Yeoman is partially defined as “a person who owns and cultivates a small farm.” I suppose that Chevrolet decided to name this wagon “Yeoman” due to the nature of the utilitarian design. Made for 1958 only, you could get either a 2-door or 4-door version. According to Hemmings.com, “Though Chevrolet production numbers don’t break down far enough to determine specifically how many Yeoman station wagons were built, it’s a pretty good bet that these workman wagons quietly contributed…to Chevrolet’s regaining of the number 1 sales position from Ford.” This particular car can be found here on eBay with an asking price just shy of $20,000. Located in Polk City, Florida, as you will see, it has been highly modified from the original trade-wagon it was designed to be. Take a look.
As you can see, the original utilitarian interior has been replaced by fine details. The dash has been matched to the body color, which ties into the steering wheel, floor mats, and Chevrolet “bowties” throughout the cargo area. With the 2-door version, you get a much larger rear cargo area. Great for someone who needs a lot of carrying capacity. As you can see, the factory linoleum platform in the cargo area has been replaced by yards of carpet.
The engine compartment is very detailed as well. It now houses a 383 Stroker with a 4-speed automatic transmission and 4.56 gears. The ad says it runs and drives well, shifts smoothly and “pushes out tons of power.”
The rear end of these cars is very attractive. The design was similar across several Chevrolet models in 1958 with the swooping body line rounding one, two, or three tail lights. I think the Yeoman itself may be the best. What do you think?
Well, when I hear “Yeoman”, I can only think of Yeoman Rand from Star Trek,, :) and this is more of a sedan delivery than a station wagon. Pretty neat, they never looked like this. They were probably the lowest denominator in vehicles, used by small businesses for city delivery, going through many drivers, each caring less than the last. They led a rough life. I like the ’58 Chevy, had a ’58 Delray 4 door and apparently, so did 1.2 million others, and this is a neat ride.
Never knew of this model.Nice build and looks great in red.Should sell well.
As I recall, Chevy did not make a sedan delivery in ’58. I think they stopped making them in ’57. I believe this is a conversion from wagon to “home made” sedan delivery. Lots of work here. Really stands out. But, for me, I would prefer a regular wagon with quite a bit less hp.
The 2-door and 4-door wagon had the same carrying capacity.
A truly sad end for an unusual car.
What’s so sad about this…? It’s not that modified and could probably be returned to stock should anyone so desire. I’d feel a lot more sorry for those Yeomen that never got the chance to be around in 2019!
Nice, but 4.56 gears for highway speeds?
I was thinking the same thing but at least it has a 4spd auto which I assume is an overdrive. I have a Ford C6 3spd auto with 3.55 that has me wishing for overdrive.
I had a pick up with 4:11 gears 60 mph was the end of the world. It could burn rubber like no tomorrow but who can afford to be doing that all the time. And the 4:11’s killed the gas mileage. These 4:56 gears are cancelling out any benefits that would be gained by the overdrive transmission, and if I owned this car those gears would be gone right away. Nice car though.
Love this . Never see many around at all . Only 16k were built of the two doors
Would it have come from the factory with all windows, including the tailgate, blanked off? If not, they should have! I love this old hauler!
I would swap in a more freeway friendly rear gear & roll it. What a sweetheart!
“Would it have come from the factory with all windows, including the tailgate, blanked off? Apparently not… One just popped up on BaT with plenty of glass: “https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1958-chevrolet-yoeman/
The rear view mirror suggests that it had glass in the back, at least for the tailgate.
Images on Google all show these cars with a complete set of see-through windows.
This car has either had the windows filled in or has a vinyl overlay on them. The Yeoman was the entry level station wagon (all windows) and the sedan delivery was completely different.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZfSqyaHgXWI
Should be a pleasure to drive with the upgrades.
They forgot to mask off the rear windows before spraying the paint.
I was going to say, who paints the windows?
Earl Sheib
Earl Scheib paint job!
That is painted glass. I’m pretty sure the ’58 Sedan delivery option had solid side panels and a one piece tailgate (with a window) like my ’59 did.
There was also a non-cataloged windowed sedan delivery – two door based on a four door wagon body – roll down rear “door” windows but no rear seat and a one piece (hinged at the top) tailgate. Windows in all side windows and the tailgate. Model nomenclature was Delray. Government specials. Buddy of mine has one – I passed on it before I knew what it really was.
great for the drive-in if you still have any in your area
NOT a 1958 Chevrolet Delray Sedan Delivery
Like Sedan Delivery’s and the one year styling of the 58’s but not so much one that looks like it’s a wagon with painted glass. 456 gears for the highway and with a longer stroke small block?
Do I spy a bypassed heater core?
The glass has been painted. A better looking version is the Chevy sedan delivery which came with steel panels in place of glass.
Yeoman wagons were the cheapest wagon available in 58. Mine may have been a salesman’s car, as it came with a 283 V8, auto and dealer installed a/c. The entire interior was vinyl. There were less than 17,000 2 door Yeoman’s built in 58. I think he had metal welded in in place of the side glass, but don’t know about the rear window. It looks bad with the windows covered. The sedan delivery wagons didn’t have the post between the rear side windows, and looked great. The sedan delivery that I got parts from had a one piece rear hatch, unlike the two piece wagons.
Mine now has a 350, 3 on the tree and no a/c. Too bad I can’t post a pic.
Nice yeoman. Looks to me like anything done here could be easily undone and returned to stock. I like the resale red but those painted windows really detract from the looks of this beauty. I’m sure you couldn’t buy this car and do it up like its done now for 20k. too much red! Good luck to the new owner!
Cheers
GPC
I see an air compressor under the hood, but, and maybe my eyes are deceiving me, but I don’t see any vents on the dash to deliver that air.
Low end 2dr. wagon. Should of put curtains on the windows and painted it the factory 2 tone red & white. It went red,white,red. But to each his own. It is a cool car. I like it. I just love two tone 50’s cars. Maybe the 4spd. Auto. takes care of the high gear rear end. Later…………………………JIMMY.
Seems like a lot of car for the money. I have to say I don’t like the blanked-out windows, I’d want to remove whatever is applied to the glass. This would look just right with clean glass. Couldn’t build one like it for the price of this one. I would think this should sell no problem for the asking price.
Why on earth would you spray windows and cover them on inside with crappy ugly gray felt? What are they smoking? And did anybody notice the big dent in 700 trans oil pan? 18000 is a bit of a stretch.
Yes, Chevy DID make a sedan delivery in 1958.
https://tinyurl.com/rptrbz5
Really cool not seen around and in my opinion the 58 is much better looking then any of the tri-5’s!!!