If you were a child in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, or even the 1980s, chances are you spent time riding in a station wagon. The explosive popularity of SUVs that began in the 1980s was the death knell for station wagons in the U.S. (Europe still sells lots of stations wagons, although there they are called estates).
The Chevrolet Brookwood station wagon debuted as part of the full-size 1958 model line-up. It was the mid-range wagon at that time, slotted between the Yeoman and the Nomad. The Yeoman was discontinued in 1959, making the Brookwood the entry-level station wagon offering.
Here, we see a classic example of a 1960 Chevy Brookwood station wagon that has had just enough updating to keep it practical and usable. This Brookwood station wagon is finished in Tazco Turquoise Poly with an Ermine White roof.
The 283 cubic-inch Small Block V8 that came standard in this Brookwood station wagon has been replaced with a more modern 350 cubic-inch Small Block V8, fitted with an alternator rather than a generator, and modern air conditioning. The engine bay is clean and tidy, with a few bits of chrome present. A CPP brake booster has been fitted, presumably backing more modern power brakes. The exhaust now exits just forward of the rear tires rather than at the rear of the car.
The bumpers on this Brookwood station wagon appear to be original, with a fair bit of buff and swirl marks present, and some pitting and corrosion visible on the underside of the rear bumper. The panel gaps are not as consistent as one would like, but the panels do seem to be free from nicks or damage of any kind. The grille, headlight trim, and front license plate trim all appear to be in good nick. Stainless trim around the greenhouse could use a bit of polishing. The glass shows no untoward wear or damage. The paint has buff marks throughout that could likely be addressed with a paint correction detail. The traditional Chevy shield emblem on the station wagon tailgate appears to have been replaced with a silver “V” from a 210 or 150, with Crossed Flags just above. Steel wheels are fitted with thin stripe whitewall tires and original hubcaps. The hubcaps could benefit from a bit of polishing.
The interior of this Brookwood station wagon looks to have been recovered in a two-tone blue vinyl. Carpets have likely been replaced as well. Newer seatbelts lie on the bench seat, with color mismatched buckles. There are Vintage Air-style vents beneath the dash. The gauges have been replaced with more modern units that fit in the original housings. A modern head unit has replaced the original AM radio. A newer vintage tilt wheel has replaced the original fixed column. The cargo area in back shows a bit of corrosion on the hinges, but the tailgate is in better than decent shape. Aftermarket 6×9 speakers have been mounted in the side panels of the cargo area. The painted spare tire well shows some surface corrosion as well. The tailgate jambs and headliner are quite good.
All in all, this is not a bad way to have a practical cruiser to load kids, dogs, or stuff into, still have some creature comforts, and that all-important classic look. This Brookwood station wagon is for sale at Gateway Classic Cars in O’Fallon, Illinois.
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Comments
It wasn’t the SUV yet that killed the wagon in the ’80s: it was the minivan. The SUV came in to wipe out wagons completely in this country.
Agreed. In my world, it was SUVs, but you are correct about the minivans.
Yes. Minivans are at least hugely commodious: my parents loved their retirement-era Town & Country and Sienna. Crossovers are no roomier than wagons–sometimes less–and mostly seem to fulfill the ego boost of conquering flat parking lots with four-wheel drive. I’ll pass on those.
The minivan inflicted the first wound. The SUV the second.
The minivan and SUV merged to create the CUV.
The wagon died and then the sedan was affected.
The CUV is killing the minivan now and damaging the sedan sales.
In the past the market had so much variety but development cost and the public’s moves to specific type models are now making it where we have 8 different versions of the same type of model.
Wagons are cool. I spent time in an ‘85 vista cruiser. I’d love to find one. And yes it was the minivan that replaced wagons. And now it’s crossovers everywhere. Boring, silver, crossovers. I’d take a Chrysler town and country over any crossover. At least the minivans were practical.
What a blast from the past, little rough, ought to be for a decent price.
Europe has more common sense in the wagon department. I recently purchased a brand new 2019 Buick Regal Tourx. It is a station wagon and it is gorgeous. As much room, and more, than any suv or mini van, goes like hell – luxurious, quiet, and 4 wheel drive. Handles like a sports car. (have had – and still have, many sports cars). Made in Germany and imported to the US. Am 79 years old and have had hundreds of cars – this is the best one ever. They still sell a lot of them in Europe. America lost out when all of the lemmings followed everyone over the cliff and bought the suv’s and mini vans. I get compliments on it every day. Google it.
My wife has a CTS Sportwagon so I’m in full agreement. They need to build more cars like this. She also gets compliments on the car on a regular basis. It’s become her all time favorite car.
Cool to see an old wagon here. Wheel covers are actually for an Impala or Nomad. Entry level (Biscayne/Brookwood) would have a hubcap, not a full wheel cover. Grill and tailgate cross flag emblems indicate a 348 engine so likely they have been added. My only real complaint is the gages. They had such nice looking gages back then and somebody replaced them with these ugly modern ones. Common among customs today and a practice that needs to stop.
I agree, if you want to convert the original gauges to stepper motors, that’s ok. As long as they look original, no digital displays, please.
The engine looks especially nice.
Still amazed me that there career 1year only, and they were all metal. With all the plastic now would think the look could change more often?
Nice to go on a picnic and use the tailgate as a table I d tint the rear windows, fun to tow a old spartan trailer airstream with this need good brakes to stop all this metal