Rare Kingswood 9-passenger wagon with three rows of seats. With the same family since new. Beautiful original interior, smooth 283 cubic inch V8, PowerGlide automatic. Working power rear window. An iconic wagon straight from the ‘50s. This car will be in the Hershey Car Corral, spaces B135-137.

We aren’t calling this lovely Kingswood station wagon a survivor in the strictest sense, as it appears there has been some paint touch-up here and there and the engine bay has been detailed. But it is unquestionably a low mileage unrestored car that has never been blown apart for any reason. It has lived its entire life under the care of the same family and does not appear to have ever seen harsh winter weather, so the sheetmetal remains in fantastic condition. All four doors close with that substantial kerCHUNK sound and aside from a respray around the tail fins, we believe it’s mostly original code 970G Gothic Gold and Showshoe White paint. There are a few minor signs of age and use, mostly along the rockers where there are some minor stone chips, but as an original car, perfection shouldn’t be the expectation. But it’s every bit as nice as it looks in photos. The chrome and stainless is likewise in fantastic condition with excellent preservation and very few signs of age—more evidence that this car has lived an easy life. There’s a roof rack, which is practically mandatory on a wagon of this vintage, and it even still wears the sticker for the selling dealership right there on the rear bumper. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t love this big wagon.

The interior is almost entirely original and remains in spectacular condition. Copper cloth and vinyl upholstery uses those funky brocade patterns that were so popular in the 1950s and the floors are covered in a color-matched rubber mats that you know are original because they aren’t reproduced. The dramatic instrument panel houses a big central speedometer with auxiliary gauges and lights on either side, all of which are fully operational. The odometer reads 35,000 miles, and while that’s probably close to the right number, it seems to be moving more slowly than it should. All the lights and signals are operational and even the factory-installed AM radio pulls in stations loud and clear. Perhaps most remarkably, the power rear window works properly, using either the rotary switch under the dash or the rocker switch in back, presumably for rear seat passengers. Nice! The glass is all in excellent shape with no delaminations or cracking and that massive wrap-around windshield is unmarked save for a few wiper swipes. There’s also an accessory tissue dispenser under the dash and the seats fold down to provide a massive cargo bay that will still carry anything you can buy at Home Depot.

You could get a dizzying array of engines in your Kingswood wagon, with this car carrying the mid-range 283 cubic inch V8 topped by a 2-barrel carburetor. It’s a smooth and competent powerplant, ideal for the big luxury wagon, and it’s got enough torque to make it feel lively around town. We do not believe it has ever been opened or rebuilt, and with low mileage it runs superbly. Great oil pressure, never getting hot, and perfectly happy to work with modern traffic without any fussing. It has been detailed and cleaned up a bit under the hood, so it looks right with Chevy Orange paint, and all the factory hardware is 100% intact, including the air cleaner and unique generator/power steering unit. It always starts easily and idles nicely, and thanks to the 2-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission, anyone can feel at home almost instantly. The undercarriage is, of course, totally original but you’ll note the floors and rockers have zero issues and there’s only surface scale on the unique X-frame and heavy suspension components. There’s a little seepage from the transmission, as you’d expect, but nothing chronic, and the big wagon glides through traffic with a boulevard-smooth ride. The brakes are manual drums, so you’ll need to anticipate your stops, but they’re in top condition and pull the car down safely. It’s so original that we believe that’s still the original exhaust system! Our only real complaint are those G78-14 Goodyear whitewall tires, which are probably more than 40 years old and a bit flat-spotted at this point—a fresh set of wide whitewall radials would make this car an absolutely superb road trip candidate.

Documentation includes the original warranty booklet.

If you love wagons, a ’59 Chevy has to be near the top of your wish list. Dramatic good looks, unparalleled practicality, and fantastic road manners make it a winner. This car attracts major attention everywhere it goes because everyone has a great memory of riding in a big American station wagon, and nothing works better at making new friends than that rear-facing seat. A wonderful car with a great pedigree, ready for its next chapter. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.