What were the engine options for the 1957 Chevy Nomad?
Three engine families could power a 1957 Nomad: a 235 cubic-inch inline-six and two small-block V8s, the 265 and the 283, with a range of carburetion setups and a Ramjet injection option available late in the model year.
Engine options in detail
The Nomad’s powerplants mirrored Chevrolet’s broader 1957 lineup, offering a choice from an economical six-cylinder to more muscular V8s, with several carburetion configurations and performance packages.
- 235 cubic-inch inline-six (I6) – the basic, economical six-cylinder option.
- 265 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor – the entry-level V8 option.
- 265 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor (Power Pak) – a higher-output version for more performance.
- 283 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a 2-barrel carburetor – another V8 option with improved power over the base six.
- 283 cubic-inch small-block V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor (Power Pak) – higher-performance configuration for added oomph.
- 283 cubic-inch small-block V8 with Ramjet fuel injection (late in the year) – a pioneering electronic injection option for top-end performance.
All of these options gave Nomad buyers a spectrum of power—ranging from economical transportation to higher-performance variants—while preserving the Nomad’s wagon practicality.
Ramjet fuel injection on the 283 V8
Chevrolet offered an optional Ramjet fuel-injection system on the 283 cubic-inch V8 during late 1957, delivering significantly higher power output for customers seeking top-tier performance. This setup was among the era’s most talked-about performance features and helped distinguish high-end Nomads from their peers.
What this meant for buyers
In practice, a 1957 Nomad could be ordered with a straightforward six-cylinder or stepped up to V8 power, with performance calibrated through carburetor choices and the optional Power Pak package. The Ramjet injection option represented the peak of performance available for the Nomad’s engine lineup in that year.
Summary: The 1957 Chevy Nomad offered three engine families—the 235 I6, the 265 V8, and the 283 V8—with various carburetion options (2-barrel, 4-barrel) and special packages such as Power Pak and Ramjet fuel injection to cater to both economy-minded buyers and performance enthusiasts.
