The Impala and the Corvette are typically the first cars that come to mind when discussing early 1960s Chevrolets. These are the most recognizable and collectible nameplates from the corporation during that time. But at the time, Chevrolet’s inventory was rather varied, particularly in the full-size automobile segment.
That was just the top of the iceberg, the Impala. Additionally, Chevrolet provided the entry-level Biscayne model and the somewhat upscale Bel Air vehicle. With the exception of trim and accessories, all three had essentially the same appearance and comparable engine choices.
But the full-size lineup wasn’t only about sedans, coupes, and convertibles. In 1960, the company had no fewer than four station wagons in showrooms. The Nomad was obviously the most luxurious and expensive, while the Brookwood sat at the bottom of the lineup. The Parkwood and Kingswood bridged the gap as mid-priced offerings. The former came with seating for six, while the latter included a three-bench, nine-person layout.
Not surprisingly, these grocery-getters don’t get a lot of attention nowadays. Sure, the Nomad is a bit more famous thanks to its Tri-Five days, but the Brookwood, Parkwood, and Kingswood are pretty much forgotten. And even though they were produced in relatively high numbers, they’re quite rare nowadays.
I don’t have precise numbers to run by, but nearly all the restored 1960 and 1961 full-size Chevys out there are Impalas and Bel Airs. On the flip side, most Biscaynes and station wagons are either rotting away in junkyards or locked away in barns with no second chance on the horizon.
For a classic wagon enthusiast like me, that’s a bummer. And that’s why I get excited whenever someone saves a grocery-getter, just like YouTube’s “Johnson Auto Ranch LLC” recently did with a 1961 Parkwood. But it’s not your typical rusty find. Even though it’s been sitting for a whopping 48 years, this wagon is still in one piece.
It’s unclear where it has been parked for the duration, but it appears that this Parkwood was more fortunate than the typical abandoned classic. That is, a roof was placed over its “head.” Although it’s not completely devoid of rust, the car is fairly tidy considering it’s been abandoned for fifty years. Its original blue paint is still mostly visible, too. It also has a lovely patina. A couple folks I know would shell out a lot of money to have something similar replicated in a store.
Why do I care so much about a Parkwood, a nameplate very few remember? Well, even though it’s not rare by production numbers, it’s a short-lived nameplate. Introduced in 1959, the Parkwood was discontinued at the end of the 1961 model year. Moreover, the 1961 version is a one-year gem (as are the Brookwood and Nomad wagons from the same model year).
In 1961, Chevrolet sold around 169,000 grocery getters, 137,300 of which were cars with six passengers, just like this one. But after decades of exposure to the weather, barely a handful remain on the road, and perhaps a mere few hundred remain intact. Even though this 1961 Parkwood isn’t particularly valuable, it’s nevertheless worth preserving. or at least kept in tact as a rat rod fitted with a more recent V8 engine.
Until that happens, check it out in the full walkaround below. Do you think it should be saved or parted out to help restore other vehicles from the era?