1957 Nomad - what to do

Okay, here's the skinny. A good friend passed suddenly from cancer two months ago. Where I have had my '57 Safari for over 30 years, he only had his '57 Nomad for 25. Black car, red and black interior, 283, PG, PS, PW, PB, basically loaded car and I should note that we believe it is all original - engine/trans/rear etc all original to the car. Still has the original interior in good used shape, tinted glass, all the chrome has been re-plated but not back on the car, and most of the stainless is polished. It has wide white bias ply tires, no miles on them but probably 8 years old. It runs but has old gas in it so the system needs to be flushed and the carb rebuilt. Everything is original to the car with a pile of spare parts yet to be sorted and documented. The car was used frequently in the TV and movie industry here until it was retired 15 years ago and has always, or at least for the past 28 years, lived in a heated shop. It has a few small rust issues like the bottom of the front fenders so likely the eyebrows as well but they appear solid, floors are perfect, but need to check rockers and spare tire well.

Do I buy it as a shop mate for my Safari? It is not cheap, it is priced fairly so the widow, a real nice lady, gets treated fairly. If I do, from a cost of maintaining too many vehicles, I'll have to sell the 70 Chevelle SS this year or next and it is brand spanking new, rides and drives like it with only 300 miles on it since a total off frame restoration, and there is nothing to do on it but enjoy it and drive the snot out of it. The Nomad has original paint that other than patches for where the small rust repairs would be, we believe is salvageable so I'd struggle with over restoring it.

I'm torn. Do I buy it? I've not had a Nomad, and I love the Safari so it will be a toe tag car, but I've also lusted after '57 Nomads and looked for one for years way back before I bought the Safari. And I keep thinking what a treat to go out to the shop and have to play eanie meanie minie moe, which '57 wagon do I use to go.

Oh, what to do, what to do, what to do.......................

Oh yeah, if I don't buy it, I suppose I should let Forums members know about it before I throw it on CL and Kj. I'll make my decision next Saturday when I go check the car out top to bottom, take a ton of pictures, and spend some time emotionally with losing a friend and then sorting through his much loved car and shop.

 

Based on what you describe Saf, it sounds to me like your attention will be spread too thin if you take on the Nomad, even though it may seem like a reasonable project to tackle. I'd say let it go......

 

I look at it a little differently. The Nomad belonged to a close friend. If you buy it, you kind of keep it within the circle of family and friends and in a way, that would help keep memories of your friend alive. I'm sure the Chevelle SS is a nice car. But unless its a super rare SS 454 model or unless you have a long history with it, I figure you could always get another SS. The Nomad with its connection to your friend is irreplaceable.
But, I understand your dilema. If the 70 SS is your dream car that you would keep forever, than keep it and let the Nomad start a new history with another family.

 

That is a tough call, and sorry about your friend. You did do a dam beautiful job on the Chevelle...but it's yur honey's, would she be willing to let it go? I honestly can't help with a answer, I've for years been battleing with myself to buy back my old Plymouth that I sold to my best friend years ago

Myself and my honey are a tad younger but have gone thought the "cars" thing also and have allways wondered if we made he rite decition...hind site is 20/20

Again, sorry about yuor friend

 

Thanks guys. KK may be right from a project standpoint. I am having difficulty with loss of use of my arms, more frequently now than in the past so if I do take it on, it will be a long process.

The Chevelle is the replacement for my wifes that I sold on her way back. We bought it almost new, had it for almost 10 years (she can tell you the years and months) and she was really disappointed when I let it go but the bucks dazzled me as a young(er) man. And it is low miles to begin with (46k). Jim68, you are right in the sense that other than the 5 year build, we don't have a lot of emotion in this car. But I also have to consider that three buddies came over every Tuesday, rain or shine, and worked with me on it, and I need to make sure they are not disappointed that their effort on my behalf - to give back to the love of my life her car - was not appreciated.

I should point out that I was busy typing an email to a few friends and folks I know who would possibly be interested in the Nomad as I'm the point person for the widow, and just mentioned to my wife that it is too bad to see it go, and she knows I've wanted a '57 Nomad for 40 years, so she said "well, why don't you talk to Deb and if she doesn't mind seeing it when visiting, and if its okay, buy it? I think you should" (I love my wife ). But we also know that with insurance and maintenance costs increasing, and me slowing down so having to farm out work I love to do, something has to go.

I'm sitting here thinking how nice it was to hop in the Chevelle yesterday and drive it down to the beach for fish and chips and it was like driving our first 70 when it was new. Not a squeek, rattle, just a pleasant car with wonderful sound and a ton of thumbs up from people. BUT, when parked, people crowding around it, I'm sweating bullets worried about the paint, and thinking about the way I use my cars. I drive them. I use them rain or shine and I use them hard. We tow our trailer with the Safari and pack up in the rain and the wet stuff goes in the back because, well, it is a wagon and that is what it was made for. I can treat the Nomad the same way. But I can't do that to the Chevelle. I may be a bit of a savage but I'm not over the wall yet.

My buddy from way back who has his first car, a '55 BelAir hardtop, and his second car, a '57 sedan delivery, still parked in his garage and working on the '57, called when I emailed him and put things in to perspective I think. He knows me and how I use my cars. He also knows I'm driving the Chevelle differently than I do anything else I have, and he knows I'm frustrated because I don't want to disappoint my wife by selling "her car", as Tedy mentions. But he also knows I'm losing my ability to do the Nomad quickly, and it may be too quickly, and then I'd have to sell it off unfinished. He suggested I find it a nice home, and go camping with the Safari and Airstream and enjoy what I've got while I can enjoy it.

He's so practical. He may be right. But I also know that if I grab the Nomad he will come out (800 miles away) and spend weeks helping me get it together just because he's that kind of guy, loves 567's, and his friends.

 

Sorry for your loss also and if you do not buy it it sounds like you will be handling the sale of the car and helping either way.....so it sounds like you were a TRUE FRIEND to him and his family.

 

Buy the Nomad! Sell the Chevelle!

Your buddies will understand...it's a freeking Nomad!

You enjoy the Chevelle, and it has served it's purpose - to recapture something regretfully lost. Now it's time for a new adventure!

Plus, the Chevelle is a valuable vehicle, one that is not exactly rare, but is always in demand, and brings good return on investment. Easy to turn into cash.

Your late friend would probably get a kick out of knowing you ended up with this wonderful Nomad, too!

I think you would always regret passing this special Nomad up...kind of a "bucket list" car.

Life's too short for regrets! GO FOR IT! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

David

 

I was very sorry to lose him. He was also in to vintage Airstreams. He intended to tow his '59 Airstream with his Nomad but never got either finished. Was very tired all of a sudden and we had dinner with them the first week of December, where he told us of his loss of energy. His wife and my wife and I encouraged him to go see a doctor, which he did the next week. They found cancer in his liver and lungs. He was gone by the 20th of January.

We were very sad to lose him. He was a very caring person, more concerned about others than himself. He volunteered time in his community, and had recently sent a picture of a newly born nephew's hand wrapped around his fathers little finger. Black and white, it was a stunning picture, one he wanted to share with his friends, noting how precious life truly is and not to be taken lightly. It was weeks later he was diagnosed.

His wife is a wonderful lady, working through his many projects that needed completion, trying to figure out what goes and what stays. He was a man with many passions including 50's boats, cars, trailers, and "stuff" so his huge shop is choc-a-block full so we've got some work to do sorting through it all and finding homes for it. Because they both are such caring people they have made a lot of friends, good friends, the kind of people who value people. So a bunch of us are helping her out and I happen to be the guy who knows Airstreams, vintage other trailers, and of course the Nomad. There's also some '57 convertible stuff left over and 60 Corvette pieces. So I'm only doing what I'd hope my friends will do for my wife when I go hotrodding full time.

It is interesting about the folks I've "met" on this forum. Many, many of you are just like our friend. You show through your emails that you care about the other members when they have problems, you offer your advice and support as best you can, and it is like a large extended family without the hassles that come with "family", if you get my drift.

So thanks for the comments, but I'm only doing what I suspect most of you would, and have, done in similar situations.

It is kind of neat to be part of a forum you can honestly say you are proud to be involved in. Stef did a real good thing when he got this one up and going, and keeping it going and polite and forward looking.

 

Saf, in my enthusiasm, I failed to convey my sympathies to you for the loss of your dear friend. I know what it is like to lose a wonderful friend, and I feel for you and for everyone missing him right now.

David

PS. Saf, this Nomad has power windows! Holy moly! GO FOR IT!

 

Thanks David. It is tough to lose anyone you know and like. I think one of the things that bothers us all the most is that his wife is such a wonderful caring person, and she is now alone. And, with many projects all partly done.

Yeah, power windows. So does my Safari. One of the things I love about it, power everything including antenna. But neither of them has A/C which in our advanced age would be a bonus. Actually, the two wagons are optioned identically other than mine has the antenna, his has the wonderbar. Hmmmm - black car in front of my '51 Airstream - hmmmm, sure would look good wouldn't it? Hmmmmm

 

Sorry to hear you have lost a dear friend.

Have you asked your wife about the Chevelle? She maybe having the same thoughts as you and just hasn't mentioned it either?

Sounds like your friend's wife is very lucky to have you and your wife to help her through the time. Good luck with your decission it's not an easy one.

 

fannie, that is the beauty of this...Saf's lovely wife is on board with this idea of buying the Nomad! How cool (and rare) is that! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima



David

 

WOW...Is this there car in question?

I realized she was on board with the Nomad. What I meant was the decision to sell the Chevelle. Has their been a decussion with her about selling this car? By the way do you have a picture of it up your sleeve???

 

Fannie, much to the credit of our late friend, Ron, and his wife, both wonderful people, my wife and I are just two of a large group of folks who are helping out and we aren't doing anything more than a lot of others, some doing far more than we are able to. I wish we could do more, but with so many willing to help and not just saying it, but showing up and helping and deflecting the down side to all of this, it is just a reflection of the kind of people Ron and Deb brought in to their lives.

Our neighbors are also part of the vintage trailering thing, having purchased one of my old units and doing a spectacular restoration on it, and are very actively involved in this as well. In a very short period of time they got very close to them and you can see how this has affected them deeply. That's what happens when people open their hearts to others - they leave a legacy that can't wither and die like our bodies do. And I look around and there are just so many who care and are actively doing things to help her out. Kind of makes you proud to be even such a small part of it as we are.

So I appreciate the kind comments, but in reality we are only doing a small piece of a big thing. And yeah, it is always hard to lose a friend. I look at the people we hang out with and I'd have to say that there is not one of them who is much different than Ron. We love 'em all, they aren't afraid to tell you what you mean to them, and when the chips are down you know they are all going to be there for you. Life is good, we are very fortunate to have the lives we are living.

 

Amen

Your right we are lucky