As many Curbside Classic blog posts have noted, the cars that decorate street scenes in period movies and the rows of classics we see at car shows don’t really reflect either the period’s model mixes of actual sales or the way our streets once looked. For instance, at the Fabulous Ford show here in Southern California, almost half the cars were Mustangs (typically with the biggest V8 available); all the rest were other models in a variety of body styles that were approximately 75% coupes/15% convertibles/10% other. However, this Curbside Classic reflects the most pedestrian of all body styles, and a suspiciously low level of chrome trim.
As a child of the Sixties, I know that a chrome-free exterior is the strongest indicator of a base trim level. Sure enough, a quick tour of the internet tells us the Brookwood wagon trim level corresponds to that of the Biscayne sedans and coupes that were Chevrolet’s base models for 1961. Frankly, I prefer this cleaner look over the chrome-laden upper trims, but purchasing this model established your cheapskate sensibility instead of a desire to upstage your next-door neighbors.
I did not set out to find this specific wagon, but I’m confident it represents one of the rarest body styles and trim levels of any of the big three manufacturers that’s still on the streets. Bling-free, scorned by social climbers and frequently saddled with a straight six, these wagons have fed scrap yard crushers for the past half-century. Take in its sculptured flanks, bare window frames, and chrome-free exterior, as you’re unlikely to see one on the streets of your town.
To appease the Chevy faithful, I should note that in 1961 Chevy eliminated the curve at the back edge of the rear side glass. By using flat window glass and a narrow D-pillar, the engineers significantly widened the tailgate opening, thus increasing the wagon’s utility–and further distancing the body from ’50s flash and style by creating a more traditional 1960’s utilitarian appearance. As such, perhaps it represents the defining moment of that era: Less flash, more utility.
Paul recommends pressing the camera up to the glass for interior shots. I was pleased with the results of this technique, which allows us to see the rather pedestrian interior of the Brookwood. Not surprisingly, it has the telltale sign of a Powerglide.
I believe the owner plans to hot rod this wagon, and they have found a very complete example for the project launch. Beyond the missing driver’s-side glass, all the pieces appear to be present and accounted for.
Taking pictures of the interior did bring back memories. Not specifically of this car, but seeing those flat metal panels in the rear space, as well as the spare tire cover behind the rear-wheel arch, did remind me of the domestic wagons my father used to drive. All these big, flat metal components conspired to create continuous NVH problems, and Dad would send me over the back seat in search of the latest panel noise, but each fix provided only a temporary solution. Creaks and squeaks were characteristics of these cars, rather than a repairable fault.
In closing, let’s talk about this specific car. We’ve talked about patina in recent posts, and here we have a classic example of California patina. Los Angeles equals no road salt, minimal rainfall and never-ending sun, and these factors combine to provide a top-down rust pattern. After the sun burns off the roof paint, morning dew slowly creates a light and even coat of rust on the top surfaces, while the side-panel paint slowly fades to a flat finish.
Since you want to know, I can also tell you that an exhaust tip pokes out behind each rear wheel, indicating V-8 power. Judging by the wheels and overall stance, I believe this car’s ability to haul ass probably matches its ability to haul lumber home from the yard. I hope you enjoy these pictures, which I’m pleased to provide for your enjoyment!
Note: a rerun of an older post.
Is that a bullet hole, just above the rear bumper, photo of the right rear quarter? ’61 Chevy was my first car, it was a hand me down four door sedan, but it was my first car – everyone only gets one first car!
A favorite uncle had this same car, but a 1962 version when the unique wagon names were dropped and it went back to being a Biscayne. His was even more spartan, with the 3-speed manual. Incredible is the car he traded in for the Biscayne, a 1958 Cadillac Sixty Special with every option, including A/C. There’s a story somewhere why he did this, but he never would’ve talk about it.
I’ve never understood the naming convention of Chevy wagons. Seems like in some years, they carried the same names as their coupe/sedan counterparts, but in other years they had their own trim names. Most of which ended in “wood”, but I think there was also a “Yeoman” wagon for a year or two. But they could never make up their minds.
…and of course a Nomad.
To be fair, Ford some years sold a Country Squire, Ranch Wagon, and the misnomer Country Sedan.
The front seat looks like a replacement, I notice from the photo it has air conditioning-an under dash unit, and some obviously wider wheels. I’m not sure if that damage on the rear fender is a bullet hole or damage from a sharp object. On the matter of squeaks and rattles, my parents drove chevrolets for years and squeaks and rattles always seemed to built in with the Chevrolets they drove. This vehicle seems to be in very good shape for its age.
An uncle had this exact same car, except it was a 1962 when the model name went back to Biscayne. It was even more spartan than this one, with the 3-speed manual. Interesting was the car he traded for the Biscayne – a 1958 Cadillac Sixty Special with every option, including A/C. There was a story there somewhere about why this happened, but I never did find out.
Turn up the base, I saw a 58 Brookwood recently, still a bare bones import with a six, 3 on the tree somebody went to some trouble to get it and keep it entirely original except for radial tyres, Squeaks rattles and drumming at speed, was a wagon thing years ago.
I hope the owner leaves it stock. It would be a shame to hot rod a car this rare!
Can’t remember if our neighbors was a “Brookwood”, or a “Parkwood”. Plain as it was, thinking “Brookwood”.
Man it ratttled, and rattled.
Ran from “new”, to “1970”, though.
Not sure how many miles racked up; feel it was a substantial, sum.
Believe it did have “p/s”. Know there was “auto”, “radio”.
No third seat of any nature.
Probably was an “8”; no weezy, raspy, “6”, buzz I can recall.
There’s a ’63 wagon around these parts with the most fabulous rusty patina. I’ve sworn an oath to get pictures of it one fine day. If I ever do another restomod, a wagon would be near the top of my target list, especially as I’ve got a personal rule to never even think about the auction value of anything I put together.
Similarly colored ’61 Chevy wagon in a neighbor’s driveway across the street, with my older brothers in the foreground (I wasn’t born until a few years later), photo dated May 1962. Sadly I can’t find any photos of our own cars from this period, a black ’53 Chevy and a ’60 (?) pastel blue Falcon, although there are snippets of the latter in some shots. This one looks like a higher-trimmed model.
Sweet ;
I never gave a horse’s patoot to what others thought of my vehicle choices, this is very close to what I would have chosen new .
I’ve had more than a few station wagons over the decades, nary a one was a bad car although feeing that ’68 Chrysler’s 383 was onerous in the 1970’s =8-) .
My self, I’d get a set of black and yellow plates but that’s just me .
THANK YOU for posting this and the many other once abundant vehicles, I miss these daily drivers most of all .
-Nate
RE :
All those squeaks and rattles, general NVH issues in older vehicles .
They’re not that hard to eliminate, it just takes time and effort .
The overall NVH is addressed when you have the interior out for re trimming ~ carefully glue thin CLOSED CELL foam (bubble wrap if you’re in a $ pinch) to the inside of every panel you can reach, the roof, doors, tailgate etc. ,
Making sure you’re never close to any edges as water and dust needs to be able to dribble down the windows and out the door / body weep holes .
Fixing all the rubber pass throughs in the firewall or around the pedals when underslung also makes a HUGE improvement, sheet metal loves to vibrate or drum so anything you can do to lessen / stop this is a big thing .
The insulation improvement it also provides will amaze you on hot days and make you very happy on those colder days when the original heater doesn’t seem able to keep up .
I often add a simple thin (less than 1/4″ flat layer of salvaged late model vehicle carpet underneath the stock floor carpet / mat ~ the amount of noise reduction is a wonderful thing, I trim the edges so it won’t be visible nor foul anything like seat adjuster tracks….
-Nate
Our 1961 Parkwood Black Wagon with Red Interior, 283 with Powerglide was a beautiful and practical Chevy Wagon!