On two occasions, Chevrolet separated its station wagons from the rest of the full-size line-up by giving them different names. In 1959-60, the Brookwood would be the entry-level people mover in both two and four-door configurations. The former would serve as the basis for Chevy’s El Camino utility coupe. This 1960 Brookwood looks to have been sitting for years and has its original V8 engine with a likely displacement of 283 cubic inches. Located in Webster, New York, this Chevy is available here on Facebook Marketplace where the seller indicates that the asking price is just $1.00. This tip comes to us by way of Ed Trefzger.
For the second time in two years, Chevrolet redesigned its full-size automobiles, supposedly because of the success that Chrysler was enjoying with its “Forward Look,” futuristic styling. The cars would be bigger than ever, adding 11 inches to the length of the 1957 models as well as three inches in width. This new X-frame design had no side rails which would later be a safety concern in some circles. Changes weren’t substantial but noticeable for 1960, with a more subdued front clip and double cone taillights instead of “cate’s eyes” in 1959. The “batwings” were still there.
The seller’s wagon is the 2-door edition which is preferred these days by hotrodders and collectors. 1960s Brookwood’s like this one would be the last of Chevrolet’s station wagons with fewer than four doors. We don’t know much about this edition of the Brookwood. The seller says it has an automatic transmission, but there may be a clutch pedal under the dashboard. Also, the miles are said to be 1,728 but the odometer has probably turned over and started around again. This wagon has lots of dents and dings and the floorboards at a minimum are rusty, but surely this project will sell for more than $1.
I don’t know what it is about 60 Chevy’s, but I love them. They’ve always been one of my favorite years. It may be because my parents had two, my mother had a Suntan Copper/Ermine White Parkwood wagon, and my father had a Jade Green Biscayne 4 door post (he got a new Biscayne company car every year till 64, when he was promoted and got an Impala). Around 68-69 my cousin had Horizon Blue (same color as this car) 348 Impala, and in the mid 70’s I had a Tuxedo Black, red gut 283 Impala convertible (I sold it to paint my 62 Corvette).
This thing’s pretty rough, and probably not worth restoring, even though it is the much rarer 2 door wagon. But it could be a good starting point for a custom build. This would be pretty sweet with a custom interior, fresh paint and chrome, an LS swap, Vintage Air, suspension upgrades, 17″ wheels, and a surf board sticking out the back.
“Driven 1,728 miles”
NEVER trust an ad on Facebook!
I bet it’s driven all of 1,728 miles.
Turns out this is about 5 hr drive from my location. I messaged the seller and he is asking $5,500 and has the title.
$5,500 sounds more reasonable, but even if I paid a dollar for it, I would be upside down in it, before I ever finished it.
Chevy’s Vega wagon was a two-door.
There were two door Chevelles and Greenbriers, too.
Am I the only one out there who thinks surf boards on vintage wagons was old 15 years ago?
Sorry its not worth throwing 30k at an old rusty Chevy wagon
This is probably the rarest postwar full size Chevrolet body style ever made. In 1960 Chevy made almost 80,000 convertibles, but less than 15,000 Brookwood 2-door wagons. That production number was so low that GM stopped offering them the next year. FWIW, this car has only 3 options: V8, radio and heater. Because it’s a stripped down version of the big cars, there are no special trim pieces that will be hard to source, virtually everything needed to restore this car can be easily sourced from NOS and repro parts companies.
I’ve been a collector of rare vehicles all my life, and have owned over 1,500 vehicles. I ran a fairly large restoration shop for many years as well, and I have yet to see a single one of these IRT.
This car deserves to be saved — restored or rodded — just someone do something with it. If I was 25 years younger, it would probably be mine already, if only to get it running and safe, to use as a parts hauler for my [now closed] shop.
I just picked up an original Red with White top 1960 Brookwood 2-door wagon in worse shape than this here. I couldn’t let it pass me by and my plans are for a partial restoration (new floors, repair or replace frame, new suspension/body bushings, engine running/driving) and I’m going to drive the wheels off and enjoy it!! There’s no way I could scrap or part a 2-door Brookwood out or scrap it so I’m with you 100%
When a family of 11 goes to church 60 miles from home, every Sunday, in a car just like this, it’s easy to leave the gas station with only 10 on board. Ask me how I know.
We had to ride in the back until we were at least a teenager.