1957 Chevrolet Nomad "GM Show Asset"

This Nomad has been heavily researched at the G.M. Heritage Center archives. All documentation on this Nomad was found in Zora Duntov's presonal files. With the car are, original Work Orders, original internal memos and reports on the car, dozen pictures from the 1956/57 Autoshows. The "Show Asset" Nomad was built in 1956 to be used in 1956/57 to display the Zora Arkus-Duntov Fuel Injection System (Unit #1002) at the New York Autoshow Dec. 56, Chicago Autoshow Jan. 57, Detroit Auto Show Jan. 57, and Las Angelas Auto Show Feb. 57. 

W.O. 17792-1 October 11, 1956, 5 passenger cars were ordered by the Engineering Department as Advertising Cars, the order sent by the Chevrolet Experimental Shop to send the cars to Nalley Chevrolet for Performance Engineering Activity in 1957. Built on October 16 the 1956 the Nomad was sent to Nalley Chevrolet in Atlanta where we believe it was retro fitted with a polished and prepped 4360 Fuel Injection unit (matching the unit #101 built for Harley Earl and then installed on the Super Sport Corvette which was also part of the same Show Train). Originally ordered as an Automatic Transmission, W.O. 17792-1MS#3 supplemented the transmission order with the close ratio 3 speed RPO313. (W.O. 17792-10 is stamped on the cylinder heads) This was the work order for the Corvette Nassau Bahama Race team we beleive one of the motors or the heads were installed because they needed a functioning Fuel Injected drive train in the car for the Auto Shows and they could not make the automatic transmission work with the Fuel Injection at this early stage of development in late 1956. 

The Car joined the Super Sport Corvette on the Show Train and was presented at the Auto Shows in late 1956 and early 1957 across the country (Many photographs of the Nomad and Super Sport Corvette remain from these shows.) Ultimately the car was left at City Chevrolet in San Diego where it was sold to the original registered owner Nathanial (Phil) and Bertha Watterson. As a “Show Asset” Phil was not allowed to take possession of the car until January 1958 as it had to be depreciated by GM for one year prior to selling to the public. Phil’s daughter, Sandra, remembers her dad telling her “He had to go to the showroom to look at his own car for a year.” 

The Nomad remained in the possession of the Watterson family for 48 years, traveling from San Diego to Panama Beach Florida where it was sold to Dane Trask in 2005. Mr. Trask started a complete frame off restoration discovering multiple prototype and pre-production parts on the car. Mr. Trask painstakingly researched and restored the complete car over 20 years, with the help of friends and family. Special Thanks to Kara Schlick, Riley Schlick, Graham Schlick, Bryan Zdancewicz and Ellen Schlick for the support and assistance in bringing this car back to it’s original condition. Recently awarded Concourse Gold Certification at MCACN 2024

Pre-production, Prototype and Unique parts•	Fuel Injection Unit 102, polished and chromed by General Motors Experimental Shop. No holes drilled for ID tag and no casting numbers in Plenum or intake base. (Unit #101 built for Harley Earl and then installed on the Super Sport Corvette Show car, is identical) Restored by Lyle Davidson
•	Corvette Race Team  W.O. 17792-10-B stamped into heads: This motor was ordered from the GM Experimental Shop & Motor Room (W.O. 17792-10-MS#3) Work order is being supplemented to procure one (1) additional 3741967 (flipped 9&6, should read 3741697) Fuel Injection Corvette Engine assembly… Chuck Buchan, Engine Room, to rebuild this identical with other three (3) Nassau engines. It is beleived this "spare" assembly is the unit in the Nomad. 

•	3 Speed Close ratio manual transmission. In late 1956 the Rochester team had not calibrated a FI unit that would perform on the Automatic Transmission that was origianlly ordered on the Nomad, so W.O. 17792-1 MS#3 supplemented the Automatic Transmission on the 1957 model 2429 (Nomad) advertising car, for the RPO 313 3 speed close ratio manual transmission.

•	Air intake tube mounted into Drivers Core Support using fresh air vent mesh prior to being formed. This placement was at the recommendation of the Rochester Engineers during the October 8, 1956 Test Trip from the G.M. Proving Grounds though Colorado and Arizona. In the report, produced by Mr. M.S. Rosenberger “Objectionable intake roar and hiss through idle and all speeds up to 40 M.P.H…. Excessive dust collection was found in air meter and in whole air control assembly… Recommendation by Rochester Engineering to move air intake in front of radiator support.” One other example of this Core Support inlet remains on the E.S.S.O. test car

Other notable unique partso	Extra: 4960 Fuel Injection Unit installed by City Chevrolet as a  recall replacement (restored by Lyle Davidson)o	Keys are unpunched from the factoryo	Cowl Tag has unknown prefix ACC. CMo	Chromed Air Cleaner Assembly hand scribed inside by A/C Delco custom divisiono	Threaded studs welded to the frame for ground strap to floor of the Auto Show convention floor, so an inverter could be run to power the interior lights. o	Power switch under dash to turn on the interior lights using regular power while at the Auto Shows so as to not wear down the batteryo	Diamond punched holes in rear quarter panels where “BelAir” script passes through the aluminum tail fin in to the holes in the quarter panel. (Driver’s side script has a broken part of the “B”, this was left on purpose as a reproduction script would not have the pins going through the rear quarter”o	Volage Regulator relocated to inner fender to make room for Air Intake position in the Core Supporto	Rear Fender braces behind rear wheelo	Original Black Plates (Car was featured in the book in 1970’s with the same Black Plates)

GM Heritage Archive Work Orders and Research

The Author was invited to the GM Heritage Archives in 2019 to research the Nomad under the supervision of archavist Christo Datini. In Zora Arkus Duntov's personal files was found the original work order for the Black Widow cars, Smoky Yunics Datona cars and the Show Train Advertising cars, including the Nomad presented. In addtion were many testing reports and other documents of importance around the Fuel Injection system, performance engineering and the corporate support of racing. Not all documents will be presneted here, only those of importance to this Nomad. 

Work Order 17792

TO: Experimental Shop Garage and Proving Ground
Subject: 1957 Performance Engineering Section Activity
Work to be accomplished: This is a general work order to cover the activites of the Performance Engineering Section and will include engineering development and test work on bth passenger and Corvettes. It will also cover the procurement and fabrication of special parts for such cars...
Requested by: V. Piggins
Handwritten Note: "Advertising Car"

Work Order 17792-1 Sheet 1 of 2

TO: Experiment Shop Subject: Purchase of 1957 Vehicles for Atlanta Operation - Performance Engineering ActivityWork to be accomplished: Purchase (5) 1957 Passenger Cars as per specifications on Sheet (2)
Disposition of finsihed material: Ship all vehicles covered by this workorder to Nalley Chevrolet Inc...
Special Instructions: Route Model 2434 and 2429 through Atlanta Plant. Route the Model 1502 Sedans through Flint to provide Flint built frames.Requested by: W.R. MackenzieHandwritten Note: "Car Advertising"

Work Order 17792-1 Sheet 2 of 2

Work to be accomplished cont'd: Purchase Purchase the following 1957 vehicles:
A. Two (2) 1957 Flint Built Model 1502 Sedans (model 150), color - India Ivory and Medium Turquoise RPO538 India Ivory & Onyx Black, with 3-speed transmission and the following equipment:
RPO 578-E Fuel Injection
RPO 223 V-8 Engine Assembly
RPO 320 Electric windsheild wipers
RPO 237-C Oil Filter equipment
No heater equipment wanted

B. Two (2) 1957 Flint Built Model 2434 Convertible Coupes, color - India Ivory and Medium Turquoise RPO538 India Ivory & Onyx Black, with 3-speed transmission and the following equipment:
RPO 578-E Fuel Injection
RPO 223 V-8 Engine Assembly
RPO 320 Electric windsheild wipers
RPO 237-C Oil Filter equipment
No heater equipment wanted

C. One (1) 1957 Flint Built Model 2429 Nomad Station Wagon, color - India Ivory and Medium Turquoise RPO538 , with the following equipment:
RPO 302-A Automatic Transmission
RPO 223 V-8 Engine Assembly
RPO 320 Electric windsheild wipers
RPO 237-C Oil Filter equipment
FOA 101 Airflow Heater
987369 Radio and antenna
537465 Windsheild washer

Author's Notes: This Work Order was for the Experimental Shop to be able to order vehicles and parts. The handwritten note on the margin is "Advertising Car" this work orer was not only for advertising cars but also the race team cars, experimental and prototype parts and other performance engineering needs. 

Author's Notes: This Work Order was for the Experimental Shop to purchase 5 vehicles.  All to be shipped to Nalley Chevrolet in Atlanta where much of the experimental and race cars were developed.

Routing the model 2434 and 2429 thorugh Atlant and model 1502 (150) cars through Flint is important. These are the first 2 Black Widow Cars

Author's Notes: On this work order there are three models ordered; two 150s, two convertibles and one Nomad. The 150s look to be the original Black Widow cars, built at Nalley Chevrolet. The two contertibles are unacounted for possibly the Daytona Race convertibles. the Nomad is the one presented here. 

Note: The Nomad was originaly ordered with an automatic transmission. The supplement work order 17792-1 MS#3 changed the transmission from an automatic to a 3 speed close ratio. The evidence of the automatic pivot bracket is still found on the frame of the Nomad. the steering column and pedal box were likely swapped out as the car was routed though the Atlanta plant. At this time the only FI units functional were RPO-578E 283hp units. The RPO 302-A automatic could not handle the additional HP so the Nomad was suplimented to be a manaul 3 speed close ratio.

 Additionaly the windsheild washer 537465 set up was removed due to the placement of the air intake tube to be discussed later. The holes for the washer system are still found in the inner fender and firewall. . 

As pictured in 1978 book "Chevrolet USA 1 by Ray Miller"

During restoration a set of photographic negatives were found in the frame springs of the front seat. upon having them developed and enlarged the author used the image of the Nomad with the original Black Plates (Still on the car). While researching the car online in varrious tri-five forums. Another collector identified the picture as one from a book he had and sent the book to the author. Under one photo in the book was the owner's name 
Nathaniel Watterson Jr. of Spring Valley California

This lead to a search for all Nathaniel Wattersons, after sending out dozens of letters and voicemails, the author was contacted by Nathaniel's daughter Sandra. She confirmed it was her dad's car and opened up a wealth of stories and information. Nathaniel (Phil) bought the car brand new from City Chevrolet in San Diego (The orignal licensplate shroud is still on the car) knowing it was a very speical car, so special Phil could not take it home for a year. As a Show Asset the car had to remain GM property for one year before it could be sold. So Phil would go to the City Chevrolet showroom to look at his car. Once the car was released to Phil in 1958, he took it home and cherrished it for 48 years. ultimatly selling it due to health issues, where Dane Trask purchased the car. 

The family was excited about sharing stories about the Nomad, it was part of their lives for nearly 50 years. Bertha (Phil's Wife) explained the photos and the book. Phil was a Naval Radio Opperator in Vietnam in the 70's and Bert heard about this book being made, and that they were looking for a Nomad to put in it. So Bert drove the Nomad to the city beach in San Diego for the photo shoot. Bert was excited about sending Phil an early copy of the book, but got an unexpected response. Upon receiving the book, she said "Phil was so mad I drove his Nomad on the beach, he never let me drive it again..."

Eagle eyed viewers will see the Fuel Injection badges on the fender that were not there in the AutoShow pictures. Mike Davis, Sandra's husband, explained. Mike said "Phil used to drag race the Nomad around California in the Factory Stock class, and he was tired of people challenging him that the Nomad was not a real Fuelie because it did not have the FI badges. So he added them in the late 60s. 

A great many more stories from the family were shared. This Nomad was like another child in the Watterson Family. 

Unique and Prototype parts

Being a very early Nomad (Built on October 16, 1956, the second day of production) the exterior and interior are similar to other early Nomads. Originally built in the Los Angeles plant the Nomad has the full boxed frame and California one peice bumper. The unique parts are what was installed at Nalley Chevrolet and as the Nomad passed through the Atlanta plant. 

4360 Fuel Injection Unit #1002

This unit was hand polished and parts chromed by the Experimental Shop similar to unit #1001 which was presented by GM Predident Harlow Curtice to Harley Earl to be displayed on Earl's desk before being installed on the Super Sport Corvette. There are no Id tags, stampings or cast numbers on the plenum or intake base. The numbering is on the air meter #108  then hand stamped 7014361 #1002. 

The unit has been reviewed and photograpghed by Kenneth W. Kayser author of "The History of GM’s Ramjet Fuel Injection on the Chevrolet V-8 and Its’ Corvette Racing Pedigree"

Rebuilt and restored by Lyle Davidson. Lyle included an "Anti-Syphon breaker" fuel shutoff selinoid to address the issue of hyrdolocking. This addition is accepted by the judging community and will not detract from the originality.

Engine Assembly

The heads on the Engine in the Nomad are stamped 17792-10-B (RH & LH). Unfortunatly the stamp pad on the block has been decked and the stamping is no longer vissable. The block casting date is I256 (Sep. 25, 1956) which is two days before another authenticated Prototype RPO-578E Chevrolet Passenger Car 283 HP Fuel Injected V-8. It is beleived this motor to be either one of the motors from the original WO or the "spare" motor ordered on MS#3. WO 17792-11 only ordered 3 FI units for 4 engine assemblies. It is possible this "Spare" assembly was for the Nomad as they had unit #1002 already built, polished and tuned.  

The motor was rebuilt by Charlie Hurst

Work Order 17792-10   and  MS#3

TO: Experiment Shop & Motor Room Subject: Procure Three (3) Fuel Injection Corvette Engine & Rebuild for Nassau RacesWork to be accomplished: Procure three (3) #3741697 Fuel Injection Corvette Engine assembly from Flint V-8 Engine Plant.Disposition of finsihed material: Engine to be turned over to Chuck Buchan, Engine Room, for rework into race engines.Special Instructions: Procure engine from Flint as soon as possible and turn over to C. Buchan for rework. Fuel Injection units for these engines being procured under WO 17792-11, dated 10-29-56Engine must be completed by 11-26-56Requested by: F.M. Warner

TO: Experiment Shop & Motor Room Subject: Procure One (1) Fuel Injection Engine & Rebuild for Nassau RacesWork to be accomplished: Work Order is being supplemented to Procure one (1) additional #3741967 (should read 3741697) Fuel Injection Corvette Engine assembly (as shipped) from Flint V-8 Engine & Stamping Plant.Disposition of finsihed material: Engine to be turned over to Chuck Buchan, Engine Room, for rework into race engine.Special Instructions: Procure engine from Flint as soon as possible and turn over to C. Buchan for rework. Engine must be completed by 11-26-56Requested by: F.M. Warner

Fresh Air intake built into core support

This Fresh Air intake is unique and only 1 other is known to exist on the E.S.S.O. test car. The cone pannel is very nicely built and the mesh screen is the same stock as the air intake mesh that is used on the inside of the headlights before it was formed into shape. 

The placement of this intake was at the recomondation of the Rochester Engineers who accompanied the test cars through Arizona and Colorado.

Ultimatly this design was discarded. The cost of having mulitple core supports produced and modified was substituted for, either a simple air horn on top of the core suport or dropping the hose down behind the core support.

Report was generated by Mr. M.S. Rosenberger on October 8, 1956 Titled HIGHLIGHTS FROM TEST TRIP TO COLORADO AND ARIZONA STARTING FROM G.M. PROVING GROUNDS. 
Section D. identified an "Objectionable intake roar and hiss through idle and all speds up to 40m.p.h...." while driving out to Iowa and then to Colorado Springs. 
Section 4. from the Pikes Peak Highway testing identified "Excessive dust collection was found in air meter and in whole air control assembly so installed a better cleaner, provided by Rochester crew - ahead of radiator. This installation greatly improved the intake roar and hiss noises. In fact we had only slight objection to roar when aircleaner was located ahead of radiator."

Auto Show Electric

The Nomad has two unique items, grounding strap studs on the rear body crossmember and a toggle switch under the dash. These items were installed on the Show Asset cars so that 110v to 12v inverters could be used at the Auto Shows so the interior lights could be used and not drain the batteries. 

Inverter cables visible on the Super Sport Corvette at the Detroit Auto Show January 1957

California Black Plates

The Watterson Family for 48 years and the Trask Family for 20 years. The Original Black plates and California Bumper are still on the car. The plates were issued in 1963 and are prominently featured in the photographs from the 1978 book "Chevrolet USA 1 by Ray Miller". 

The original license plate shrouds are also still with the car. The front plate having the "San Diego City Chevrolet Co." shroud and the rear plate Has the "California Nomads" shroud. Phil Watterson was one of the founders of the California Nomads club and it's Vice Preseident. 

4960 Replacement Fuel Injection Unit

On May 22, 1957 a meeting was held with representitives of Engineering, Service and the Rochester Product Division regarding the difficulties and service issues of the early 4360 FI units. the recomondation was to replace the 4360 units with 4800 units until supply was exhausted then with 4960 units if and when the car was in for service. City Chevrolet being required to hold the Nomad at the show room for 12 months for depreciation purposes, took the opportuntiy to replace the 4360 unit #102 with a 4960 Unit. 

The 4960 unit shipped with the car has been professionaly restored by Lyle Davidson this FI unit will stay with the car if sold. 

The original 4360 unit was found in the collection of a City Chevrolet executive and was aquired after the estate was liqudated

Unpunched Keys factory hold over

Keys were "punched" at the factory when the car was completed to remove the numbered code that associates the keys with the lock barrels. 

The Keys with the Nomad are "Un-Punched" showing this car was taken off the assembly line and sent to Experimental Division.

Unknown COWL TAG Prefix

Cowl Tag
STYLE 57-1064DF (NOMAD)
BODY No CL 225 (Built in the Fisher Cleveland Factory and was body number 225)
TRIM 693 (Medium Blue and Black Cloud)
PAINT 810D (Larkspur Blue and India Ivory)
ACC. EZICM (E-Z-Eyeglass CM is unknown)

Diamond punched holes in rear fender

The very earlest 57s have diamond shapped holes puinched into the rear fender for the "BelAir" script pins to pass though the tail fin and into the body. This was stopped very early on, as having multiple punched quarter pannels for different badges was cost prohibitive. the adjustment was to just "Peen" the emblem tabs over behind the aluminum tail fin. 

The "BelAir scripts were not replaced or restored to retain the origianl pins.

Restoration Pics

This restoration was 20 years in the completion. Complete frame off, every nut and bolt has been touched, restored or replaced. The Engine was rebuilt by Charlie Hurst a well respected restorer. The original Duntov cam was saved and a NOS Duntov cam was sourced as a replacement. Both Fuel Injection units were restored by Lyle Davidson equally respected and renowned. 

The chassie, suspension, steering were all completed with the body devorced from the frame. 

Body work and paint were done locally. 99% of the car is original sheet metal. The only rust was the spare tire well and was replaced with Danchuk sheet metal. Paint is PPG Concept. 

Interior is by Ceiadella and locally installed.

All of the original chrome and stainless was restored. The only replcement were the two tail light housings. 

Hardware and soft parts were all sourced through reputable compaines. 

Over the final 4 months reassembly was done as documented as part of "Rileys Rebuilds" social media campaign. many young High School aged kids worked under the supervision of Mr. Trask and completed the restoration so the car could be revealed at SEMA 2024. 

The Nomad was shown at MCACN Mucle Cara nd Corvette Nationals 2024 and scored Concoures Gold by the panel of Judges. The points being cleanlyness of under carrage and small paint issues. All have been addressed.