Still have a couple of cars I am planning to sell, but in the meantime....
I have really had the bug lately to get a TriFive. In HS I drove a 57 210 two door sedan. 283 PG. Tropical Turquoise with a white top and white side panel. It was cherry when I bought it; but I quickly drove it into the ground. Not all the issues were my fault. I had plenty of idiot friends helping. I ended up losing my driving privileges, and had to sell the car. My next car was a 69 Z/28, but that’s another story.
I have always thought Turquoise was THE quintessential color for all the TriFives.
For years I kept thinking I would run across another one. Even back then, I really lusted after the two door hardtops. They just have the look. So, I always kept an eye out for either one. I would be fine with EITHER a Bel Air OR a 210. But, being the fickle, unstable person that I am, I really wanted a Nomad. As Steve mentioned a few months ago, they have the “it” factor. I have stated it before, my biggest problem is I want ALL of them, but don’t have the means or the room.
While I like the look of the 57 Nomad, I believe the 55 is the best looking of the three years. I know it isn’t smaller, but it looks a little smaller, and the radiused rear wheel wells really set it apart. Frankly, Chevy should have done that on ALL the 55s.
After looking at the 55 Nomad in Regal Turquoise owned by SpeedyB on this site (guessing it is the same color as Tropical Turquoise in 1957… just a different name), I was really jealous. Some pics on pages 8 & 9 here:
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthre...t=Nomad&page=8
Don’t think there is a chance he will sell that one.
I also love the look of the TriFives in stock form. I know everyone wants a restomod. I don’t. I wanted something that at least looked original. I can stand some upgrades, but 17 inch wheels on a TriFive just look wrong to me.
I seriously considered buying this Nomad:
https://www.yenko.net/forum/showthread.php?t=176986
Sherri and I flew to Philly and drove 3 hours a few weeks ago to check it out. Warren and his family were wonderful. I really enjoyed spending time there. I spent a lot of time going over the car. Even though I was dressed for the cold, the 8 degree wind chill didn’t help. It is as represented. It is a fabulous car, and maybe the lowest mile Nomad on the planet. I left PA thinking I would be confirming the sale with Warren. But something bugged me about it. There are three car shows annually here in Guthrie. I knew I would be OK driving it those short distances; but if I wanted to show it anywhere else, I would have to trailer it. I would rather have something I am not afraid to drive.
Bottom line is that this arrived yesterday from California. Some guys would call it a pig with lipstick. I prefer to think of it as a diamond in the rough. V8 powerglide car. Has some mechanical issues. Factory PS leaks (now THAT’S a surprise!!!). Interior is filthy. Hoping I can clean it up; I will find out today. The 283 is gone, and a 275 horse 327 from a full size 68 Chevy is in its place; although some moron put power pack heads on it. Would have been a pretty common upgrade back in the 60s or 70s. It has a cast iron powerglide manufactured Jan of 57, but no way to know for certain if it is the original. I would assume so, BUT FOR THE FACT that there is a poorly patched hole in the floor for a four speed shifter. So, if it is the original, it was removed at some point. Bottom line for me is that I really don’t care. Unbelievably, the trans does not leak bad at all. Engine doesn’t leak.
I spent part of yesterday checking out brakes and tires. That’s why I posted the tire date code question. The rears are AT LEAST 30 years old. Not worn out. It just hasn’t been driven. The fronts are 22 years old and still have nubs on them and the parting line is visible!!! The wheels are American Racing Torque Thrust on back, and copies (really good copies) of the same on the front. I could not tell the difference other than the writing and “Japan” stamped into the front ones on the back side. RR tire was losing air around the bead. It took a while to get the tire busted loose from the rim. But, the rim surface cleaned up really well with a wire brush followed by 220 emery cloth. I like the look and will use them for now. Put the wheels on the balancer just to make sure none are bent. All are perfect.
Ordered a set of “driver” tires from TireRack last night.
Spent the rest of the day “cleaning” the underside. There was 68 years of gravel, sand and stone (and one recent mouse nest) inside the frame rails and on top of the body mount “tabs” (or whatever you call those things). Has about 30 pounds of undercoat. But, the floors are absolutely rust free. The rockers are all there, with no bondo. Even has the factory drain flaps. It started out innocently enough; I saw part of that mouse nest and decided to pull it out. Got the air gun and blew out the last remnants and man, did the dust start flying. Figured I already made a huge mess in my nice clean shop, so blew out everything I could from underneath. Car has been in CA and AZ its whole life, and I ended up with half the desert on my floor.
Spent the rest of the day cleaning my shop. Had I been smart, I would have taken I out in the parking lot, but it on jack stands and blown it out.
The body and paint is really nice. If I had to guess, I would guess it was painted in the 90s. Still holding up well. Not a dent or a big scratch anywhere. There is some minor rot in one of the body braces, but it will be an easy fix. I won’t fix the hole in the floor unless I end up removing the trans. Lots of little dings in the stainless. The driver’s side flapper works perfectly; the passenger side, not as well. The only pitted chrome pieces are the tail light housings. Bottom line is this: I won’t be afraid to drive this car anywhere.
Plan for now.
Clean the interior.
Take car outside and blow off the dust.
New tires (just temporary… see below).
Rebuild power steering control valve and replace all four PS hoses.
Rebuild the Qjet (had to use a can of starting fluid to get it started).
Original 57 Chevy wheels, hubcaps with reproduction wide white wall tires. I want it to look original.
Assess the engine. I don’t know if it was rebuilt when installed, but would assume so. It does have a 327 crank, so that wasn’t changed. Not sure why someone would put the PP head on it. Once it starts it runs reasonably smooth.