The Nomad Chronicles: Inside a Classic '57 Chevy

A lavender 1957 Chevy Nomad steals the spotlight at our Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise Inn broadcast from Lupe' Tortilla Tex-Mex in Katy, Texas. Owner Jim Craven shares his three-year journey with this head-turning classic, detailing what makes a Nomad special beyond just being a two-door station wagon - from the angled window pillars to the nine distinctive grooves on the car's top.

Under the hood, this beauty houses a monstrous 502 cubic inch crate motor with dual four-barrel carburetors that, in Jim's words, "will lay rubber in second and third gear." While Jim initially had reservations about the lavender paint when buying sight unseen, it's now the car's most celebrated feature, routinely earning trophies and starting conversations at every show.

What resonates most is Jim's refreshing philosophy about classic car ownership. Unlike those who treat vehicles as untouchable museum pieces, he drives his Nomad regularly, believing classics should be enjoyed rather than preserved as "garage queens." This approach has made him and his distinctive vehicle fixtures in the local car community.

We also take listeners through fascinating automotive milestones in our "This Week in Auto History" segment, from the Jeep's 1941 military debut to the Ford Mustang's landmark introduction at the 1964 New York World's Fair. Plus, we decode mysterious car acronyms (did you know RAV4 stands for "Recreational Active Vehicle with 4-wheel drive"?) and highlight game-changing supplier innovations like anti-lock brakes and touchscreens that transformed how we experience automobiles.

Don't miss our upcoming broadcast from the Hot Rod Tour of Texas! Tune in live next Saturday from Spindletap Brewery in Houston as we follow 300+ classic cars traversing the back roads of the Lone Star State.

The Lupe' Tortilla Restaurants
Lupe Tortilla in Katy, Texas

Gulf Coast Auto Shield
Paint protection, tint, and more!

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Chapters

• 0:00 Tailpipes and Tacos Cruise Inn Introduction
• 1:45 Jim's '57 Chevy Nomad Interview
• 10:31 Station Wagon Love and Car Shows
• 14:09 This Week in Automotive History
• 19:22 Car Acronyms Explained
• 25:12 Automotive Supplier Innovations Spotlight
• 29:23 Closing and Show Information