Daily Pick: 1959 Chevrolet Brookwood Station Wagon

It is said that Absence makes longing grow fonder. Many of us in the automotive world lament the passing of the station wagon, even though not too long ago we probably wouldn’t want to be seen driving one. But are SUVs still okay? Allow me to introduce you to our pick of the day, a 1959 Chevrolet Brookwood Station Wagon that will make you reevaluate your practicality needs. It’s listed on ClassicCars.com by a dealer in Orange, California. (Click on the link to view the listing)

The story of Chevrolet and every other GM brand in 1959 is well known, so rather than rehash those stories that you can read elsewhere, we’ll discuss Chevy’s station wagon game, as this may be confusing to those who think every Chevy station wagon is a Nomad

Looking back at the Tri-Fives, the 150, 210, and Bel Air series all had wagons. The 150 and 210 both had the two-door, six-passenger Handyman wagon. The 210 also had the Townsman and Beauville wagons, both with four doors, though the latter could carry nine passengers. The Bel Air also offered the Townsman wagon, and at the top of the range, a special Nomad two-door hardtop wagon, but to be honest, it was a cut above the workhorses mentioned above. As you can see, the 210 was the bread and butter of the range, with three different wagons offered for 1957.

In 1958, Chevrolet renamed its model line to Del Ray, Biscayne, and Bel Air, with the new Impala becoming a submodel of the Bel Air. Station wagons included the Del Ray-based two-door or four-door, six-passenger Yeoman, the Biscayne-based four-door Brookwood in six- and nine-passenger configurations, and the Bel Air-based four-door, six-passenger Nomad (now a traditional station wagon).

In 1959, Chevrolet reorganized again, introducing the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala, the latter now its own mainstream line. The corresponding station wagons were the Biscayne-based Brookwood (in two-door and four-door, six-passenger configurations), the Bel Air-based four-door, six-passenger Parkwood and four-door, nine-passenger Kingswood, and the Impala-based four-door, six-passenger Nomad. Chevrolet would maintain a similar station wagon lineup through 1961, reviving several names for 1969.

This 1959 Chevrolet Brookwood two-door wagon was the cheapest wagon of the year, but you wouldn’t notice it thanks to a clever paint and trim in the style of a 1956 Nomad. This Bow Tie was built by Zoomers Automotive in Denver and JRW Rods and Customs in St. George, Utah, so it’s no surprise that it’s won several awards at shows. Note the raked B-pillar and removed window pillars, which are influenced by the classic Tri-Five Nomad. The Sikkens Galapagos Pearl is from Volkswagen, and the Pewter Pearl is from Harley-Davidson.

The wagon is powered by a 480-horsepower LS3 crate engine mated to a (surprisingly!) TREMEC six-speed manual transmission. “The engine bay is beautifully finished with custom details on the firewall, Ron Davis radiator, custom engine and radiator covers, and custom hinges to complete the look,” the seller says.

The cabin is fully leather and Alcantara-clad and features the latest comfort and convenience features such as Vintage Air, Alpine stereo, modified Volvo seats and Mercedes-Benz carpeting.

Custom builds can run the risk of looking the same, but this 1959 Chevrolet stands out with its interesting modifications and standout style. This Brookwood was listed at $300,000, but you can buy it for the astonishing price of $109,500 (OBO).

Click here to see the ClassicCars.com Daily Picks.