For two periods, Chevrolet decided to brand its full-size station wagons differently than the rest of its passenger cars. This happened between 1958 and 1961 and again from 1969 to 1972. In 1958, the Brookwood was the equivalent of a Chevy Bel Air, sandwiched between the Yeoman (Biscayne) and Nomad (Impala). The seller’s wagon may have had an earlier restoration, but it currently doesn’t run after sitting for a while.
The 1958 design would be a “one-year wonder” in that the lineup would be redone in 1959 to capitalize on the “Forward Look” craze started by Chrysler in 1957. The ‘58s were bigger and bulkier in appearance than their 1957 and 1959 counterparts. The seller’s wagon is powered by a 283 cubic inch V8 with a 2-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, a common pairing back in the day.
As the story goes, this wagon was a barn find. The seller found it, brought it home, and then cleaned it up for presentation. Due to a period of inactivity, the best the engine will do at the moment is to crank but not fire up. There’s no speculation as to whether the issue is minor or major and could be the reason why the wagon ended up in a barn (no photos provided of that).
While the two-tone paint seems to look good, the seller notes some body work has been done over the rear wheels. That suggests that more may be needed. The Brookwood’s mileage isn’t stated but the seller may be willing to do a trade. Located in Carleton, Michigan, the asking price here on Facebook Marketplace is $9,500. Our appreciation goes to Barn Finder “Ted” for this tip.
I’ve always like the 58s over the tri 5s ,and wagons are hard to find , but this one I’d pass on due to what rot I can see, what looks like Bondo over the rear arches , the missing door panels and interior bits .Looking at the overspray on the tailgate latches tells me the paint job was not done very well.
I’m completely with you. I’ve always preferred the 58s, especially over the 55s and 56s. So much prettier styling.
I agree with both of you. My favourites are the 1956 and 1957. I also love the 1958 year.
In 1958, the Yeoman was the wagon equivalent to the Del Ray, the Brookwood was equivalent to a Biscayne, and the Nomad was equivalent to a Bel Air. For 1959, the Yeoman was gone, the Brookwood was still equivalent to a Biscayne (but now the bottom of the line), the Parkwood was the new name for the 2-seat Bel Air wagon, the Kingswood was the new name for the 3-seat Bel Air wagon, and the Nomad moved up to Impala spec.
CCFisher, you also may want to mention that the “Nomad” became a 4 door in 1958. Many people are not aware of that. My dad bought one – loaded, including the first big block, a 348 with tri-power. Needless to say there was always a crowd of guys around when an attendant lifted the hood to “check the oil, sir?” to get a look at that “monster V-8. There was not a 2 door wagon available until 1959 when the Brookwood replaced the Yeoman wagon.
BF (via Wikipedia): In 1958, the Brookwood was the equivalent of a Chevy Bel Air, sandwiched between the Yeoman (Biscayne) and Nomad (Impala).
Incorrect. In ’58 the Brookwood was the equivalent of the Biscayne, not the Bel Air because the ’58 Impala and Nomad were part of the Bel Air series not the Impala series (no Impala series until ’59). So how could the Brookwood be “sandwiched between” a Yeoman (Delray not Biscayne) and a Bel Air (Nomad) if it’s a Bel Air equivalent? It was always a Biscayne equivalent and the entry level wagon after ’58.
To Tiger66: I am not sure how the wagons lined-up in 1958, though I knew back then. The side-trim on this one tells me that it is a mid-line example, and not a bottom-line one (what in 1957 would have been a Two Ten, as opposed to a Bel Air or One Fifty). In ’57, the Bel Air line had both the Nomad and a non-Nomad fancy trim wagon. Impala began in 1958, and not 1959. When it was first introduced, it was considered as a top line Bel Air, but then soon became its own series with the Bel Air demoted to second place. I was used to Fleetline, Fleetmaster and Stylemaster, But then they came with Bel Air, Two Ten, and One Fifty (roughly equivalent to Ford’s Crestline, Customline, and Mainline, before they went to Fairlane as their top model in 1955). But then again, I go back to the era of Ford’s Super Deluxe, Deluxe, and Standard. But Impala was the new top line for Chevrolet, beginning in 1958. As for this particular wagon: too pricey for its many problems — too bad, because when was the last time that you saw one? However, with the el cheapo paint job and the evident rot, you’d have to strip this beast to its bare steel, see how far gone it is, re-build the rusted body-panels and structure-points, and re-paint. And then you have the worry and expense of hunting-down elusive color-matching interior parts. But of course, you also have to get it running and mechanically restored. By the time you got done with it, your work would be worth more than the value of the car. Better to start a with a low mileage, well-preserved survivor, with everything there, than to attempt to bring this one back to roadworthy serviceability, I should think. Too bad that Chevys in this era were such rust-buckets! But who, in 1958, expected folks 66 years later to still be monkeying with one of their cars!?!
Lovely looking car. It’s too bad the wagon is so hard to find these days. I love the 1956 and 57 model years, but I also love the 1958 year. If only FB Marketplace posted more pics of the car. IMHO, there’s no such thing as too many pics.
funny how lazy people can be when it comes to these old cars. won’t even try to find out why the car won’t run they just say been its sitting along time people pay more for something that runs
Did not like the 58 at all at the time. Love them now. Actually, a good price, but it’s pending.
To Tiger66: I am not sure how the wagons lined-up in 1958, though I knew back then. The side-trim on this one tells me that it is a mid-line example, and not a bottom-line one (what in 1957 would have been a Two Ten, as opposed to a Bel Air or One Fifty). In ’57, the Bel Air line had both the Nomad and a non-Nomad fancy trim wagon. Impala began in 1958, and not 1959. When it was first introduced, it was considered as a top line Bel Air, but then soon became its own series with the Bel Air demoted to second place. I was used to Fleetline, Fleetmaster and Stylemaster, But then they came with Bel Air, Two Ten, and One Fifty (roughly equivalent to Ford’s Crestline, Customline, and Mainline, before they went to Fairlane as their top model in 1955). But then again, I go back to the era of Ford’s Super Deluxe, Deluxe, and Standard. But Impala was the new top line for Chevrolet, beginning in 1958. As for this particular wagon: too pricey for its many problems — too bad, because when was the last time that you saw one? However, with the el cheapo paint job and the evident rot, you’d have to strip this beast to its bare steel, see how far gone it is, re-build the rusted body-panels and structure-points, and re-paint. And then you have the worry and expense of hunting-down elusive color-matching interior parts. But of course, you also have to get it running and mechanically restored. By the time you got done with it, your work would be worth more than the value of the car. Better to start a with a low mileage, well-preserved survivor, with everything there, than to attempt to bring this one back to roadworthy serviceability, I should think. Too bad that Chevys in this era were such rust-buckets! But who, in 1958, expected folks 66 years later to still be monkeying with one of their cars!?!
TERRIFIC wagon and GREAT price almost as that Cabellero, I blab about so much.