Nomad, Yeoman, Townsman, Kingswood, Handyman… Throughout Chevrolet’s history, they have given their wagons many different special names. We aren’t sure if they simply felt their wagons deserved interesting names or if it was an attempt to change their image with each iteration. Some of the versions went on to become icons while others were quickly forgotten. While hunting through eBay for wagons, we noticed just how many different names Chevy gave their wagons, so we thought it would be fun to take a look at a few of them for Wagon Wednesday!
The first wagon we came across was this beautiful 1960 Impala Nomad. It is claimed to claimed to be completely original and is showing just 67k miles on the odometer. With a 348 cui V8, we are sure it likes to be nomadic. It will need a few things to be like new again, but the seller has a number of NOS parts to go along with it. The seller has listed it here on eBay, where bidding has already gotten to $15k!
The next wagon isn’t nearly as pristine, but has equally low mileage. This 1958 Yeoman Wagon was at one time fit for an estate, but is now in need of work. It has a new 350 V8, new brakes, and master cylinder and is currently running and driving. It has rust that needs to be repaired and the interior is going to need to be restored. It isn’t nearly the estate wagon that it once was, but it has potential. It has been listed here on eBay and bidding is at $2k.
This 1970 Bel Air Townsman was designed for those who wanted the comforts of an estate car, but needed something more suited for town use. It was powered by a 350 V8, which in this one’s case is brand new. It has lots of surface rust, but the seller claims it is solid with no rust through. The seller feels it has nice patina, but we cant help but wonder if this is past that point and shouldn’t just be considered rust. If it really is solid, it would be worth keeping on the road and could make for a nice grocery hauler. Find it here on eBay with a BIN of $4k.
Our last wagon is almost in as good of shape as the first, but has a name that sounds much more prestigious. It was given the title of Kingswood Estate and even wears faux wood grain panels to match its title. It isn’t as luxurious as a Cadillac, but would still be comfortable enough for a king. The big 400 cui V8 should offer plenty of power. This is a fine example of what makes an estate car so stately. This one family wagon can be found here on eBay with a $14,800 BIN.
These are just a few of the Chevy wagons we came across and each one had a unique name given to it. We will probably never know why Chevrolet used so many different names for their wagons, but it is fun to guess. Why do you think they used so many different names? Was it a marketing strategy? Or do you think they simply liked coming up with new monikers?
How about the Corvair Lakewood wagon only made in 61-2. And for some reason it was obly called a Lakewood in 61 not 62.
I just happen to have one sitting in the shed. Totally original and complete with no/or very little rust. Runs but needs brakes. It is a ’61 with title.
i like the 1960 and both of the 1970s. if buying i would make an offer on the kingswood estate. i think it would make a great daily driver. nice finds
Growing up we owned five full-size Chevy wagons — they were indestructible and could easily haul four kids and enough stuff for a two-week vacation. You didn’t park those wagons, you docked them. This was a special era. By the mid-1970s we had switched to less thirsty Chevelle mid-size wagons but they just weren’t the same strength or quality.
In my opinion the best looker is the ’58,and it looks to have much potential, the ’60 is a time capsule,I asume a majority of the people looking on here,would rather buy low/sell high,than the other way around,the newer wagons are guaranteed to be better on the road but dont have the character of the two older ones.all these wagons are cool and would provide excelent transportation
Love those old wagons, especially the ’60 Chevy and its 10 year newer woody version. Such a treat to see one today, a relic of the hayday of the classic cruisers. Wagons like the early late ’50’s Merc’s or early ’60’s Chrysler 4 door hardtops are still my favorites. And at the time, they were more expensive than even most convertibles. Suv’s are fine, but I sure do miss the mainstream station wagons.
Barry Thomas’ “Wheel to Wheel” blog
The Wagon Queen Family Truckster! You think you hate it now, wait until you drive it!
Some of the Chevy wagons are among the coolest wagons evey made, including the ’60 Impala Nomad in this group. But if I read Mike B right, we probably agree that the driving dynamics aren’t the best because the suspensions are very soft, as I found out a long time ago with a ’58 Yeoman just like the one in this group—lots of leaning and bouncing around on those soft springs and shocks. My disagreement with GM was that these are wagons, made to carry more stuff than sedans, so they need decent suspensions that won’t be overpowered by a normal wagon load.
I guess the bottom line for 2014 is that they are no longer called upon to do much family hauling and are at their best when just cruising to the next Show ‘N Shine. I would say they are hard to beat in that department, especially if you are lucky enough to have a Nomad.
The 60 Nomad is Actually a 1958. UNLESS they carried over into 1960>
The name Nomad was used from 1955 on for 2 door wagons till 1958,starting in 1959 Nomad was used for 4 door wagons,the 1960 nomad would be a regular 4 door station wagon with the Impala trim and interior
You’d have a hard time steering me away from the ’60 Nomad. Despite the color which happens to be my wife’s favorite, I’d still have a lot of convincing to do to convince her that a wagon would be cool. She hates wagons. Interesting that she loves panel deliveries.
Not only did Chevy shuffle wagon names from year to year at least through the clam-shell models of the early ’70’s, they’ve also been known to apply different names for 6-passenger and 9-passenger models with equivalent trim. In 1960, the mid-line (Bel Air) 6-passenger wagon was known as the Parkwood, while the 9-passenger was the Kingswood. The only exterior difference was the rear-bumper step pads on the Kingswood. BTW, The top-line (Impala) Nomad was only available in 6-passenger form, as was the low-line (Biscayne) Brookwood. Strangely, the Brookwood name was used for two wagons: the 4-door and the unique 2-door model (its final year). No wonder you need a score card to keep track.
I really dig old wagons. I just bought a really nice low milage LTD Country Squire Ford.
Im am a Chevy guy, but this one i had to buy. My Mom and Dad had one when i was a kid. Just livin the Dream.
I own the 58 yeoman now,