Chevrolet Brookwood
Encyclopedia
Brookwood was a name used by Chevrolet
on certain models in its station wagon
offerings between 1958 and 1972.
models. The Brookwood offered for the 1958 model year was a 4-door station wagon, available in either six- or nine-passenger models.
In 1959 Chevrolet eliminated its entry-level Delray
series and the Biscayne became Chevrolet's least expensive series. Tied to the Biscayne, the Brookwood became the entry-level (and least expensive) wagon offered by Chevrolet. Brookwoods were now available in two- or four-door body styles, both in six-passenger configuration only. The two-door variant would become the basis for the new-for-1959 El Camino
. Unlike the Brookwood, the El Camino could be ordered in trim levels corresponding to the entire full-sized car line including the Impala
.
Chevrolet stood pat on its series offerings in 1960. In 1961, the two-door body style was dropped, but the nine-passenger model returned. Chevrolet discontinued the Brookwood name for 1962, instead naming their station wagons after their series names: Biscayne, Bel Air
and Impala
.
, Kingswood
and Kingswood Estate
models. Brookwood models could be ordered with either six-cylinder
or V8 engines. 1970 model Chevrolet full-size station wagons were nearly identical to the 1969 models, the biggest changes being the elimination of six-cylinder availability and the redesign of the front fascia, which did away with the previous year's loop bumper-grille assembly in favor of a more traditional front bumper and grille design.
In 1971 Chevrolet restyled its full-size models; all full-size station wagons, including the Brookwood, received GM's clamshell rear gate assembly with power rear window. Unlike the door-gate assembly offered in 1969 and 1970, the clamshell gate design required raising the rear window up into the roof of the wagon, while the gate slid downward and under the cargo floor. GM offered an optional electric motor assist for the gate on its lower-priced models after consumer complaints about the weight of the gate and difficulty many had in manually lifting the gate into locking position.
Midway through the 1971 model year, all full-sized station wagons, including Brookwoods, received the previously optional TurboHydraMatic transmission as standard equipment. Despite the series economy roots, virtually all previous Brookwoods had been built and sold with the automatic transmission.
Brookwoods received Chevrolet's front fascia restyle in 1972 and could be ordered with any number of options from full wheel covers to a vinyl top. For 1972, Chevrolet listed a four-door sedan and the Brookwood in that year's Biscayne line.
For 1973, Chevrolet eliminated the Biscayne and ended production of vehicles bearing the Biscayne and Brookwood names. The Biscayne sedan & wagon was sold in Canada
until the 1975 model year.
From 1969 until 1972 the car was built at the Oshawa Car Assembly
in Ontario
.
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
on certain models in its station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
offerings between 1958 and 1972.
1958–1961
Introduced in 1958 as Chevrolet's mid-priced station wagon, Brookwoods were trimmed in line with Chevrolet's mid-priced Chevrolet BiscayneChevrolet Biscayne
-Biscayne Fleetmaster:In 1960, a lower-priced, sparsely trimmed version of the Biscayne called the Fleetmaster was produced. Aimed primarily at the fleet market, the Fleetmaster included a lower grade of upholstery than the standard Biscayne and deleted routine convenience items such as a cigarette...
models. The Brookwood offered for the 1958 model year was a 4-door station wagon, available in either six- or nine-passenger models.
In 1959 Chevrolet eliminated its entry-level Delray
Chevrolet Delray
The Chevrolet Delray debuted in 1954 as an optional trim level on the mid-range 210 series of Chevrolet's full-size car. It later became a distinct series of its own.-1954-1957:...
series and the Biscayne became Chevrolet's least expensive series. Tied to the Biscayne, the Brookwood became the entry-level (and least expensive) wagon offered by Chevrolet. Brookwoods were now available in two- or four-door body styles, both in six-passenger configuration only. The two-door variant would become the basis for the new-for-1959 El Camino
Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupe utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1959–1960 model years in response to the success of its rival, Ford Ranchero. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform, and continued for the...
. Unlike the Brookwood, the El Camino could be ordered in trim levels corresponding to the entire full-sized car line including the Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
.
Chevrolet stood pat on its series offerings in 1960. In 1961, the two-door body style was dropped, but the nine-passenger model returned. Chevrolet discontinued the Brookwood name for 1962, instead naming their station wagons after their series names: Biscayne, Bel Air
Chevrolet Bel Air
The Chevrolet Bel Air is a full-size automobile that was produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1950–1975 model years. Hardtops in the Chevrolet Deluxe Styleline model range were designated with the Bel Air name from 1950–1952, but it was not a distinct series of its own until...
and Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
.
1969–1972
In 1969, each Chevrolet station wagon regained its own unique model name. Brookwood, again related to the Biscayne, was assigned to the least expensive model, followed by the TownsmanChevrolet Townsman
The Chevrolet Townsman was a full-size station wagon produced by Chevrolet from 1953 to 1957 and again from 1969 to 1972.-1953-1957:The Townsman name was first used in 1953 on the 210 series four-door station wagon. For 1954, the name was shifted to the luxury Bel Air series station wagon, which...
, Kingswood
Chevrolet Kingswood
The Chevrolet Kingswood was a station wagon produced by Chevrolet in 1959 and 1960 and again from 1969 to 1972. It was based on the rear-wheel drive GM B platform....
and Kingswood Estate
Chevrolet Kingswood Estate
The Chevrolet Kingswood Estate was a station wagon produced by Chevrolet from model years 1969 through 1972. Features which distinguish it from the Kingswood are the addition of faux-wood paneling on the sides and tailgate, and a slightly fancier interior. Optional concealed headlamps provided...
models. Brookwood models could be ordered with either six-cylinder
Chevrolet Straight-6 engine
The Chevrolet inline 6 was Chevy's main engine from 1929 , through 1954, and was the base engine starting in 1955 when they added the small block V8 to the lineup. It had finally been completely phased out by 1990 in North America, but Brazil held on to their fuel-injected straight-6 through the...
or V8 engines. 1970 model Chevrolet full-size station wagons were nearly identical to the 1969 models, the biggest changes being the elimination of six-cylinder availability and the redesign of the front fascia, which did away with the previous year's loop bumper-grille assembly in favor of a more traditional front bumper and grille design.
In 1971 Chevrolet restyled its full-size models; all full-size station wagons, including the Brookwood, received GM's clamshell rear gate assembly with power rear window. Unlike the door-gate assembly offered in 1969 and 1970, the clamshell gate design required raising the rear window up into the roof of the wagon, while the gate slid downward and under the cargo floor. GM offered an optional electric motor assist for the gate on its lower-priced models after consumer complaints about the weight of the gate and difficulty many had in manually lifting the gate into locking position.
Midway through the 1971 model year, all full-sized station wagons, including Brookwoods, received the previously optional TurboHydraMatic transmission as standard equipment. Despite the series economy roots, virtually all previous Brookwoods had been built and sold with the automatic transmission.
Brookwoods received Chevrolet's front fascia restyle in 1972 and could be ordered with any number of options from full wheel covers to a vinyl top. For 1972, Chevrolet listed a four-door sedan and the Brookwood in that year's Biscayne line.
For 1973, Chevrolet eliminated the Biscayne and ended production of vehicles bearing the Biscayne and Brookwood names. The Biscayne sedan & wagon was sold in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
until the 1975 model year.
From 1969 until 1972 the car was built at the Oshawa Car Assembly
Oshawa Car Assembly
Oshawa Car Assembly is a major manufacturing facility in the city of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada building various automobiles for General Motors Canada. The factory is one of the largest auto plants in the world and has won a number of awards...
in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.