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1960 Chevrolet Kingswood

Chevrolet vehicles during the second half of the 1950s changed dramatically year-over-year, highlighted by tail fins and plenty of chrome trim. The 1958 Chevrolet models used an all-new Safety Girder chassis, with the bodies becoming longer, lower, and wider with a new front end carrying dual headlamps and revamped side trim treatments. 1959 Chevys were given new 'Slimline Design' styling, with bodies becoming even wider, resulting in even more interior room for passengers. In the back was 'Spread Wing' treatment with cat's eye taillights and flat, wing-shaped tailfins, complemented by a new radiator grille in the front with headlights placed as low as the law would permit.

All 1959 Chevrolet models rested on a 119-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 210.9 inches. The height varied depending on body style, with the hardtops measuring 54 inches, the sedans at 56 inches, and the station wagons slightly taller at 56.3 inches. In comparison to the 1957 models, the 1959 Chevys had 11 inches longer, making them the longest car in the low-priced range. Two years earlier, they had been the shortest.

For 1959, the entry-level Delray model was dropped and replaced by the Biscayne, with the Biscayne-based Brookwood becoming Chevrolet's least expensive wagon model. The Brookwood was now offered in two-door or four-door body styles but solely with seating for six passengers.

The Kingswood station wagon was a mid-priced, full-size four-door vehicle with nine passenger seats, with the rear-facing third-row jump-seat standard. In Chevy's pricing scheme, the Kingswood was positioned between the Parkwood 6-passenger and the Nomad which was now based on the Impala instead of the Bel Air. Both the Parkwood and Kingswood were considered part of the Bel Air line and had Bel Air's model number, thus making them middle-range wagons.

The Kingswood was introduced in 1959 and built through 1960. Both the Kingswood and Parkwood had Bel Air trim, unique script on the front fenders, and came standard with the 235.5 cubic-inch 'Blue Flame' straight six with 8.25:1 compression, four main bearings, hydraulic valve lifters, a two-barrel Rochester carburetor, and delivering 135 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. The base V8 engine was an overhead-valve, 283 cubic-inch V8 with a Rochester two-barrel carburetor, hydraulic valve lifters, five main bearings, and delivering 185 horsepower at 4,600 RPM. Optional V8s included the 'Super Turbo-Fire' 283 CID V8 with 230 horsepower and the 'Ram-Jet Fuel Injection' 238 with either 250 hp with a 9.5 compression ratio or 290 horsepower with 10.5 compression. The 'Super Turbo Thrust' 348 CID V8 produced 280 hp, and the 'Special Turbo-Thrust' had 300 horsepower. The range-topping 'Special Super Turbo Thrust' 348 CID V8 produced 315 hp.

A three-speed manual transmission was standard with a plethora of optional gearboxes, including overdrive, Two-Speed Powerglide, Turboglid, close-ratio three-speed, Corvette-type Powerglide, and a four-speed. Optional equipment included power steering, power brakes, power windows, a power seat, windshield washer, two-tone paint, wheel discs, and recirculating heater. Standard equipment included power tailgates, electric wipers, oil bath air cleaner for V8 engines, and front foam seat cushions.

The Kingswood was priced at $2,850 with the six-cylinder engine and $2,970 with the base V8. The Kingswood was replaced in 1961 by a third-row nine-passenger option on the Brookwood. Chevrolet's 1961 station wagon lineup included the Brookwood, Parkwood, and Nomad. In 1962, station wagons became part of the Biscayne, Bel Air, and Impala and lost their unique name.


By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2021

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Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1960 Kingswood
$2,900-$22,745
1960 Chevrolet Kingswood Base Price : $2,900

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Other 1960 Chevrolet Models
$2,600 - $3,000

Kingswood

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
119.00 in.
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 170.00hp
8 cyl., 283.00 CID., 230.00hp
8 cyl., 348.00 CID., 250.00hp
$2,900 - $2,900

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