Me Personally... I would do the minimal to make it a driver then sit back and make the decision as to the level of work to put into it.
I am a Ford guy but that is a beautiful wagon. I agree with Dog. Get it running, lower it, and enjoy the patina!!!!!!!!
I see lots of potential in that but, like the others, I will say to get it running and driving before thinking about a full resto.
I also agree with the others. Checking underneith is important to deciding o a restoration. I'm a guy who used to swear by every nut and bolt being original till I bought my first 55 Chevy mild custom. Sure, original is great. But it costs way more and takes a lot of work and parts chasing to restore original. By making a mild custom, you have many choices, especially when it comes to those bumpers and stainless pieces. Clean it up, make it safe, drive it, and think about it.
Look at that little Darlin! I love it... It's just aching to get out of that grass, that's not a goat you got there. Does it run?
This is exactly what I do with my Torino. Keep it running, fix what I can, add stuff to the to-do list. When the items on the to-do list starts messing with my ability to drive it, it goes under the knife for awhile.
By making a mild custom, you have many choices, especially when it comes to those bumpers and stainless pieces. Clean it up, make it safe, drive it, and think about it. if it doesnt have to cost an arm and a leg to drive it,
Fix it up as you go, you will be surprized as to what you may decide to do. The early 60s chevs are very neat once you start to compare the models. Wagons, 4 doors, and even 2dr hdt have he same frame, front clip and a lot of other interchangable parts. Impala, belair, and biscayne are just trim packages outside of Impalas were the only HDTs in 2 and 4 door versions. Restore to original or just slide the b-pillar back and install belair or biscayne doors (2dr) and fill in the gap and you have a 2dr custom wagon. now is it a panel wagon or go with glass (its flat and easy to have it made. Good luck If you need parts let me know I have a few spare wagon parts, along with others.:banghead3:
It looks pretty good by the pictures, but as mentioned earlier, you will want to check the underside real good. If the underside is as good as the outside, or close to it, I say you have a pretty good car there. Just about anything is restorable (I've seen rusty heaps of metal restored), but checking the underside good will help you decide. At the very worst, you have a great parts car there. Keep us posted. Bill
The engine and trans from that 'burban in the background is even a bolt-in!! BB or SB - 'Git 'er Done'!!!!!!
