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In the realm of classic cars, few stories are as captivating as the recently unearthed tale of a 1957 Chevrolet Nomad that served as one of GM’s most significant show cars. This isn’t just any Nomad – it’s a pre-production marvel that showcased the future of automotive technology and has emerged from the shadows of history with a story that reads like an automotive detective novel.
A Show Car’s Birth
On October 11, 1956, a seemingly routine work order (W.O. 17792-1) set in motion the creation of something extraordinary. The Engineering Department at General Motors ordered five passenger cars designated as “Advertising Cars,” with this particular Nomad destined for Nalley Chevrolet in Atlanta. But this wasn’t going to be your typical family wagon – it was about to become a rolling testament to GM’s engineering mastery.
Can you spot the Nomad? Chevrolet didn’t miss any opportunity to show off this car.
The car’s most significant feature was its Rochester fuel injection unit, #102 in the series, meticulously polished and chromed by the General Motors Experimental Shop. This wasn’t just any fuel injection system – it was a technological twin to unit #101, which had been specifically built for GM’s design chief Harley Earl and installed in Zora’s legendary Corvette SS race car. The significance of this pairing cannot be overstated; these were among the earliest examples of GM fuel injection technology that would later revolutionize the automotive industry.
The owner, Dane Trask, has a #101 unit, which is the replacement that City Chevrolet put on the Nomad before they released it to the first owners. This unit travels with the Nomad, as well as the #102 unit under the hood.
Engineering Evolution in Real Time
What makes this Nomad particularly fascinating is how it captures a moment of technological transition. Originally ordered with an automatic transmission, the car received a fascinating modification when engineers discovered they couldn’t make the fuel injection system work with the automatic gearbox – a common challenge in those early days of fuel injection development. The solution. A work order supplement (W.O. 17792-1MS#3) specified the installation of a close-ratio, three-speed manual transmission (RPO313).
Dane has all of the paperwork to back the deep-rooted history of this Nomad.
But the engineering intrigue doesn’t stop there. The car received a very special heart transplant – a “spare” engine from Corvette’s Nassau Bahama race effort, identifiable by the W.O. 17792-10 stamped on its cylinder heads. This wasn’t just any engine swap; it was a direct connection to GM’s racing heritage, making this Nomad a unique bridge between street and competition technology.
The Show Must Go On
Throughout late-1956 and early-1957, the Nomad joined its technological sibling, the Corvette SS, on GM’s Motorama show circuit. These two vehicles represented the cutting edge of American automotive engineering, drawing crowds at auto shows across the country. Period photographs capture these magnificent machines sharing the spotlight, a testament to GM’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what was possible in automotive design and engineering.
The Corvette was always the neck-breaker, but Chevrolet never placed this Nomad too far away from it. This means the Nomad was often in pictures of the Corvette.
A Family Affair
The story turns interesting when the car reaches City Chevrolet in San Diego, California. It found its first private owner in Nathanial (Phil) Watterson and his wife Bertha. But even this transaction tells a fascinating story about mid-century corporate practices. As a “Show Asset,” the car had to remain in the showroom for a full year before Watterson could take possession, allowing GM to properly depreciate the asset. Phil’s daughter Sandra recalls her father’s amusing predicament: “He had to go to the showroom to look at his car for a year.”
The Watterson family’s 48-year stewardship of the vehicle speaks volumes about its significance. From San Diego to Panama Beach, Florida, the car remained a cherished part of their lives until 2005, when it passed to its second owner, Dane Trask.
The picture on the left shows Dane and his daughter Riley. The picture on the right shows Dane's son Graham, as well as employees of their business, Marcella and Audrey. 
The project has become deeply intertwined with the next generation of automotive enthusiasts through Riley’s Rebuilds, a thriving restoration business founded by Dane Trask’s daughter Riley when she was just 13 years old. Now 19, Riley has transformed her teenage passion project into a respected enterprise, while simultaneously pursuing degrees in physics, mathematics, and mechanical engineering in Connecticut. Alongside her brother Graham, she’s carrying forward the family’s dedication to automotive excellence, even co-hosting “Repair 2 Rev” on Hemmings’ YouTube channel with her father. What started with a young girl’s dream of building her own Jurassic Park-style Jeep has evolved into a full-fledged business helping preserve automotive history for future generations. The involvement of Riley and Graham in the 1957 Nomad’s restoration adds another layer to this car’s rich history – a bridge between the innovative spirit of 1950s Detroit and the passionate craftsmanship of today’s young restorers.
Riley and Graham work together to grow their business. They have been able to expand their team, so you'll see Julia, Marcella, and Audrey getting to join in on the restoration fun.
The Restoration Journey
Trask’s ownership began a meticulous restoration process that would uncover the car’s historical significance. As layers of time were carefully peeled back, an astounding array of prototype and pre-production parts emerged, each telling its own story of automotive innovation.
There’s so much documentation for this 1957 Nomad Fuelie, that you could get lost in it for hours.
Among the most fascinating discoveries was the unique air intake setup. Mounted in the driver’s core support using fresh-air vent mesh, this modification came directly from Rochester Engineers’ recommendations following a test trip through the states of Colorado and Arizona in October 1956. The engineers had noted “objectionable intake roar and hiss” and excessive dust collection, leading to this innovative solution that survives on only one other car, the E.S.S.O. test vehicle.
The car’s unique features read like a treasure map of automotive innovation. The unpunched factory keys, the mysterious “ACC. CM” prefix on the cowl tag, and the hand-scribed chrome air cleaner assembly from AC Delco’s custom division all speak to its special status. Even more intriguing are the threaded studs welded to the frame for grounding straps – a necessity for powering the interior lights during auto shows – and the special under-dash power switch installed to preserve battery life during these extended displays.
A Legacy Preserved
Recently awarded Concourse Gold Certification at MCACN 2024, this remarkable 1957 Nomad is more than just a restored classic car. It’s a living document of automotive history, capturing a pivotal moment when American car manufacturers pushed the boundaries of technology and design. Every detail, from its racing-derived engine to its experimental fuel injection system, tells a story of innovation, experimentation, and the relentless pursuit of automotive excellence.
The preservation of this vehicle made possible through the dedicated efforts of Dane Trask and his team of restorers, ensures that future generations can appreciate this unique chapter in automotive history. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most significant historical artifacts aren’t found in museums but in the garages and workshops of passionate enthusiasts who understand the importance of preserving these mechanical time capsules.
Everywhere this 1957 Nomad goes, it attracts a crowd. Pictured is the crowd around its reveal at the 2024 SEMA show.
As we look at this Nomad today, we see more than just a beautifully restored classic car. We see the golden age of American automotive innovation, a time when engineers and designers were pushing the boundaries of what was possible, one experimental part at a time. It stands as a bridge between the familiar and the revolutionary, between show car glamour and racing technology, between corporate ambition and family heritage – truly a unique piece of automotive history preserved for generations to come.
