Chevrolet introduced the compact Chevy II in 1962, a thoroughly conventional alternative to the VW Beetle-like Corvair. It sold well, but sales fell off in 1966-67, perhaps due to the styling (IMO) and boxy shape (things would rebound with the redesign in 1968). The 1967 model year was the last for a Chevy II station wagon, and the seller’s example is one of them. Running but in storage on and off for years, this Chevy is in Pueblo, Colorado, and is available here on craigslist for $8,000. Barn Finder Mike F. – thanks for the tip!
Chevy II sales hit 372,000 units in 1963 but dropped to 106,000 by 1967. What happened in between? Well, Chevrolet introduced the mid-size Chevelle in 1964, and maybe it offered more perceived value to Chevy II buyers. Then in 1965, along came the Ford Mustang, which was the same size as the Chevy II but a whale of a lot sportier. 1968 sales returned to 183,000 units with a sweeter look. Chevy decided that small wagons were out and built fewer than 13,000 Chevy II wagons in 1967, sticking with compact sedans only, going forward.
This ’67 Chevy II has had just three owners, including the seller. The first caretakers were an elderly couple who had it long after they quit driving. When they passed, the family sold it to another guy in California (black plates still onboard). His plans to restore it fell through, so he passed it on to the seller at a swap meet. It’s mostly original, with some of the rear paint charred in a “minor” garage fire years ago.
In the many moons the seller has owned this “II,” he partially rebuilt the brakes, did a tune-up, changed the fluids, and fixed some wiring. The radio and speaker were removed for a rebuild (yet done?), and the wagon sports a set of new tires. Though it ran earlier this year, the exhaust system is shot and requires a new one hooked up to the 100,000-mile 194 cubic inch I-6, which went into 45% of the 1967 Chevy IIs. The seller has a good 250 I-6 you can have, but you’ll have to come fetch it near Reno, Nevada (that is, if you buy the wagon).
We’re told the body is rust-free and is surrounded by original gold paint (worn). There is a decent-sized hole in the floorboard that needs patching due to an annoying leak. The upholstery was likely redone a few years ago and will need to be redone once again. All things being equal, the seller thinks you could have this Chevy back out on the road in one weekend (or two).
Nice little grocery getta. Rear quarter almost looks like burn marks…
Had a pal in my little home town that had a ’67 2 door wagon (in 1968). Never heard of that? Built in Canada. :-) Terry J
The last 2dr station wagon Chevrolet built was the 1965 Chevelle 300. I’ve seen a few owner built Chevy II wagons, some looked great, others not so much, but Chevrolet never produced them as a 2dr wagon.
Steve R
Steve, The 2 door wagon owned by my friend Larry was in a town of less than 1000 people. I saw it constantly. It was nearly new and was NOT a custom build. As I said it was from a Canadian factory Larry said. However, I have told of this car on several occasions and the response is often just like yours. Sorry pal, you are wrong, I knew the car. :-) Terry J
Terry, if it existed, GM will have documented it with production numbers or preproduction literature or something else. No offense, but you are not the only person who had a friend with a car where there is no evidence other than their memory that it ever existed. They all believe it’s true, I wouldn’t infer they are making things up intentionally, just that memories from 60 years ago aren’t particularly accurate.
Steve R
Collectors Auto Supply
Hi Terry J,
Thank you for your inquiry. There were a few 2 door wagons back in that era. 62/65 Nova wagons, Chevy II wagons, Acadian wagons, Chevelle wagons, the Biscayne station wagons.
Hope this helps,
Collectors Auto Supply
Heart of a racer. Soul of a restorer.
Are you sure it’s not a case of it being an Opel Kadett and you were smaller then?
Gone? I guess these are more popular now than they were then. My guess someone will make a build out of it rather than a restoration. It seems a lot of solid old cars come out of Colorado. There is another one on Craigslist out there for 9,000. A lot of work done to it, but you have to put together.
Terry J, Maybe your friends has some old Pics ? I would love to see them.
Jim C: Larry took lots of pictures. He was real proud of his car. But he’s been gone for over 50 years. Circa mid 70’s he was driving a cab over 18 wheeler into the morning sunrise and didn’t see the highway railroad crossing. He hammered a fast moving freight train. We grew up together. He was a good guy. Terry J
There use to be a couple of these at the drag strip near me back in the day
A 1964 Chevy II wagon, 4 door was my summer of 1980 camping car. I gave up my apartment at the foothills of the Adirondacks and spent from Memorial Day to just after Labor Day camping in various areas from Lake George to Lake Placid. The car had a 2 speed transmission, 6 cyl. engine that never balked at hwy speeds, then 55/60 mph. It handled the back roads with ease, and I swear it could have climbed a tree in low if needed. It was roomy enough for all my gear and me in the back when it was either too cold or foul weather.
Many a time have I wished I still had it.
Nowhere in this write up does it list what transmission it has. The Craigslist post normally shows this, but it has been deleted. So we will never know. BUT, it is a moot point anyway because it appears to be gone. I had an employee that had one (a 1965 if I remember cirrectly) he installed a warmed over 250 6 cylinder with a 5 speed and 3.55? Gears. It really scooted and returned mid 20s mpg on the highway.
cool ride and backstory. i am sure its destine to have a ls slapped in it and slammed to the ground and that would be a shame. cars in this state are getting harder to find and then have them stay like that is also hard.
Craigslist ad has been taken down.
I would get that thing running and driving make it safe to drive and just cruise I see the two and four door of these things all the time but hardly ever seen the wagon cruising or at the car shows. They are only original once so keep it stock if you can.
One thing few of said is they didn’t like the styling of the 66/67 Nova. Sure the Chevelle and Camara stole some thunder but go to any toy store from about 1980 to today and one model that is almost always there is a 66/67 Nova. Love them or hate them they are an iconic car from the Muscle era. Some don’t know but the entire Camaro platform is based off the Nova.
Rbig18: Much to John DeLorean’s dismay. When he got the green light on the Camaro he wanted to start with a fresh sheet of paper but Big(er) Wigs dictated that the newly developed cowl and platform of the Nova be the starting point. Turned out OK. LOL Terry J
I’ve seen several of these converted to drag and drive cars, wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what’s in this car’s future.
perfect DD 4 me (as to: 20 MPG, utility, carb, WB, model, looks, ‘stripper’ or econ0box, auto, more). I might take the 250 motor w/it set aside both, find the 292 i6 (ford’s mil mi motor (300/4.9) is a cross platform which I’d never do) and non-adaptor needed auto w/OD (ie a 4 speed auto, just dont no what cheb made like that for the 292. If only truck autos I might adapt it toa car 1. Just dont no, need to do the research for models, $, ease of mod, etc).
Have had same era darts & falcons (and even the Japanese) throughout out my decades of driving (personal and commercial) and have become known as “WagonMan” due to this. (Drove fleets of Darts, Aspens, K-car waggys for others in livery service). Now have an ’85 ford fox platform (same WB) wagon, “4 eyed pride”.
The Fox platform wagons were really cool. I used one as a company car in the summer in 1985. A new LTD wagon with really comfortable seating and enough room in the cargo hold for luggage, dog, mulch bags and the like. My friend in college had a Fairmont wagon, a stripper model, that probably got close to 30 miles to the gallon.