Many folks are torn as to whether they want a modern ride, or vintage car and all the “character” that comes with it. Things like drum brakes, straight-sixes, and three-on-the-tree are all vintage vibes that’ll take you back to the ‘50s or ‘60s in an instant. The problem with all that arises when you’re faced with modern traffic. It’s a lot like listening to those Golden Oldies on today’s ultra-high-def sound systems. You’ll notice EVERY skip, nick, hiss, and dust-garble as you relish in the sounds of yesteryear.
Some folks enjoy being immersed in that vintage vibe, but when it comes to cars – and since you’re on LSxmag.com – we’ll go out on a limb and say that straight-sixes and a column-mounted “H-Pattern” may not be your thing. Thankfully, you can still get that farm-fresh feel with all the power and drivability of today’s LS-based engine and 4L60e transmission, thanks to this offering on Facebook Marketplace.
The ad states this car is a long-term “project,” which lists out a nice helping of modern accessories beyond the engine swap. In addition to the power upgrade, you’ll also get a full complement of power disc brakes, updated wiring, a rebuilt front end with tubular control arms, a rack-and-pinion steering, Flaming River tilt column, aluminum radiator (with dual fans), stainless steel exhaust, and those always-cool Cragar S/S wheels wrapped in BFG rubber.
To keep the car from appearing to “new,” the interior was left intact and is described as, “okay to use and is all there.” Looking at the pictures, we’d have to agree and wouldn’t change a thing. Outside, the images do show the car could use a little bit of bodywork. It’s easy to see rust has taken hold in some of the typical areas but it isn’t discussed if there are any areas under the car with the same condition. There is the ominous, “some rust repair needed,” which could mean a simple patch panel or up to a frame replacement. Even so, the body is in MUCH better condition than many of the cars we’ve seen from this vintage, and as described, the car is in very much usable condition, even if nowhere near considered for “Best of Show.”
While not listed specifically, there are a few boxes of original parts and new parts that are included in the sale. Depending on what you want to do with the car, you may do well to separate the keepers from the swap-meet fodder to help recoup some cost. Not that we’re overly desirous of black primer front fenders or anything, but we’d simply get the car running, registered, and hittin’ the road just the way it sits. After all, there’s a big difference between driving a vintage car and wheeling around in an all-new, modern motor. With the vintage styling of a ’57 Nomad, the well-earned patina you can only get from living a life on the road, and the modern upgrades where they matter most, this long-roof shoebox has all the boxes checked. We dig it, and we’d drive it— a LOT!