LENSES NOMAD BELAIR CONV NEW $56.00

1955 CHEVROLET NOMAD AMT MODEL KIT #31512 YR 2001 NIB $16.00

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CHEVROLET NOMAD 12th ANNUAL CONVENTION T-SHIRT, SZ S $4.99

M2 MACHINES 1/64 GROUND POUNDERS 1957 CHEVY NOMAD CHASE $22.64

1955 Chevrolet Nomad Blue 1:18 Diecast Model $28.95

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JL WILD BLOWN '57 CHEVY NOMAD DRAG CAR LIMITED EDITION! $3.99

Racing Champions Collectible #126 Chevy Nomad Beautiful $9.99

HOT WHEEL 1955 CHEVY NOMAD ORANGE HTF! LOOSE! $0.99

AW X-T 1957 CHEVY NOMAD RED/WHITE STARBURST NEW $16.99

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Aurora AFX 57 Chevy Nomad Slot Car $13.00

1955 56 Chevy Heater Knobs Belair Sedan Nomad Hardtop $9.00

AMT ERTL Model Car Kit Lot Sedan Chevy Fleetline Nomad $15.82

RACING CHAMPION 1956 CHEVY BEL AIR NOMAD VHTF OPENED $1.99

*BRAND NEW* JOHNNY LIGHTNING '57 CHEVY NOMAD...AWESOME! $6.00

Vintage SMP 1960 Chevy Nomad Promo No Reserve $40.00

1957 Chevy Car Assembly Manual 57 Bel Air Nomad 150 210 $19.95

1957 Chevy Assembly Manual 57 Bel Air Nomad 150 210 $20.00

Racing Champions Mint: 1956 Chevrolet Nomad $9.99

H W REDLINE 25 ANNIVERASARY CHEVY NOMAD HOOD OPENS $3.95

Racing Champions Mint: 1956 Chevrolet Nomad $9.99

55-57 chevy nomad upper lift gate parts $122.50

MICRO MACHINES SUPER MICRO LIGHTS 1957 CHEVY NOMAD $1.99

Hot Wheels Cop Rods Sacremento Police 55 Chevy Nomad $9.99

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1955 56 57 Chevy Nomad 8" Dual Booster Master Kit $135.00

1980 CHEVROLET VAN Dlx Catalog NOMAD Sport Van MINT $0.99

1956 CHEVROLET BELAIR 210 150 NOMAD HOOD BAR GRILLE $169.00

1955 CHEVY BELAIR NOMAD CHROME FRONT BUMPER& BRACKETS $565.00

1955 CHEVROLET BELAIR 210 NOMAD FRONT BUMPER ONE PIECE $435.00

HOT WHEELS 1993 VINTAGE CLASSIC CHEVY NOMAD GREEN $7.49

1955 Chevy Windshield Drain Seals Belair Nomad Conv $10.95

Fender Skirt Scuff Pads 1958 Chevy Impala Bel Air Nomad $15.00

1955 1956 1957 Chevy Bel Air Nomad Fuel Sending Unit $36.00

1955 1956 1957 Chevy Nomad 210 Fuel Sending Unit 55 56 $36.00

1955 56 57 Chevy Nomad CHROME 8" Dual Booster Master $185.00

CHEVY CLOCK CHEVELLE_CON_EL CAM_GREEN_MALIBU_NOMAD 1970 $219.99

1959 Chevy Biscayne Nomad Impala Tail Light Lenses PAIR $34.00

1959 60 61 62 63 64 CHEVY POWER DISC KIT SLOTTED Nomad $469.00

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Die Cast 1955 Chevrolet Nomad Model G Scale 1:24 $17.95

Original AFX Aurora Orange 57 Chevy Nomad $14.99

JL brown 1957 '57 Chevy NOMAD stationwagon in box $9.99

1955-7 Chevrolet NOMAD TAILGATE TRIM SET/8 $600.90

HOT WHEELS 1957 CHEVY NOMAD RARE LIMITED EDITION CAR $6.05

CHEVY NOMAD CAR COVER 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 NEW $53.74

CHEVY NOMAD CAR COVER 1961 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 NEW $53.74

CHEVY NOMAD CAR COVER 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 NEW $53.74

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1957 57 CHEVY BEL AIR NOMAD RESTORATION REPAIR SHOP CD! $4.95

1956 CHEVROLET BEL AIR NOMAD 56' SERVICE REPAIR MANUAL! $4.95

1955 55 CHEVY BEL AIR NOMAD RESTORATION REPAIR SHOP CD! $4.95

Aurora AFX AW Slot car ( Black 55 Chevy Nomad ) $12.95

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HOT WHEELS 1957 CHEVY NOMAD RARE LIMITED EDITION CAR $6.00

57 CHEVY BEL AIR NOMAD CUSTOM BILLET GRILLE GRILL 1957 $197.00

1957 Chevy Nomad Muscle Car Art Cartoon Tshirt FREE $18.00

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Chevy Nomad Wagon 1958 1959 1960 1961 CAR COVER *Best* $26.99

TYCO , 55 CHEVY NOMAD WITH TILT FRONT, RED/WHITE,RARE $44.00

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